While Lower and Middle School sports teams are in tryouts, the Upper School teams have started regular-season competition. Learn more about our teams and mark your calendars for games to watch this fall.  

Cross Country 

Head Coach: Tom DiChiara 

Captains: Gavin Chung ’25, Jack Fucci ’25, Joe Papalia ’26 

The cross country team is young but full of potential. The three captains bring needed experience running Varsity races, and there are many strong runners stepping up to that level this season. Coach DiChiara also notes that there are a number of young runners who he is excited to see compete for the first time at the high-school level. The team’s goals are to improve upon last year’s IAC outcome and to compete for the Montgomery Country Private School Championship. The team also plans to work together to build a strong team culture, emphasizing both hard work and fun along the way, and they look to achieve 5k personal bests across the board by the end of the season. 

Notable Races: 

• Maryland XC Invitational, Shawan Downs, Saturday, 10/5 9 a.m. 

• Montgomery County Private School Championships, Sandy Spring Friends School, Wednesday, 10/16, 3 p.m. 

• IAC Championships, Agricultural History Farm Park, Saturday, 10/26 12 p.m. 

Football 

Head Coach: Paul Padalino 

Captains: Riley Lugar ’25, Sean Murray ’25, DP Pope ’25, Tiller Smith ’25, Caden Southworth ’25 

This season’s football roster is the largest in Coach Padalino’s tenure with more than 90 players between the Varsity and JV squads, including more than 40 upperclassmen. The team is returning a number of starters on both offense and defense, while also looking to replace standout players who graduated last year. Coach Padalino said the team’s goals are to win the IAC, to compete every game, and to ensure that everyone on the large roster remains involved and contributes to both practices and games every day. 

Notable Games: 

• Maret, Home, Friday, 9/20 4:30 p.m. 

• Georgetown Prep, Home, Wednesday, 10/9 3:30 p.m. 

• Episcopal High School, Home, Saturday, 10/26 1:30 p.m. (Homecoming) 

• Bullis, Home, Saturday, 11/2 2 p.m. (Senior Game – recognition ceremony precedes the game) 

Soccer 

Head Coach: Bill Reed 

Captains: Henry Appleton ’26, Zak Niang ’26, Jonathan Willis ’25 

The Varsity soccer roster is comprised of a mix of returners and newcomers to the team. Of note is “a large collection of multisport athletes who will contribute immediately,” Coach Reed said. The teams looks forward to creating a team chemistry in practice with the ultimate goal of competing for an IAC title. 

Notable Games: 

• DeMatha, Home, Friday, 9/13 4:30 p.m. 

• St. Albans, Home, Tuesday, 10/1 4:30 p.m. 

• Georgetown Prep, Home, Thursday, 10/24 4 p.m. 

• British International School, Home Saturday, 10/26 11 a.m. (Senior Game – recognition ceremony precedes the game) 

Volleyball 

Head Coach: Beverly Sivaslian 

Captains: Peter Grandison ’25, Ryan Kramer ’25 

With the return of Landon’s founding volleyball coach and former Landon teacher-coach-mentor Beverly Sivaslian, the volleyball team boasts its largest roster ever, which includes players from each Upper School grade and an array of experience levels. The team looks forward to playing more established boys’ teams this year as well as new programs in Fairfax Country, Virginia, where boys’ volleyball has become a recognized fall sport. The team is working to continue growing the sport and perfect player skills. 

Notable Matches: 

• Homecoming Tournament, Home, Saturday, 10/26 (time TBD) 

Water Polo 

Head Coach: Chris Ros 

Captains: Luke Finnell ’25, Matthew Guo ’25, Gunnar Small ’25 

Varsity water polo returns a number of players from last year’s program while also adding some newer players, with a vast range of experience and a good mix among the grades. The team is looking forward to traveling for tournaments, as these are great opportunities to build strong team chemistry. They look to become comfortable with all the necessary skills of the game, as well as to increase game IQ while also playing effectively as a team. 

Notable Games: 

• Battle of the Beltways, U.S. Naval Academy, Saturday, 9/14 

• Beast of the East, location TBD, Friday, 9/27 – Saturday, 9/28 

• Archbishop Spalding, Home, Tuesday, 10/15 4 p.m. (Senior Game – recognition ceremony precedes the game) 

• Eastern Championships, location TBD, Friday, 11/1 – Saturday, 11/2