From the court to the pool, the fencing strip to the track, our Lions competed with pride. This season was not just about wins and titles — it was about rising to the moment, embracing challenges, and growing stronger together.

At every level, Dwight’s student-athletes demonstrated resilience, sportsmanship, and a drive to improve. On the court, the Varsity Girls, Varsity Boys, and JV Boys Basketball teams all earned spots in the ACIS Playoffs, with the Varsity Boys capturing the ACIS Championship and advancing to represent Dwight in the NYSAIS Tournament. 

In the pool, the Varsity Girls Swim team claimed the ACIS Championship, while the Varsity Boys finished as ACIS Runner-Up. Dwight swimmers also competed at the NYSAIS Championships, where the girls team placed sixth overall and several swimmers reached the podium.

The Varsity Fencing team competed in the NYSAIS Tournament, where one of our athletes took first place (details below).

Whether competing for a championship, achieving personal bests, or supporting their teammates, this winter's Lions gave it their all — and we could not be prouder.

Read on for more about each team’s season…

Varsity Swimming | Coaches Elizabeth Heiss, Jamal Sharpe, and Brandon Saavedra

The Dwight Varsity swim team delivered an impressive season highlighted by strong performances, steady improvement, and a culture of support among teammates. The Girls team captured the ACIS Championship for the third consecutive year, while the Boys team finished as Runner-Up at the ACIS Championships. Across this season, the team only lost two meets. 

A highlight came at the NYSAIS Championships, where the girls medley relay earned third place, marking the first time that the Girls team had medaled at NYSAIS. This accomplishment reflected the team’s hard work and dedication throughout the season. Senior Bella Fakouri summed up the moment perfectly, saying, “This medal is going on display.” The team also celebrated several individual podium finishes: Naila Broening-Chai ’26 won first place in the 100 breaststroke, while Ella Knox ’26 placed third in the 200 IM and fourth in the 500 freestyle, contributing to the team’s sixth-place overall finish.

The team showed tremendous growth throughout the winter, with swimmers improving their diving and flip turns and stepping up to swim unexpected events when needed. One example was Lorenzo Capra ’26, who showed consistent growth throughout the season and emerged as a strong 50 freestyle swimmer by the end of the season.

Leadership from seniors Bella Fakouri, Ella Knox, Naila Broening-Chai, Olivia Olesen, and Kathryn McMahan played a big role in the team's success. The group spent time helping teammates refine stroke technique and encouraging improvement across the roster. Practices were filled with energy, from DJ sessions on the pool deck that inspired swimmers to maintain competition pace, to relay team-picking sessions at the end of practice that sometimes included the coaches.

Next season, the team looks forward to helping each swimmer continue to grow to meet their full potential and attain their swim goals.

Varsity Boys Basketball | Coaches Dave Brown, Jason Posser, and Rodrigue Marthone

The Varsity Boys Basketball team had an outstanding season, finishing with a 23-5 season record while winning both the ACIS regular season title and the ACIS Championship. The Lions also advanced to the NYSAIS Tournament, capping off a year defined by growth, resilience, and strong team chemistry.

One of the most memorable moments came on the bus ride to play undefeated Staten Island, when the team’s only senior, Jake Sender, received his college decision from the University of Michigan. The entire team gathered around as he opened the email and celebrated his acceptance.

Another highlight came in the championship game when Milan Foye ’28 connected on two free throws under pressure to give the team a three point lead, securing the ACIS Championship title.

Coach Brown said, “This season stood out because of the players’ commitment to becoming a team and rooting for team success alongside their own. That shared dedication helped the team grow into a cohesive unit.”

Looking ahead, the team is focused on continuing to improve every day while competing against some of the toughest teams in New York City. 

Varsity Fencing | Coach Alex Hurtado

It was a season filled with memorable moments and competitive growth for our Varsity Fencing team. With athletes ranging from first-year fencers to experienced veterans, the program thrived on strong student leadership, particularly from freshmen and seniors who helped build a strong sense of team spirit and community.

Seniors Heather Hanafusa and Ilan Rivera set the tone with their leadership, humility, communication, and commitment to building community. Their leadership elevated the entire team and helped create a culture that extended beyond competition.

