Many GA student athletes have been waiting for the cold and chilly season to make its turn again. They have been preparing for the long awaited winter Sports Season at GA. Here is a dive into just the beginning of the Upper school winter sports teams.
The Upper School Hockey team is off to a great start this season. Freshman Ben Creighton ’26 says, “ I love the hockey team because I’m able to put in effort and try my hardest.” Creighton also mentions that he is excited to grow as a hockey player and play for GA.
Creighton also talks about his goals for the season. One of them was to improve his stick handling. Creighton says, “A goal for the team is to win the chip! One of the things I’m looking forward to the most is winning the chip with the team.”
The team has a great dynamic. Creighton emphasizes that when they are not on the ice, “it’s a blast spending time and bonding with my teammates.” Creighton and the rest of the team are ready for the rest of the season!
The Boys and Girls swimming team is doing amazing so far. Freshman Elsa Simonetti ’26 says, “I’m looking forward to being a part of the team. I can’t wait to achieve my own personal goals and the team’s goals.” Simonetti then refers to the team’s goal of going “undefeated all season.”
Simonetti also talks about how the team won their first two meets by a “landslide,” and how this gives them hope for the rest of the season. The team has already beaten both school and pool records, which is very hard to achieve at the beginning of the season; this gives them hope for a successful remainder of the season.
The team is “ready to win easterns for a second year in a row.” Easterns is a meet with every single tuition based private school in the country;GA won this championship last year. Simonetti and the rest of the team are ready for the rest of the awesome season to come!
Coach Matt Dolan of the boy’s basketball team lost eight seniors last year and looks to build a new team dynamic this season. When asked about the team’s goals, he says, “We want to be the very best versions of ourselves through our effort, competitiveness, and willingness to be selfless.”
Coach Dolan also emphasized the importance of “student athletes [to] be respectful and compassionate young men who are a wonderful reflection of Germantown Academy and the school’s mission.”
Sophomore captain Bryce Rollerson remarked on his goals for the season as well: “Just to win as many games as we can and learn and grow as a team each day. This group might be young but once they figure it all out they’re gonna be good!”
Girls basketball is off to a great start and looks to win an Inter Ac title. Junior captain Jess Aponik ’24 talked about the team’s goals for this season: “Our goals are to beat Penn Charter when we play them again and hopefully win an Inter Ac because we are very capable of winning.”
Jess also mentioned what she’s looking forward to the most this season: “Building team chemistry! I’m also looking forward to traveling with my team and just being able to have that great experience together.”
This year’s girls basketball team looks very dangerous, and they have all the tools to make an Inter Ac title run. As they continue to work hard they will get better each and every game.
In addition to the basketball team, The wrestling team is ready for action this season. A balance of controlled strength and strategic thinking is needed to win matches. Captain Jacob Sasson ’23 says, “I’m looking forward to a great wrestling season. We have a lot of young talent this year.”
Last but certainly not least, Indoor Track and Field athletes are preparing for the physical workload needed to achieve the results they desire. They will also need to rely on their mental toughness needed to overcome all challenges.
Whether hockey or swimming, basketball or wrestling, track & field or any other GA sport, the GA community is looking forward to the winter season. Whether you’re a fan cheering or an athlete playing, it doesn’t matter because it’s winter sports season! It’s go time! Go GA!