Spring 2025 was another great season for Ram sports! Check out the hard work and successes of our talented student-athletes, and congratulations on a wonderful season.
Boys Tennis
By Head Coach Patrick Huewe
What a season.
As I reflect on our 2025 campaign, I’m filled with immense pride. This year’s MICDS Boys Tennis team accomplished something truly special: we went undefeated and brought home the Class 2 State Championship—our second straight team title—and completed a rare and remarkable “triple crown” for our program.
Our championship run culminated in a 5-1 victory over Parkway West at the Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield on May 23. That win sealed not only the title but also capped off the first undefeated season in my 25 years of coaching Boys Tennis at MICDS. We have been fortunate to have some outstanding teams, but this one—due to its discipline, unity, and complete dominance throughout the season—ranks among the very best.
We earned the nickname “road warriors” this year, and deservedly so. With our home courts under renovation, we played every match on the road. That never fazed our guys. In fact, I think it made us even tougher. Every match was an away match, every win hard-earned. We returned our top four players from last year’s championship team and built on that foundation. Strategic preseason adjustments to our doubles pairings paid off, as we consistently jumped out to leads after doubles play, which gave us tremendous momentum in dual matches all year long.
In the state final, we took two of three doubles matches—Owen Kizer ’26 and Jai Patel ’25 were rock-solid at No. 1, while Arjun Puri ’25 and Max Padratzik ’27 clinched a critical point at No. 2. In singles, Patel, Puri, and Padratzik each delivered strong performances to close out the championship.
One of the highlights of the season came the week before team state, when Kizer won the Class 2 Singles State Title, and Patel and Puri took the Class 2 Doubles Title, completing that elusive triple crown: individual singles, individual doubles, and team titles all in one season. That’s a testament to the quality and depth of our squad.
What might get overlooked in the spotlight of team and individual state titles is the strength of our entire ladder. Amey Parwal ’27 won the Metro League Tournament at #6 singles, showing how deep and competitive our team was from top to bottom. Newcomer this year as a freshman was Reid Caruthers ’28, anchoring the team at #5 singles and gaining critical wins in dual matches versus Ladue and Burroughs.
It’s also worth noting the perfect records turned in by Patel, Puri, and Padratzik in dual match singles and doubles play. Going undefeated across both formats over an entire season is no small feat. Their consistency and poise under pressure anchored our lineup and set the tone for everyone else.
We faced and beat some of the best teams in the state across all classes—Clayton (the Class 1 champions), John Burroughs (the Class 3 champions), and Rockhurst (the Class 3 finalist) among them. Every match, our guys showed up focused, prepared, and ready to battle.
Local media covered the team’s “Triple Crown” achievement—winning the Class 2 State Championship, as well as the State Singles and Doubles titles.
Additionally, Kizer was named to the All-Metro First Team, and Patel and Puri were named to the second team.
I’m grateful to this group for their resilience, leadership, and commitment to the program. Their legacy is now part of MICDS tennis history.
Boys Lacrosse
By Head Coach Andy Kay
The MICDS Boys Lacrosse team continued its tradition of excellence in 2025, finishing the season with a dominant 17–5 win over CBC to secure its 10th state championship in the last 11 years. The victory capped another remarkable year for a program that has become synonymous with championship culture.
On the offensive end, juniors Steele Crissman ’26 and Graham Faust ’26 were the driving forces, controlling the tempo and delivering in key moments throughout the season. Both earned All-State honors, with Crissman also being named an All-American for his standout performance and leadership. Crissman also picked up the honor of being named All-Metro Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year.
The defense was led by senior captains Tommy Cook ’25 and Will Frank ’25, whose grit, communication, and physical play anchored a unit that shut down some of the state’s top offenses. Their leadership was a defining element of the Rams’ identity all season.
Sophomore sensation Justin Bishop ’27 emerged as one of the brightest young stars in the country, earning All-American honors as just a 10th grader—a rare achievement that speaks to his incredible skill and maturity on the field.
In addition to Crissman, Bishop, and Faust, All-State honors also went to Mike Gutchewsky ’26 and Ian Spakowski ’26, highlighting the depth and balance of this championship roster.
Team captains Luke Koman ’25, Frank, Cook, and Crissman led with passion and purpose, setting the tone for a group that combined veteran leadership with emerging talent.
