As a professional pickleball player sponsored by Selkirk Pickleball, the leading
pickleball gear company, Dylan Unkert ’28 stands out from the crowd of talented PHS
athletes. He has played pickleball recreationally for around six years, but has started
competing this past year. He currently plays in individual, team, and mixed events in
tournaments across the nation, although he mainly competes in doubles. In the past
year of play, he won medals at almost every tournament he participated in, including a
division in the U.S. Open, and hopes to continue his winning streak at nationals.

**How did you first get into playing pickleball? Why did you choose this sport?**

[My grandma and I] went down to Florida one year for Christmas and I was really
hesitant to play because I didn’t really know anybody. She thought [pickleball] was a
good, inclusive sport that all ages can play, so she brought us down and I just fell in love
with it. Before, I would only play once a year but then I found more courts [nearby] and
we were able to play once a week. Now I’ve been playing almost every day.

**How was your transition as a player from middle school to high school?**

 I play on a team outside of school. It can be hard managing school and [playing]
because the practices are four to five hours each day, on top of competing ... I definitely
think that the jump from middle school to high school has been more challenging.

**What makes playing doubles special for you? How do you build the necessary
chemistry with your teammates?**

 I’ve been playing with some of my partners for a year. Just knowing each other and not
having to communicate because I know [they will] be there ... I think that really helps. I
think even if you’re playing two people that are better than you, it’s your chemistry that
really sets you apart from the others. It’s really [about] how well you can communicate
[and] how well you can work together and uplift each other.

**What misconceptions about pickleball do you frequently encounter?**

 That pickleball is an old people’s sport. If you play at a lower level, you’re obviously
not moving as much. At the pro level, especially singles, there’s studies that show
that [pickleball is] harder on your body than tennis because there’s more of a jolting
movement than just side to side ... you need to have hand-eye coordination and a [solid]
mentality.

**What are the biggest challenges you have faced as a pickleball player, and how have
you overcome them?**

 At least in competitions, I have been one of the youngest people — everyone else is
in their twenties, thirties, even fifties. I just try to maintain knowing that I’m a kid, not
getting too crazy on the court because [my opponents] are a lot older than me. Being so
young ... it can give you opportunities, but other times it can be a hindrance.

**What was your most memorable moment during a match?**

I was playing singles in the pit and during my final match on game point, I ended up
getting hurt — I pulled my hamstring. Not knowing that I pulled my hamstring, I kept
on going and I won [the match] with one leg only.

**Can you describe your trip to the U.S. Open?**

 It was overwhelming at first because there were so many people, especially good
people. It was a national qualifier tournament — if I won it, I would be able to go to
Arizona and compete in nationals. I went undefeated [while injured], so I’m going to
nationals in a few weeks!

**What do you think your next steps are for pickleball in the coming years?**

 So the APP (Association of Pickleball Players), which is one of pickleball’s main
foundations, is starting a boarding school for the best junior pickleball players.
Thankfully, I was invited to be there. Now I just have to decide if I want to move to
Florida or not!

Dylan Unkert ’28: pursuing perfection in professional pickleball 

Running up the field with the ball, Mia Ramirez ’25 sees a defender coming her way.
Rather than taking them on, she finds her teammate with a perfect pass, leading to a goal.
Seeing how her style of play has led others to success is one of her favorite joys of playing
the sport.

Ramirez discovered her passion for field hockey when she was in middle school. With
three siblings who played different sports, she was always encouraged to find a sport that
she liked.

“I wanted to play a sport for middle school, so I kept trying sports until I found one
that stuck,” said Ramirez. “I signed up for field hockey in the fall of middle school, and I
really loved it.”

While some things were different to her, like playing on turf instead of playing on grass,
her desire to improve always remained. This sense of responsibility immediately made an
impression with their coach, Heather
Serverson.

“When she came in as a freshmen,
I knew she was going to be captain,
because she’s always listening,” said
Serverson. “She was always getting
other people [on track] when they got
distracted at practice, she would always
be giving older players tips when they
needed help, so she wasn’t afraid to step
up and lead, even as a young player.”

As a captain, Ramirez wants to return
the same positive energy she recieved
as a freshman. To bring unity to the
squad, Ramirez regularly organizes
team dinners, group studies, and movie
nights.

 “The thing about PHS field hockey is that we’re always super close,” said Ramirez. “I
remember freshman year, everyone was super welcoming to me, and that’s just kind of
the culture that we have, where the older players and younger players just naturally mesh
together.”

Sophie Gono ’25 has been right beside Ramirez for most of their time on the team, and
has seen how Ramirez has grown as a player. As the team’s other co-captain, she feels that
Ramirez has the qualities needed in a leader.

 “We have a similar working style, so we’re always there to support each other, playing
or not playing field hockey,” said Gono. “She’s always willing to listen and help, and when
I want to get extra touches in the off season, she’s always open to going to a field to go
and practice.”

 The desire to improve has had great results; Ramirez currently leads the girls field hockey
team with an astounding 21 goals, and will be looking to add to that tally in the coming
weeks. For her, there’s no need for extra motivation.

“I’m naturally competitive and self-motivated,” said Ramirez. “I think that no matter
what my day was like, or what warm up felt like when I got onto the field, I naturally turn
into my competitive nature. That’s always really helpful, because there’s nothing I really
have to do to tune into that.”

 When it comes to motivating and helping other teammates out on the pitch, Ramirez
can do that as well. Serverson recalls a game against Lawrence High School in the Mercer
County Tournament where, although they eventually lost the game, Ramirez’s captain
qualities really stood out.

 “In the MCT game, the younger players were very, very nervous. I had some freshmen
starting, and these were freshmen who weren’t used to the crowd and the lights, which
can be a lot for a young player,” said Serverson. “They were getting frustrated in the moment because they weren’t performing at the
level that a senior would be expected
to perform at. Ramirez was on the
field, telling them to hang on and
that they were doing well.”

Looking towards the future,
Ramirez is demonstrating that, like
most things she has done so far in her
athletic career, she wants to make sure
that the final decision is right for her.

 “I was going through the recruiting
process for a while, but ultimately
didn’t find a school that was the
right fit, so I decided to not commit
anywhere,” said Ramirez. “If I go
somewhere that has a team, that’s
definitely something I would like to
think about pursuing, either at the club level or at the varsity level in the future.”

For new players considering trying out for the PHS field hockey team, Ramirez has
some words of encouragement.

 “You shouldn’t be afraid to make mistakes, and you should always be open to trying
things,” said Ramirez. “Field hockey is a game where there is always something more that
you can learn.

Mia Ramirez '25: field hockey

As the fall semester gets into full swing, seniors are beginning to narrow down their college decisions, arrange trips to campuses, and polish their applications. For student athletes looking to be recruited for colleges, however, this process has been underway for months or even years.

The collegiate recruitment process can mean different things to different players: some players aspire to play in the highest division possible for a chance to play professionally, while others see the scholarship money to a prestigious university as the main reason to play another four years. Either way, the college recruitment process is a high-stakes environment.

Lois Matsukawa ’25 decided that applying to an elite institution that also allowed her to continue to play volleyball was the right choice for her. In doing so, she was able to verbally commit to Swarthmore in the fall.

“My club coaches really helped me, because we have recruiting coordinators at our clubs. I got a giant list of [Division III] schools, because I knew that I didn’t want to go [Division I],” said Matsukawa. “I wanted to make sure that I had a good academic school to go to.”

Even though Matsukawa opted to play Division III instead of Division I, there is still a great attention of detail to her performance. With millions of dollars in scholarship money on the line, recruitment coaches must be thorough in their assessment of players to ensure they are making the best decision for the college. In this case, it means raising the bar for expectations.

“I reached out to [recruiters in sophomore year], went to a lot of their camps, and that’s how I got to play in front of them,” said Matsukawa. “Even at these college camps, you get feedback from the actual college coaches, which is really important because that’s what they’re looking for in their recruits.”

