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Alpine Ski Racing

Most Improved: Melanie M. ’25
For the second year in a row, Melanie has made both empirically measurable and visually notable improvements in her skiing, sometimes surprising herself and her competitors. For example, Melanie made a big stride up the results sheet in more than one race in the 2026 season, and she has started to show improved discipline with her upper body and arms while skiing. Melanie thinks about her skiing when she is skiing, and it shows.  

Coaches' Award: Callie H. ’26
Callie shows dedication to improving her skiing at practice, accepts coaching advice and is able to make noticeable changes to her skiing within a practice period. In other words, Callie is very coachable. Callie enjoys having conversations about her skiing technique, shares what she has learned from other skiing experts and squares her background knowledge with the things she is taught at practice, and works on her skiing every time she goes out on the mountain. Callie seems not only to enjoy skiing, but is also a "student of the sport."

 

Varsity Basketball

Most Valuable Player Award: Ali O. ’26

Leadership Award: Catherine C. ’26 

 

JV Basketball

Most Improved: Azania O. ’27

Coaches' Award: Najia K. ’27

This player has shown consistent improvement over the course of the season through both her basketball skills and her understanding of the game! 

This student had never played basketball before! It is a much different sport from soccer. She is also responsible for my favorite moment of the entire season, in which she dribbled across half court, picked up the ball, ran about five steps, looked at me, and started dribbling again, with no travel call. It was the only time all season that I completely hit the floor in both laughter and exasperation. 

However, what made that moment so memorable was not even the craziest travel I have ever seen in my life, but rather this player’s reaction to it. She laughed and smiled with the same wonderful spirit she has brought to our team this year. 

We would like to recognize Najia for her incredible spirit. Spirit encompasses lots of things - not just cheering. It’s about the attitude and perspective through which you approach life. In those moments where we mess up, it’s incredibly easy to become embarrassed, frustrated, and discouraged. Najia has been a constant reminder to all of us - myself included - that laughter is the best medicine. You have to be able to laugh at yourself and the world. It’s the only way we can get through all the challenges of life! Thank you, Najia, for your laughter and spirit - we are very grateful! 
 

More basketball award descriptions coming soon!

 

Crew

Most Improved: Nicole J. ’28

This athlete came to winter crew determined to better herself and contribute meaningfully to her team. In November, she was learning erg form basics and has since grown into a reliable performer on our novice squad. She gives every piece her all, and shows great determination in the face of challenging races. This rower brings boundless energy, intention, intensity, and a “can-do” attitude to every practice. We can’t wait to see how you continue to progress in future seasons. In celebration of your impressive progression this winter, this award goes to Nicole.

Most Valuable Novice: Eva T. ’27

If we were to describe this rower in one word, it would be “determined.” This athlete began our season with a focus on gaining strength, endurance, and achieving her best at races. Her dedication and work ethic at practice each day set a wonderful example for her peers and have led to great success. Her low splits help push the rest of the team to row faster on every piece, and her hard work has been rewarded with strong placements and medals in races. She is always seeking to learn more about the sport, gain as much experience as possible, and improve her abilities. We can’t wait to see how she will harness these strengths to continue growing as a rower. Congratulations, Eva!

Coaches Award: Ruya D. ’28

Every athlete helps to shape the culture of a team and the energy at practice each day. This rower’s impact on the team goes above and beyond this standard, truly fostering an inclusive, encouraging, positive team environment. Leadership is not only found in those with formal positions and in those who make grand speeches; it’s in the collective of tiny moments encouraging a teammate, prioritizing practice attendance, and answering novice’s questions- all places where this athlete shines. This rower fully applies herself to practice each day, carefully considers her race plans, and then goes hard when it’s time to race. She epitomizes a responsible teammate, always helping to clean up, listening carefully when others speak, and modeling the hard work that leads to success. This award goes to Ruya.

Top Banana:  Millie R. ’27

This rower’s positive attitude and sense of perseverance are truly impressive. Any winter season brings with it some challenges, and this top banana faced them with fortitude and grace. This rower was committed not only to her own progress, but to her team’s. She was ready to work hard, cheer her teammates, and crack a joke at practice each day, helping to keep everyone’s spirits up. Congratulations, Millie!