The 2025 campaign was a fitting tribute to an extraordinary senior class whose legacy of leadership, toughness, and championship pedigree will leave a lasting impact on the MICDS program for years to come.
Baseball
By Head Coach Michael Kraatz
The 2025 Rams baseball team turned in an impressive addition to the program’s resume. Although anticipating a return trip to the state final four and falling in the state quarterfinals, the team was playing the game in a way that any baseball enthusiast can appreciate. While the offensive and defensive efforts were impressive, the backbone of the team was its pitching staff. Rams pitchers finished the season with an anemic 1.9 team ERA while holding opponents to a .198 batting average against. The Rams finished the season with a 20-9 record, which landed them ranked 5th in the state by the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association.
There was no shortage of individual postseason awards for several Rams. Brian Gould ’25 earned Conference Player of the Year and 1st Team All-State honors. Cam Cooper ’25, James Snyder ’26, and LJ Triplett ’26 also earned First Team All-Conference honors. Garrett Liberman ’25 and Eliyah Powell ’28 were named 2nd Team All-Conference, while Tyler Enyard ’25, Luke Condrin ’26, Dunnen McGaughey ’26, Harrison Sikorski ’27, Sam Deibel ’28 and Ford Werner ’28 were named to the Honorable Mention list. Several of these players return next year, along with a host of others.
Sadly, we say bye for now to four of the finest young men this program will ever know. Gould is still considering his options and has several NCAA Division 1 baseball programs pursuing him heavily as he approaches a decision. Cooper will take his magnetic personality to Tuscaloosa, where he will attend the University of Alabama. Liberman is headed to the University of Tampa, where he will participate in the school’s two-time defending national championship baseball program. Enyard makes way for Chicago, where he will attend Northwestern University in the fall.
Although the 2025 Rams fell short of the team’s goal, they upheld the core values of the program. The program expects a strong return to play in 2026.
Cycling
By Head Coach Chris Ludbrook
MICDS Cycling had another strong year, finding success on a variety of race courses and disciplines. The weather was a major factor, with some races being canceled and others postponed, but that did not slow down the team. Ash Falk ’26 held down the top spot on the team for most of the season, finishing 12th at the Tilles Park Criterium and just inside the top 10 at the newly minted St. Ann Grand Prix at Tiemeyer Park. Falk dominated the junior division at St. Ann with a strong 2nd-place finish from Dalton Costick ’26. Other top performers include Joe Intagliata ’25, Sawyer Merlin ’25, and Sam Matisziw ’25, rounding out the top 20. With the improving weather of early May, the team headed to the far reaches of St. Charles County to battle the wind of the Wednesday Night Time Trial. The team holds the top spots in all of their respective age groups for the 13km course, with Falk holding the 7th fastest time of the season. MICDS Cycling was senior-laden this year, and their leadership will be sorely missed. However, the hard work and dedication of Falk, Costick, and other young riders ensure that the team’s future is in good hands.
Boys Golf
By Head Coach Changa Bey
The Boys Golf team overcame a challenging start to the spring season, battling tough weather conditions and a disjointed schedule. Despite early setbacks, the team rallied to close the season with an impressive 2nd place finish at the Metro League Tournament, their best result in the past four years.
Senior Ben Gelven ’25 led the way, winning the tournament and earning the title of Metro League Player of the Year. Sophomore standout Chase Segal ’27 also delivered a stellar performance, finishing 3rd overall. The breakout performance of the event came from junior Shil Penilla ’26, who shot a 79, narrowly missing All-Metro League honors and establishing himself as a rising player to watch.
Following their Metro League success, the team played in the district tournament, represented by Gelven, Segal, Penilla, and seniors Yash Malhotra ’25 and Jackson Vetter ’25, both of whom played the best golf of their four-year careers. Gelven continued his dominant season by winning the district tournament, while Segal finished in 11th place. Both golfers qualified for the State tournament.
At the two-day State tournament, Gelven rebounded from a tough first round to finish 2nd overall, while Segal made up an incredible 12 spots on the leaderboard to finish 26th, capping off an incredible end-of-season run for Gelven and setting the stage for an exciting junior year ahead for Segal.