Walter Gumbinger ’25 has verbally committed to play Division III in golf at Dickinson College. Like Matsukawa, Gumbinger began his recruitment process by sending emails to college recruitment coaches and seeing who would reply. Gumbinger stressed the importance of maintaining relationships with the coaches.

“Once you get the first email, you keep the coaches updated with your scores. For some coaches, I got on the phone, met the coaches, and you are invited to campus,” Gumbinger said.

Gumbinger admits that the pressure to perform at a higher level can be difficult, so he has been finding ways to minimize that stress. One way in which he has reduced his stress is by going to visit a sports psychologist that can help redirect his way of thinking about the game.

“We learn different ways to alleviate stress and to try and focus on something that’s not golf, especially when I’m not hitting the ball,” said Gumbinger. “It’s about learning to focus when you are actually hitting the shots, and then being able to get your mind off of it.”

Although Gumbinger was able toget better control of the mental side of his game, some issues were still hard to control. For example, the vast amount of competition meant that Gumbinger was indecisive in even attempting to be recruited and meant that he got his name out to the coaches later than he would have wanted. For aspiring collegiate athletes, Gumbinger has some words of advice.

“I would say to get your name out there as early as possible,” said Gumbinger. “I wouldn’t say to commit too early to a school unless it’s really your dream school, just because there’s
a lot of time; you still have your junior year to really get better and grow so maybe a better opportunity will come.”

For Matsukawa, she found that the pressure came not only from the volleyball court, but in the classroom as well. In order to be recruited to Swarthmore, she had to balance her athletic success and high grades.

“Getting help from my teachers if I was struggling in a class was really helpful,” said Matsukawa. “And then athletically, my coaches were always open to me coming in early to get extra reps just to become a stronger player.”

In fact, the pressure was so intense at one point that Matsukawa had to take a brief period of time to reflect and have her own realization: she understood that the sport itself was never more important than her mental or physical health and wellbeing.

“I think the biggest thing is to ask for help, whether it’s your parents, your coaches, or teachers, just to balance everything out,” said Matsukawa. “[Taking] a break from your sport ... [and discovering] other activities and hobbies that you find interesting outside of your sport is really important.”

David Brophy ’25 is a senior who is currently in the process of looking to be recruited to a college for swimming. Brophy shares a similar story with Gumbinger and Matsukawa in that he began with reaching out to coaches through email, and felt pressure from the whole system.

“I had one of the bigger national meets this past summer in Virginia, and I had to drive all the way down there, and there were a lot of coaches which led to excess pressure,” said Brophy. “I think that added an element of, ‘You need to do well or else maybe you won’t go to a good college.’”

For Brophy, the best way to get over the feeling of excess pressure is to continue to play the sport and make sure that you’re always having a good time doing it, which ultimately results in success in the big moments.

“I just try to stick to what I know,” said Brophy. “Practicing is always really fun. Once you get to the meet, you need to be able to trust yourself and what you’ve been working on.”

Though parts of the recruitment process have been stressful to Gumbinger, he feels that the recruitment system is ultimately set up to give athletes the best chances of success.

> The recruitment system is ultimately set up to give athletes the best chances of success.

“I think it’s a great process, because even though somebody may have better stats than you, if the coaches don’t like who the player is, they won’t take them,” said Gumbinger. “That leaves spots open for other players who maybe aren’t as good, but will be a better benefit to the team through their locker room ability or overall support for the team.”

Though both Matsukawa and Gumbinger have faced adversity in their athletic recruitment process, they are ultimately excited to continue their athletics at distinguished colleges, and think that prospective athletes shouldn’t fear when beginning to compete in the college recruitment process. At the end of the day, the recruitment process is supposed to be a system which athletes can look back on fondly as they seek to take their sport to the next level.

The pressure to get recruited

Theo Lee ’24 grips the bar, ready to attempt a clean and jerk lift. Lee starts in a squating position then quickly stands up and swings the barbell up onto his chest with his strength and momentum. After a moment to catch his breath, Lee springs into the air, lifting the barbell high above himself. It’s a new personal best.

Lee’s journey to becoming a weightlifter is unique in that he didn’t begin his high school career knowing that it was his passion.

“Originally when I transferred to PHS ... I [played] soccer and basketball, and [ran] track,” said Lee. “I was a full year athlete with different school sanctioned sports,”

After a series of miscommunications with his soccer coach over a foot injury, Lee found himself off of the soccer team and onto the track team. While Lee quickly realized that track wasn’t the sport for him, one
aspect about track did inspire him: the weight room.

“One day, [in track practice], they put in cleans [a type of barbell lift] to the lifts, and I thought [that] was really fun, and [that] maybe I should do weightlifting,” said Lee. “So instead of going to track, I would go to the weight room and lift.”

John Torrey, the head of the strength and conditioning department at PHS, was glad to help Lee out with his Olympic style lifts, which are uncommon among weightlifters at PHS. “Theo had a natural aptitude for the olympic weightlifting, he was just technically very sound and very fast,” said Torrey.

“Theo did a lot of research and coaching on his own, and after picking up some outside coaching, he’s gotten even better.”

While Lee was able to see progress largely due to his own desire to improve, he understands that the opportunities which he was able to obtain through his coaches introduced him into the world of weightlifting outside of PHS.

“[Mr. Torrey] told me about a coach who does weightlifting coaching. [He was] hosting a meet and wanted to know if I could [attend],” Lee said.

At the competition, Lee met Jake Ruch, a fitness coach who has helped Lee with his routines, giving him tips on his form and mental strength. Ruch saw Lee’s potential to compete almost immediately.

“I said to myself, [Lee] has a determining factor and an inner drive that you don’t see a lot,” said Ruch. “He has an ability to cope, to not make excuses.”

At his second competition, Lee was introduced to many more athletes like himself, who were very competitive. Lee feels that this friendly competition has pushed him to work harder. On June 18, Lee will compete at the USA weightlifting competition, with weightlifters on Team USA.

“I’m looking forward to meeting people from different regions,” Lee said.

Although weightlifting has been a recent development in Lee’s life, he feels as though he has really gotten to know the weightlifting community.

“I think that it would be really cool if we could get some kind of get-together for everyone who’s always at the gym,” said Lee. “[Other teams] get their events with cake, but the weight room doesn’t have that ... it doesn’t really matter on paper what you are, it’s really about how you come together as a community.”

Lee understands the nerves of starting a new sport as well as any young athlete. For anyone at any age thinking about entering the world of weightlifting, Lee thinks that PHS is a welcoming and supportive place to develop.

“Even if you are trying to get into the weight room but you don’t really know what you’re doing or what type of lifts you want to do, don’t be afraid to try new stuff out,” said Lee. because everyone is figuring stuff out. People in the gym are really nice and would love to help you out.”

Theo Lee ’24: weightlifting

In New Jersey, sports betting has been legal at casinos and racetracks since 2018. With MLB player Shohei Ohtani’s and NHL player Shane Pinto’s recent involvements in betting scandals, the question for many is whether sports betting should continue to be promoted so strongly. At PHS, many students are interested in these betting scandals, and it’s common to hear conversations about these issues in the halls. 

PHS Takes: Should New Jersey ban sports betting? 