Indoor Track and Field

Coaches' Award: Alex B. ’28

There are a lot of things you can measure in track and field. You can measure time. You can measure distance. You can measure places, and medals, and records. But some of the most important things an athlete gives a team, you can’t measure at all. You can’t measure showing up on the days when your body is sore, and your mind is elsewhere. You can’t measure choosing to be steady when everything outside of these gray walls feels so uncertain. You can’t measure the quiet moments when someone offers help, or guidance, or encouragement - not because they were asked to, but because that’s just simply who they are. The recipient of this year’s Coaches Award is that kind of athlete. She shows up every single day. Prepared, present or not, and willing. Not just for herself, but for the people around her. She has become a true leader, not through volume, but through consistency. Through example. Through the way she carries herself and the way she cares for this team, and each and every one of her teammates. What’s remarkable is that while she continues to achieve personal bests, (such as her 54.74 in the 300m dash, or her 8.84 in the 55m dash, or her 10.38 in the 50m hurdles), she is often the last person to recognize just how far she’s come. But we see it. We see the progress. We see the resilience. We see the standard she sets for herself, whether she realizes it or not. The Coaches Award is not given to the fastest athlete, or the strongest athlete. It’s given to the athlete who represents the very best of what a teammate can be. Someone who makes this team better simply by being part of it. Alex, it is an honor to coach you. I am so proud of the athlete you are, and even more proud of the person you continue to become. I’m so excited to continue working with you, and to see just how far you’ll go. This year’s Coaches Award goes to Alex B. ’28.

Coaches’ Award: Liji H. ’27

This athlete’s 2026 indoor season was a tremendous reflection of both athletic excellence and exceptional leadership as a captain. She led the jumper squad with positivity, consistency, and a deep commitment to supporting her teammates’ growth, setting the tone every day in practice and competition. Her presence elevated the entire group, not only through her performances, but through her encouragement, technical insight, and steady example.

In the high jump, this athlete delivered an outstanding season highlighted by a personal-best 5'4" clearance to win the 14th Annual East Coast Invitational. That mark not only propelled her to the top ranking in NYS Section 2 to close out the indoor season, but also earned her a provisional qualification for the New Balance Indoor Track & Field National Championship, an exceptional accomplishment that reflects her place among the top competitors in the region. She went on to capture first place at the Colonial and Wasaren League Championships (5'0") and the Section 2 Division III Championship (4'10"), and qualified for the Section 2 State Qualifier, where she cleared 4'10". Her consistency, competitive composure, and technical mastery were evident throughout the championship season.

In the horizontal jumps, this athlete proved her versatility and competitive drive. She opened the season with a win in the triple jump (30'8.5") and the long jump (14'2.25") at TCITL LM 1D. Throughout the winter she remained a key scorer, placing 4th in triple jump (31'2.5") and 4th in long jump (14'8") at the Colonial and Wasaren League Championships. Her season-best long jump of 15'11.5" at the East Coast Invitational showcased her continued development and athletic range.

Beyond the marks and medals, this athlete’s leadership defined her season. As captain, she made the jumper squad stronger—mentoring younger athletes, fostering accountability, and creating a culture of focus and encouragement. She modeled resilience, preparation, and team-first commitment in every meet. For her outstanding leadership, competitive excellence, and unwavering commitment to her team, we are proud to announce Liji H. ’27 as this year’s Coaches Award recipient.

Coaches’ Award: Mids and Longs: Marie Y. ’27

This year’s award recipient is a quiet but fierce competitor on the mids and longs squad. Through her willingness to compete in pretty much any event I asked without complaint, to her no-nonsense approach to practices and workouts, she has demonstrated the kind of attitude and resilience that all great athletes need. She filled in on our 4x800 relay as an alternate initially, but quickly became a standard member of the team, helping push her teammates past their previous PRs with a tremendous performance at Wasaren Leagues, securing 7th place overall in the top 10. Her 600 m dash and 1000 m run times all steadily improved over the season as well, regularly posting new PRs at each meet. For her constant presence, dedication and quiet leadership, and in acknowledgement of her steady improvement over the season, it is my delight and honor to award this year’s Coach’s Award to Marie Y.

 

 

Congrats to all of our winter athletes on a great season!