Editor’s Note: The general theme of most winter sports teams at Hill this year is hard work. The days where the team came together as one unit and worked hard were when the majority of the teams’ highlights emerged. As winter varsity athletics come to a close, take a closer look at the individual team highlights. 

Wrestling: Wrestler Kelvin Griffin ’22 got his 100th win on Jan. 30 at the PASIAA duals, where the Hill boys finished second. Griffin said, “It’s something I’ve been working on for my entire career, so when it happened I was happy and excited but not surprised.” See video below for more: 

Girls hockey: The team has been on the climb to clutch a spot as one of the top teams in prep school hockey. Assistant captain, and Hill News Sports Editor, Rose Flaherty ’23 said, “Our top highlight this season was probably playing Nobles and Greenough. We were tied 0-0 until the last few minutes, and we only lost 1-0. We feel like it was our best game and a huge measuring stick for our program.” See video below for more: 

Boys basketball: The team has been performing well this season despite injuries affecting their roster. Josh Cameron ’23 reflected on his season by saying “beating Mercersburg was a highlight because Gabe Moss ’22 got hurt the game before; we were greatly affected by this, but we still won the game and we did it for him.” See video below for more: 

Girls indoor track: The team worked with a smaller group of girls this year. They had many highlights this season. “We have been able to score well in a lot of races because the girls are all stepping up and doing events they don’t have much experience with. We are small but mighty,” captain Sarah Kenvin ’23 said. See video below for more: 

Boys squash: The team has had a successful season this year despite some skill gaps within the team. “I think [our highlight was] losing against Shipley 7-2, because they are one of the better schools in the nation but we still got two wins,” Miki Osada ’23 said. 

Girls squash: The team entered this season with a primarily new team. “Many of our players had only picked up squash for the first time this year, but nevertheless, jumped into our season strong,” captain Portia Sockel ’22 stated in a text. “With new coach Jen Pelletier leading our team, we took on some pretty tough opponents and earned some wins for Hill. At the U.S. National Championships this past weekend, we competed as the No. 1 seed in Division V. The team came out on top with a 5-2 win in the final against Westminister School, securing the first National Championship title for the team in years.” See video below for more: 

Girls basketball: The team is energized and full of a number of different personalities. Their highlight of this year was spoiling Peddie’s senior night. “Our vibe the whole game was so hype. The players on and off the court were so involved, and everyone played a huge role in that win,” Karly Cabot ’23 said. The team went on to compete in, and win, the Commonwealth Cup. See video below for more: 

Boys hockey: The team has had a lot of success this season despite having a new head coach and many new players. “Winning the Barber Tournament was definitely the highlight of the season. It was a fun road trip to Massachusetts, and all the guys played really well together,” said Ryan Sanborn ’23, starting varsity goalie for the Blues. “We also won the championship in a shootout which was really cool.” See video below for more: 

Fencing: A growing sport despite the setbacks the club has faced from not being as popular of a sport. The team dynamic and willingness to learn something new has grown the program into a successful and fun team. “Every time I show up to fencing, I always know I am going to have a good time. There’s always something new to learn, and we always have a fun time,” said captain Ruthanne Sandner ’22. See video below for more: 

Boys indoor track: The team took major steps for the program, including ending the season with a PAISAA championship as well as Quintin Craig, a 5th form sprinter, breaking the school 55-meter dash record. “As for the team, we should all be proud of what we were able to accomplish this season. We have had countless personal records being broken and a number of newly discovered hidden talents throughout the season. The amount of growth everyone has made has been incredible. Also to finish the season off with a championship on the guy side and a second place on the girls side gives us great momentum heading into the spring season. I think we are all excited for the future seasons of Hill track and field,” Craig said. See video below for more: 

Swimming and diving: The swim team at Hill is a big team with a lot of different people adding to a winning culture. The highlight of the year took place at the Mid-Atlantic Prep League meet at Peddie, where 5th former Summer Lam’s 100-yard butterfly swim broke the longest-standing record on the girls side. “When I was swimming, I felt it went pretty well, and somehow I ended up breaking the record, and I was feeling really great because since COVID I didn’t really get to swim.” See video below for more: 

Staff Writers Joey Asterino ’23, Cole Bilota ’23, Jesse Corser-James ’23 Kade Davideheiser ’23, Peter Galindez ’23, Augustus Gerhart ’23, Emilie Kirschner ’23, Katie Newkirk ’22, Caden Olenzcak ’23 and Luke Rasmussen ’23 contributed to this report.