MATT SPORTS MEDIA

With most preseason practices kicking off on August 11th, Sem athletes are gearing up for another season filled with high-intensity rivalries, unbelievable comebacks, and dominant championship runs. In this article, Matt breaks down each of Wyoming Seminary’s fall athletic teams. Be sure to subscribe to the website to stay up-to-date with all things Sem Sports!

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Football:

Last Season: 4-5 record, won 4 out of last 5 games

What to Watch for:

• A new era begins under head coach George Pachucy, who joins Sem after serving as an offensive coordinator at Mid Valley.
• The team will need to replace quarterback Michael McMaugh, who now plays Division 1 football at the University of Maine.
• Many new talents, such as Nelson Martinez, Leo Rath, Justin Ramos, look to be day one impacts.
• High intensity home matchups highlighted by a homecoming game against Pennington.

Key Players:

• Ryan Crete (LB)
• Nelson Martinez (QB)
• Leo Rath (TE)

Major losses:

• Michael McMaugh (QB)
• Alex Roman (RB)
• Gavin Green (WR/S)
• Giovanni Gallo (K)
• Jayce Decker (Manager)

Big Question: Can the Blue Knights finish with a winning record? (last winning record was in 2021)

Prediction: 5-3

• Coach Pachucy has high expectations for the new additions to the football program. Albeit his first season at the job, his prior experience combined with the talented new additions suggests that the energy will shift this season for Sem football. Expect the Blue Knights to go above .500.

Girls Soccer:

Last Season: 8-10, lost in district semifinals to Holy Redeemer (0-1)

What to Watch for:

• Christopher Gardner steps in as the new head coach after spending last season as a Sem Boys Soccer assistant coach.
• Junior Ella Stambaugh looks to continue her dominance of the WVC District 2 (14 goals last season, 23 goals in her freshman year)
• After incredible late season performances, junior Ellie Kersey asserts herself as another versatile weapon for the Blue Knights.
• Experienced seniors Emma Butcher and Mirabaai Reitsma take on even bigger leadership roles with the departure of Avery Luksic and Clare Griffin.

Key Players:

• Ella Stambaugh (ST)
• Ellie Kersey (CM)
• Emma Butcher (CB)
• Mirabaii Reitsma (CM)

Major losses:

• Avery Luksic (GK)
• Clare Griffin (MF)
• Ellie Scullion (CB)

Big Question: Can Sem Girls Soccer find enough talent on defense to keep them in games?

Prediction: 7-11, PIAA District 2 Semifinals Appearance

• The dynamic duo of Stambaugh and Kersey will singlehandedly keep the Blue Knights in many games. The question comes down to their defense. That being said, if there defense is formidable, the Blue Knights can win a playoff game or two again.

Cross Country:

Last season: Girls 9-7 (tied for first with MMI Prep), Boys 5-11

What to Watch for:

• Senior runner Grace Rushmer looks to place top 10 in the Wyoming Valley Conference Coaches’ Championship meet (placed 16 last year) and make a run for a states medal.
• Taking on a heavier leadership role, Bryce Gibson joins returning captains Grace Rushmer and Maya Gross.
• Looking to improve on his impressive freshman year, Brayden Kilduff is expected to be the boys top runner this year.
• With 8 new runners joining the team, the Blue Knights have one of the larger rosters in recent years with 21 total runners (12 girls, 9 boys).

Key Runners:

• Grace Rushmer
• Brayden Kilduff
• Bryce Gibson
• Maya Gross

Major losses:

• None

Big Question: Will the XC team have a runner place in states?

Prediction:

• With Grace Rushmer seeming to get better with each year, the girls team will take first in the conference. Expect Rushmer to once again medal at the district meet and potentially earn a states medal. As for the boys, a .500 season is certainly in play if Kilduff and newer runners can steadily improve.

Field Hockey:

Last Season: 5-10-2, lost in PIAA District 2 Class A semifinals to Wyoming Area (0-4)

What to Watch for:

• Senior Ohio State commit Emmy Swartz once again will lead the offense, looking to improve last year’s 2.4 goals per game.
• Head coach Margaret Kerrick pushes for her first winning season in her third year at the helm of the team.

