Independent Schools Vie for #1

It’s been an exceptional spring sports season, especially for Malvern Prep’s and Episcopal Academy’s boys’ lacrosse teams, which are ranked 1st and 2nd in the state. And for girls’ lacrosse, Episcopal Academy, Agnes Irwin School and Academy of Notre Dame de Namur are nearly in a dead heat. Outstanding athletic performances extend beyond lacrosse to baseball, rowing and track, where our independent schools have shown their extraordinary prowess.

Boys’ Lacrosse

The Malvern Prep Friars, coached by Matt Mackrides, are ranked #1 in Pennsylvania and #15 nationally in lacrosse, with a 21–2 record. All 18 of the team’s players have committed to college. Its top two seniors, Danny Riely and Dylan Novak, are both off to Notre Dame next year.

Playing midfield, Riely centers the team and initiates much of the team’s scoring. He’s also a standout in football, playing running back and free safety. Meanwhile, Novak stands 6’4″ at 215 pounds and at defender is known for his physicality and transition play. A four-star recruit, he was ranked the #71 player overall in the Class of ’26 by Inside Lacrosse. Like Riely, Novak was also a standout in football. He has a 4.0 GPA and plans to study neuroscience or business.

Ranked #2 in Pennsylvania are Episcopal Academy’s Churchmen with a mid- May record of 20–3. Trained by Coach Steve Colfer, the team has had some big wins along the way.

Midfielder and attackman Jackson Orcutt, known for his speed, physical dodging and versatile scoring, has been outstanding, scoring 21 goals and 10 assists. He’ll attend the University of North Carolina. Playing defense and headed to Georgetown, David Brickman had 61 ground balls and caused 35 turnovers. He’s notable for his physical style of play and “active stick,” which allows him to shadow top opposing attackmen.

In Delaware, Wilmington Friends School is 11–1 at mid-season and is currently ranked #2 in Delaware by MaxPreps, having beaten Tower Hill, Sanford and Tatnall Schools, among others. Frank Kerwood, the Quakers’ coach, commented: “If we continue to combine disciplined defense with our balanced offense, I believe we have the potential to compete for a conference title and make noise at the state level.”

Senior captain Rhys Butler, at attack, has scored 29 goals over the first 12 games of the season. He’ll play at Denison College next year. Goalie Ethan Lukach, also a senior captain, has 102 saves so far and will play lacrosse at Gettysburg College. He was also on the basketball team and maintains a 4.0 GPA.

Girls’ Lacrosse

Episcopal Academy’s Churchwomen are ranked #12 nationally by USA Lacrosse and #2 in Pennsylvania by MaxPreps. As of mid-May, they have a 14–3 record and have secured a #2 seed in the PAISAA (PA Independent School Athletic Association) tournament.

Midfielder Sofia Gagliardi, known for her speed and defensive pressure, was named the USA Lacrosse Magazine Mid-Atlantic Player of the Week. As of mid-season, she had 36 goals. She’s committed to the University of Maryland. Caitlin McCarthy, the team’s defensive anchor, is committed to play at Duke University. She’s highly regarded for her leadership and ability to cause turnovers, with 28 in 17 games.

The Agnes Irwin Owls, led by Coach Lauren Wray, currently holds a 13–4 overall record. The team has two standout attackers, Margo Chisholm and Ella Garner. Chisholm, known as a strong dodger, feeder and cutter, will be attending Boston College next season, where she’s joining her sister, Caroline, who plays on the field hockey team. Garner will play lacrosse for the University of Pennsylvania. She’s a multi-time American Select National Champion.

The Notre Dame team’s current record is 18–7 as of mid-May, and they’re ranked #9 in Pennsylvania by MaxPreps. It’s been on a winning streak of late.

Senior Keira McHugh is a First-Team All-Inter-Ac selection and committed to Boston College. She’s a top-tier midfielder known for her playmaking and drawcontrol ability. Junior Riley Davis, a midfielder, is widely ranked as the #1 player in the country for the Class of ’27. Committed to Penn State, she recorded 50 goals and 6 assists through mid-May and is a dominant force on the draw circle plus a constant scoring threat.