   Every March, basketball fans across the United States switch their television channels from the NBA to college basketball to watch collegiate athletes compete in one of the most highly-anticipated sports competitions of the whole year: March Madness. 
  This National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I tournament began in 1939 with eight teams. As viewership increased, the tournament developed into a 68-team super tournament, with enthusiastic fans tuning in every year to cheer on their local teams.
    Before 2023, Princeton University was ousted from March Madness four times in a row. However, a great run to the Final 16, with wins over both the University of Arizona and the University of Missouri, sparked interest for the tournament in the Princeton community and especially at PHS. 
  Among those invested in the tournament are PHS’s basketball players, who look up to famous collegiate players. Justin McLeod ’25 is a player on PHS’s junior varsity basketball team and a long-time fan of the tournament. 
   “I find it very entertaining,” said McLeod. “I’ve been watching [March Madness] for four years now. I like the intensity.”
   One aspect that sets March Madness apart from other tournaments is its unpredictability. The yearly tournament is based around a seed ranking, in which the teams with the best records play the teams with the worst records. Despite this, lower-ranked colleges frequently beat well-known institutions. Taking into account that one loss results in total elimination from the tournament, even the favorites to win the tournament may not be  guaranteed the title. 
     An avid fan, Jackson Zwick ’27 has been watching March Madness for seven years and dedicates hours to rewatching games and predicting the potential outcomes of the tournament in his own bracket spreadsheet. 
   “There’s always the one blue blood that goes down to a small mid-major school ... I love watching the small teams upset the big teams,” Zwick said.  
 One such big team is Duke University, which has a strong academic and athletic reputation. The Duke Blue Devils have won 17 NCAA titles and have had some of the biggest comebacks in NCAA history. However, Duke has also lost seven times in just the first and second round of the tournament. Even for Duke, all it takes to lose is one bad day. For McLeod, this uncertainty is one of the best parts of the tournament. 
   “There are so many upsets in March Madness because of the pressure on the players, which causes them to fold,” McLeod said. 
  The ups and downs of March Madness may make it entertaining, but another beloved part of the tournament is the game brackets, which viewers fill out with their predictions for how matches will play out. Out of 2.8 billion brackets ever filled out, not one has been perfect. While these odds may seem discouraging, the prospect of being the first to have a perfect bracket is exactly what motivates people to fill out their brackets every year.
    There are plenty of bracket makers at PHS. Owen Kelly ’25 is one of the most passionate, and has dedicated hours to creating the perfect bracket.
   “What makes creating brackets so exciting is the fact that no one has ever had a perfect bracket before,” said Kelly. “It gives you a reason to care about these games even if you are not a fan of [some of the] teams.”
   These brackets and their fame have spawned many copies, with predictions on various themes running alongside the basketball ones. For example, PHS’s biology department sets up an animal-themed bracket every year, something that biology student Marcus Strum ’27 really appreciates.  
  “[March Mammal Madness] adds character to the science wing and lets students continue their education when hanging out in the hallways,” Strum said. 
   PHS’s drama classes have a similar activity: March Monologue Madness, a contest based around four rounds of themed monologue performances. Drama teacher Julianna Krawiecki created this activity to inspire her students to improve their acting through friendly competition.
   “[March Monologue Madness is] a fun way to bring everyone together and work on a variety of acting skills, memorization, collaboration and camaraderie,” Krawiecki said.      
    Although not as popular at PHS as March Madness, the biology and drama departments’ brackets still reflect the widespread excitement and anticipation surrounding the tournament in an academic environment like PHS.

Baskets and Brackets: March Madness at PHS

Standing in the goal at the far edge of the hockey rink, Logan Hollingsworth ’24 watches and waits. As one of the opposing team’s players rushes at her with the puck, Hollingsworth wastes no time, shooting out of the safety of the net to perform a two-pad stack, blocking a shot that almost certainly would have gone in.

When Hollingsworth started playing ice hockey for the first time in her sophomore year, adding it to her schedule alongside softball, she knew starting a new sport so late would be difficult. However, she gladly took on the challenge and became an invaluable part of the team, centering her game around teamwork and friendship.

“I want to get better and better,” said Hollingsworth. “But for me, it’s not all about winning. It’s more [about being there to] help my team improve.”

Hollingsworth was inspired to join the hockey team by her father, who encouraged her to try new things and to sincerely try her best at everything. She was also inspired by the upperclassmen on her team and sought to replicate their attitude and leadership on the ice. Most importantly, she wanted to step out of her comfort zone and learn something she had never tried before.

“It’s [about] commitments, if you start something you have to continue,” Hollingsworth said.

Despite her lack of prior experience, Hollingsworth volunteered to take on the challenge of being the team’s only goalie. Although the habits she retained from playing softball, such as bending down to get a puck instead of using her pads, were an early setback, her ability to take criticism and turn every loss into a learning experience made a strong impression on everyone around her.

Head girls hockey Coach Christian Herzog was particularly impressed.

“My first impression of Logan ... she was willing to put herself in a position which is not very forgiving,” said Herzog. “But with each time she played, she got a bit better, made better saves, made more saves.”

Although it has been a tough season for the girls hockey team, with more losses than wins, Hollingsworth has never lost her spirit, staying optimistic and making sure her team learns a lesson from every loss and celebrates every victory.

“The stress never really seemed to get to her,” said Herzog. “Honestly, whether we win or lose, she has the right attitude.”

As captain and goalie, Hollingsworth’s main mission has been to make the team’s dynamic as friendly and close as possible, organizing team meetups, weight room sessions, and lunches to bring everyone closer together.

“She brings the team together in a way only she can,” said teammate Sophia Lee ’26. “With the effort she puts in at practice and games, we’re really proud of all the shots she’s blocked this season.”

Hockey is a sport that is difficult to adapt to for newcomers: the heavy gear, ice, and fast paced nature strain the limits of the body’s capabilities. Hollingsworth, as a goalie, is one of the team’s central players. If a game is lost, it’s usually blamed on the goalie. Although she’s been through many difficult and stressful games, Hollingsworth has always pushed herself to improve and learn from both wins and losses.

“I was ready to give up ... I was just so tired,” said Hollingsworth. “But I kept pushing through and, in the end, we didn’t win, but it [ended] up being a good game.”

Both her teammates and coaches will miss her when she graduates at the end of this school year. She has been an invaluable part of the team, bringing everyone together as captain and preparing next year’s goalie to take her place.

“I anticipate she’ll be coming back to cheer on the team in future years, even when she’s away at college,” Herzog said.

Hollingsworth will miss the team she has been a part of for three years, and will consider joining a club team in college. She is excited to see both new and old players succeed in the future, and will keep the lessons she has learned from hockey close to heart.

“A win is a win, but a loss is a lesson to learn from to get better next time,” said Hollingsworth. “Even though hockey [is] a team sport, it’s also about personal improvement.

Logan Hollingsworth ’24: ice hockey

Stroke after stroke, breath after breath, Zach Guan ’24 glides through the pool. His legs kick up and down consistently, propelling the rest of his body further into the water. For Guan, this is just another day.

Guan started to swim at the early age of seven. Although his parents supported his swimming, they wanted him to focus more on classical music. Guan liked swimming more, however, and chose to stick with the sport.

“I grew up in a very musical family ... my dad always played classical music on the radio. So [my family] wanted me to go into music ... but I really fell in love with swimming,” Guan said.

Guan frequently placed in the top three swim times in his individual meets in elementary and middle school, but gained a deeper appreciation for swimming after joining the high school team and becoming a part of its dynamic.

“When we won our first county meet ... It’s the first team experience [I had] where we won. I felt [awesome],” Guan said.

Guan’s talent, built up from years of individual practice, isn’t just limited to one kind of swim style. According to head boys swimming coach Carly Misiewicz, this makes him an invaluable asset to the team.

“[Zach is] very versatile, whether it’s freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, any distance,” said Misiewicz. “He can swim a variety of events, and he can be successful in any event that he does.”

Guan may be an excellent swimmer and leader in the pool, but he also plays a key role in leading his teammates and building team chemistry, something that his teammate of three years, David Brophy ’25, has noticed.

“I love being on the team with him. He’s a really good team player and he always tries his best,” Brophy said.

Guan loves his team’s dynamic and enthusiastically participates in team rituals, like the team chant and going to hang out at each others’ houses. He particularly admires how every member of his team supports the others, and how everyone does their best because they don’t want to let the team down.

“I’ve known these people for years,” said Guan. “When you’re swimming with people every day, around six days a week in a pool for two hours each time, it’s hard not to have an unbreakable bond.”

The boys swim team has had a remarkable winning season, with every player improving their individual skills and the team growing as a whole. Guan himself has consistently placed in the top three during meets and is proud of how far his team has come, seeing their victories as proof of their dedication and hard work.

