A compilation of Portsmouth Abbey’s Athletic News and Notes…
Boys’ Track and Field Wins NEPSTA DIVISION III Championship with Undefeated Season
Dealing with monsoon conditions at Marianapolis Prep for the NEPSTA Division III Championship, the boys’ team won the meet and completed an undefeated season. Coming in 1st place out of 22 teams, they won over Groton in a tight battle. Osi Onwudiwe ’25 was the team leader in points as the double champion in the hurdles events. He won the high hurdles with a 16.77 and the intermediates with a 42.67. He moved to 8th all-time in school history in the intermediates with that race. Obi Onwudiwe ’23 had a superb day to finish off a tremendous career. He took 1st in the triple jump, 2nd in the high jump, and 6th in the shot put. Bernard Dushie ’23 took 1st in the high jump for the second year in a row while also taking 5th in the javelin. Jermaine Anson ’23 had an incredible day in the sprints. He took 2nd in the 100 with an 11.91 and 4th in the 200 with a 24.05. Dahmaux Kouassi-Brou ’23 took 3rd in the high jump while also running for the 4X4 relay team, which included Sawyer Robinson ’23 Andy Hwang ’26, and Coleman Hayes ’23. They came in 6th place. Max Osei-Assibey ’24 was a huge contributor, taking 3rd in the triple jump and 5th in the high hurdles. Tommy O’Hara ’24 took 6th in the pole vault. Nate Heller ’25 led off a 4X1 relay that just missed the scoring position. Jack Kelley ’23 and Sean Brennan ’24 ran well in the 3000 and 1500, respectively.
Congratulations EIL Champions!
Girls’ Varsity Softball
Thirteen must be a lucky number for the Raven softball team, who defeated Dana Hall on May 13 by a score of 13-1 to bring home yet another undefeated EIL regular season championship. In performances perfect for Senior Day, Dani Longuemare ’23 had a no-hitter, pitching all five innings and allowing 0 earned runs on 0 hits. She also struck out seven batters. Erin McNamara ’23 led the offense going 2-3 with a double, an HR and five RBIs. Ashtyn Bringardner ’23 went 2-3 with two doubles and two RBIs. Sarah Edwards ’23 went 1-3 with a double and an RBI, and Cassidy Cross ’23 went 1-3 with 2 RBIs. The entire team was dedicated and determined to keep their undefeated status in the EIL regular season, and it showed.
Boys’ Track and Field
The Ravens earned the top spot in the league and returned from Marianapolis Prep on May 13 as the 2023 Boys’ Track and Field Champions. There were plenty of dominant individuals in the boys' meet, but none more so than Obi Onwudiwe ’23. He won the triple jump with a school record 44’2½”, though he was only breaking his own record. He won the high jump with a 6’0” and the shot put with a 42’10¾”. Track enthusiasts will consider the curiosity that he can hurl a shot put roughly the same distance as he can travel in three steps. Jermaine Anson ’23 won both of his individual events, claiming the 100 with an 11.55 and the 200 with a personal record of 23.66. Osi Onwudiwe ’25 won both hurdles events, winning the intermediates with a 42.88, lowering his Fourth Form record for that event, while also winning the high hurdles with a 16.44, which gets him to number eight all-time in the event and tying for the Fourth Form record. Coleman Hayes ’23 ran an awesome 800 for 3rd place and a personal record of 2:11.58. He also took 2nd in the shot put and 3rd in the discus while anchoring the Raven 3rd place 4X4. Bernard Dushie ’23 won the javelin (his second meet in the event) with a 150’10”, took 2nd in the high jump, and 6th in the long jump. Max Osei-Assibey ’24 took 2nd in the long jump with a big personal record at 19’0”, 4th in the triple jump with a solid 39’3½”, and 4th in the high hurdles with an impressive 17.55. Senior captains Sawyer Robinson and Dahmaux Kouassi-Brou also performed well Robinson matched his personal record of 9’6” for 2nd place in the pole vault, running two 400s between events. In the open, he ran a blistering 53.82 for 3rd and another personal record. He then ran a sub-55 in the 4X4. Kouassi-Brou took 3rd place in the javelin with a 133’6”, 3rd in the high jump, and 5th in the 400 with a 55.19. He also ran for the 4X4. All team members performed well this season and contributed to the championship win.
Boys’ Varsity Baseball
Following back-to-back EIL Championships in 2018 and 2019, the Boys’ Varsity Baseball Team brings home its third EIL Championship in four seasons with a 12 – 0 victory against Bancroft School on May 17, finishing an impressive 6-1 in the increasingly deep EIL. The Ravens' pitching overpowered the Bulldog hitters, as Mitch Canuel ’25 and freshman Andrew Foley ’26 struck out 13 out of a possible 15 batters in combining on the shutout. The Abbey offense was led by Matt Parella ’23, who went three for three with three runs scored and two RBIs. Drew Pepi ’24 and Levi Maguire ’25 also enjoyed multiple-hit and multiple-RBI afternoons. Jesus Gonzalez ’25 contributed his first career hit. This is a talented team with some strong players returning next season.
