It was truly remarkable to watch players evolve in each sport, and that evolution paid off big. By season’s end, our Varsity Boys Volleyball team returned as ISAL League and Playoff Champions (a three-peat)! Our Varsity Boys Tennis team also brought home a league title, with two standout players making Dwight history by winning the NYSAIS Doubles title. The girls from our Varsity Track and Field team also took home a big win as they won their division in the ISAL Championship Meet. 

Continue reading for more insight on how our Lions continued to go above and beyond in the final season of the 2024-25 school year. 

Girls Varsity Tennis | Coaches Mark Clemente, Justin Fischer, and Tessa Winkleman 

This season was all about heart, hustle, and unity for the Girls Tennis team. “From the first day of practice, it was clear this was a special group,” shares Coach Winkleman. Whether it was pushing through planks and burpees or rallying and lifting each other up, the team brought energy, commitment, and a clear desire to grow.

What stood out to all three coaches was the way players from all grades and backgrounds came together to form one cohesive unit. “Whether a player was brand new to the game, or had years on the court, everyone found ways to connect and support one another, creating an environment that was both competitive and inclusive.”

A special thank you goes to co-captains Olivia Olesen ’26 and Alexa Lopez ’26, who led with passion and consistency. They were always the first on the court and the glue that kept the team together. Their leadership set the tone all season long. 

These Lions can’t wait to swing their rackets against the competition again! In fact, some of them will be training hard in the offseason in anticipation of what’s to come next Spring.

Boys Varsity Tennis | Coaches Mark Clemente, Justin Fischer, and Tessa Winkleman

From the first serve to the final point, the Boys Varsity Tennis team brought focus, fire, and a whole lot of heart to the courts; this season was one for the books.

A big shoutout goes to our four seniors, Josh David, Josh Racz, Mikey Kessler, and Owen Gallagher, for leading with consistency and energy. Their presence helped set the tone for a season full of growth and teamwork.

Coach Clemente sums up the season by saying, “It’s been a pleasure to be part of this journey with such a dedicated and passionate group. Wishing everyone a fun, well-earned summer -— don’t forget to keep playing!”

And it was all capped off with a massive achievement — and Dwight first. “A huge congratulations to Mikey Kessler ’25 and Matias Acosta-Stuehmke ’28, who made school history by going undefeated and becoming NYAIS Doubles Champions,” says Coach Clemente. 

MS Tennis | Coaches Alex Hurtado and Chiene Jones

For the Middle School Tennis team, the fiercest competition often came from within — and that was a good thing. With a roster full of talent, intrasquad matches were consistently competitive, pushing players to elevate their game every day.

A standout moment for these Lions came during a special practice at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. While some students had attended the U.S. Open before, having the iconic venue all to themselves created a sense of awe and excitement they won’t soon forget. For Coach Hurtado, it was a joy to witness the more experienced players mentoring the newer players, and to witness student-athletes develop a new skill over the course of the season.

When asked what he looks forward to next season, Coach Hurtado shares that he’ll be looking forward to practicing as a team again. “Many students on the team felt as though the season flew by, and they were sad it was over right when the weather was beginning to get much better. But their eagerness and talent put us in a wonderful position to have a very strong season next year.” 

That being said, we look forward to seeing our Lions’ continued improvement on the courts next year.

Boys Varsity Volleyball | Coaches Tiam Chuck and Aaron Colon

For the third year in a row, your Dwight Varsity Boys Volleyball Team were crowned the ISAL League and Playoff Champions! 

“This season wasn’t without its challenges — injuries, rotation, and lineup changes — but none of it ever broke us. If anything, it made us stronger,” shares Coach T. “No matter what obstacle we faced, we did what we always do: we faced it together.”

This year’s team was dynamic and strong, which aided them in making any necessary adjustments. Seniors Doyle Gwon, Dylan Lytle, and Zach Wolf have been here since the program’s inaugural year, and were each vital to the program’s success. Dylan put up solid blocks and strong swings consistently, and Doyle contributed to the team’s defense as well as offense, often hitting from the right-side and occasionally the outside hitter position. Zach, coming off an injury, dug deep and delivered an array of strong swings, defensive plays, and even some jump serves. 