“[We’re] representing [our] whole school,” said Guan. “[We have] the banner at the pool, and recently we’ve gotten a record. So our names [being] immortalized on the walls of the pool is pretty amazing.”

These victories are even more impressive considering the difficulty of swimming itself, a demanding sport based on precision, coordination, and technique. Although the PHS boys swim team has been undefeated for years, Guan makes sure to remind his teammates that they can push themselves further and should never rest on their laurels.

“You’ve got to always be on your toes. Always be ready, because there [will be] somebody who’s gonna drop five seconds somehow. You can’t just go in [thinking], ‘Oh, this is gonna be easy.’ You’ve got to be ready to swim your hide out every race no matter what,” Guan said.

Another aspect of Guan’s character that stands out is his attitude. He never seems to run out of steam or stop practicing, no matter how well his team is doing, making him a great role model for his teammates.

“He’s always trying his hardest on the relays. And, especially when we have meets early in the morning, he still has a lot of energy and he always brings a good energy [with him],” Brophy said.

Although Guan has certainly had a positive influence on his team, he has learned just as many lessons from his teammates, whom he will certainly keep in touch with after he graduates from PHS. For Misiewicz, Guan is someone who puts his trust in the team, and has gained the same trust from them.

“He’s very involved and outspoken in a very positive way,” said Misiewicz. “He’s someone who I can go to in a moment where I need to relay a message. And I know that he’ll relay that message in a positive way.”

In his time on the swim team, he has learned the value of improvement as an individual and as a team, and he hopes the next generation of PHS swimmers will have as much of a positive experience as he has. Guan will treasure everything he has learned from his team and take it with him into his adult life.

“When you’re feeling down or feeling blue, [your] teammates will help you,” said Guan. “Every time you’re swimming ... you’re racing yourself as well as the other people. You [race] to help [yourself grow].”

Zach Guan ’24: swimming

It’s down to the last ten seconds of the basketball game. Gabrielle Bannett ’24 races down the court with the ball. Finding her opponent, she throws the ball into the air as her teammate guides it into the basket! Princeton wins!
Growing up, Bannett got her love of basketball from her family. Her father was her basketball coach all throughout elementary and middle school.
“He definitely inspired me to stick with [playing basketball], because he always comes to my games to support me,” Bannett said. 
Along with her father, Bannett has had many other people help her and get her to where she is now. In middle school, her basketball coach, Coach Mike Maguire, helped her grow as well.
 “I really looked up to [Maguire],” said Bannett. “He helped me …develop a [deep] love for the game.”
When transitioning to high school basketball, Bannett had an advantage in that she already knew many of the players on the team, since they had played on an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball team together. 
“It was a little bit of a transition, but everyone was super amazing and welcoming,” Bannett said. “I had so much fun with that team and we made so many great memories together, that [it] really made me want to continue playing basketball in high school.”
Head Coach David Kosaof the PHS girls basketball team noted that when he first saw Bannet play in the seventh grade, Kosa already knew that Bannett was an advanced player in her skillset.
	“Her fundamentals were really strong,” said Kosa. “And you could tell that she had a very strong basketball IQ, and a very strong basketball persona on the court.”
	Luna Bar-Cohen ’25, a teammate alongside Bannett, reaffirms these sentiments. Bar-Cohen has been playing with Bannet since middle school, and she believes that the years they’ve played together has greatly helped their team chemistry.
	“She does so much for our team on and off the court, and [she’s] always willing to go the extra mile for us,” said Bar-Cohen. “In games and practices, Gabby does a great job of seeing everyone on the court and facilitating good ball movement. ... When the team needs [help], we always know we can count on [her].”
	To Bannett, understanding each other and having each other's backs in challenging moments is what really counts. For her, she is grateful that she can trust the rest of her team in big moments, just like they can trust her.
	“We know how to laugh and have fun with each other but we also know when it's time to be serious and work together,” said Bannett. “It’s a good balance that’s important to have in any team environment.”
Now into her last season, Bannet is looking forward to winning something with the PHS team. For her, putting something up on the banner is the team's biggest goal.
	It's my last shot to win something and put something on the banner, So I really hope we can do that this season,” said Bannet. “Coach always says it's banner season, because we have nothing on our banner hanging in the new gym right now. So this is just another opportunity for us to get something new to form.”
	The team's optimism to win a title for PHS is demonstrative of the team's personality and tenacity. For Kosa, this constant belief is not just talk. He notes the work that has been done in the off season.
	“This year has been the most [turnout] that we’ve ever had in the summertime...” said Kosa. “We’ve worked with coach John Torey in strength and conditioning... It's not a surprise where the girls that have improved the most  have been the girls that have been putting in the work during the offseason.”
	While working hard is a must-have mentality for the PHS Girls volleyball team, enjoying yourself is just as important to them. For Bannett, she tries to bring a unified environment to the team, which she knows can help the team further down the road in tough games.
	“Having team lunches on game days and inside jokes are just some of the things that have strengthened our bonds as friends and teammates,” said Bannett. “Over the four years I’ve been on this team, we have always had great chemistry on and off the court.”

Athlete of the Month: Gabrielle Bannett

As Delaney Keegan ’24 steps onto the field, she quickly scans her surroundings, the buzzing crowd, and the arriving opposing team. With a deep breath, she tightly grips her field hockey stick. Game on.
When Keegan began playing sports, she didn’t know that field hockey would end up being her main focus. Her dad was a Division I swimmer, and from a young age, he made sure that Keegan tried a wide variety of sports.
“My parents let me choose in the sense that they threw me into sports and they said, ‘If you enjoy it, you enjoy it,’” Keegan said.
Looking back on her early years, Keegan remembers the unconditional support that she would get from her family, and is very grateful for it.
“My dad was my biggest supporter,” said Keegan. “He was someone who was always there for me to help me through all of it, because he understood what I was going through [as an athlete].”
Keegan first tried field hockey in sixth grade, when one of her friends encouraged her to try out for her school's field hockey team. Initially she didn’t think that anything would come of it, as she had been playing on a travel softball team for the past ten years, but as she played more, her passion for the sport only grew stronger.
“I realized that I loved playing field hockey more than softball, so I started taking field hockey more seriously, and it became my path,” Keegan said. 
Fast forward to present day, and Keegan has become one of the most important figures on the PHS Varsity field hockey team, being trusted with the captain title, along with three others. Head Coach Heather Serverson acknowledges the importance of her presence.
“[Keegan] does a great job demonstrating how to always play in a game,” said Serverson. “I think the players really look up to her, they know how good she is, and that she's been playing for a long time.”                             
Outside of hockey, the team likes to spend lots of time off the field  together, such as pasta dinners on Sundays, Halloween parties in October, and a banquet at the end of the year. These traditions are in place to make sure that they keep that special bond for when it matters most on the pitch. 
“We’re all a really tight group,” said Keegan. “We all love each other no matter what, we’re kind of like a cult. It makes me so happy, because even outside of field hockey, we’re so close.”
For Keegan, this year has been a significant one, as she recently announced her verbal commitment to Cornell University, where she will continue playing field hockey.
“I was shocked, and it still hasn’t hit me yet,” said Keegan. “I feel like once I get that acceptance letter, it will actually feel real, but it's crazy to me that I’m going to a school that’s so academically competitive.”
Some of Keegan’s goals while at Cornell is to make friendships and continue to build connections. One of Keegan’s goals has always been to build relationships, as she looks to meet new faces in her last year of high school as well. 
For anyone interested in playing field hockey in the future, Keegan displays the same supportive attitude as her father. 
“Don't give up,” said Keegan. “There's always another path, there's always another way to go. Just keep trying.”