“This season showed that our athletes are multidimensional,” said Coach Hurtado. “Beyond strength and endurance, they demonstrated leadership, communication, and a real commitment to supporting one another.”

The Men’s team finished with a 2-3 record, while the Women’s team went 1-3-1, competing hard in every bout and continuing to sharpen their skills throughout the season.

Looking toward next season, the team is eager to return to the NYSAIS Championships, where Dwight’s Épée program has produced an individual weapon champion every year since the tournament’s inauguration. This season, Kitt Starkie ’27 captured first place in Épée. With a strong group returning, the Lions look forward to building on that success and competing for medals across all weapons.

Varsity Girls Basketball | Coaches Jonathan Ascher and Tom Noonan

The Varsity Girls Basketball team approached the season with a clear focus on growth and development. With a younger team, this season was an opportunity for players to gain experience and build confidence on the court. The seniors played an important role, providing leadership and guiding their younger teammates throughout the season. 

One of the highlights of the winter came when the team earned its first victory against Garden School, a moment that reflected the team’s hard work and determination. While consistency remained a challenge at times, the players continued to work hard, improve their overall skill level, and grow together as a group. That growth paid off, with the team advancing to the first round of the ACIS Playoffs. 

Looking ahead, the team is excited to continue developing its young talent and building on the progress made this season.

Varsity Indoor Track & Field | Coaches Katherine Duquitan and Jan Gallao

It was a joy to watch the Track & Field team during an exciting season! Meet after meet, athletes pushed themselves harder and showed growth in both their performances and their confidence.

The season was defined by resilience, and a small but mighty team culture from start to finish. Coach Duquitan said, “Even during the cold weather, the team continued to show up ready to work, bringing great energy to practices and meets while pushing themselves to compete each week and develop a stronger competitive spirit.”

One of the coaches’ favorite memories was watching teammates cheer each other on from the sidelines and at the finish line, creating an atmosphere of encouragement. It was especially rewarding to see athletes continue earning personal records across events while also supporting one another all season by celebrating everyone’s PRs and bringing positive energy to every meet. 

That combination of individual progress and team encouragement makes for a strong foundation as they head into outdoor season.

JV Girls Basketball | Coach Damian Johnson

Resilience and progress defined the JV Girls Basketball team’s season. With a roster that gelled together quickly, the team focused on learning, improving, and building chemistry during each game and practice. 

A favorite memory of the season was their overtime battle against Avenues — a moment that showcased how resilient and competitive this group could be. They consistently showed up ready to compete, ultimately earning three hard-fought victories. 

That spirit carried through the rest of the season as the team grew increasingly cohesive, developing a more effective ability to move the ball and create opportunities together.

“That growth was evident throughout the season,” said Coach Johnson. “I’m really proud of how much the girls improved from the beginning of the season to the end.”

Their hard work earned them a spot in the ISAL Playoffs, and the team looks forward to building on the momentum of this season next year.

JV Boys Basketball | Coaches Jaylen Anderson and Gene Propper

All winter, energy and growth set the tone for the JV Boys Basketball team. The players consistently showed up ready to work, bringing enthusiasm and focus to every practice and game.

This season also marked Coach Propper’s first season, working with Dwight’s freshman and sophomores. “One of my favorite parts of the year was getting to know the players and watching them develop not only as athletes, but as young adults,” he said. 

The bus rides home after practices and games became a memorable part of the season, giving the team time to connect with each other. On the court, one of the most noticeable improvements was how the team started games. Early in the season, the team struggled to establish energy in the opening minutes, but as the winter progressed, the team were more focused and confident.

The team advanced to the opening round of the ACIS Playoffs, where their strong first quarter performance reflected how much progress they made throughout the winter. Looking ahead, the coaches are excited to see how the players continue to develop and grow during the offseason.

MS Girls Basketball | Coaches Josh Kigel and Amanda Clears

The Middle School Girls Basketball team had a season to remember, finishing with an impressive 11-1 record. A highlight of the year came on the road against LREI, a team that had defeated the Lions the previous season. This time, the girls earned a hard-fought win, a testament to the program’s growth.

