Sports
Winter Sports Previews – The Middlebury Campus
Kale Tornwini ’25 drives to the basket.
Women’s Basketball
Head Coach: KJ Krasco
Athletes to watch: Alexa Mustafaj ’25, Augusta Dixon ’25, Calie Messina ’26
The women’s basketball team looks to build on their strong 17–9 season last year and qualify for the NCAA tournament. Last season, the team played well, and made it all the way to the NESCAC semifinals, but a 64–51 loss to Bowdoin College ended their season prematurely. This year the women’s basketball team is already off to a great 5–1 start and looks poised to equal or better last season’s success. Mustfaj is set to lead the Panthers in her final season with the program. In her three years on the team, she has become the programs all time leading scorer, earned All-NESCAC honors three times and has averaged 21.8 points per game. Outside of Mustafaj, the team has a strong supporting cast, helping them contend for a NESCAC title. Dixon was on the NESCAC all second team last season and averaged 11.6 rebounds per game. Messina was a crucial contributor last season, leading the team in assists and steals.
Key Competitions: Trinity College (Home–Jan. 10), Bowdoin (Away–Feb. 7), Amherst College (Home–Feb. 14).
Men’s Basketball
Head Coach: Jeff Brown
Athletes to watch: Sam Stevens ’25, David Brennan ’25, Tristan Joseph ’26
The men’s basketball team is looking to bounce back after an 11–14 campaign last year where they faced an early exit in the NESCAC tournament. Two seasons ago, the team was 20–6 and won a game in the NCAA tournament. The team will look to recreate their success from that season this year. Stevens should be leading the charge offensively for the Panthers. In his rookie season at Middlebury, Stevens averaged 18 points per game, but he failed to equal that mark in his sophomore and junior seasons. In five games this year, Stevens has exceeded his rookie scoring totals, averaging 20 points per game so far. He is supported by a number of players including Brennan, who averaged 10.3 rebounds per game last season, and Evan Flaks ’24 who shared the team lead in assists with 68.
Key Competitions: Tufts University (Home–Jan. 18), Williams College (Away–Jan. 25), Colby College (Home–Feb. 8).
Alpine Skiing
Head Coach: Steve Bartlett
Athletes to Watch: Kjersti Moritz ’28, Bradshaw Underhill ’25, Mika-Anne Reha ’25
After finishing in third place out of the 14 competitors at last year’s EISA Championships, the Middlebury Alpine ski team is in a good position to have another good season and win carnivals. Two of the team’s standout performers from last season will be returning this year. Underhill, the runner-up for the giant slalom at the EISA Championships last year will lead the way for the men, and Reha, who came in sixth place in the slalom at the NCAA Championships last year, will lead the way for the women. Moritz is also a promising rookie that will add to the team’s roster of talented skiers. In addition to skiing at Middlebury, Moritz was recently named to the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team. Moritz was named to the U.S. development team which is at the top of the junior developmental pipeline.
Key Competitions: Bates Carnival (Newry, ME–Jan. 10–11), Middlebury Carnival (Snowbowl–Feb. 14–15), EISA Championship (Franconia, NH–Feb. 21–22).
Nordic Skiing
Head Coach: Andrew Johnson
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Athletes to Watch: Jack Christner ’25, Logan Moore ’25, Shea Brams ’26
Middlebury’s nordic skiing team is looking to build on their strong season from last year. Last season, a number of skiers had strong performances in the NCAA championship. In the women’s 20 kilometer mass start portion of the NCAA Championships, Brams came in 22nd place and Maggie Wagner ’26 came in 37th place. For the men’s portion of the event, Moore came in 13th place and Christner came in 35th place. With another year of experience under their belt, all of these returning athletes are set to continue to make Middlebury Nordic team a formidable squad.
Key Competitions: Bates Carnival (Newry, ME–Jan. 10–11), Middlebury Carnival (Snowbowl–Feb. 14–15), EISA Championship (Franconia, NH–Feb. 21–22).