Athlete of the Month: Delaney Keegan

As soon as the referee drops the puck onto the ice, the players' concentration levels rise. Star forward Cooper Zullo ‘23 takes a deep breath, calming himself. An environment of nervous excitement fills the rink, but it all goes away as soon as the referee blows the whistle. Game on.
   Zullo is used to the atmosphere of a chilly ice rink. Growing up, he fell in love with the sport when he watched field hockey on TV during the 2008 Summer Olympics. Encaptured by the fast paced rhythm of the game, Zullo soon began to enjoy its winter equivalent, ice hockey.
   “I thought it was kind of fun, especially at that age,” said Zullo. “Hockey is [a] super fast [paced sport], and I wanted to try it out, and I’ve loved it ever since.”
   However, Zullo’s family wasn't able to bring Zullo to ice rinks as often, as the family was balancing their time on different sports as well. Zullo had to motivate himself to work hard at the sport, finding ways to practice even when he couldn't train on ice.
   “Hockey forces players who are serious about it, to say, ‘What am I going to do today to try and create an environment for me so I can get better?’” Zullo said. 
   For him, this included playing floor hockey with his net in his backyard as well as roller hockey which uses wheels instead of skates, to help his balance. 	
   While Zullo didn't have much help playing the sport, he did have many people to look up to in his childhood. One of his biggest inspirations growing up was his brother, who played basketball. 
   “It was very easy for me to model myself after him because he was such a hard worker,” Zullo said.
   At Princeton High School, Zullo is trying to become a role model himself for the underclassmen hockey players who are trying to settle in. 
   “I want to create an environment that is inclusive for all teammates while still having fun,” Zullo said. 
   Princeton High School has always been a competitive scene for ice hockey. The school has a long history of winning the Mercer County Tournaments. This year, the boys ice hockey team is currently second in the Colonial Valley Conference, on a three-game winning streak. Zullo’s contributions have been critical to the team, scoring a team high of 27 points, which he hopes to add to this season.
   One of Zullo's biggest attributes is how integral he is to the spirit of the team. Julian Drezner ’23, a forward and key player to the squad, admires the qualities that the team has. Having been with the team since his freshman year, Drezner has seen Zullo’s progress and the influence that he’s had on the team.
   “He's had some ups and downs, some great and some slow, but he’s usually given key points for the team,” Drezner said.
   Rik Johnson, the head coach of the boys hockey team, has also seen the impact of Zullo’s attitude on the team. He recalled the story of how surprised Zullo was to be picked as captain his junior year over other contenders for the position. 
   “When Cooper was named captain, he quickly re-evaluated himself... it put him in the [position] to where he was like, alright, I'm going to have to step up,” Johnson said. 
   Winning the Mercer County Tournament was Zullos main goal to finish the season, and to finish his high school career. Leading the line, Zullo was able to earn his team a place in the final against Hopewell Valley, where an overtime goal from Ethan Garlock clinched the title in a 3-2 victory.
   “It was one of the best feelings in the world and I still can't believe it,” said Zullo, recalling the moment. “For us seniors ending our career in the best possible way really was just so amazing.”
   While capturing the Mercer County tournament has been one of the highlights of the season, Zullo sees this trophy as having a much stronger purpose. He hopes it serves to encourage anybody remotely interested in ice hockey to join the team.   
     “It’s really a no-pressure environment. Our goalie who never played hockey before, plays every game, and enjoys it. All the guys come to have fun for two hours [at practice]. It's a really awesome environment.” Zullo said.


Cooper Zullo ’23: ice hockey

Taking a deep breath, the athlete stretches and contorts their body into different
positions and angles. The pilates exercise is a great way for the athlete to train their
entire body.
 Pilates, a combination of core exercise and yoga, aims to strengthen the body,
as well as encourage flexibility. After a couple of decades of relative obscurity, the
exercise has seen a resurgence in popularity, especially on TikTok and other social
media sites. The hashtag “pilates” has garnered 5.7
billion views so far on TikTok, and it continues to
grow. John Torrey, the fitness instructor at PHS,
recognized the benefits of this popular trend.
 “Any type of education towards [pilates] would
be beneficial to the students,” said Torrey. “I
certainly think it could be incorporated into the
[school] curriculum.”
 Pilates, which was invented in the 1920s by Joseph
Pilates, has had a long and successful history in
the world of athletics. The fact that it can be done
without any instruments at all shows it’s a cheap
and simple form of exercise that anyone can do.
 The availability of information on the internet
allows for people to be introduced to many new
types of workouts. Pilates is a unique and niche
type of exercise, which newcomers to fitness may
not be aware about. According to Torrey, this kind
of exposure to fitness information is extremely
beneficial.
 “There’s probably a lot more information on the
internet now than when I was your age,” said Torrey.
“I really had to search for books and magazines to learn
how to strength train and do body building.”
 While pilates has many similarities to exercise routines
like yoga, pilates has one key difference which sets it
apart. Unlike yoga, which usually requires the person to
hold a pose, pilates poses are matched with leg and arm
movements, which put strain on the core, adding to the
exercise.
 Because of its accessibility, it has potential to be very
beneficial at PHS, where exercise and working out is very
popular. The PHS fitness room is routinely packed with students during lunch and
after school. Evan Weinstein ’25 goes to the gym after school, and to him, fitness
trends like pilates are great ways to get fit.
 “I think that 99 percent of the time, fitness trends are helpful,” said Weinstein.
“Obviously there are some less helpful or even harmful [trends], but people should
be able to … make decisions for themselves.”
At the PHS fitness center, strength training and yoga are some of the more popular
forms of exercise, which is exactly what pilates is based on. Newcomers to pilates can
get a lot out of just going to the PHS fitness center for a workout.
 One of the benefits of the pilates trend is the sense of community. It’s a common
sight to see people sending positive, and motivational messages in the comment
sections of workout posts. These messages only help to strengthen the community,
and make fitness goers more motivated to work out. To Weinstein, these messages
are nice, but not helpful.
 “I think it’s nice and obviously anyone who says it has nice intentions, but I think
[motivational messages are] becoming overused, diminishing
their meaning,” Weinstein said. Still, Weinstein
understands that these messages can
bring motivation for those who need it.
 Another benefit of pilates and other
fitness trends is that they discourage
sedentariness. With technology taking
up a greater role in people’s lives, fitness
trends inspire people to get moving.
Jordy Paredes ’23 is a regular at the
gym, and understands the significance
of fitness.
 “Hard work will always pay off; just
because others are not pushing doesn’t
mean you should stop,” said Paredes.
“Working out builds mental strength
and physical strength.”
Of course, pilates and internet
fitness trends aren’t all completely
perfect. Students routinely find
that they compare themselves with
others online, creating unrealistic
expectations for themselves, which can lead to
lowered confidence. The desire to see physical results
can lead athletes to consume dangerous substances for
faster gains. For Torrey, understanding what is natural
and healthy is of key importance.
 “[With] the advent of the internet and social media sites like Instagram, there
are a lot more fitness influencers, but you don’t know how credential they are,” said
Torrey. “You don’t know what type of supplements or illegal drugs they’re on to get
in that shape, and a lot of them don’t look like that year round.”
 Because pilates has a wide range of difficulty, it is much more manageable for
newcomers to administer a healthy routine, and not be influenced by questionable
supplements. Overall, pilates is a healthy way to stay fit, and will give you massive
benefits in the long run.