• After the graduation of senior goalie Dallas Hanson-Richart, the Blue Knights will have a new starting goalie this year.

• Senior Tufts University commit Sophia Medico anchors a defense lacking little varsity experience.

Key Players:

• Emmy Swartz (F/M)
• Sophia Medico (D)

Major losses:

• Dallas Hanson-Richart (GK)
• Kylie Romanchick (F)

Big Question: Will Sem girls field hockey have a .500 season or better?

Prediction: 4-9-2

• Even with the talent that Swartz and Medico possess, this Sem field hockey team faces serious questions with depth and experience. The losses of Hanson-Richart and Romanchick leave holes in leadership and stability. Unless current/new players step up quickly, another challenging season might be in the cards for the program.

Boys Soccer:

Last season: PIAA District 2 Class A Champions, lost in PIAA 1A quarterfinal to Lancaster Menonnite (1-2)

What to Watch for:

• Following the losses of Matt Swartz and Sam Rolland, Owen Stretanski will need to be the number one option for Sem.
• Artur Zelenko strives to solidify himself as Sem’s number two option and end his high school career strong.
• Thrusted into the starting goalkeeper position, Cash Hanson-Richart looks to continue his ascent as one of the top goalies in NEPA.
• The Blue Knights host the Holy Redeemer Royals in a district championship rematch on September 29th at Nesbitt Stadium.

Key Players:

• Owen Stretanski (CM)
• Artur Zelenko (LW)
• Ash Kornfeld (CB)
• Cash Hanson-Richart (GK)

Major losses:

• Matt Swartz (RW, top scorer in Sem Boys Soccer history)
• Sam Rolland (MF)
• Jonathan Gerold (MF)
• Adrian Rojo (MF)
• Jayce Decker (Manager)

Big Question: How will the team replace the offensive production from Matt Swartz and Sam Rolland?

Prediction: 15-2, Repeat as PIAA District 2 Class A Champions

• The 1-2 punch of Stretanski and Zelenko, combined with the defensive talent on this roster will be too much for opposing squads to handle. Even with the loss of several key players to last year’s champiosnhip roster, this Blue Knights team

Golf:

Last Season: WVC team champions

What to Watch for:

• Replacing Matt Occhiato, Ross LeBlond steps in charge of the golf program.
• Expect juniors Caleb Aponick and Leo Nockley to emerge as two of the top golfers on the team.
• Underclassmen golfers will need to pick up the slack in the absence of Nick Werner and Anna Zapletalova.
• A rematch of the Wyoming Valley Conference championship match against Lake Lehman.

Key Golfers:

• Caleb Aponick
• Leo Nockley
• Michelle Wu
• Ayden Wilkinson

Major losses:

• Nick Werner (2x PIAA State Champion)
• Anna Zapletalova (2x PIAA District 2 Class 2A Champion)

Big Question: Who will carry the load in the absence of the greatest Sem golfer ever, Nick Werner?

Prediction:

• Expect the Blue Knights to go .500. With the losses of Nick Werner and Anna Zapletalova, there is much uncertainty surrounding the future of the program. However, with experienced upperclassmen Caleb Aponick and Leo Nockley, the team can put forth a noble effort this season.

Girls Tennis:

Last Season: District 2 runners-up, lost to Scranton Prep in the district championship

What to Watch for:

• Due to the departure of Ilana Rosenthal, the Blue Knights will need to see heavy contributions from Addie Priebe and Jophie Li.
• The team expects to have a boost from a couple of promising freshman additions to the program.
• With an increase in the number of seniors this year, there seems to be no shortage of experience on this team.
• Even with the loss of their top player, the Blue Knights remain focused on making it back to the district championship match.

Key Players:

• Addie Priebe
• Jophie Li
• Elisabeth Moules

Major losses:

• Ilana Rosenthal (3x PIAA Singles State Champion)

Big Question: Can the team overcome the loss to Ilana Rosenthal?

Prediction: District Semifinals Appearance

• While losing a 3x state champion is a devastating blow for any team, this team boasts the experience in players Addie Priebe and Jophie Li to remain relevant in district play and win a playoff match or two. The team could potentially find themselves in the district championship game, but that would require significant buy-in and work from all.

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• Matt Mascarenhas ’26