On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, Oak Knoll hosted its annual Middle School Sports Awards Dinner in the Mother Mary Campion Center for the Performing Arts — an evening filled with celebration, gratitude, and reflection on an incredible year of athletic achievement and community spirit.

As we wrap up another exciting year of middle school athletics, two themes stand out: adaptability and joy. Throughout the year, student-athletes faced weather disruptions, a packed academic calendar, and evolving schedules, but never lost the spirit of teamwork and determination that defines Oak Knoll athletics.

Our dynamic three-day-a-week program continued to serve as an inclusive space for students of all experience levels to stay active, try something new, and grow together. From the first whistle to the final game, our athletes showed up with energy, positivity, and a willingness to learn, embodying what it means to be rooted in purpose and always reaching higher.

This year, we were proud to expand our offerings with exciting clinics and clubs in volleyball, fencing, tennis, and softball, giving students even more opportunities to explore new interests, build foundational skills, and prepare for future team participation.

None of this would be possible without our dedicated coaches, who bring passion, patience, and heart to every practice, and our supportive families, who cheer from the sidelines, help carpool, and show up for our athletes in every season.

To our graduating eighth graders, we are so proud of how you’ve led with character, lifted up your teammates, and grown through every win and every challenge. As you continue your journey, we hope you carry with you the lessons of perseverance, collaboration, and courage—on and off the field.

The following team awards were also handed out at our celebration on Wednesday. Congratulations to all our student-athletes for another unforgettable year. We are so proud of you, and we can’t wait to see how you continue to grow in the seasons to come.

Field Hockey

• First Year Player: Alicia Wilches ’30
• Most Improved Offense: Cece Blatt ’30
• Most Improved Defense: Isabella Li ’31
• Team Dedication — 100% Attendance: Cece Blatt ’30 and Isabella Li ’31
• Outstanding Player — Offense: Kenzie Lee ’29
• Outstanding player — Defense: Scout Rivera ’29
• Outstanding Midfield: Dakota Amico ’29
• MVP: Siena Bushell ’29
• Royal Spirit: Cyra Aggarwal ’31

Cross Country

• First Year Runner: Samantha Barry ’30
• Most Improved: Maddie Aiosa ’29
• Team Dedication: Liana Simon ’29

Soccer

• First Year Player: Lily Newman ’31
• Most Improved: Kate Wyso ’29
• Team Dedication: Leigh Sowers ’29

Navy Basketball

• Team Dedication: Zoey Dalvi ’29
• Outstanding Player — Offense: Zayna Dalvi ’30
• Outstanding Player — Defense: Nyla Smith ’30
• MVP: Samantha Barry ’30

Gold Basketball

• Team Dedication: Ellis Sobers ’29
• Outstanding Player — Offense: CeCe Adragna ’29
• Outstanding Player — Defense: Arianna Garcia ’29
• MVP: Kelsey McGowan ’29

Navy Lacrosse

• First Year Player: Serafina Cutri ’30
• Most Improved: Scarlett Miele ’31
• Team Dedication: Julia McNany ’30
• Outstanding Player — Offense: Zayna Dalvi ’30
• Outstanding Player — Defense: Phoebe Zaleck ’30
• MVP: Reagan Walsh ’31

Gold Lacrosse

• First Year Player: Leigh Sowers ’29
• Most Improved: Sophia Healey ’29
• Team Dedication: Ellie Anderson ’29
• Outstanding Player — Offense: Caroline Dietrich ’29
• Outstanding Player — Defense: Arianna Garcia ’29
• MVP: Cece Adragna ’29

Spring Track & Field

• First Year Runner: Valencia Polking ’30
• Most Improved: Zoe Nalducci ’31
• Team Dedication: Ellis Sobers ’29

The Royal Athlete Award, which is given annually to the eighth grader who has consistently exhibited outstanding qualities in both sportsmanship and athletic ability for the 2024-2025 season, went to Arianna Garcia ’29 for her impact on our soccer, basketball, and lacrosse teams.