A Note from Jackie Hertgen, Middle School Athletic Director:

What an energetic, rewarding, and successful spring season it’s been for our Winged Lions Middle School athletes.

Our newest program, boys volleyball, saw tremendous growth in just its second year, expanding from a single team last spring to three competitive teams this season. It’s an exciting sign of the program’s momentum and enthusiasm among our student-athletes. Our sixth-grade C Team finished first overall in an exciting tournament performance.

On the soccer field, our sixth-grade girls C Team capped off their season in dramatic fashion, securing a tournament championship with a thrilling overtime victory over McGillis. Congratulations to the team on an unforgettable win. Be sure to read the full season recaps, including insights from Coach Bobby Kennedy (C Team) and Coach Garrett Stern (seventh- and eighth-grade A Team).

Our coed cross country program also delivered another outstanding season, with strong participation across all grades and top-10 finishes in every division, a testament to the team’s and runners’ depth and dedication.

None of this success would be possible without our exceptional coaching staff, whose commitment, experience, and care continue to shape and inspire our student-athletes. Special thanks to coaches Sara Donnelly, Janice Middleton, and Maike Wells (cross country); Sarah Yoon, Lauren Carpenter, and Kayden Al-Mosawi (boys volleyball); and Bobby Kennedy, Kessler Vargyas, Garrett Stern, and Scott Langone (girls soccer).

We’re also deeply grateful to our Winged Lions families for their continued support throughout the season.

Please read on for highlights and recaps from each team.

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Girls Soccer A Team (Seventh and Eighth Grade)

Head Coach Garrett Stern

We’ve had a truly enjoyable and rewarding soccer season. It has been wonderful to watch the team grow, both individually and collectively, throughout the season.

During our training sessions, we focused on developing key skills and concepts, including technical skill work, connecting passes, and receiving the ball on the quarter turn. We also emphasized attacking play—such as delivering crosses and making well-timed, well-spaced runs—as well as building cohesion between offense and defense. A major point of emphasis was learning to play with confidence and composure, even when facing early pressure from opponents. It was especially rewarding to see these ideas come to life in our games, where the girls consistently worked to apply what they had practiced.

Just as importantly, this team built a strong sense of camaraderie. Whether on the field or on the bus, the players brought great energy, humor, and positivity to the experience. They truly enjoyed spending time together, and that connection was a big part of what made this season so special.

Thank you for your support throughout the season. It has been a pleasure working with these student-athletes.

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Girls Soccer C Team (Sixth Grade)

Head Coach Bobby Kennedy

In late March, 18 student-athletes took the field as members of our sixth-grade soccer team. Skill levels varied, and attendance at practices and games was often unpredictable, but that never stopped the group from building a meaningful and memorable season together on the way to the championship final. From one practice to the next, positional awareness improved, and the team’s confidence steadily grew.

The team showed a lion-hearted spirit while competing in all kinds of weather and adapting to a variety of formations. Their steady progress throughout the season led to a perfect 6–0–0 record, highlighted by a thrilling overtime playoff victory against local rival McGillis.

Thank you to everyone who participated, and keep enjoying the beautiful game.

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Boys Volleyball

Coaches Sarah Yoon, Lauren Carpenter, and Kayden Al-Mosawi

What an exciting season for the Middle School boys volleyball program! In just our second year, the program has already grown to three teams. The A Team showed exceptional teamwork, consistently supporting one another with positivity and good sportsmanship. Their commitment and willingness to learn led to an impressive record, with just one defeat.

At games, the boys competed hard, setting and hitting the ball with power while always making sure to have fun together as a team. We are proud of everything this team has accomplished and look forward to next season. Go A Team!

The C Team volleyball season was a tremendous success, capped off by a championship win at the end-of-season tournament! While bringing home the title was a major accomplishment, the true highlight of the season was the growth, teamwork, and commitment the players demonstrated throughout the year.

Through lunchtime practices and after-school training sessions, the team worked hard to strengthen their serving, communication, hustle, and overall volleyball skills. Their dedication and willingness to improve each day helped them develop into a cohesive and competitive team on the court.

Most importantly, the season fostered a genuine passion and excitement for volleyball that will hopefully continue for years to come. Congratulations to the C Team on an outstanding season!

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Coed Cross Country A and C Divisions (Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grades)

Coaches Sara Donnelly, Janice Middleton, and Maike Wells

The Rowland Hall Middle School cross country team had an outstanding season this year. Our runners showed determination and resilience through every kind of weather while competing in six meets throughout the season. After all the scores were tallied, the boys A Team earned first place in the conference, while the girls A Team finished second overall—an incredible accomplishment for both teams.

In addition to team successes, many runners achieved top-10 finishes and set new personal bests along the way. Coaches Sara Donnelly, Janice Middleton, and Maike Wells were proud to watch each athlete grow, improve, and support one another throughout the season.

Congratulations to the Rowland Hall Middle School cross country team on a fantastic year. This is one hardworking and resilient group of athletes!