Tuesday brought the final competitions of the fall, with girls’ varsity soccer, cross country, and field hockey all facing Lexington Christian Academy. Each team delivered a tremendous effort, demonstrating just how much they have grown since the beginning of the season.

Girls’ varsity soccer battled Lexington Christian Academy to a hard-fought 0–0 tie in a game that showcased some of the team’s best soccer of the season. The Blue and Gold controlled much of the action, stringing together impressive passing sequences, maintaining possession, and creating numerous scoring opportunities. Although BDS couldn’t find the back of the net, the team’s improved communication, movement, and overall understanding of the game were evident throughout the afternoon. Just as impressive was the encouragement and enthusiasm the players showed for one another, consistently cheering on their teammates and maintaining a positive attitude. Coaches Emma Alexander and Tasha Friedman couldn’t have been prouder of how the team competed. While everyone would have loved to finish the season with a victory, the effort, teamwork, and growth demonstrated throughout the game made it a fitting conclusion to a terrific fall.

Cross country also concluded its interscholastic season Tuesday, hosting Lexington Christian Academy in an outstanding final meet and earning an impressive 18–69 victory. The Blue and Gold delivered one of their strongest collective performances of the season, with an incredible 16 runners recording personal-best times on the home course. Even more impressive, all five of BDS’s top finishers placed among the first seven runners in the meet! Simon Bays led the way with a first-place finish, followed by Alana Brown in second, Raphael Hsia in third, Kevin Zhou in fifth, and Ben Bradshaw in seventh. It was an exceptional display of the consistency, determination, and improvement that have defined the team’s season.

Beyond the impressive results, one of the most memorable moments came from Jeremy Pan, who delivered an incredible sprint to the finish line, nearly catching the runner ahead of him. His effort perfectly captured the spirit of this cross country team: competing hard until the very end, challenging themselves to improve, and never giving up. With so many runners achieving personal bests and the team finishing on such a high note, it was a wonderful way to conclude another outstanding season on the trails.

Field hockey also finished its season in style, earning a well-deserved 1–0 victory over Lexington Christian Academy. Josie Goldstyn provided the game’s lone goal early in the first half, giving the Blue and Gold a lead they would protect for the remainder of the afternoon. Tallulah Chipman and Clara Min were outstanding, connecting on accurate passes, maintaining possession, and consistently disrupting LCA’s attempts to move the ball forward. Leah Zhang was equally impressive on both sides of the field, intercepting passes, supporting the attack, and hustling tirelessly between offense and defense alongside Josie. The team’s four eighth graders delivered one of their strongest collective performances of the season, helping lead BDS to a memorable final victory. It was a terrific way to celebrate the progress this group has made and the commitment they have demonstrated throughout the fall.

With our final games and meets now behind us, the focus of the athletics program shifts from competition to reflection, celebration, and community. Next week, we have a full schedule of activities planned to bring our fall season to a close and celebrate everything our students have accomplished.

On Monday, teams will gather for their end-of-season meetings, providing an opportunity to reflect on the season, celebrate individual and collective accomplishments, and recognize the growth that has taken place since September. Students will also return their uniforms as we officially wrap up the competitive portion of the season.

Tuesday brings one of our favorite Belmont Day traditions, the annual Eighth Grade vs. Coaches Soccer Game! This is always an exciting and entertaining afternoon, as our eighth graders have the opportunity to take on their coaches in a little friendly competition. With bragging rights on the line, we expect plenty of excitement, laughter, and perhaps a few surprises along the way!

On Wednesday, we are especially excited to introduce our first-ever Blue/Gold Showcase! This new event will invite parents to join their children during the athletics block for an opportunity to play alongside or against them in their respective sports. Our hope is to create a fun and memorable experience that brings families into the athletics program, gives parents a firsthand look at the skills their children have developed, and celebrates the joy of participating in sports together. Whether parents are ready to show off their own athletic abilities or simply enjoy some friendly competition with their children, we look forward to a wonderful afternoon of Blue and Gold spirit!

Thursday will be dedicated to student feedback surveys, giving our athletes an opportunity to reflect on their experiences and share their perspectives on the season. As we continue to evaluate and strengthen our athletics program, student voices are an essential part of that process. We want to hear what students enjoyed, where they felt they grew, what challenges they experienced, and how we can continue improving the athletics experience for everyone. Families will also have an opportunity to provide feedback through our end-of-season parent surveys.

Finally, on Friday, we will come together as a school community for our Fall Athletics Sharing Assembly, providing a fitting conclusion to the season and another opportunity to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of our student-athletes.

We then head into Thanksgiving break before returning to campus and beginning our winter athletics season during the first week of December. It will be an exciting transition as students prepare for new sports, new teams, and new opportunities to challenge themselves and continue growing.

As we reflect on the fall season, what stands out most is not simply the victories, goals, touchdowns, personal records, or memorable plays. It is the growth we have seen in our students. We have watched them step outside their comfort zones, learn new skills, take on leadership roles, support teammates through challenges, and discover what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves.

At Belmont Day, we believe that every student is an athlete, and this fall has provided countless examples of what that philosophy looks like in action. Whether competing at the varsity level, learning a sport for the first time, or discovering a new passion for physical activity, every student has had an opportunity to contribute, improve, and experience the joy of athletics.

Thank you to our student-athletes for their effort and enthusiasm, to our coaches for their dedication and commitment, and to our families for their continued support throughout the season. We look forward to celebrating together next week, enjoying a well-deserved Thanksgiving break, and carrying the lessons, friendships, and memories of the fall into the winter season.

Go, BDS!

–Stephen Marks, director of athletics