Upper School student athletes in all sports were honored at the annual Athletic Awards Chapel on May 22.

Director of Athletics Mildred Piscopo opened the assembly by thanking Associate Head of School Steve Andersen '71 P'13, '22, Headmaster David B. Harman, and Head of Upper School Bud Cox for their support of Poly’s athletic programs.

She noted that a coach of an Ivy League rival team this year inquired, “Is that your Headmaster?” when he saw Mr. Harman along the sidelines at a game. She answered that it was, and the opposing coach was quite surprised. “It’s not the norm,” to have such support, she explained.

Piscopo interspersed reports on all the teams’ seasons with the awarding of specific honors and “most valuable player” recognition in each of the individual fall and winter sports. The spring MVPs will be announced at an upcoming dinner.

Coach Lance Bennett (Physical Education and Athletics) was called on to present the Charles Beal Memorial Trophy (presented to the Form III student who has made the most contribution to athletics this academic year). The recipients were Grace Bell ’15, a star squash player, and Chris Parker ’15, who stepped in when Poly’s quarterback was injured.

Piscopo gave a run-down on Poly’s fall sports season with highlights such as the 12-8 boys’ soccer team and the girls’ soccer team which went back to the state tournament this year.

She noted that seven seniors from the boys’ varsity football team will be going on to play in college. She also lauded the girls’ volleyball 11-8 record and girls’ tennis team, which finished third in the Ivys.

Assistant Athletics Director Ben Oliner was called on to present the awards for fall sports. He announced the following:

Jack James Trophy (most valuable football player): Kevin Gebon ‘12

William Holmes Trophy (most valuable soccer player): Andrew Doar ’12

Girls' Soccer (most valuable player): Jessica Dahldorf ’12

Stanley McGahie Most Valuable Runner: Hugh Kenny ’14

Stanley McGahie Most Valuable Runner: Emma Restrick ’14

Tennis Most Valuable Player: Francis Koroshikh ’12

Volleyball Most Valuable Players: Jacqueline Chirdo ’13, Jacqueline Kennedy ’13

Coaches Adrien Ricci (Physical Education and Athletics) and Anni Zukauskas (Visual Arts) were called on for the presentation of the Princeton Cup (awarded to the Form IV student who has made the greatest contribution in athletics). The honorees were Hugh Kenny ’14 and Jane Tewksbury ’14.

Piscopo gave a rundown on Poly winter sports results, noting the great hockey team with a 6-2-1 record that went all the way to a season finale with Fieldston. She praised the 19-7 girls’ basketball team and the girls’ swim team’s “Oasis Night victory over Riverdale.” She praised the efforts of the girls’ and boys’ indoor track teams and the varsity girls’ squash team. Summing up, she reported the boys’ squash team had a “magical season” with a record of 15-4 and the wrestling team had a 6-2 season.

Coach Oliner then presented the following winter sports awards:

Indoor Track Most Valuable Runner: Jonathan Anderson ’12 and Karl Anderson ’13

Indoor Track Most Valuable Runner: Emma Restrick ’14, Madeline Bell ’13

Harry Meislahn Most Valuable Wrestler: Tyler Pearce ’12, Roman Accetta ’13

Jay Gintel Most Valuable Swimmer: Eddie Spinelli ’14

Jay Gintel Most Valuable Swimmer: Julie Aguirre ’13

Thomas Cullen Most Valuable Player for Basketball: Anthony Reyes ’12

Bellknap Most Valuable Player for Squash: Bridget Doherty ’12

Bellknap Most Valuable Player for Squash: Tim Lasusa ’12

Most Valuable Player for Basketball: Katie Friel ’12

Most Valuable Player for Hockey: John Baum ’12

Adrien Ricci and Anni Zukauskas returned to present the Yale Cup (awarded to the Form V student who has made the greatest contribution to athletics) to Nate Johnson '13 and Jacqueline Kennedy.

After Piscopo noted that many of the spring teams had not yet finished their seasons, Oliner presented the Oran H. Waterman Tennis Trophy to Jeremy Kochman '12.

The final award of the day, the Paul Raso Athletic Service Award, was presented, very appropriately by veteran teacher, coach, and manager Paul Raso (Science, retired), to Sam Haskel ’12.

The Chapel ended with a highlight film from the 2011-12 academic year sports season.