Pioneers Winter Triumph

Pioneers on top: Eagle Hill makes its mark in winter athletics.

This winter athletic season, Eagle Hill School Pioneers were at the top of their game in the pool, on the basketball courts, and on the wrestling mat. With countless hours of training, fierce competition, and true teamwork, student-athletes displayed skill, determination, and heart, making this a season to remember. From record-breaking performances in the pool to championship wins on the court and mat, the Pioneers proved once again that dedication and teamwork define Eagle Hill athletics.

Pioneers Make Waves: Record-Breaking Swim Season

The Eagle Hill School swimming team capped off an outstanding season marked by skill, teamwork, and personal growth. The Pioneers claimed the inaugural SENE Swimming Championship, edging out The MacDuffie School and Mount St. Charles Academy with a final score of 70–53, and continued to post strong performances against familiar rivals like Bancroft School and Bement. Standout performances throughout the season included personal bests from Gordon H., David F., Gabby L., Hope L., Diego B., Hugh S., and several newer team members such as Zina A. and Colin G., demonstrating the depth of talent on the roster. Veteran swimmers consistently inspired their teammates, while newcomers made significant strides, contributing to a season-long trajectory of improvement across all events.

The season was also a celebration of leadership and camaraderie, highlighted by the contributions of senior captains Gabby L. and Hugh S., and junior captain Hope L., along with seniors David F., Gordon H., Diego B., Phoebe R., and manager Kathryn O. From exhilarating home meets to competitive trips at Deerfield Academy and Marianapolis Preparatory School, the team showcased resilience—competing through winter colds, technical challenges, and the holiday season with spirit and determination. Versatility and teamwork were on full display, with relay teams achieving season-best times and swimmers excelling across strokes and distances, and perseverance demonstrated by Zoe W. in the 500 Freestyle.

As the Pioneer swimmers close this chapter of the season, the blend of talent, perseverance, and community promises an even brighter future for Eagle Hill swimming. While other athletes take a few weeks’ break, the swim team continues training for their upcoming NEPSAC regional championships on Saturday, March 7th at WPI in Worcester—proof that the Pioneers’ dedication and drive show no signs of slowing.

Built to Win: Wrestling Captures Championships and Milestones

The Eagle Hill Wrestling team delivered one of the most dominant seasons in program history, capturing the EIL Regular Season Championship (12–0 league record, 21–3 overall), and the EIL Tournament Championship, something the team was thrilled to capture for the fifth year in a row. The team also earned two regular season tournament championships, the first at Marvelwood School in the Skiff Mountain Scuffle, and the second at the Hyde School in The Northern New England Tournament. At the Northern New England Championship meet, the Pioneers crowned five individual champions and had 13 wrestlers place, an extraordinary display of depth and determination. The team’s commanding 228-point performance at the EIL Tournament further underscored their consistency and competitive edge, while a record-breaking number of wrestlers qualified for the New England Prep Tournament — the most in program history — including strong representation from both the boys’ and girls’ teams.

This season was equally defined by historic individual milestones and powerful team unity. Ethan S. became the third wrestler in Eagle Hill history to reach 100 career wins, joining Toby P. and Griffin O., who also achieved the milestone this season. Griffin O. was named EIL Wrestler of the Year, and the coaching staff earned Coaches of the Year honors, reflecting the strength of the program from top to bottom. Coach Francoeur expressed immense pride in the team’s accomplishments, noting their unwavering support for one another, their energy on the sidelines, and the momentum they carried all season long. Loud, united, and resilient, this group brought home championships and elevated the standard for Eagle Hill Wrestling.

History in the Making: Girls’ Varsity Basketball Delivers a Landmark Season

This year’s 2025–26 Eagle Hill School’s Girls’ Varsity Basketball team reached new heights and finished as one of the most decorated teams in the long history of the girls’ basketball program. This year’s edition will go down as one of the best girls’ basketball teams to ever play at Eagle Hill because of their numerous achievements in this special season. The team finished with a 10–10 record, just one win shy of the program record for wins in a season (11), set in both 2006 and 2007. For the first time in program history, this year’s team finished the regular season in first place and was a finalist for the second time in three years in the conference championship game, losing a hard-fought battle by a single point in the exciting title game. A noteworthy highlight was sweeping the regular season matchup against last year’s defending champion and later knocking them out with a convincing win in the conference semifinals. The final highlight for this storied squad was being recognized and awarded the 2025–26 RVAL Team Sportsmanship honor for the conference.

