Varsity Cross Country won the Montgomery County Private School Championship, Varsity Soccer won the IAC tournament, and 17 athletes were recognized for their accomplishments during the fall season. 

Varsity Teams 

Cross Country 

With Head Coach Tom DiChiara at the helm and captains Gabe Brissette ’26, Jeremy Chud ’26, Njuguna Ngugi ’26, and Joe Papalia ’26 leading the charge, the cross country team demonstrated consistency and depth throughout the season. They claimed the Montgomery County Private School Championship for the first time since 2017 and finished third in the IAC Championship, edging out Georgetown Prep and St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes. At the Maryland State Private School Championship, the team placed ninth, with three Bears running sub-18 minutes and all 10 Varsity runners finishing under 19 minutes—a testament to their strategy of strong front-running and tight pack running. All-County honors went to Gavin Grunseich ’28 and Ngugi for their outstanding performances. 

Football 

Under the leadership of Head Coach Paul Padalino, P’15 and captains Mack Cohen ’26, Nick Davidoff ’26, Oliver Lafuente ’26, Matthew Rosner ’27, and Ubie Zaid ’26, the football team finished the 2025 season with a 6-4 record. Despite setbacks, including a number of significant injuries to players in the starting lineup, the team demonstrated resilience and unity throughout the season. Highlights included a 21–0 Homecoming shutout against Bishop O’Connell and a thrilling 28–21 Friday night victory over Episcopal, powered by Rosner’s standout performance. Underclassmen stepped up in key roles due to injuries, gaining valuable experience and laying a strong foundation for the future. At season’s end, Zack Helmreich ’27 earned All-Met Honorable Mention (Offense). All-IAC honors went to Davidoff, Helmreich, Rosner, Robert Swift ’26, Kaisen Wohlgemuth ’26, Zayden Woods ’28, and Zaid, with Rosner also earning recognition from the Military Bowl DC Touchdown Club and 7News DC. 

Soccer 

The soccer team, led by Head Coach Bill Reed, P’23 and captains Henry Appleton ’26, Nick Appleton ’26, and Zak Niang ’26, opened the season with a demanding non-conference slate, finishing 2-4-1 before hitting their stride in conference play. A pivotal moment came during Homecoming with a dramatic 2-1 victory over St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes, sealed by a stoppage-time goal in the second half. From there, the team surged through the IAC regular season, ending with a 9-2-1 record and securing second place. Their momentum carried into the IAC tournament, where they dominated by scoring six goals and conceding none across two games to claim the championship. Four players were recognized by The Washington Post as All-Met: H. Appleton and N. Appleton were named Second Team All-Met, and Kendall Buford ’26 and Macallister Graham ’26 earned Honorable Mention. Several players earned All-IAC honors for their outstanding performances: H. Appleton, N. Appleton—who was named IAC Co-Player of the Year—Jordan Boos ’26, Buford, Graham, and Niang. 

Water Polo 

The water polo team, led by Head Coach Guy Pilkington, P’26 and captains Sam Bynum ’26, Liam Pilkington ’26, and Jimmy Quinn ’26, delivered a season marked by strong performances and record-breaking achievements. Highlights included home and away wins against Whitman, a victory over Mt. St. Joseph, and a competitive matchup against perennially talented Gonzaga. Individual accomplishments stood out as well: Brody Reisfield ’28 and Pilkington earned USA Water Polo Academic All-American honors. Reisfield set a new program record for steals in a season with 83, while Pilkington tied the program record for offensive kickouts in a game with six. 

Club Teams 

Volleyball 

Captains: Malcolm Friel ’26, Rodrigo Gutierrez ’26 

Season highlights include: 

• First full season playing exclusively boys’ teams hailing from the strong MIAA conference out of Baltimore and the newly established Fairfax Boys’ Varsity League 

• Playing established Varsity-level teams pushed the Bears to grow rapidly in skill level, which they did through a sense of urgency and a strong work ethic 

• The team particularly enjoyed playing in the “Presidential Mandate” match against Georgetown Prep, winning at home with the support of an enthusiastic student section