Honoring Upper School Student Athletes at the 2023 Sports Banquet

An enthusiastic crowd of families, students, and faculty filled the gym at Sidney Place on May 23 to celebrate upper school student athletes at the Upper School Sports Banquet.

Athletics Director Justin Schuhmacher highlighted many “firsts” for our upper school, including:
●   More female athletes and more athletes in total (52% of US students) than ever
●   A return of the Girls Basketball team
●   First Boys JV Basketball team
●   First Girls Volleyball Club
●   Several school records broken in Boys Basketball and Track
●   Five runners went to the state championships for Track and one for Cross Country
●   More student fans at more games this year; shout-out to everyone who attended, especially the 9th graders!

Justin proudly acknowledged the many accomplishments of this year’s athletes:
●  We had a very impressive number of Scholar Athletes (those who maintain a 3.8 GPA or higher) this year: 30!
●   The dedication of team members was demonstrated by how many maintained a 100% practice attendance record: 26!
●  10 were named to the ISAL (Independent School Athletic League) All League.
●  7 students received the 3 Sport Award for participating in all three seasons.
●   Senior Noah Elovitz Fields received this year’s Stuart Kagel Award, given “in fond memory of MMFS parent and friend Stuart Kagel, who exemplified MMFS values of sportsmanship.”
●   Amin Linder, Boys Varsity Basketball coach, was honored for achieving his 50th varsity win for Boys Basketball—a school record for coaching at the varsity level.
●  Team managers expanded their ranks—3 for volleyball and 2 for basketball (and 2 in training)—and stepped up their game to make sure games ran smoothly.

This year the US Athletics department participated in Lead ‘Em Up, a national program that develops the leadership skills of student athletes in both sports and life. Five students were voted by their teammates to be Green (positive) Team Leaders: Matteo Netto for Soccer, Leanne Block for Volleyball, Noah Elovitz Fields for Boys Basketball, Keaton Daniels for Soccer, and Roxy Katz for Volleyball. And Matteo received a Green13 Nationwide Award; he was one of 50 out of more than 40,000 athletes nationwide who received honorable mention for “extraordinary efforts, leadership, and character” both on and off the field.

The first ever MMFS Most Valuable Green (MVG) award was given to Debbie Zlotowitz, our Head of School, for her unwavering support of the athletics program. Matteo received the student MVG award for for demonstrating incredible leadership throughout the soccer season.

Justin expressed deep appreciation for the outstanding coaches who bring out the best in our students.

Special congratulations to the athletes of the class of 2023. We wish them well.

Jayden Adams (Basketball)
Elizabeth Austin-Smith (Track)
Abigail Bassichas (Volleyball)
Natassja Benn (Soccer)
Leanne Block (Volleyball)
Klara Byard (Volleyball)
Andrew Cartelli (Volleyball)
Isla Dietsche (Volleyball and Track)
Noah Elovitz Fields (Basketball)
Laura Fayn (Volleyball and Basketball)
Victor Kariolic (Volleyball)
Roxy Kataz (Basketball)
Harry Katsos (Basketball)
Marcus Kershaw (Basketball)
Sebastian Joffee-Pereria (Track)
Darian Mehran-Lodge (Volleyball)
Lucas Ryman (Track)
Arthur Temple (Soccer)
Beck Winter (Volleyball)
Olivia Wong (Volleyball)

One final note, speaking of graduates and coaching: Two MMFS alumni, Zach Otley and Keenan Alexander, were members of the coaching staff this year. Class of 2023, we hope to see you back at MMFS soon!

Enjoy photos from the Sports Banquet and a video of the evening.