Daniel Born de Andres ’26, another veteran of the program, was one of the team’s setters, but also right-side hitter, who executed some high-IQ plays that got the team out of a few pickles. Alex Gingold ’27 was the team’s leading offensive powerhouse, getting numerous kills per game. Alex even had a serve that could ace the opposing team off the court, allowing the team to gain advantage in several games. Henry McIntosh ’28 really stepped up for the team in a multitude of ways this year. Not only did Henry hold the defensive line, but he was a core player in the team’s out-of-system plays. On top of that, Henry even filled in for whatever the team needed and served as a middle for the team on occasion. Lorenzo Iglesias ’28 was a very strong all-around player who aimed to exploit teams weaknesses as the primary setter for the team — and who was also able to help the team gain early advantage in games with his dynamic jump serves. Although Momo Yamashita ’27 was a newcomer to the sport of volleyball this year, he stepped in several times when needed and was always eager to help.  

It was an electrifying season. “Anyone who hasn’t seen them play is missing out, especially when they’re all on fire. The energy fills the room, and you can’t help but be excited and cheer alongside them,” says Coach T.

Coach T thanks all the athletes for another unforgettable season — one full of strength, love for the game and, of course, legacy. These Lions have proven once again that Dwight volleyball doesn’t just win — it builds something lasting. Although the next season is quite some time away, soon enough, younger players will be looking to the veterans of the program for their leadership. “I know they are quite capable of being kind and impactful leaders to all of the future newcomers,” says Coach T.

Varsity Rugby | Coaches Heidi Rubenstein, Adam Higgins, and Arnold Chavis

Under the guidance of Coaches Rubenstein, Higgins, and Chavis, with support from Dwight alum Ari Simmons ’20, our Varsity Rugby team not only battled their way to a 5-1 record, but built something even stronger than any win in the books — a team culture rooted in brotherhood.

Every single player made an impact this season — 13 different players put points on the board, and those who didn’t still played key roles in building those moments. This year’s Varsity Rugby team really played for each other, held each other accountable, and cheered each other on. 

Our seniors dug in hard this season: Brendan Kelleher ’25, whose speed and game-saving tackles were crucial; Ryan Margolis ’25, whose physical and mental toughness has set the standard for years to come (and who we’ll be rooting for as he continues his rugby journey at Syracuse); and Michael Dymant ’25, who, despite early doubts, proved that being an athlete is about heart, grit, and commitment.

A four-year cornerstone of the program and co-captain, Ryan Franciscovich ’25, brought passion, fearlessness, and leadership to every inch of the pitch. He raised the bar for what it means to lead, and we can’t wait to see what he does next at Villanova.

“A huge thank you goes out to our seniors,” says Coach Rubenstein. 

Vicente Ribeiro ’26, a steady, selfless leader, led with action and grit, never ego. Voted co-captain, Vinny was everything a teammate should be: prepared, calm under pressure, and always willing to do the hard work. Peter McIntosh ’26 was the strategic core of the team. Whether launching pinpoint kicks or delivering a clutch pass, Peter led with intelligence and composure. He ended the season tied for top scorer with 50 points — 40 of those from his “golden boot.” 

The coaches share that they couldn’t be prouder of how well this team performed and carried themselves this season, and, with a strong core returning, we know this brotherhood isn’t done yet. In fact, it’s just getting started.

Varsity Softball | Coaches Anthony Rodriguez and Izzy Bermuda 

Whether they were on the mound or in the dugout, you could always find this year’s Varsity Softball team in good spirits, even in the face of some stiff competition. “Entering a tougher league, we knew the road wouldn’t be easy, but this team showed up with heart, grit, and the drive to compete,” says Coach Rodriguez. “And not only did we rise to the occasion — we secured a playoff spot in our first year in the ACIS league.”

What made this accomplishment especially impressive was the makeup of the team. More than half of our starting lineup were seventh and eighth graders — young athletes who stepped onto the varsity field with confidence and composure beyond their years. Needless to say, they definitely proved they all belonged out there on the field.

With a .675 batting average and 4 home runs, Alice Kigel ’29 dominated at the plate and learned a new defensive position with confidence and skill. Sabella Faccio ’28 was a true leader and anchor at third base, playing with poise and power. Her leadership went beyond the field, as she tutored younger players on bus rides and guided the team through every challenge. She led with heart, strength, and a true team-first mentality. 

Team Captain Kat McMahan ’26 has been with the Varsity Softball program from the start and helped shape it into what it is today. Coach Rodriguez shares, “Kat has been a crucial part of the team, showing great leadership skills as a captain. Her dedication to softball has always shown on and off the field.”

Looking ahead, the coaches share that they are eager to see further growth and development next season — and are looking to show the ACIS league that Dwight Softball means business.