Margot Appleton ’21 is Atlantic Coast Conference 1500m Champion
After graduating from the Abbey as the Rhode Island record-holder in the 1500m, 3000m, 2 Miles and 5,000m in 2021, Margot Appleton '21 can add Atlantic Coast Conference Champion to her list of growing achievements in women’s outdoor track and field.
A sophomore at the University of Virginia, Appleton already held the distinction of being only the second-ever Virginia women’s miler to place in the top four at the NCAA Championships. On Saturday, May 13, she clinched first place in the women’s 1500m at the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships crossing the finish line in 4:14.58.
Ashtyn Brindgardner ’23 Selected as Boston Herald Prep School All-Scholastic
After finishing the season with 22 goals and 26 assists, Ashton Brindgardner ’23, the EIL Player of the Year, All EIL team member, and All NEPSAC Second Team selection was selected as a Boston Herald Prep School All-Scholastic in Girls’ Ice Hockey. For her career, she had 37 goals and 43 assists for 80 points in three seasons. She will continue her career on the ice playing for the Salve Regina University Seahawks in Newport, Rhode Island.
Alexis Dahlberg ’23 scores 100th Career Point
Congratulations to Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse Senior Captain Alexis Dahlberg, who scored her 100th career point during the team’s 18-3 win against Lexington Christian Academy on April 28.
Ravens Commit to College Athletic Programs
Congratulations to the following Raven athletes who have committed to playing at the college level:
| Jermaine Anson | Bates College | Football |
| Muhammed Bajinka | The College of Wooster | Football/Lacrosse |
| Ashtyn Bringardner | Salve Regina University | Ice Hockey |
| Sofia Cebrero | Rivier University | Lacrosse |
| Sara Desousa | Merrimack College | Field Hockey |
| Bella Direda | Assumption University | Ice Hockey |
| Aidan Duffy | Union College | Basketball |
| Bernard Dushie | University of Rochester | Basketball |
| Will Hurlbut | Roger Williams University | Tennis |
| Luke Kenahan | Massachusetts Maritime Academy | Sailing |
| Dani Longuemare | SUNY Plattsburgh | Ice Hockey |
| Jack Lucey | Union College | Lacrosse |
| Matt Parella | Rhode Island College | Baseball |
| Garrett Roskelly | Elmira College | Wrestling |
| Bridget Sachs | College of the Holy Cross | Track and Field |
| Teghan Torrey | Hobart and William Smith Colleges | Tennis |
| Joe Verderber | Skidmore College | Lacrosse |
Team Highlights
Girls’ Varsity Golf
Kristina Greim ’23 and Carly Costaregni ’23 led the girls' golf team this year. The season’s highlight was when these two dominant players competed in the 37th annual Pippy O’Connor Independent School Girls Golf Classic at Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut. Facing some of the most talented golfers in New England, Kristina Greim received All-New England honorable mention for her outstanding play.
Boys’ Lacrosse
The varsity lacrosse team had another strong season, and the JV team showed much promise. The Ravens lost to top-ranked Pingree 17-10 in the EIL championship on May 10. Tied at 7-7 at halftime and behind 10-7 in the 4th quarter the Highlanders slowly pulled away. The Abbey close defense of Gus Oliveira ’24, Ethan Berry ’24, Chris Barnes ’24 (1 goal and one assist) and defensive midfielders Joe Verderber ’23, Michael Foley ’26 and Grayson Stephenson ’23 played great. Jonny Miller ’24 had 7 saves in net, and Finn Gibbons ’24 won 10 faceoffs. In a highlight of the season thus far, the Ravens put together a complete team effort in late April in a 16-8 win over a strong Kimball Union Academy team (6-2). In front of a standing-room-only crowd at St. Hilda stadium the Ravens and the Wildcats showed great skill, athleticism, and competitiveness for all four quarters. It was a great game to watch! The Abbey attack of Liam Daly ’26, Charlie Townsend ’24 and Luca Sanders’24 combined for 13 goals and 3 assists. They also created several scoring opportunities with tenacious riding. The defense of Ethan Berry ’24, Gus Oliveira ’24, Chris Barnes ’24, Joe Verderber ’23, Luke Stock ’24, Mike Foley ’26, Grayson Stephenson ’23 and man-down specialist Holden Flynn ’23 played great team defense and cleared the ball with great efficiency. Jonny Miller ’24 had 7 saves in goal, and Finn Gibbons ’24 had a career day with 17 wins at the faceoff X. The team will end its season after taking on St. Georges May 24.
