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From fierce competition on the fields and courts to personal bests on the Cross Country trails, our Lions embraced every challenge with heart, grit, and teamwork. This season wasn’t just about wins: it was about pushing limits, building confidence, and coming together as a community of student-athletes.

Across every program, from Middle School to Junior Varsity to Varsity, our student-athletes demonstrated resilience, sportsmanship, and a relentless drive to improve. All of our Varsity teams earned spots in the ACIS Playoffs. Boys Varsity Soccer and Girls and Boys Cross Country also represented Dwight in the NYSAIS Championships. Whether battling for a championship, achieving a personal milestone, or supporting a teammate, this season’s Lions left it all on the field, and we couldn’t be prouder.

Before heading into postseason play, our Varsity teams celebrated their playoff berths with an energetic pep rally alongside Timothy House students. The event was filled with games, plenty of smiles, and lots of dancing and cheering. It was a fantastic opportunity for our Varsity athletes to connect with younger students and share in the school spirit. Be sure to check out the video from the pep rally!

Dive in to see the highlights, stories, and sparks behind a great start to the 2025-26 athletics season!

Varsity Boys Soccer | Coaches Ra Ung, Brandon Saavedra

The Varsity Boys Soccer team finished the season with an impressive 8-4-1 overall record and a 7-1 league record, secured second place in the ACIS standings, and was selected for a spot in the NYSAIS Tournament, where they advanced to the quarterfinals.

The team consistently showed grit, growth, and composure under pressure, most notably in their comeback against Friends Seminary, where they battled back from a 2-0 deficit in just eight minutes and then scored four goals in the next six to secure an exciting win.

What made this season stand out was the team’s growth in skill, maturity, and confidence. Seniors Dan, Ricardo, and Alessandro provided the spark when it mattered most, leading with heart, energy, and steady presence that elevated everyone around them. 

With a strong group of players returning next year, the Lions are excited to build on this foundation and push themselves even further in the seasons ahead.

Varsity Girls Tennis | Coaches Ari Rosenberg, Anna Shkudun

From the first serve to the final point, the Varsity Girls Tennis team brought energy, focus, and unwavering support to every match. As a new fall sport at Dwight, the program made an impressive debut Under new leadership from Coach Ari Rosenberg, the team really clicked with players encouraging one another both on and off the court.

One of the season’s favorite highlights came when the team defeated a league opponent in a high-stakes match to secure their spot in the ACIS playoffs. The team’s hard work was further recognized with a fourth-place finish in the ACIS standings and playoffs. Over the course of the season, the girls grew in skill, confidence, and strategy, showing improvement in every match. 

Looking ahead, the team is eager to build on this strong foundation and continue developing a powerhouse program at Dwight.

Varsity Girls Volleyball | Coaches Jan Gallao, Katherine Duquiatan

The Varsity Girls Volleyball team showcased mental toughness throughout the season. Despite being a young squad that included an eighth grader, the team worked diligently to compete against top opponents in the ACIS. 

With only a few returning players from the previous year, the team faced a higher level of competition. Thanks to strong leadership from the captains and the dedication of every player, the newer members quickly adapted and performed at a high level. 

The team finished the season with an impressive 11-5 record and advanced to the ACIS Semi-Finals. With only three seniors graduating, the team looks forward to building on this strong foundation and continuing to improve next season.

Varsity Cross Country | Coaches Doug Sklar, Jackie Choucair

The Varsity Cross Country season was marked by dedication, teamwork, and steady improvement from every runner. The team kicked off the year with a fun photo scavenger hunt in Central Park, a creative bonding activity that had athletes racing through the park’s landmarks.

Throughout the season, the runners respectfully challenged one another in practice, pushing themselves during time trials and intense workouts. This friendly competition helped everyone grow faster, stronger, and more connected as a team. Coach Sklar noted, “Seniors Daniel, Hudson, Isabella, and Reese played a significant role in inspiring their teammates to achieve their best.”

The team showed tremendous progress over the season, shaving seconds and even minutes off their 5K times. Highlights included strong finishes at regular-season meets, athletes setting personal bests, and a supportive team spirit during both practices and races. The runners represented Dwight proudly at the ACIS Championships and the NYSAIS State Championships. 

The 2025 season showcased not only athletic growth but also perseverance, camaraderie, and pride in representing Dwight. With many returning athletes, the team looks forward to building on this momentum and beginning what promises to be another standout season.

Varsity Girls Soccer | Coaches Jonathan Ascher, Emily Cooper

This season was both challenging and rewarding for the Varsity Girls Soccer Team. A highlight was an exhilarating 6-3 win over Staten Island Academy, where several players celebrated their first-ever goals. Beyond the scoreboard, the year was particularly meaningful for Coach Ascher, who had the privilege of guiding seniors Freyja, Kathryn, Alexa, and Meg — athletes who were freshmen during his first season as Head Coach. Over the past four years, they’ve grown into exemplary leaders and teammates, contributing to past championships and state tournament appearances. 

The team showed steady improvement throughout the season, sharpening skills and strengthening teamwork with each practice and game. With just four seniors graduating, a talented core returns next year, giving the Lions a strong foundation to build on and take their performance to new heights.

JV Boys Soccer | Coaches Alex Hurtado, Barry Kimpel 

This fall, the JV Boys Soccer team was defined by their determination, which carried them through the season. Even in difficult situations on the field, the players stayed focused, worked together, and turned challenges into opportunities. Their determination paid off with a 5-2-3 record, securing second place in the ACIS standings and playoffs.

