The GA winter sports seasons officially kicked off Friday, Nov. 2, marking the start of an anticipated and eventful period of action. GA’s winter sports teams–girls basketball, boys basketball, wrestling, swimming and winter track–have been waiting their turn through the fall and are optimistic about their futures this season.
The GA girls basketball team, which accumulated a 21-6 win-loss record last season, looks to progress this year with an influx of new talent, confident returning leaders and revised offensive strategies. Despite a successful previous season, the team finished 2nd in the Inter-Academic League following a close loss to Notre Dame. This year, they are focused on avenging it.
“I am excited to build a connection with the team and develop our sisterhood, and obviously to win the RAC,” captain Claire McKee ‘27 said.
Meanwhile, the swim team looks to maintain its culture of excellence and camaraderie that has won it the Inter-Academic title for four consecutive years, with newly-promoted head coach Mr. Matt Cox at the helm of the program. Rice University swim commit and team captain Camryn Jones ‘26 is excited to build on the team’s strength of unity.
“The team feels like one big family, and we all support each other in everything, whether it’s swimming, schoolwork or outside activities,” Jones said. “Having this support on the deck while racing makes the atmosphere exciting and everyone performs better.”
As for the swim team’s biggest challenge this year, the girls’ team has its eye on beating an old and familiar rival, Penn Charter.
“Considering our rivalry, there is a lot of history with this meet, and it’ll be a close one this year,” Jones said. “Despite the pressure, I know our girls have been working hard and are ready to crush the Quakers.”
A thread that connects all this year’s winter sports teams is the senior leadership that drives the teams forward. Drexel Wrestling commit Jack Baron ‘26 highlighted this important senior experience for the boys’ wrestling season.
“We have three great seniors this year who will lead the team well,” Baron said. “And we also have three new wrestlers who are ready to go.”
The steady senior presence, combined with a significant number of GA newcomers, is a formula that specifically characterizes the boys basketball team. Like the swim team, the boys basketball team enters the 2025-26 season with some continuity in its athletes, but a notable change in leadership with new head coach Mr. John Cox.
Despite last year’s challenging season, the team has a fresh energy and atmosphere that could foreshadow success. Newfound attention has been drawn to the team with exciting video mixtapes of the team’s upbeat practices, posted on social media platforms like Instagram.
A highlight of the winter sports season that will showcase both the boys and girls basketball teams is the annual Jim Fenerty Make-A-Wish Basketball Tournament, which takes place on Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 13. The event synthesizes both fundraising for the important cause of Make-A-Wish—providing hope to children with critical illnesses—with captivating basketball action.
In the weeks leading up to the tradition, there is a stir amongst the student body that continues to build to a crescendo. Ashley Wang ‘26 excitedly looks ahead to the tournament.
“I think Make-a-Wish is a really great tradition because it brings us all together,” Wang said. “The artists, the athletes, and it’s an awesome opportunity to spend time with friends during the holiday season.”
With holiday break just around the corner and the winter sports seasons revving into full gear, it’s a thrilling time to be at GA. We look forward to celebrating the success of our hardworking winter sports athletes as the season continues.