Girls’ Lacrosse
The varsity and JV teams worked hard to hold their own against tough competition this season. The varsity team ended with a record of 5-5. The thrilling comeback-from-behind overtime win of 14-13 against Beaver Country Day on April 19 was a season highlight. Alexis Dahlberg ’23 scored the game-winning goal. The JV team pushed through to win three games and tied twice. Third-Form students Tilly Holling and Tessa Reid had standout rookie seasons, including two games with hat tricks for Tessa.
Sailing
It was a great result on a miserable day this past weekend when the Ravens finished 2nd in the Rhode Island High School Sailing Championships out of 11 teams. Only four races in each division were held before the wind increased too much with thunderstorms looming as a possibility. Jancy Grayson and Mary Powell won B Division with scores of 2-2-1-2 for 7 points. Luke Kenahan and Becca Healey along with Charlotte West and Liam Barry were 3rd in A Division. Charlotte West also took 2nd in one race by 6 inches. All in all, it was a great effort with great water and shore support from Ben Bredin, JoJo Kamdani, Mary Davidson, Jack Conway and Ainsley West. The team finishes out their season on May 27.
Boys’ Tennis
During their last league competition, senior leadership prevailed on a day when the team needed to rally to a win shorthanded to end its season on a winning note. Seniors Will Hurbut, Fletcher Reilly and Sergio Ley won their singles matches to defeat Bancroft 3-2 in a league match. The team finished the season at 5-1 and locked in a 2nd place standing. The team headed to the NEPSAC tournament for the first time in five years, losing to division champions, The Rivers School in the semi-finals.
Girls’ Tennis
The girl's tennis team finished their season with a good win against Newton Country Day, 3-2. With the win, the EIL record for the season was 4 wins against 4 losses. Ale Cristiani, at #1 singles, won her match 6-0,6-1. At #2 singles, Bella No won her match 6-1,6-2. At #3 singles, Teghan Torrey won her first set 6-4 but had to forfeit the match in the second set due to an injury. After dropping the #1 doubles match, the match result was left to Elena Cristiani & Ryon Black at #2 doubles. Both were up to the task winning the first set 7-5 and the tiebreaker in the second set 7-6. It was a great way to finish the season. The junior varsity team worked hard this season, with several talented players ready to move up next year.
Girls’ Track and Field
At the EIL League Championships on May 13, the team fought hard and notched some superb performances, falling short in a battle for 3rd place with Pingree. Thrower Sophia Capon ’24 was the top scorer, becoming the EIL Champion in the javelin with an 89’10”. She also came in 2nd in the discus with a 70’1”. Bridget Sachs ’23 won the pole vault with an 8’6”, making her a two-time league champion. And while it is not a school record (which she already owns), it is the best vault by a Sixth-Form Athlete in school history. Odunayo Adelaiye ’25 was 2nd in the triple jump with an impressive 31’7½”, 4th in the pole vault with a 6’6”, 6th in the 20 with a personal record of 28.87, and she ran for 3rd place in the sprint relay. Jillian Muglia ’25 battled hard as the team’s number-one sprinter. She took 3rd in the 100 with a 13.52 (good enough for 7th all-time at the Abbey) and 4th in the 200 with a personal record of 28.67. Sofia Aragones shattered her personal record in the 400 and her projected finish by seed – claiming 4th place with a 65.65. She then came back and anchored the 4X4 with a gutsy 66.8. Ella Liuzza ’25 was 5th in the high hurdles with a 19.50 and ran well for both relays. Becca Osei-Assibey ’26 made it to 4’4” in the high jump without any faults to claim a tie for 4th place. Niamh Whelan ’24 took 5th in the high hurdles by winning the second heat with a 55.91, a personal record. She also managed a season-best in the high hurdles with a 19.62. Senior Captains Merritt Coward and Caroline McLaughlin also performed well. McLaughlin ran well in the sprint relay, 400 and 200. Merritt took 5th in the shot put with a 25’1¾”. Regan Landers ’24 broke 70 in both the open 400 and the 4X4. Martha Ley’25 had a huge personal record in the 1500 with a 5:55.28. Natalie Frost ’26 battled in the 3000, led by veteran Mary Adams ’24.
At the NEPSTA Division III Championship, Sophia Capone ’24 was the team leader in points, taking 4th in the javelin with an 89’6” and 5th in the discus with a 70’6”. Merritt Coward ’23 took 5th in the pole vault with a 6’0”. Jillian Muglia ’25 had a great day, earning a spot in the 100-meter finals and managing a 6th-place finish with a 13.93, well ahead of her seeded projection. Muglia also anchored the 4X1 relay team, which included Ella Liuzza ’25, Caroline McLaughlin ’23, and Odunayo Adelaiye ’25. They came in 6th place. Niamh Whelan ’24 ran well in both relays while Sofia Aragones ’23 and Regan Landers ’24 ran multiple 400s. Look for even more strong performances from this team next season.