Category: Sports

Helena Prusak ’23

Sem swimming is enjoying a very successful season. In terms of overall records, the girls team was 9-1, and the boys team was 7-3. While both teams are extremely successful on paper, many of their strengths come from how bonded the team is. Claire Stretanski ‘23, one of the captains, says, “I think our biggest success is how supportive we are of each other. We are always cheering for each other during races, whether we are losing or winning. We acknowledge each other’s success no matter how small.”

The captains of the swim team are Claire Stretanski, Cara McCall ‘23, Ryleigh Collins ‘23, Zhantore Akyelbekov ‘24, and Harry Feng ‘24. They work together to foster a welcoming and supportive environment while also organizing team events.

Harry Feng ‘24 says, “My favorite part about being a captain is working with new and returning swimmers, and also improving and doing well at meets. Everyone who has joined the team this season has really improved since the beginning of the year. I’m really proud of them.”

A recent event hosted by the swim team was their senior night. This was an opportunity to recognize the seniors’ accomplishments and contributions to the team. Stretanski said, “[It] was very emotional, but we loved spending time together and enjoying our last moments as a team.”

One of the biggest events during the season was the Ernie Shartle Invitational in Tunkhannock. It was also an opportunity to beat a lot of personal times, and was one of the team’s biggest accomplishments.

Assistant Coach Julia Baur says, “Going into districts and even Shartle, everyone is right around their best times, or swimming even faster than they were around this time last year.” The team’s success can be accredited to their hard work and dedication.

The team’s connection certainly helps as well. Claire says, “Sem swimming has a unique bond because of the nature of our sport. The connections we form will last a lifetime.”

The swim team is currently preparing for districts and states. They still have a lot of time left in the season to beat personal times and break even more records. Make sure to continue supporting the swim team!

By Jaden Keefner ’23

Wyoming Seminary’s football team had its annual homecoming game on October 22nd. This year’s game was against Williston Northampton. As the Sem football players prepared for the game all week long, the excitement for the game built up. Mathis Pellerin ‘23, star linebacker, stated, “Williston is a solid team with some good core players, as long as we focus on our job we will win.” The team arrived at Sem on Friday October 21st, staying overnight before the game on Saturday. 

Kickoff was at 1pm on Saturday afternoon. As the football players prepared for the game, the packed student section erupted with noise. After a game that was like a battle because of the constant scoring, Williston drove down the field with 4 seconds left on the clock. The game was tied 30-30. Williston tried for a field goal to win the game, but Chief Montalvo blocked the kick, sending the game into overtime. Sem’s football team scored in overtime making the score 37-30, but Williston got the ball back with a chance to tie it. Williston eventually scored, and were down by one point, but decided to go for a chance to win the game. In a risky decision, Williston’s head coach wanted to go for two points in order for his team to win. Williston capitalized on the play and scored the two point conversion winning the game 38-37. Kevin Burke, head football coach stated, “We left it all out on the field, they knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game, and our boys really showed up today, it just wasn’t the outcome we wanted.”

It was a tough loss for the Sem football program making their record an even 3-3, but they look to bounce back from the loss throughout the rest of their season. Their last home game (Senior day) of the season is against Salisbury Academy. 

by Maddie Olshemski ’23

As the sunshine and spring weather begins to come out one thing is for certain – boys and girls lacrosse seasons are off and running on Klassner Field. Both squads have prepared extremely hard for their seasons and are off to great starts! 

Boys lacrosse is coming off of a 17-2 season with a spot in the district championship as well as a trip to states for the first time in recent years. This year they look to build on their success from last year and hopefully get back to the District Championship once again and punch another ticket to states. When asked  about building on their successful previous season and what will help them succeed this year attacker and 100 goal scorer explains Jack Herron ’24 explains, “We have a lot of returning players this year and none of us were satisfied with what happened last year in districts and in states. We are using that as motivation for this year to get us into a position to win.” The team is off to a great start to the first half of the season and when asked about what they look forward to in the second part of the season. Herron continues, “we look forward to districts and look forward to seeing how we will advance and get better as the season continues to progress.” 

Girls Lacrosse is looking to build off of their season as well from last year where they came up just short in a district semifinal loss to Lake Lehman. This year seems to be heading in the right direction for the squad and many of the players are saying something seems to be different on the team this year, a good type of different. When asked about this difference from last year Captain Attacker Ashley Metz ’22 explains, “I feel like our team chemistry has changed a lot this year for the better. We are definitely super close not only on the field but also off the field which definitely helps us connect and find success on the field. Last year didn’t end the way we wanted it to and this year it just feels like there is a different vibe surrounding our team and we can hopefully cap off our season in a more positive and successful way.” Both Blue Knight lacrosse squads still have a lot of games to play and they look forward to competing and are thankful for their chance to represent Wyoming Seminary in a great way on the field. Make sure to support both of these teams at Klassner Field as their seasons continue.