Participation grew from eight players last year to 22 this season, with the team split into three squads for much of the season. Despite limited time together as a full roster, returning players rose to the challenge while newcomers brought energy, hustle, and improvement. As Coach Kigel noted, "I hope that this season was as positive as last season for our returning players, and a great experience for our newcomers."

Eighth graders Maddie E. and Alice K. anchored the offense, each averaging over 12 points per game. Defensively, eighth graders Bia M., Evie C., and Katrin F. led a strong team effort, while Lea D., new to both the team and the sport, grew into a strong defender by the end of the season. Eighth graders Anita A., Gaby A., and Claire H. contributed key rebounds, interior defense, and inside scoring that helped balance the Lions on both ends of the court.

As coach Josh Kigel reflected, “This season we went 11-1, which is amazing, but on top of that we got to play together as a team and welcome new players to our squad. I think we learned a lot and improved our teamwork and basketball skills.” 

Looking ahead, the coaches are excited to watch the eighth graders continue to grow as individuals and as a unit as they transition to the high school level. It will be great to see how they mesh with the current JV and Varsity players, and we look forward to welcoming any new players who may join the program next year. Meanwhile, the seventh graders are eager to step up and take on a bigger role. The future of Dwight Girls Basketball looks bright!

MS Boys Basketball Blue | Coaches Erik Kanzer and Ra Ung

The MS Boys Basketball Blue team experienced a season defined by teamwork, fun, and a commitment to improvement. With an overall season record of 6-4 (combined with the Red team), the team wrapped up their season with four consecutive wins. During that stretch, the team came together by focusing on effort, belief, and supporting one another on the court. 

Enzo B. ’30 and Rocco D. ’30 stepped up as leaders, helping set the tone and keep the team focused. As a whole, the boys grew not only in skill, but in communication and confidence throughout the season. Coaches Kanzer and Ung were proud of the way the team competed and represented Dwight Athletics. The team looks forward to bringing the same energy to next year.

MS Swimming | Coaches Brandon Saavedra and Jamal Sharpe

The Middle School Swim team had an exciting season filled with growth, fun, and an incredible sense of team spirit. With one of the largest teams in program history, the coaches were thrilled to field two relay times, an important milestone that reflects the program's continued growth.

Growth was the word of the season, and one moment captured it perfectly. Ahead of their meet at Trinity, when swimmers had spent the week practicing dives only to arrive and discover there were no starting blocks, they adapted on the spot and swam their hardest. That resilience made them more competitive swimmers for the rest of the season. 

One of the highlights of the season came from the second-to-last meet, when every swimmer showed up to cheer each other on. Varsity swimmers Kiera Stratopoulos ’27 and Alex Charecky ’27 came to support the team, watching them finish first in nearly every event and heat. Coaches Brandon and Jamal couldn’t be prouder of the progress each swimmer made, and the confidence they built along the way.

Looking ahead, they are excited to see the current eighth graders transition to Varsity while rising eighth graders step into leadership roles for the incoming seventh graders. With strong participation and plenty of talent, Middle School Swimming is heading in an exciting direction.

MS Boys Basketball Red | Coaches Pierre Bonnaure and Thomas Finkleston

The Middle School Boys Basketball Red team finished the season with a 6-4 record (combined with the Blue Team), closing out a year focused on growth, discovery, and teamwork.

In Coach Bonnaure’s first season at Dwight, he focused on building strong connections and helping the team learn how to compete together as a cohesive unit. Made up of seventh graders, the team often faced older competition and rose to the challenge with determination and resilience. “This season was a discovery for all of us,” said Coach Bonnaure. “It was a great experience to grow together while learning to get to know one another.”

A highlight of the season came in the final game, when the team worked together to help players who had not yet scored this season get on the scoreboard. The entire team celebrated when they accomplished that goal.

As the players transition into eighth grade next year, they will carry with them the skills and experience they gained this year. The lessons learned this season will make them even more competitive and confident players when they return to the court. 

MS Indoor Track | Coach Rachel Soyk

Our MS Indoor Track team put in some hard work during an enjoyable season marked by growth, grit, and determination. We look forward to seeing these athletes build on that momentum in upcoming seasons!