Pilates fitness trend establishes community at PHS 

PHS Futsal, a staple club at our school, had one of its most testing moments last month when the team “Hackeysack Club” faced off against another team “The Council,” and a series of violations from “Hackeysack Club” ultimately caused the team to be suspended from playing again. 
   This event brought up the idea of sportsmanship and to what extent we are taking it seriously. 
It’s common knowledge that sportsmanship is integral to cooperating when playing against opponents, but it’s also important that students know its deeper significance.
   Sportsmanship is more than just being nice to other people — it’s a way for people to set rules and boundaries so that the game itself isn’t inhibited. The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, the umbrella-governing body for NJ athletic rules and regulations, has specific guidelines for how certain sports are to be played, from concussion assessments to drug testing. However, Futsal Club doesn’t have a specific set of rules to follow, as it isn’t an official sport run by the school. Nobody knows that better than PHS Athletics Director Brian Dzbenski, who admits concern over the issue.
   “You’re in a unique situation because in our club systems, we have students that take the lead,” said Dzbenski.“We do not have a national federation of high school sports futsal.”
   For example, in sports which are regulated by the NJSIAA, the rules and regulations are required to be read to the players before the match begins. Along with that, organizers of each selective sport are required to go over rules and watch webinars regarding the rules to the game, which is something that Dzebenski thinks would be helpful.
   “Making sure that the rules are upheld for competition [is important],” said Dzebenski. “We [should] have ongoing professional development or officials [so the referees] understand what the rules are.”
   More than just the rules of the game, sportsmanship can also be a way for students to learn social habits that will benefit them, even after they graduate high school and beyond. Former PHS Principal Frank Chmiel feels this is critical to student development.“Sportsmanship is something you have to carry with you as you get older,” said Chmiel. “If you remove yourself from a sport, you look back on the love you had for a sport, and appreciate the rules for the sport.”
   In the case of the futsal team, Dzebenski believes it is important that both players and fans know the rules and standards of the game, so that the sport can be played safely and be enjoyed by everybody. For example, Dzebenski recalled a moment in the Mercer County Tournament ice hockey final, during which a 
frustrated opponent fan bypassed into the Princeton fan section, knowing they weren’t allowed to enter. The fan was ultimately removed and sent back to their fan section.
   “Athletics are emotional; people are committed, and they train hard to win competitions,” said Dzebenski. “The little things like [enforcing rules and regulations] can avoid people getting frustrated.”
   For Dzebenski, rules and regulations would be meaningless if the student body didn’t know they existed. To him, spreading awareness to  PHS students is of utmost importance so that things can improve.
   Paulo Barbosa ’25 was the goalie of “The Council,” and he shared the same desire for there to be consistent application of the rules. His biggest desire was for the referees to be more involved.	   “I don’t think what was done was due to a lack of awareness, but rather to see what [the players] they could get away with,” said Barbosa. “I think the club needed to properly end the situation before it escalated.”
   When The Tower reached out to the futsal club leaders for a response, they did not reply.
   Looking into the future, there are promising signs that these altercations will be adressed and prevented.   
   With proper guidance, Dzebenski believes that the school community will demonstrate its spirit of sportsmanship.
   “I’d be more than happy to meet with [the advisors] in preparation for next year,” Dzebenski said.

The importance of sportsmanship at PHS

 On October 10, the PHS Field Hockey Team became the Colonial Valley Champions after winning 8-1 against Notre Dame. Currently climbing the bracket in the Mercer County Tournament, they have kept their undefeated streak thus far — the only team in their region to do so. 
    From the start to now, the PHS Field Hockey Team has been undefeated. Their strong season can be attributed to their cooperative team chemistry and admirable work ethic, which some of the players have cultivated since they were children.  
   “We have people who have literally known each other since they were babies on the team,” said Varsity Field Hockey Coach Heather Serverson. “Some of them grew up playing field hockey together and now they are playing for the high school team: that’s just something you can’t coach.” 
   While coaching this year’s team, Serverson felt that the players pushed themselves harder than the team in previous years. Field hockey Captain Gianna DiGioacchino ‘23 explains their passion for their desire to become division champions after coming close before. 
   “In the last few years, we’ve come close to winning it, especially as a captain this year, it would be the perfect thing to top off my career,” DiGioacchino said. 
   Many of the players also play for a club team in addition to the school team, further contributing to their skill level. However, for midfielder Delaney Keegan ’24, the team culture for the school team is much stronger than the club. 
   “I really like the tight-knit culture on the school's team. I hang out with them more than my club team, so I feel like I get to connect with them on a more personal level, it’s just an overall better environment. I think this has really contributed to our successes as well,” Keegan said. 
   In addition to their close team culture, Serverson attributes their ability to be successful to a strong selection of players on this year’s varsity team. 
   “We have really strong players playing in all our positions. We don't really have any weak links and we're really versatile too. I think that a lot of players can play more than one position, which is really helpful,” DiGioacchino said. 
    Being first seed in the Mercer County Tournaments has given them good matchups against other teams, which is what they’ve worked hard at for all season long. They competed in the Mercer County Tournament Semifinals scoring *update*.
   “I’m definitely nervous [for the semifinals], but I’m excited. I think it’s a little nerve wracking, but we’ll be on an adrenaline rush from all the excitement [during] the round,” Keegan said.
   Though they are having a successful season so far, DiGioacchino knows that it's not over yet and is still eyeing their ultimate goal of winning the tournament title. 
   “The most important thing is intensity,” said DiGioacchino. “We’ve been playing for almost 3 months now, so it's important not to burn out. “Continue playing our game” has always been our motto and will be important in the last stretch of this season.”


PHS Field Hockey team crowned division champions after successful season

 It’s 5:00 a.m. on a Thursday, and the sun has not yet risen in Princeton. While everyone else is still asleep, an alarm wakes Josh Snyder ’22 up. After a quick bite to eat, he’s down by the field practicing soccer. He gets home just as the sun’s glow touches the sky, and he’s ready to start the day. Snyder knows that to have success, he must be committed. 
   At a young age, Snyder began playing soccer due to the sport’s influence in his family. His dad, a former youth national player who almost went professional, nurtured his interest in the sport by creating a healthy environment. 
   “He always told me it didn’t matter what I would do, just as long [as] I was the best at it, and it just so happened that I also loved soccer,” Snyder said. 
   Snyder said that he took a while to take the sport seriously, which caused him to lag behind. However, it spurred him to work harder than he had before. 
   Currently, Snyder is a goalkeeper for the Princeton Development Academy. To get the primary spot, he had to prove himself as their best shot-stopper. Since there is only one primary goalkeeper on every team and they are not substituted like outfield players during a game, it is one of the hardest positions to get regular game-time. Although Snyder is his team’s primary goalkeeper, he also has other goalkeepers teammates. Despite the competition, Snyder tries to maintain a good relationship with them. 
   “We all understand we’re battling for a spot, but at the same time we are a family,” said Snyder. “At the end of the day, we want to be the best that we can.”
   To keep his spot on the team, Snyder trains especially hard on his own time, in order to get an edge over his competition.
   “I still feel like I'm a little bit behind because I [developed] so late,” said Snyder. “But the only way to catch up is to work harder than everyone else.” 
While Josh’s dad, Michael Johnson, is his trainer, he doesn’t go easy on him. In fact, Mr. Johnson says that he goes even tougher than he would on other players.
“Hes trained with other professionals, so he knows what it takes to go pro,” said Mr. Johnson. “I train Josh harder, because he is a reflection of myself.”
   Not only does Snyder play the game well, but he’s also well versed in it. One of his biggest inspirations in the sport right now is goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, who as recently as 2014 was playing non-league soccer. However he persisted and managed to get to the top division in soccer, where he won the UEFA Champions League, the most prestigious trophy in Europe. 
   “His story inspires me,” said Snyder. “He never gave up, even at [21] years old, which is old for a non-professional. Now he’s playing for his national team.”
   Snyder’s maturity and fun-loving personality has been missed by his teammates and his teachers. Outside of soccer Snyder sees Chemistry and Racial Literacy Teacher Joy Barnes-Johnson as a mentor that he can go to for help about anything. Over the years, Barnes-Johnson has seen Snyder develop his leadership and communication skills.
  “Snyder shined because he was able to apply his collaboration and leadership skills in my class,” said Barnes-Johnson. “Josh is a leader, but he doesn’t usurp authority. He taught me the power of collaboration.”
 Echoing Barnes-Johnson about Snyder’s leadership skills, long-time teammate Breno Azevedo ’22 feels that Snyder effectively balances his own work ethic with his motivation to lead others.
“Josh is an extraordinarily hard worker whose inclination to elevate every last detail of his game helps him grow as a player. He also holds his teammates to a high standard because he wants his team to succeed. Josh’s work ethic will ultimately help him realize his ambition of continuing to grow in soccer,” Azevedo said.
   For student athletes all over the country, the span of junior and senior year is arguably the most important time in their careers. For athletes wanting to take the next step, the transition to college sports is imperative. For Snyder, he made sure that he put himself out there for colleges to see his capabilities.
   “I’ve probably emailed over one hundred different coaches,” said Snyder. “I was desperate for an opportunity, so all I needed was for someone to give me a chance.”
   Snyder’s hard work eventually paid off, after being accepted into the University of Hartford to play Division I soccer. While Snyder is excited for what lies in his future, he understands that the hard work is not over and won’t get carried away.
  “The same way you treat soccer on the field should be how you treat [other things] off the field,'’ said Snyder. “If you’re a hard worker, you’re going to get results. It’s the same in school, if you do your homework, you’re going to go to the school you want to. On days where you want to quit, don’t, because it builds character.”


