Category: Sports

Izzy Shoemaker ‘26

On Friday, October 24, 2024, the Wyoming Seminary Blue Knights hosted the Penn Charter School for our homecoming football game. 

Though Wyoming Seminary played in the first ever high school Friday night lights football game ever, Seminary has not regularly participated in the highschool tradition in recent years. In more recent times, Sem more regularly holds Saturday afternoon games, which tend to draw fewer spectators. Josie Carpenter ‘26 said she’s much more likely to attend a night game. “Friday night light games are a big deal for all the other schools around here, so I get really excited when we host one. It makes it feel more special.” 

The most recent game had a huge student section. As it was a neon-themed game, all students received a neon colored shirt of their choice and wore their best neon clothing to support their team. Many students wore neon construction jackets, helmets, and neon face paint to get in theme.

There was also a special halftime performance; student volunteers made their best attempt at kicking field goals, some even making it from as far back as the 40-yard line. Sem True Blue also launched t-shirt cannons into the crowd while Ms. Cinti, who MC’d the game, got all students participating and cheering. 

The student section also had beach balls, silly string, and glow sticks to keep everyone engaged. 

Mirabaai Reitsma ‘26, a yearbook editor, spent her night taking digital camera photos of the student section and the game itself. “The student section looked so colorful and fun. I’m really excited to use the photos in this year’s yearbook.” 

Last year, Sem also hosted a Friday night game against rival Blair Academy. The student section had Beat Blair t-shirts, white face paint, and noisemakers. 

Though the result of both games were not in Seminary’s favor, all students who attended had a great time and were excited to support their football team. Homecoming weekend is a momentous time on campus, and a Friday night light game was a great event to have in celebration of it. 

By Izzy Shoemaker ‘26

This year, the Lady Knights have had a more prosperous season than ever. As of May 1st the Girls were sitting with a 10-1 record, only falling to Abington Heights. After losing several key players in the class of 2023, the new talent on the team has not only filled positions, but completely changed the course of the team’s path.

The young team welcomed highly talented freshmen, like Ellie Kersey ‘27. Kersey, a midfielder specializing in draw control, already has several lacrosse accolades this year. Kersey has an average of 6.33 points per game, making her the Wyoming Valley Conference’s fourth highest scorer. On the attack line, captain Sienna Popple ‘24 has also made a significant impact, on the most recent count averaging 4.67 points per game. Defensively, goalie Eva Blaum ‘25 has a total save rate of 0.524%, the fourth highest in the conference. Goalie Celeste Perry ‘24 has a save average of 0.500%, the sixth highest save rate in the conference.

The girls took home a win at their senior night on April 26 against Belefonte Area, winning 21-5. Kersey also achieved her 100th draw control. Despite Belefonte Area getting the first point on the board, the Knights rallied forthwith, obtaining a several point lead by the nd of the first quarter. Captain Abby Williams ‘24 and Laine Cabell ‘24 put up several points in the first quarter. Williams ended with 6 goals total and Cabell ended with 2 goals. This win serves as a great confidence boost for the team as they looked forward to playing Scranton Prep and Crestwood. Crestwood holds the highly contended number one ranking, with Prep at number four, right behind the SEM girls in the three spot. Ryleigh McDonell ‘26 was very excited for the Crestwood game. She said, “Crestwood’s always a great team, but this year I think we are more evenly matched and I think we have a great shot at winning.” Emma Butcher ‘26 expressed a similar sentiment, saying “I think we are having a great season, and beating Crestwood isn’t out of reach.” The girls continued to be incredibly confident, as their skills speak for themselves. The Knights are motivated to keep leading the conference and to continue elevating their program as a whole. As fans, the SEM community is incredibly excited.

By Michael DeMuro ’27

In April, Luke Lilledahl ’24 and alumna Kennedy Blades ’22 were accepted to the Olympic Trials for wrestling. This prestigious honor did not go unrecognized by the Sem community. As a current student, Lilledahl’s peers had a send-off at the Sprague alleyway.

At the trial, Lilledahl placed 5th overall. When asked about his experience, Lilledahl said, “It was really fun […] being able to see players I’ve looked up to and how they prepare and wrestle.” When the Olympics return in 4 years, Lilledahl plans on trying again, and then again after that, until he reaches his goal.

Blades won first place at 76 kg in the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials. At just 20, Kennedy, a second-place finisher when she was 17 at the Olympic Team Trials in 2021, is among the youngest wrestlers on the women’s or men’s teams.

The 2024 Summer Olympic Games begin in just over two months, scheduled from July 26 through August 11. #GoBlueKnights