Athletics
Panther Athletics

Fall Sports

Cross Country

This year the Academy added a new athletic offering to our students, especially for those who already participate in Cross Country and Spring Track & Field: with the addition of Winter Track, this year’s programs saw great growth through new experiences, competitions, and many successes.

During Cross Country, Emma Bradley ‘24 garnered several early season victories, including taking 1st Place in the 5K NJAC Batch Race (19:20), for the second time nonetheless, alongside fellow runner Reagan Mathesien ‘27, who also completed her first race as an Academy runner. But it did not stop there as Emma went on to win the 2023 Garrett Invitation (20:05) and the NJAC Batch Race at Greystone (18:35), 30 seconds ahead of the eventual second place finisher. The season culminated at the NJSIAA Non-Public B Group Championships, where Emma finished in 3rd Place (19:58) and Regean finished with her personal best time (30:52).

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  • Samantha Villanueva 

    Head Track & Field Coach

Volleyball

Seniors Amanda Chambers ‘24, Clare Farrell ‘24, and Greta Servitto ‘24 excelled on the court this season, achieving personal milestones and shattering Academy records. Clare Farrell ‘24 led the charge by achieving her 600th Career Kill alongside setting the Academy record for Digs with well over 300+ total. In the following weeks Amanda Chambers followed suit by finishing the season with 400 assists, bolstering her total of 900 Career Assists. Greta Servitto ‘24 also set the Academy record for Career Blocks with over 47.5 total. 

Seniors Ava Montaruli ‘24 and Crystal Pisello ‘24 held down the court as well in the team’s eleven victories for the season, including shutout wins against Mountain Lakes, Madison, Morris Catholic, Morris Hills, Pingry, Hackettstown, and Mount Olive. In each victory, the team displayed cohesiveness on the court, supporting one another and filling in when needed. 

Junior Mackenzie Siegel ‘25 had the most Aces (61) and the second most Kills (137) and Digs (129) on the season, right behind Clare, and was met with equally important success from Amanda Acevedo ‘25, who had 125 digs and Madalena Benegas ‘26, who recorded 47 kills. The upcoming season seems to be full of talented young women, prepared to take on the NJAC Liberty Division after a tied, 3rd Place finish this year.

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  • Cara Bodnar 

    Head Varsity Volleyball Coach

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  • Leah Higgins 

    Head JV Volleyball Coach

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  • Noreen Rocco 

    Head Freshman Volleyball Coach

Field Hockey

The Field Hockey team recorded one of its best record-setting seasons with an overall record of  12-4-2 and a NJAC Independence Divisional record of 4-2. Seniors Fiona Farrell ‘24, Abigail Villa ‘24, Mia Foer ‘24, and Sarah Heflin ‘24, all acted as the team’s leadership, both offensively and defensively, assuring major gains in team performance compared to last season. 

Fiona Farrell ‘24 had a stellar season, with a stat line of 11 Goals, 7 Assists, and 29 Points. Juniors Emerson Lezynski ‘25, Ella Delatush ‘25, and Annie Rojack ‘25 combined for nearly half of the teams total season goals (24 of 52), showcasing the offensive capabilities the team will continue to bring to the field next season. And with shutout wins against Parsippany, North Warren, Parsippany Hills, Morris Hills, Koinonia Academy, and Whippany Park, the team witnessed strong defensive performances by goalie Mia Foer ‘24 throughout the season.

With a 2nd Place finish in the NJAC Independence Division, though with the highest overall win percentage of .722, the team found themselves in the first round of the NJSIAA Tournament against Newark Academy. In the 2-0 victory, Addison Heuck ‘24 and Fiona Farrell ‘24 scored the same stat line each: 1 Goal, 1 Assist, and 3 Points. Mia Foer ‘24 also defended the goal with 6 saves to complete the shutout victory. In the Quarterfinal Round of the tournament, the team faced off against Princeton Day in a difficult, yet well-fought matchup. While the Field Hockey team fell in their pursuit of the NJSIAA Tournament, this season’s performance is hopefully an indicator of more record-setting seasons in the future.

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  • Photo of Michael Rubright

    Michael Rubright 

    Social Studies Department, Theological Studies Department, 21st Century Skills & Careers Department

Soccer

Program growth has been a hallmark of the Academy’s athletic programs over the past few years, and Soccer is a prime example of such growth. With Coach Ardi Emini guiding the team to four wins this season, there was increased enthusiasm around the team’s performance, starting in the preseason and carrying throughout the ensuing months.

Led by senior forwards Grace Gehm ‘24 and Alea Bediner ‘24, the team fought valiantly in several closely-contested matches while garnering important victories over Dover, Sussex Tech, College Achieve Central, and Boonton. In their largest victory on the season over College Achieve Central, Alea Bediner ‘24 led the way with two goals, followed by Maggie Misita ‘25, Piper Misitia ‘26, Isabella Pribula ‘26, Grace Gehm ‘24, and Giulia Prestia ‘27 each scoring a goal. 

Just as important to the offense is the team’s defense, which was managed by goalies Maggie Misita ‘25 and Grace Van Hoven ‘27. Combined, Maggie and Grace saved over 250 shots from scoring throughout the season, locking down the goal and giving the team opportunities for success. With several rising upperclasswomen, the future looks bright for the Panthers Soccer program.

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  • Ardi Emini 

    Head Varsity Soccer Coach

Tennis

This season, the Academy’s underclasswomen took over the Tennis courts as the team focused on developing and enhancing the skills of the next generation of strong athletes. With over half the team being either freshmen or sophomores, this season exposed the up-and-coming team to competitive play against more experienced players. 

Senior Avery Kelly ‘24 guided the team as they navigated the season, earning five 1st Singles victories on the season. Morgan Artiglere ‘27 displayed great court awareness throughout the season, going undefeated in her three 1st Doubles matches with Olivia Ventola ‘27 and Alyssa Massaroni ‘26, as well as earning five victories in 2nd Doubles alongside Audrey McCarus ‘25 and Lily Ferguson ‘26. Olivia Ventola ‘27 took on 1st Doubles with seven victories with Alyssa Massaroni ‘26 and Morgan Artiglere ‘27, as well as picked up a 3rd Singles victory against Parsippany Hills.

Shutout victories over Boonton and Pequannock, as well as highly competitive matches against Whippany Park and Parsippany Hills, indicate that the team is heading in the right direction as they continue to excel in experience, making them a formidable force in the seasons ahead.

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  • Photo of Annemarie Gallo

    Annemarie Gallo 

    Assistant Director of Counseling

Equestrian

Equestrian, while non-competitive, encourages students to participate based on the levels of beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders. Hosted at Seaton Hackney Stables in Morristown, the students attend one-hour sessions every Sunday afternoon throughout the fall and spring seasons. Students receive a personal coach to create training sessions geared toward their individual abilities. At the end of the season, the stable hosts a show which students can participate in to showcase the skills they have developed.

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  • Seaton  Hackney Stables 

    Equestrian Coach
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