Josh Snyder ’22: soccer


 On March 31, PHS’s futsal tournament commenced once again after COVID-19 put the tournament on hiatus last year. Run by Nico Carusone ’22, Joe Borovoy ’22, and Breno Azevedo ’22, and supervised by PHS Social Studies Teacher Katie Dineen, 24 squads are tussling for the proclaimed prospect of being the best team this year. 

   Futsal is very similar to soccer, but unlike soccer, which is played outdoors, futsal is played inside. While the basic rules of soccer are maintained, one main difference is that there is a lot less contact. For example, unlike normal soccer, no side-tackling is permitted. The games are also designed to be a lot quicker since the New Gym is much smaller than an outdoor soccer field. To succeed on the small courts and fast-paced games, players need to have good passing and dribbling skills as well as good game strategy. 

   The PHS futsal tournament is split up into two parts. In the first stage, the 24 teams each played one game against each other. At the end of the first stage, they were ranked on a points table, where teams earned three points for a win, zero points for a loss, and one point for a draw. The 16 teams who racked up the most points advanced to the second round. The second stage is a single elimination bracket in which teams get eliminated until there is a winner.

   The club was started 10 years ago by a group of PHS soccer players, and has been passed down to players from each year’s senior class. Now that the club has become a staple of the PHS community, Carusone, Borovoy, and Azevedo want to keep the club’s energy alive. 

   “Futsal is a way to get away from the normal stresses of school,” said Azevedo. “It brings different types of people together. People like to cheer for each other so it builds a closer-knit PHS community.”        

   The leaders believe that the club has brought the athletic community and those who like watching sports much closer together. After remote learning canceled many PHS traditions, the club has been a great way to introduce school spirit to the underclassmen.

   “The [Futsal Club] has always had a rich history of people coming and supporting the club,” said Azevedo. “Obviously we couldn’t [have a tournament] last year because of COVID-19, but every year other than that it’s been going strong.”

   Thomsen Lord ‘25 is a frequent spectator, and loves cheering on teams. His love of soccer comes from his family, who regularly travel to Germany to watch professional games. 

   “Everybody is really invested in it,” Lord said. “It reminds me of a pro sporting event.”

  For players, the large crowd tests their ability to perform at their best. Many futsal participants are experienced soccer players, but for many of them, the crowd of up to 200 spectators test their expertise.

  “The crowd makes you much more excited but also much more nervous,” said Meloni. “The first game I felt out of breath, but it wasn't [from] running; it was more because I was nervous.”

    Despite the massive size of the crowd and the skill of many of the players, the leaders want everyone to feel welcome on the field. Ultimately, they believe the most important aspect of futsal is putting yourself out there.

   “[Futsal] is open to all,” said Borovoy. “It’s fun to have a competition with your friends and everyone’s just looking to have a good time.”

PHS Futsal Club returns with electrifying spirit after a year on hiatus

With poise and confidence, Kendall Williamson ’22 steps onto the starting line of the 55-meter girls sprint. Ready, set, go! Pushing off the starting block with all her strength, Kendall Williamson ’22 swiftly flies into first place. With five years of running experience, Williamson has become one of the best girls sprinters in PHS track history.

   Growing up, Williamson was an avid gymnast in pursuit of becoming a collegiate gymnast. However, after multiple injuries during her eight year career, including fracturing her back, she decided to quit the sport. Looking for a sport to replace gymnastics, she started running track in the spring of eighth grade. During her first season, she noticed that her experience with the vault in gymnastics aided her transition to sprinting, both of which require the ability to initiate a strong start. 

   Joining track at PHS in her freshman year, PHS short-distance track coach Ben Samara was impressed by both her natural talent and perseverance. Williamson’s track career quickly began picking up pace and in her sophomore year, she won two county titles, one for the 55-meter dash and another for the 200. In her junior year, she was named a co-captain of the track team.

   “She’s a very talented athlete, like one of the best ever at PHS. I think she even scored a record on one of the relay teams when she was a freshman or a sophomore, which is definitely a huge accomplishment. At every meet she's always placing very high in the rankings, and we're all super proud of what she's accomplished,” said teammate Katherine Monroe ’23. 

   While Williamson likes to joke around with her teammates beforehand, her focus sharpens as soon as she puts one foot on the block. Over the years, her commitment and tenacity have led her to win many competitive titles, break a PHS record in the 4x100 relay, and qualify for prestigious national meets. At the 2022 New Balance Indoor Nationals, her 55-meter dash time was 7.39 seconds, achieving a personal record and missing the school record by two hundredths of a second.

   “[She’s] improved her mental focus. We work on new stuff every single day, and she's done a great job improving on those points.” Samara said.

   Of course, Williamson’s success didn’t come overnight. Long hours of training her timings on the block, practicing her strides, and improving her mentality, are what allowed her to build sufficient stamina and mental resistance.

   “It gets hard sometimes, but quitting has never crossed my mind. I love running and I want to continue to do it,” Williamson said.

   COVID-19 was one of the biggest challenges Williamson had to face. During the track season in 2020, her favorite feeling of flying across the finish line was temporarily put on hold as many meets were canceled. To keep training, the team transitioned onto the PHS track. 

   “We are very used to being able to practice twice a week at Jadwin gym at Princeton University in the winter and for two seasons now we haven't been able to do that. Having to adjust to doing workouts outside is something that we're still working on, but we're trying to make the best of every moment,” Samara said.

   Looking towards the spring season, Williamson hopes to break the school record for the 100-meter and 200-meter dash and place in the top ten in the state for the same events. 

   “It's looking like she's right there,” said Samara. “Right now she’s one of the top three or four we've had and is close to breaking a bunch of school records this year.”

   Williamson plans to continue her track career as a DI commit to Wake Forest University. Becoming a collegiate track athlete was a dream turned reality for Williamson, and she hopes to inspire others to work towards their goals.

   “Work hard. Stay positive. It's really important to have a good mindset because if you're negative that really affects your performance. Just keep working hard because it really does pay off in the end,” Williamson said.

Kendall Williamson ’22: track and field

In 1972, wrestling, a traditionally male-dominated sport, became open to U.S. high school girls. While only a few schools hosted their first ever girls wrestling meet back then, today, girls wrestling has become one of the fastest-growing sports in U.S. high school. Nonetheless, many girls are discouraged to join due to the male-dominated stigma that still plagues the sport. In New Jersey, PHS girls wrestler Ava Rose ’23 is currently one of the most promising high school wrestling talents. In her five years of wrestling, Rose has shown great resilience and talent for the sport. Last month, she proved to everyone that hard work and grit can amount to success by winning the New Jersey Wrestling State Championships for the third time.



How long have you been wrestling for and what encouraged you to start wrestling?

“I’ve been wrestling for five years. My older brother didn’t like it, but I used to come and watch his practices, so I started in 7th grade. My two [younger] brothers Cole and Forest wrestle too.”



What have been your biggest accomplishments in wrestling so far?