Coach Hurtado reflected on the future: “I’m excited to see the next group of players step up and take the team further in the playoffs.” With a mix of returning players and emerging talent, the team looks forward to building on their successes in the year ahead.

JV Girls Volleyball | Coaches Erin Dugan, David Lema

The JV Girls Volleyball season was marked by growth, camaraderie, and exciting milestones, including Coach Dugan’s first victory as a Head Coach. Despite being a young squad, the players quickly developed strong chemistry, forming a tight-knit unit on and off the court.

One memorable moment came late in the season when the team pushed one of the conference’s top teams to three sets. Captains Lucy Gayle ’28 and Gray Franciscovich ’28 reflected with pride on the match, highlighting the determination and development shown by the underclassmen. 

Next year, the team is eager to see this year’s freshman grow into leadership roles while guiding incoming players. 

MS Boys Soccer | Coaches Patrick Kiernan-Ramirez, Jon Bailey

This season was an incredible journey, as players embarked on their soccer experience with enthusiasm and determination in every practice and game. Seeing the players use their decision-making skills to find success, whether it was making a clean pass, stepping in for a strong-block, executing a play they had worked on together, or scoring their very first goals was truly memorable.

As Coach Kiernan-Ramirez reflected, this season stood out with the addition of new assistant coach Jon Bailey. “Coach Bailey brought a fresh wave of energy and new perspectives that elevated training sessions and inspired the team in unexpected ways,” he said What stood out the most, however, was the remarkable sense of togetherness shown before every game. The players consistently rallied around one another, offering encouragement and support, and truly embodied what it meant to be part of something bigger than themselves. 

Next season, the team looks forward to the new relationships that will grow through the game of soccer and the excitement inspired by the 2026 FIFA World Cup being held in North America. 

MS Girls Volleyball – Grade 7 | Dallas Lee, Insharah Shakil

The Middle School Grade 7 Volleyball team had a fantastic season, finishing undefeated with a 7-0 record. Coach Lee said, “Going undefeated was amazing, but what really made it special was watching their confidence build each game and seeing them support each other on and off the court.” The team’s energy, teamwork, and willingness to learn made this an unforgettable season. 

The little moments, including celebrating after long rallies, improving their communication, and continuing to push even during challenging games, added to what made the season so memorable.

Throughout the season, the team made tremendous progress, especially in communication and trust. What began as a team just learning how to move together as one eventually became a cohesive unit capable of reading plays, encouraging one another, and staying composed during tough rallies. They learned how to stay focused and confident in close games. Under pressure, they stayed disciplined, believed in each other, and consistently found a way to finish strong.

Looking ahead, the team is excited to build on everything they accomplished this year. They look forward to developing their skills, facing tougher competition, and continuing to grow in confidence. Coach Lee shared, “After an undefeated season, they’re hungry to keep that momentum going and challenge themselves in new ways next year.”

MS Girls Volleyball – Grade 8 | Sam Ward, Alex Cesaretti 

The Grade 8 Girls Volleyball team had a standout season, highlighted by the strong bond the players formed. Coach Sam Ward shared, “They always supported one another and cheered their teammates on.”

Over the course of the season, the team grew in both skill and confidence, becoming more comfortable trying new strategies and approaches during games, regardless of the outcome. One of their biggest achievements was improving their serving. By the end of the season, every player could serve with confidence. 

The team finished the season with a 3-2 record. Favorite memories included team bonding activities and their final game in Staten Island, where the team played exceptionally well. Looking ahead, the girls are excited to continue developing their skills as they move onto the high school level. 

MS Girls Soccer | Coaches Ger Flood, Aggie Bisselle

The MS Girls Soccer team had an outstanding season, finishing with a 6-1 record. Coach Ger Flood praised the team, saying, “The leadership shown during this time was really impressive, as students took it upon themselves to instruct, support, and encourage their teammates.” He also noted how they learned to respond to challenges and turned adversity into an undefeated finish in league play. 

The team celebrated each other’s successes with pure joy, demonstrating strong togetherness and team spirit throughout the season. Growth in communication, game understanding, and individual skills contributed to their strong performance on the field.

Several memorable moments stood out, including the pizza party on the roof of the Dwight Athletic Center, Maddie’s ’30 goal on Randall’s Island, Chloe’s ’30 goals versus Trinity, Kira’s ’30 boombox during warmups, and the 8th graders welcoming the 7th graders to the team during pre-season. 

Looking ahead, the team is excited to welcome new players and watch the rising 8th graders build on this team’s progress. They are also eager to continue growing Girls Soccer at Dwight!

MS Cross Country | Coach Rachel Soyk

The Middle School Cross Country team had a memorable season, driven by the energy and camaraderie the runners shared. Coach Soyk reflected, “Sharing miles and smiles with the kids was the best part of the season,” especially watching their reactions at the Van Cortlandt Course—a route that she remembers running at their age. 

Over the course of the season, the team grew both mentally and physically, pushing past barriers and achieving distances many had never run before. 

The season was capped off with every student achieving a Personal Record. In the Middle School Medal Meet, the boys placed 2nd and the girls 1st. Overall, it was a successful and rewarding season, and the team looks forward to continued growth, both mentally and physically, through consistent effort in practice.