Varsity Baseball | Coaches Jonathan Ascher and Joshua Kigel

“Grit and grind” could’ve been the motto for this year’s Boys Baseball team, who finished the regular season as the 4th seed in the ACIS standings, but their story didn’t end there. In a stunning playoff run, they defied expectations and emerged as ACIS runners-up, toppling the undefeated league champions in the process.

Despite facing a season-long challenge with limited roster depth and the team’s best pitcher out  due to injury, the team stepped up by showing heart and hustle every step of the way. Shares Coach Ascher, “Our pitching staff locked in and delivered! They were holding opposing hitters to a .169 batting average — an incredible stat and a testament to our team!” 

In terms of standout moments from the season, Coach Ascher shares that the playoff game was “one for the books.” Connor Janiak '27  was a force on both sides of the ball — dominating at the plate and on the mound. Max Schoenfeld ’25 made high-level defensive plays, while Brandon Dubois ’27 threw seven strong innings and a game-changing 3-run home run. Thanks to the team’s efforts overall, they took down the league champions and advanced to the championship game. This year’s championship wasn’t just any championship, however — the team played at Staten Island’s professional minor league stadium, which was an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

With only one senior, this young and hungry team is already setting its sights on next spring — and if this year was any indication, we can’t wait to see what’s next.

Varsity Track and Field | Coaches Holly Nohavitza and Doug Sklar

This season, the runners from our Varsity Track and Field team really took to the races and fought for a better version of themselves in every event. In fact, the girls from our Varsity Track and Field team finished the season as ISAL League Champions, capping off a standout year of growth and grit.

The coaches share that what made this season so special was the courage displayed by our Lions. Many took on unfamiliar events, pushed past comfort zones, and discovered new strengths along the way. That spirit of resilience led to both individual and team victories. At the final regular season meet, every athlete stepped up, competing in multiple events. And they exerted a strong presence at the championship. Bella Fakhouri ’26 became league champion in the 1500m and 3000m, while Astrid Brinzer ’27 took home titles in the 800m, Long Jump, and Triple Jump.

With several members of the team looking to return next year and strong talent joining from Middle School, the future looks bright. We’re proud of this year’s seniors and grateful for the example they set — they will be missed. 

MS Track and Field | Coach Rachel Soyk

The Middle School Track and Field team wrapped up a fantastic season with the Girls team finishing 2nd and the Boys team placing 4th at the MS Medal Meet. Throughout the season, our athletes faced the challenge of pushing through mental barriers and rising above the pressure of tough competition; however, meet after meet, they showed what they were made of, with every single athlete setting a new personal record by the final race.

This team grew not just as runners, but as people. Every sprint and finish line taught them something valuable. Standout performances included Grace Allen '29 taking 1st in both the 100m and 200m, Chloe N. ’30 placing 1st in the 1500m and 2nd in the 800m, and Alex White ’29 winning the 400m. The 4x100m girls relay team — Chloe N. ’30, Katrin F. ’30, Abby Hostvedt ’29, and Grace Allen '29—also earned 2nd with a team personal record.

With a deep passion for the sport only growing stronger, we’re already looking forward to next season — ready to chase more miles, more medals, and more memories.

Varsity Golf | Coaches Rich Reyes and Jan Gallao

Golf tests how you respond when things don’t go your way, and this year’s Varsity Golf team passed that test again and again. Under pressure, these Lions developed and stayed composed.

Resetting, refocusing, and moving forward became the standard for this year’s team. One of the best examples came from Paul Wilpon ’26, who opened the season with a shot into the water, but finished that same match with the lowest score, resulting in a win. Paul stepped up in every match, and his efforts landed him a 3rd place finish at the ACIS Individual Championship. William Scibilia ’26 was another athlete who played with quiet confidence and strong decision-making. His ability to stay calm and locked in through every round helped him finish 4th overall at the ACIS league championship.

Coach Jan’s parting words for the season are, “To the full team — thank you for your hard work and competitive spirit. You showed that the most important shot is always the next one, and we’re excited to see where that mindset takes you next.”

As the 2024-25 school year comes to an end, it is the perfect time to reflect on and rejoice about all of our Lions’ unforgettable efforts. This Spring Season will be memorable for its camaraderie, action-packed games, and the thrilling execution of plays. While Summer Break offers a chance for our student-athletes to rest and recharge, the next season is right around the corner. Fall preseason will be here before we know it, but for now, we hope every Lion enjoys a relaxing and rewarding summer!