“My biggest accomplishment has to be winning the State [Championship] because that was my biggest goal, what I most wanted to achieve. I trained really hard for that, so I’m definitely most proud of that. The very first match of the tournament was on the same mat that I was pinned on last year, kind of deja vu. I didn’t want it to end the same way. During [the match], I almost got stuck on my back during a cradle, but I told myself that it wouldn’t end like last year, and I won the game.”


Why do you think that girls should try wrestling?

“I think that everybody should do wrestling. It’s a really great sport because it teaches you responsibility while also meeting new people and making friends. The effort you put in is the results you put out. Girls wrestling is a growing sport, and soon there will be teams in college, so it’s important that girls join to keep the sport growing.”



Do you feel that girls may feel pressured not to play in high-contact sports, and if so, why?

“I definitely think there’s a weird stigma around it. I personally like playing co-ed with boys, but I think a lot of girls may find wrestling against boys as weird. Some people think that wrestling is too tough for girls, which I dont think is true at all. It’s a male-dominated sport, so a lot of people won’t think that they fit in, but wrestling is accepting of anyone.”



Do you think that girls wrestling is being promoted enough? And if not, how can it be?

“On a public level, I think it’s being promoted enough. What I think matters though is that on [an administrative] level it’s not talked about as much and it’s not seen as urgent. I believe that girls wrestling is important to include in college, but [the administration] making decisions [about sports] don’t really care.”



What are your hopes for the future of girls wrestling?

“For me, I hope that next year a lot of college girl teams will open up because I want to wrestle division I in college. There [are] only a few girls teams that wrestle division one but they are at [competitive] schools, so I want it to be more of a [collegiate] sport. Most colleges mainly have clubs right now [for girls wrestling], so I hope [collegiate girls wrestling] opens up so I can have a good college to go to.”

Girls Wrestling State Champion Ava Rose ’23 on why girls should join wrestling

After putting on their hockey gear, the boys ice hockey team huddles for their courtside ritual. A hush falls over the group. The laughter and chitchat is replaced with focus and determination. Captain Cooper Zullo ’23 gives a quick pep talk before the team strides onto the ice. Every match is like a battle, and they’ll need precise focus and adept teamwork to be victorious.

This year’s team is keeping the historically competitive boys ice hockey program at PHS alive — they advanced to the semi-finals of the Mercer County Tournament for the tenth consecutive year. In addition, they’ve maintained an impressive record this season of seven wins, two draws, and only three losses.

Although they lost the final round of the Mercer County Tournament, by far their biggest accomplishment this season was getting the number one seed in the tournament. However, their most exciting game thus far was their match against Morristown, where they tied 1-1 in a very close battle.

“That game proved we [could] play with anybody and it felt like a win for us,” said Head Coach Dave Hansen. In the past, the boys ice hockey team achieved many milestones, including winning the 2019–2020 Mercer County Championships, ending The Hun School of Princeton’s six-year domination of the Mercer County Tournament. Boys ice hockey players Gabe Silverstein ’23 and Julian Drezner ’23, who were freshmen at the time, underscored the influential lessons that the players learned at the game.

“I learned that you have to keep your head in the game and focus on the task at hand,” said Silverstein. “There’s going to be a lot of people trying to get you out of your locked-in zone, and you have to block that out and play your game.” Since the rinks were closed last year because of the pandemic, the team could not compete much last year. However, the team organized street hockey games that allowed the teammates to reconnect and stay fit, though these exercises weren’t an adequate substitute for the rigor of a normal season. Back to normal at the beginning of this season, Zullo and his team were excited and prepared to take on any challenges that came their way.

“This year has been a big step up from last year,” said Zullo. “Having this full season has benefitted everyone on the team.” Long before the winter season started, much of the team had already been practicing together and playing at games through Zullo’s hockey club, PHS Puck. The club, headed by Zullo, allowed teammates to practice together outside the regular school season and enjoy the leisure club environment. Going into the season, the strong bonds between the teammates were evident.

“The brotherhood on the team really translates into chemistry on the ice. It develops to where you know where someone’s going to be and they know where you’ll go,” Silverstein said. With the addition of many new underclassmen on the team this year, the captains have further promoted teamwork on the ice where, regardless of age, the athletes can experience the excitement and passion that comes from the sport.

“My favorite part about the team is the environment. We like to joke around and have fun on and off the ice. Especially as an underclassman, the seniors have done a good job including everyone regardless of their year. We just try to work with what we’ve got and we have a lot of fun doing so,” said team member Yitian Zhao ’24. Harnessing their skills, the team will try to rebound from their loss at the Mercer County Tournament and win as many rounds as possible in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament.

“I am very happy with the hard work and dedication they have put in starting from November 8,” said Hansen. “Teamwork will be the key to our success if we want to make a push to win [more] tournaments.” Because they thrive in the companionable and passionate environment, the team encourages everyone considering joining hockey to try it out. “

My advice would be that if you fall, get back up and try again,” said Silverstein. “Be resilient, and keep working ... it’s a really rewarding sport.”

PHS boys ice hockey team finds success through teamwork

From the moment Michelle Santos'22 her teammates step onto the mat, they are at full focus. One slip-up, and the whole stunt could fail. To any person outside of cheer, this may seem daunting. For Santos, this is something she experiences daily.

Starting from a young age, Santos has been a natural competitor. Influenced by her parents, who promoted both physical and mental health, Michelle practiced hip-hop, tap, jazz, and contemporary dance.

During her sophomore year, Santos found her passion for cheerleading. Though it was a very exciting sport, the competition was tough, and she felt the need to improve. She watched cheerleading videos on her own time to gain a better understanding of the sport, furthering her growth.

Santos also understands the importance of staying conditioned, not just with the team but on her own. Running and yoga have become valuable assets of her routine, and she stays active by playing volleyball with her siblings.

Noticing her success early on, cheerleading Head Coach Barbara Callahan has been impressed by Santos’s willingness to help others and her ability to take responsibility in leading the team. During her senior year, Santos’s efforts were rewarded when Callahan appointed her as captain.

As captain, Santos shares her passion for cheer with the rest of the team, emphasizing the importance of team chemistry. As team members stretch before practice, Santos makes sure they talk about their day. She says it relieves stress and promotes a healthy environment where they can trust each other and build friendships.

“We’re all like one big family, once the season started everyone became super close,” said Santos. “If people don’t get along, then nobody’s going to listen to each other. ... If there’s not that much active listening, then the team falls apart.”

Cheerleader Monica Watson ’22 and Santos have cheered together ever since they were sophomores. Watson notices and appreciates the extra work that Santos puts in.

“Michelle is a really great captain,” said Watson. “She always makes people really confident about themselves, and she always knows what’s going on so she can  ll everyone in.”

Santos believes that a large portion of people don’t view cheerleading as an actual sport. She remarked that many tend to believe it to be something that doesn’t require talent, when in fact competitive cheer is very high-intensity.

“A lot of people think cheerleading is just shouting for a team, when in reality it’s a lot more. You need 100 percent concentration all the time. If you don’t, someone could fall and really hurt themselves. On stunts, if someone is being raised up while others are going down, it looks sloppy. You always have to know what you’re doing,” Santos said.

These problems were especially di cult to overcome during the pandemic. Although the team was not able to gather and practice stunts like they used to, they stayed that by stretching and doing cheers. Santos enjoyed seeing teammates she had not seen in a while, but she still felt the time was bittersweet.

“It was nice talking with everyone, but it was upsetting because stunting is the big part [of cheerleading] that everyone is excited about,” Santos said.

Now back full-time with fewer restraints, the team relishes their new sense of freedom. Over the past year, they’ve had limited contact with each other, hindering the team’s development.  is year, they were able to build new relationships in person.

Santos is excited to continue building these connections and encourages more people to join cheerleading.

“You don’t have to be outgoing to try out for cheerleading; there’s always going to be a spot for you on the team. We’re all very welcoming and supportive. You should definitely try out for the team! It’s super fun!” Santos said.

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