A Higher Standard: MHS Winter Sports Deliver Standout Performances
It was a banner year for MHS Senior Division winter sports teams in 2025-26. Exemplifying commitment and living out Our Pledge with determination and hard work, MHS student athletes and coaches earned a host of individual and program honors, bringing a special energy to the campus community. Here’s a closer look at how each team fared.
Girls Basketball
Paced by top Mid-Penn Keystone performers Tatiannah Chandler, Angelina Momoh, and Aubrie Walker-Smith, the MHS girls basketball team had one of the greatest seasons in school history. Finishing with a 17-10 record (10-4 in division), the Spartans posted several impressive victories, including a senior night comeback win against Lebanon and a district playoff triumph versus Greencastle-Antrim.
“All during the year we talked about a growth mindset,” said head coach Tina Klotzbeecher-Thomas. “Everybody accepted their role and put in so much time and effort. I really think this year’s team opened doors for the future of the program.”
Added Journey Wright, a senior and one of the team’s leaders: “Senior night was one of the best nights of my whole life. It brought all of us together, our defense locked down in the second half, and the crowd was amazing. Our team, we had great bonds and a sisterhood. We worked really hard and had fun.”
After districts, the team went on to the state playoffs, gaining valuable experience against some of Pennsylvania’s best players.
“Being able to have that time, there were great lessons for us,” said Klotzbeecher-Thomas. “We’re only graduating one senior, so next year we expect to be one of the top contenders. The ceiling is high.”
Boys Basketball
Led by star Khalif Turner, a first-team league guard who eclipsed 1,000 points for his career in February, the Spartans boys basketball team won the 2026 Mid-Penn Keystone Division title. Turner had plenty of support from teammates including Abdou Diene—another Mid-Penn first-team honoree—as well as Jabron James and Dylan Crawford.
“Our hard work really showed off,” said Crawford, a junior who averaged double-figures for the Spartans. “The guys stayed here in the summer and came back early from breaks. Everybody improved. It was a great season.”
Keyed by an 11-game winning streak that stretched throughout most of January, the Spartans found themselves on the cusp of their first division crown since 2023. But the toughest part of their schedule was still ahead.
“We entered the last week of the regular season having to win two road games—against Cedar Cliff and Hershey—to get the division title,” said head coach Scott Rooney. “We played close to a perfect game at Cedar Cliff and then followed that up with a tough win over Hershey. Our guys really manifested success into reality.”
Rooney, named the Keystone Division Coach of the Year, talked to his squad repeatedly about the challenging 2023-24 season in which the Spartans finished at 3-19. Many of the players on that season’s roster were on this year’s team, adding extra motivation to hit their goals. His team responded, finishing 2025-26 with multiple district wins, a state playoffs appearance, and a sparkling 23-5 record.
“This group wanted to be on a banner, and their work ethic reflected that,” Rooney said. “They got stronger, faster, and were coachable and good teammates. Going forward into next year, we expect to have no letdown. We expect to be better.”
Swimming/Diving
Going into the winter, the 2025-26 season was set up to be rebuilding year for the MHS swimming and diving team—but a host of athletes exceeded expectations on their way to breakthroughs in the pool.
“From the start of the year to the finish, every single swimmer we had got faster,” said head coach Heather Dougherty. “Our team had a strong work ethic and incredible heart—everyone pushed each other to be better.”
Led by senior co-captains Sam Chan and Gracie Cunningham, the team won the Mid-Penn Sportsmanship Award and performed its best when the stakes were the highest—especially at districts.
“We had a lot of new people, but we had a lot of fun,” said Chan. “I definitely felt the energy and our school behind us.”
Among the year’s highlights and top finishes, according to Dougherty:
Swimmers
Lilly Gullace
- 11th place at PIAA Districts (100 free); 12th place at PIAA Districts (200 free)
Roslyn Dietrich
- 14th place at PIAA Districts (100 fly); 20th place at PIAA Districts (200 IM)
CJ Haffey
- 22-second improvement (500 free) from Mid-Penn Championships to PIAA Districts
Jayson Glass
- 11-second improvement (500 free) from Mid-Penn Championships to PIAA Districts
Divers
Azie Kent
- 3rd place at Mid-Penn Championships; 6th place at PIAA Districts
Gracie Cunningham
- 6th place at Mid-Penn Championships; 8th place at PIAA Districts
Jack Zhang
- 6th place at Mid-Penn Championships; 7th place at PIAA Districts
Keith Wellington
- 8th place at-Mid Penn Championships; 8th place at PIAA Districts
“We’re going to have a lot of top returners in 2026-27,” said Dougherty. “I know next year we’ll come back stronger. I believe we’ll medal in relays at districts.”
Wrestling
Fueled by a dominant pre-Christmas run, a total of seven Mid-Penn all-stars, and exceptional student leadership, the 17-4 MHS wrestling team achieved tremendous success in 2025-26.
“Overall, our team leveled up this year, with everybody strengthening each other,” said senior Shatik Medina. “In our wrestling home (Lenape), we really built a culture where we wouldn’t let things hold us back. We had a sense of pride.”
The Spartans fired out of the gates this season, impressively winning both the Big Cat Brawl and James Buchanan Duals. That pride carried on into January with a strong second place performance at a high-level tournament in Springfield Township. Beating Carlisle in February was another highlight, as the team avenged a prior-year loss.
“In all my years coaching wrestling, I think this was the best group of senior leaders I’ve had,” said head coach Jimmy Taylor. “They were consistent and cared about each other. They put in the work behind closed doors. Our leaders also helped instill student accountability.”
Taylor—the Mid-Penn Capital Division Coach of the Year—and Medina shouted out several wrestlers who had excellent campaigns, including Joel Bailey, Antonio Wright-Cruz, Earnest Farley, Sam Geynovich, Tristian Jayree, Howard Hertz, Ethan Roberto, Saleem Lucas, Lawrence Delarosa, and Isaiah Hurt. Sophomore Rayne Keane broke his leg early in the year, but Taylor noted his perseverance to fight back and compete again late in January—demonstrating the team’s will and commitment.
But performances on the mat were only part of the story in 2025-26.
“Their grades were phenomenal and they were so self-motivated,” said Taylor, noting that his team also won the division’s Sportsmanship Award. “The future of our wrestling program is exciting. We know we’re going to be good.”
Ice Hockey
The MHS ice hockey squad—a club team—left their mark on the winter season, as well. Coached by MHS alumni Marv Klinger ’77 and Vance Cole ’83, the Spartans played a slate of local opponents building teamwork, camaraderie, and traditions along the way.
“Our season was a time of growth for every player,” said senior defenseman Timothy Geynovich. “Each player put in a lot of effort to develop their skills and improve from the beginning to the end of the season.”
For many on the team, one of the most memorable moments of the season wasn’t on the ice—it was a lunch visit from the Hershey Bears in January. This annual event left a lasting impression on Geynovich, who speaks Russian fluently, allowing him to make deeper connections with Bears players from eastern Europe.
“Because of their journey, they can give me advice and wisdom for me to achieve the same heights that they did,” Geynovich said.
Reflecting on the year, Geynovich noted “we were very excited from the beginning when we saw what kind of chemistry we had from the start. I am grateful for all of the time my teammates put in. Also, thanks to my coaches for pushing us to not only become more confident, conditioned, and educated players on the ice, but to persevere and become resilient men in life. I am thankful and proud that I got to serve a team made of such quality men who impacted my journey so much at MHS.”