Women’s Hockey
Head Coach: Bill Mandigo
Captains: Cat Appleyard ’24.5, Sophia Merageas ’24.5
Athletes to Watch: Kate Flynn ’27, Olivia McManus ’27, Sophia Will ’26
The Middlebury Women’s Hockey team looks to build on last season’s success, which saw them finish 18–7–4 and capture the NESCAC championship. Their season ended in the NCAA tournament semifinals with a loss against Elmira College (0–1). Under the guidance of Mandigo, the winningest ice hockey coach across all NCAA divisions, the Panthers remain a perennial powerhouse in the NESCAC. This year, they aim to defend their league title and compete for a fifth NCAA championship. Rising talents like Flynn and McManus are poised to step into larger roles, while goalie Will returns as a crucial defensive component after a record-setting sophomore campaign. The Panthers have started the season undefeated with 7 straight wins, including a 4–0 shutout against Plattsburgh State this past weekend, showcasing their championship potential.
Key Games: Utica College (Home – Dec. 4), Amherst (Home – Jan. 17-18).
Men’s Hockey
Head Coach: Jack Ceglarski
Captains: Jin Lee ’25, Jake Oblak ’25
Athletes to Watch: Lee, John Burdett ’26, Andrew Heinze ’27, Jack Silverman ‘28
Ceglarski begins his first season as head coach of Middlebury men’s hockey after a successful tenure as interim coach last year. Under his guidance last season, the Panthers reached the NESCAC Semifinals for the first time since 2016 and achieved their highest win total since the 2019–20 season, though their run ended with a loss to Trinity. This year, the team aims to build on that progress and compete for the conference crown. The Panthers have started the current season with strong momentum, posting a 4–2 record, highlighted by a decisive 2–0 victory over Norwich to claim the 26th Annual LayerEight Shootout title. The Panthers’ roster combines veteran leadership and emerging talent, with captain Lee providing dynamic playmaking alongside first-year forward Silverman. On the defensive end, Burdett commands the blue line, and goaltender Heinze has emerged as a key figure with standout performances early in the season.
Key Games: Hamilton College (Away – Dec. 7), Trinity (Home – Jan. 10), Tufts (Home – Jan 31), Williams (Home – Feb. 15).
Women’s Squash
Head Coach: Mark Lewis
Captain: Abby Holding ’25
Athletes to Watch: Lucy Ronda ’28, Caroline Didden ’28, Aanvi Anand ’28, Mariana Reedich ’27
The Middlebury women’s squash program enters the 2024-25 season looking to build upon last year’s impressive 14–5 campaign, which saw the team advance to the semifinals of the Kurtz Cup and secure a 15th-place national ranking. The Panthers have opened their current season with a commanding 9–0 sweep against Connecticut College in their Nov. 16 opener. While the team faced a setback against #2 Trinity, they quickly rebounded with a victory over William Smith College on November 23, establishing a solid 2–1 record. The Panthers feature a promising mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent, with Holding at the helm and a strong contingent of first-year players, including Ronda, Didden and Anand making immediate contributions to the lineup. Reedich is another player to watch after a solid rookie campaign last season, posting the second-most wins on the team at 17. The team looks to maintain their momentum as they prepare to host Vassar in their home tournament this weekend.
Key Competitions: Williams (Away – Jan. 22), Amherst (Home – Feb. 1).
Men’s Squash
Head Coach: Mark Lewis
Captains: Alexis Ballo ’25, Nathan Feinstein ’25
Athletes to Watch: Kian Kardestuncer ’26, Charlie Clifford ’27, Gabe Feinstein ’28
The Middlebury men’s squash team has opened their 2024-25 campaign with a 2–1 record, securing victories against Connecticut College (7–2) and Hobart College (8–1) while falling to fourth-ranked Trinity (2–7). The program returns a strong core of experienced players while integrating five promising first-year additions to deepen their roster. Senior leadership and experienced juniors, like Kardestuncer, are fostering an environment centered on continuous improvement. First year Feinstein who has played in all three tournaments so far this season is a player to watch this season (2–1), along with sophomore Clifford. The team’s collective drive for excellence positions them well for the challenges ahead in a competitive season.
Key Competitions: Colby (Away – Jan. 19), Amherst (Home – Feb. 1), MIT (Home – Feb. 21)
Women’s Track and Field
Head Coach: Martin Beatty
Athletes to Watch: Audrey MacLean ’27, Macy Daggitt ’25, Zoe Wang ’25
Fresh off their third straight NESCAC title last April, the Middlebury women’s track and field team looks to build on last season’s success. The team also found success in the greater New England area, placing sixth of 27 at the Division III Indoor New England Championships and second of 36 at the Division III Outdoor New England Championships. At the national level, Middlebury’s 4×400-meter relay competed at the NCAA Championships in the winter and in the spring, long jumper Daggitt earned All-American honors and MacLean placed sixth nationally in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, claiming All-American honors as well. Wang broke her own pole vault record last winter and looks to improve on her stellar performance.