Baseball

The Malvern Prep Friars had a 31–4 record in mid-May and are generally ranked #1 among schools in Pennsylvania. Head Coach Freddy Hilliard, now in his 16th season, has become the most successful coach in the school’s history.

The team is led by two seniors, Brady Abate and Jack Herbein. Right-fielder Abate, who throws right-handed but bats left-handed, is currently batting .370 with an on-base percentage of .578. He’s committed to Wake Forest. Right-hander Herbein is the team’s pitching ace, with a record of 7–1, a 1.32 ERA, 48 strikeouts (well over 100 for his career) and a 90-mph fastball, as well as a strong curveball, slider and changeup. In the top 15% of his class, he’ll take his talents to Lafayette College.

Rowing

Malvern Prep won the Philadelphia City rowing championship and the fiverace Horvat Series Trophy on the Schuylkill River. All of the school’s 12 entries made it to the finals, according to Coach James Konopka. Jack Arbogast and Brendan Schuck were two of the team’s strongest rowers, both named to the USRowing Scholastic Honor Roll, demonstrating excellence in both academics and competitive rowing. Arbogast has committed to Wesleyan University and Schuck to the University of San Diego.

Agnes Irwin scored #2 in the Philadelphia rowing championship. Seniors Ella Etherington, headed to Trinity College, and Lane Howard, headed to University of Virginia, were in the varsity squad.

Track

Ranked at #1 in Pennsylvania in the 400 meters, Episcopal Academy’s Abaas Hunter is “one of the top sprinters around,” said Coach Zach Richards. A six-time Pennsylvania Independent School state champion, Hunter ran the 400 meters in 46.48 seconds and is currently favored to win the 200 meters and 400 meters at the upcoming outdoor state championships. “The younger athletes look up to him not just because of what he can do, but because of who he is. He’s made our whole program, and our community, better by being part of it.” Hunter is committed to the University of North Carolina.

Episcopal’s distance coach, Eric Mundy, described junior Ava Cavanaugh as “a fierce competitor and supportive teammate.” She finished #5 at Nike Indoor Nationals and won the 400 meters — a meet and school record — in the Delaware County Track Championships. She’ll race in the PAISAA state championship meet before heading out to Oregon in June to compete in the Nike Outdoor Nationals.

Post-Season

The post-season started in mid-May, after our press date. Malvern Prep, Episcopal Academy, Agnes Irwin School and Academy of Notre Dame all are expected have continued success. Many top athletes will play at home games. (See the sidebar.) We hope you can catch one or two. And we hope they win!

Post-Season Tournaments*

Boys’ Lacrosse. In the PA Independent School Athletic Association (PAISAA), Malvern Prep is #1 seed, Haverford is #2 and Episcopal is #3 in the tournament. Malvern played its quarterfinal match, winning 17–2. The semifinal, against Hill School, was on May 19, with the finals on May 21.

Girls’ Lacrosse. Agnes Irwin is #1 seed, Episcopal is #2 and Notre Dame is #6 in the PAISAA Tournament. Agnes Irwin won its quarterfinal match. On May 19, it played Penn Charter in the semifinals. Opponents and location of the championship on May 21 to be determined.

Baseball. Malvern Prep was the #1 seed in the PAISAA Tournament and had its first game at its home field. Malvern Prep likely faced Perkiomen School for the championship on May 22 at Malvern Prep.

Rowing/Sculling. The Stotesbury Cup Regatta, the largest high school regatta in the nation, ran on May 15–16. Malvern Prep won the senior quad and won 14 medals overall. Episcopal’s girls and Agnes Irwin finished #1 and #2 in the senior quad, battling down to the wire.

Track. Haverford School won the title at the PAISAA championship meet on May 16. Abaas Hunter won the 400 meters for Episcopal.

*Some of the action occurred after press time. Check results online.