After 3:15 p.m., a rush of community surges AFS as students leave classes to go outside on the courts or inside the Berman Athletics Center. No matter how the seasons change, spring or summer, sports have brought AFS a sense of community and unity because of the support on the sidelines, benches, courts, and fields.
In the fall, the Boys’ Varsity Soccer team had a challenging season and won several games. To wrap up their season, they celebrated their fourteen seniors during Senior Day. On a similar note, the girls’ Varsity Soccer also made their way through a challenging season, and ended on a good note with waving goodbye to five seniors.
Angela Stevens ‘25 ended her strong soccer career at AFS as one of the top three in goals and assists. Mayalondyn Gray ‘25 has been an influential part of the team with her sportsmanship and leadership skills, while being a strong player contributing to the team’s success.
Although they are waving farewell to strong and talented players, the juniors will step up to fill their shoes.
Keira Kushin ‘26 said, “They were strong leaders throughout my years playing high-school at AFS, especially Ange because she was here when I first joined the high school team in eighth grade, and I look up to her because she is a talented player and I always knew I could rely to her and felt confident when she was on the fields. I hope to take after her next year.”
For the past few years, AFS Girls’ Tennis has been an impressively strong team, and broke through challenges entering the FSL playoffs this year for the first time since 2012. Girls’ Tennis ended their season tied in second place in the Friends School League.
In closing the fall, the Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country teams made a strong impression at the Friends League Championships with two top-20 finishers, Yassmine Wardigee ‘27 and Ani Melzer-Surkan ‘28. The boys ended second best in the Friends School League after placing fourth out of the eight teams.
Success does not just end in the fall for AFS; the winter sports season was filled with student accomplishments and victories. AFS Indoor Track’s Lucy Byrd ‘28 and Rihanna Williams ‘25 both qualified for the 2025 Pennsylvania Track and Field Coaches Association State Championships. The meet was memorable and historic for Byrd because she placed fourth in the state for the 200 meter with a lifetime best of 24.89, and eighth in the state for the 800 meter in 57.13.
Byrd’s accomplishments as a ninth grader are ground-breaking, and AFS is ready to see what other accomplishments and records she will break for her next three years for AFS Track and Field.
Varsity Wrestling had a remarkable season, ending the season by winning the Friends School League Championship. They defeated George School 45-30 during the playoffs and ended with a victory in the finals, making history for AFS. This was the first wrestling title for AFS and the 35th FSL title in AFS history.
During winter spirit night, the Boys’ Basketball team had an intense match against Germantown Friends School. They were tied throughout the majority of the match until the last second, when Trey Witworth ‘28 made a last-second three-pointer that led the team to a victory. In addition, the Girls’ Basketball team played with composure and perseverance during the challenging game.
They had a challenging season, having a team with no seniors, but it did not stop them from having a satisfying season.
Christine Lahtaw ‘26 said, “It does not feel any different because we are still a team and have letters. We are all stepping up to lead. The only sad thing is that we do not have any seniors for senior night. Chemistry and just playing are not any different. There are no bad things.”
The Swim team showed their dedication and hard work this season. They had practice seven times a week with some mornings and afternoons simultaneously. In the end, they entered their state championship and beat Barrack, and Roger Chen ‘28 broke the school record in the 100 meter breaststroke.
As the weather gets warmer and the snow melts, AFS athletics moves outside to the fields and tennis courts. The Friends School League implemented a new policy for tennis where they split up the teams into pods to compete with, and no longer compete with all of the schools in the Friends League. Boys’ Tennis is the “Quaker Pod” with Friends Select, Westtown, and George School.
This year, Boys’ Tennis will wave farewell to two influential seniors, Dylan Steinberg ‘25 and Ethan Farma ‘25; they have had a strong career during their time playing tennis at AFS, and had an influential role leading their team to many victories and winning the 2024 Quaker Cup.
Farma said, “I’ve made a connection with all my teammates, and I feel like every year as a team we have struggled through losses and gained pride through winning. I feel like over these four years, I’ve grown a lot with my teammates, and as a team. We have had a lot of setbacks because of the small number of people on the team, and having to forfeit some matches. I am going to miss the team and the bus rides where we joke around together.”
The Outdoor Track team has moved from the graveyard to a new area on the campus, the front sidewalk, which has been emplaced in the summer by Abington Township and Jenkintown Borough. Although AFS does not have a track, it has not stopped AFS from having a strong track team and winning many accomplishments nationally and within the Friends League.
Softball and Baseball are one of the AFS spring sports that bring the most community to the school. Softball made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2012, and Lorelai Stirling ‘28 led and held up the team as the pitcher, while Gabriella Puntel ‘25 held down the fort at third. They had an excellent season overall and are ready to conquer more games and accomplishments in the future.
In addition, Baseball won the Quaker Cup and progressed to States. Jackson McWilliams ‘25 was the star pitcher, and the team will keep on fighting to have a successful season like this one in the future.
The sideline benches are always filled with parents, teachers, and students supporting the team. Baseball is currently on a winning streak, and they have been having very successful games because the roster is filled with many strong players.
No matter how the seasons change, success within AFS athletics stays consistent. The 2024-2025 athletic year has been prosperous with accomplishments and team victories. Next year, AFS will continue to do the same with no doubt.