Special thanks go to our graduating seniors, Gelven, Malhotra, Vetter, and Zach Krivonak ’25, who have been with the program all four years and helped lay a strong foundation for the team’s success. We also recognize seniors Noah Coen ’25, Evan Kamat ’25, Grant LaMartina ’25, Sebastian Peritore ’25, and Isaac Taylor ’25, whose presence and enthusiasm contributed to a positive and inclusive team culture.
Other notable performances this season include sophomore Nikhil Maniar ’27, who earned a consistent varsity spot and competed in the Metro League Tournament; junior Clyde Siow ’26, a first-year team member who showed great potential heading into his senior year; and freshman Liam Hogan ’28 and sophomore Jim Williamson ’27, both of whom earned varsity spots and showed tremendous promise for the future.
The team’s growth, camaraderie, and late-season surge made this spring a truly memorable one for the MICDS Boys Golf team.
Girls Lacrosse
By Head Coach Kate Haffenreffer
The Girls Lacrosse team hit the season on fire and ready to compete. They began with a week-long spring break training trip to sunny Naples, Florida, with Trilogy Lacrosse. They competed hard throughout the season, earning a trip to the Final Four for the 15th straight year. Many thanks to our incredible team captains: Caroline Koman ’25, Brooke Bernstein ’25, and Amelia Mackin ’26, all of whom had outstanding seasons while consistently leading and motivating their teammates. Koman, Hattie Sloane ’25, Mackin, and Josie Ciaramita ’27 earned First Team All-Conference. Goalie Sophia Huddleston ’25 took Second Team All-Conference, and Bernstein picked up Honorable Mention. First Team All-State players include Koman, Mackin, and Ciaramita. Sloane received Honorable Mention. Ciaramita was named a USA Lacrosse All-American.
Thank you to our eight amazing seniors for all their contributions to the MICDS Girls Lacrosse program: Bernstein, Melina Finnegan ’25, Huddleston, Koman, Sloane, Taaj Saddler ’25, Mia Sondrol ’25, Lucia Stoynoff ’25. Stoynoff will continue her lacrosse career at Long Island University, Bernstein at Chapman University, and Sondrol at Rockhurst University.
Girls Soccer
By Head Coach Megan Caulfield
The MICDS Girls Soccer Team delivered a thrilling and inspiring season thanks to the girls’ infectious energy and fierce commitment to one another. The Rams finished with an impressive record of 13-4, but what made the season truly special was how the wins were earned. The players approached each practice with intensity, constantly pushing the pace and raising expectations, led by captains CeCe Harris ’25 and Kathleen Hammer ’27. Their chemistry on the field was evident in every give-and-go, every well-timed run, and every defensive stand. Alongside Harris, the Rams graduate Mac Froedge ’25, Lilly Loeb ’25, and Carli Salazar Estrada ’25. Their leadership and camaraderie will be greatly missed. Several Rams were recognized with All Conference Honors: Eva Crissman ’28, LJ Harris ’28, and Teagan Little ’28 earned 1st Team; CeCe Harris ’25, Kathleen Hammer ’27, and Abby Walsh ’28 earned 2nd Team, and Edia O’Basuyi ’26 earned Honorable Mention.
Girls Track & Field
By Head Coach Jim Lohr
It was a record-breaking season for Rams Track and Field.
The 2025 Girls Track & Field team finished second at the MSHSAA State Championship. Justyce Sanders ’27 was the State Champion at 200m with a school record time of 23.82. Sanders was State runner-up in the 400m, also setting a school record of 54.00. Blaike Borders ’28 also qualified for the final at 400m and finished 6th, earning All-State honors. Sanders had also qualified individually in the 100m but failed to advance to the final. The Girls 4x400m relay team of Sanders, Borders, Morgan Macam ’26, and Captain Grace Coppel ’25 broke a school record in their prelim heat (3:53.57), making them the fastest qualifier, then lowered their record (3:48.64) in the final, winning the Championship.
Coppel, who also qualified in the 800m individually, finished runner-up in a new school record (2:10.17), breaking her own record set earlier this season at Arcadia.
Captain Nicole Green ’25 was a very busy athlete, having qualified in four events. Green finished second in the triple jump in a very tight competition and finished 6th in the long jump. Green also qualified in the 100m hurdles and Shot Put, but did not advance to the finals in those two events.