The “Big 3” of Merrin A., Cam F., and Claire L. served as tri-captains and anchored the team’s success all season long. Offensively, Merrin A. led the team in scoring with 15 points per game and authored a midseason career-high 26-point outburst in a January league game. Claire L. led the scoring punch inside with 8 points per game, scored in double figures four times this season, and averaged 6 rebounds per contest. Defensively, Cam Flanagan played tenacious defense, often guarding and shutting down the opponent’s best offensive player while averaging 6 points and 3 steals per game. Olivia J. and Sarah K. came off the bench to score for the Pioneers when needed, with timely offensive contributions throughout the season also coming from Nora M., Nyveah C., Alexa P., Maeve K., Morgan W.

The future looks bright for the Pioneers as numerous first-year players contributed to this season’s overall success. Molly M., Melina J., Summer M., Skyla P., and Eloise K. all improved steadily as the season wore on, displaying unmatched hustle and heart in practice while gaining valuable experience and making numerous winning plays in games. The team was successfully managed by Keeley O., who ensured the team was prepared and in tip-top shape game to game. Together, this group made the 2025–26 season a truly memorable chapter in the history of Eagle Hill School Girls’ Varsity Basketball.

Resilient and Relentless: Boys’ Varsity Basketball Captures League Crown

This season was defined by growth, resilience, and steady improvement. After graduating key players the previous year, the team entered the season with uncertainty but embraced the challenge. The Pioneers quickly developed chemistry and committed to their identity on both ends of the floor. They finished the regular season undefeated in league play, earning home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Along the way, they secured several key wins, including two tightly contested victories over Four Rivers Charter School that helped establish them as a disciplined and mentally tough group.

One of the most defining characteristics of the team was its response to adversity. Whether overcoming early deficits, bouncing back from tough out-of-league losses, or executing in close league games, the Pioneers consistently competed with confidence and composure. Their defensive preparation became a strength, as they routinely held top opponents in check, and offensively grew more balanced and efficient as the season progressed. Leadership from the upperclassmen set the tone, while every player embraced their role and contributed in meaningful ways.

The season culminated in a league championship, earned through preparation, focus, and collective belief. The team invested heavily in their preparation leading up to that game and executed at a high level when it mattered most. Winning the championship was a testament to their work ethic, unselfishness, and commitment to continuous improvement. The team also gave a special shout‑out to senior Xavier K., who was honored with the Coach’s Award.

Rising Together: Boys’ JV Basketball’s Season of Growth

The Boys’ JV Basketball season started before Thanksgiving vacation with eleven players excited to improve their skills. The players learned the drills quickly to implement the read-and-react offense that the team would run. Practices were challenging yet fun as the players learned to run the offense, play together, and improve not only their skills but also their cardiovascular conditioning.

The first setback involved the loss of two players to injuries. The athletes remained supportive of the team, but it made scrimmaging a challenge. Having Coach Jeff Myra was invaluable, as the team relied on his twenty-five years of experience coaching the varsity team to share drills that could be used to improve ball-handling, rebounding, and fast breaks. The games at the start of the season were tough as the team faced stiff competition and had many kinks to work out, missing too many shots and turning the ball over too frequently.

The last third of the season was when the hard work paid off. The players’ defense improved, which allowed the team to score some easy baskets from fast breaks. Rebounding improved, as did scoring in the paint. The team had an exciting game versus Cushing Academy that came down to the wire but unfortunately ended in a loss. It was a close game, and the players’ confidence grew as they realized they played better when they passed more frequently and communicated with one another.

A couple of weeks after the loss, the team traveled to Cushing Academy for the final game of the season, a rematch. With only seven players, the team played hard, ran the court for two complete halves, and did not allow their heads to get the best of them as the lead they had created started to wane in the closing minutes. The players stuck together, boxed out for rebounds, ran the fast break when available, and worked the offense when it wasn’t. All the work put in running sprints, sticking with the layup drill until twenty were made in a row, and boxing out their coaches paid off as the team exited the Cushing gym with heads held high.

Together, these seasons highlight the talent, perseverance, and teamwork that define Eagle Hill athletics. From record-breaking performances to hard-fought championships, our Pioneers showed what dedication, resilience, and heart can achieve. Their achievements not only raise the standard on the court, in the pool, and on the mat—they inspire the entire Eagle Hill community and set the stage for another season of excellence.