Key Competitions: Middlebury Winter Invitational (Home – Jan. 17–18), Division III Indoor New England Championships (Away – Feb. 28–Mar. 1), Open New England Indoor Championships (Away – Mar. 7–8)
Men’s Track and Field
Head Coach: Martin Beatty
Athletes to Watch: Caleb Smith ’27, Marco Motroni ’25, Dave Filias ’25
The Middlebury Men’s Track and Field team will look to improve on last year’s performance. The Panthers placed fifth at the NESCAC Championship and tied for ninth at the Division III Indoor New England Championships, where Smith and Motroni both broke school records. At the NESCAC Championship, Filias placed first for the second time, and will look to defend his title. He and Smith both competed at the NCAA championships last year and will hope to requalify again. With their 200m indoor track at Virtue Field House, the team will host four events this season and travel to several others.
Key Competitions: Middlebury Winter Invitational (Home – Jan. 17–18), Division III Indoor New England Championships (Away – Feb. 28–Mar. 1), Open New England Indoor Championships (Away – Mar. 7–8)
Women’s Swimming and Diving
Head Coach: Bob Rueppel and Bradley Schott
Athletes to Watch: Chloe Katz ’25, Pai Easterbrook ’26, Anna McGrew ’28
Last year, the women’s swimming and diving team went 5–2 and placed third at the NESCAC Championship. Last year, Katz placed ninth at the NCAA championships and earned All-American honors. The team’s season has already started, having already beaten Connecticut College’s camels in a stunning 196–92 victory (their fourth straight win against the program). Easterbrook contributed to the victory, placing first in the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events. The team fell short to Amherst 113–187, who is nationally ranked at #22. Against Amherst, McGrew stood out for winning the 200-yard medley relay, 50 freestyle, and 100 free.
Key Competitions: Bomber Invitational (Away – Dec. 6–8), Middlebury Invitational (Home – Jan. 31–Feb. 1), NESCAC Championship (Away – Feb. 13–16)
Men’s Swimming and Diving
Head Coach: Bob Rueppel and Bradley Schott
Athletes to Watch: Sam Hughes ’25, Owen White ’26
After going 3–4 last season, the Middlebury men’s swimming and diving team is off to a 0–2 start early this season. Last year, the team placed seventh at the NESCAC championship and were victorious in head-to-head meets against Bowdoin, Union and Hamilton. Schott, the team’s diving coach, was named NESCAC Diving Co-Coach of the Year, likely because Middlebury divers placed fourth, fifth and seventh at the NESCAC Championship. Hughes was named All-NESCAC, finishing second in the 200 backstroke and has already begun to find success this season. Finishing seventh at the NESCAC Championship last year, White has been strong in the 1-meter diving event.
Key Competitions: Bomber Invitational (Away – Dec. 6–8), Middlebury Invitational (Home – Jan. 31–Feb. 1), NESCAC Championship (Away – Feb. 20–23)
Jonathan Buchholz (he/him) is a Sports Editor.
Jonathan is studying International Politics & Economics, with a focus on Mandarin. He is a member of the club rowing team, Treasurer of the Middlebury InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, is a Residential Assistant, and has a community friend. He hopes to work in public service or consulting in the future.
Ting Cui (she/her) is a Sports Editor.
Ting has previously contributed as a sports writer and spent the past year in Washington, D.C., where she interned at the National Press Club as a policy analyst and politics writer. She also interned as an Editor at Fair Observer this past summer, focusing on stories related to international politics and security.
Ting is majoring in Political Science and minoring in History. She is also competitive figure skater for Team USA and enjoys hiking, thrifting, and consuming copious amounts of coffee.
Jack McGuire (he/him) is a Senior Sports Editor.
Jack previously served as a Sports Editor and as a Staff Writer. He also spent this past summer working as a News Reporting Intern for Seven Days.
Jack is also majoring in economics with minors in political science and film and media culture.
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