The MICDS 4x800m relay team of Borders, Macam, Coppel, and Ellemieke Ferguson ’27 qualified for the Championship after being on a steady trajectory of improvement for nearly the last six weeks of the season. They managed a 4th place finish (9:34.55). Captain Alli Thelen ’25 qualified for the State meet for the second time in the pole vault and finished 9th. Gertie Habel ’27 was a High Jump qualifier and finished in 13th place. Frances Applegate ’27, who limped to a 4th place finish in our sectional championship, qualified for State in the 3200m run but was unable to compete in the meet due to injury sustained in the sectional race.
The MICDS Girls Track & Field team was crowned District Champions and Sectional Champs. District Individual champions were Sanders in the 400m and 200m and Coppel in the 800m. Thelen was the district pole-vault champion. Green won the triple jump and qualified for the sectional championship in three other individual events: Long Jump, 100m hurdles, and Shot Put. Green was a State Qualifier in each of her four years of competition here at MICDS.
The MICDS 4x400m relay team of Sanders, Borders, Macam, and Coppel also won State. Other Rams on the All-District team and Sectional qualifiers: Lillian Joe ’26 in the Long Jump, Applegate in the 3200m, and Habel in the High Jump.
It was an outstanding season. The Harriet Green award for the team’s most inspirational athlete went to Coppel, who will join the track and cross-country team at West Point next season. Green, who will compete for Northern Illinois next season, won the Greg Foster Memorial Award as the team’s top performer.
Boys Track & Field
By Head Coach Jim Lohr
The MICDS boys had some highlights this season. Henry Rohan ’26, who has been a State 100m qualifier each year, missing the final as a freshman and finishing 5th last season, was able to best the field and is the State Champion at 100m. Rohan ran 10.93 into a -2.0 wind for the win, and broke the school record earlier this season at 10.47, which was held by a previous two-time State Champion at that distance, Josh Sutton ’19. Rohan was also a qualifier at 200m and tied the school record (21.25, also held by Sutton) in a runner-up finish. Rohan has been All-State in both the 100 and 200 each of the last two years.
Elijah Weinman ’25, in his first full season of Track & Field, was able to accompany Rohan to the State Championship in the 100m but failed to advance to the final.
Several athletes earned All-District honors. Miles Coleman ’26 earned honors in the shot put. Heru Bay ’27 earned All-District in the 3200m, finishing second. TJ Alexander ’28 earned All-District in the Long Jump with a PR of 6.43, finishing 4th.
Sebastian Harris ’26 ran top-10 performances this season in both the 300h and 110 high hurdles, and Andrew Ford ’26 threw top-10 marks in the Javelin and Discus. This season’s Charles Storey Gillis award went to captain Issac Bockert ’25 as the team’s most inspirational and committed athlete.
Water Polo
By Head Coach Claudio Mermelstein
This past water polo season was a remarkable journey for our team, marked by incredible growth and an unwavering spirit. Despite a roster primarily composed of freshmen and sophomores, our young athletes consistently rose to the challenge, demonstrating skill and tenacity beyond their years. This dedication paid off, as we proudly secured a 3rd place finish in our conference, a significant achievement that earned us a coveted spot in the State championship. This success is a testament to the hard work and potential within our developing squad, laying a strong foundation for future triumphs.
Individually, several players had standout seasons, none more so than Gio Bucci ’28. Bucci’s offensive prowess was simply phenomenal; he not only led our team in scoring but also finished the season as the state leader in goals per game, a truly exceptional accomplishment for a first-year player. On the defensive end, Ryan Moore ’28 also received well-deserved recognition, earning the title of Defensive Player of the Year for MICDS. These individual accolades highlight the depth of talent emerging within our team and underscore the bright future ahead.
As we look ahead, the excitement is palpable. This season’s performance has ignited a fire within our team, and we are more determined than ever to continue our upward trajectory. We are committed to getting even better and stronger, refining our strategies, and honing our skills. Our sights are firmly set on competing at an even higher level next year, with the ultimate goal of achieving even better results and making a deeper run in the state championship. The dedication and potential of these young athletes promise a thrilling future for our water polo program.