There are so many opportunities that I can get here that I am not able to get anywhere else.
On November 7, 2026, the Potter-Kelley Cup remained at home with the Peddie Falcons after a 7-5 win against Blair Academy. Not only did Peddie celebrate a three-year win streak against its longstanding rival, but this year’s Blair Day also marked a number of significant milestones for the student athletes on campus.
Starting Blair Day off strong, Peddie’s varsity girls field hockey team defeated Blair Academy, 1-0, in their final game of the season. It was the first win for the team on Blair Day in 12 years. Samantha Wetmore ’28 ripped a shot off a penalty corner, started on an assist by Mikala Kuser ’27 with 9:01 left in the first quarter. Goalkeeper Jules Miele ’29 made 12 saves.
Olivia Lu ’27, Grace Gandolfo ’29, Jules Miele ’29 and Julia Wetmore ’30 celebrate the varsity girls field hockey team’s historic Blair Day victory.
“It was truly a full team effort,” Head Coach Julie Sheldon said about the win. “All season, we preached about needing to put the pieces together, playing for each other and as a team for a full 60 minutes. It happened that day, just as it was supposed to.”
And for Wetmore, it was the perfect icing on the cake to coming back from a major leg injury.
“It just hit me that a year ago I was on the sidelines, unable to help my team,” said Wetmore. “Being able to help my teammates get a win a year later was super exciting. It was a fun way to end my first season back, and remind myself how far I have come.”
“Samantha deserved that goal,” Sheldon added. “After all of the hours she put in to get herself back on the field, and the physical and mental struggles associated with an injury like that, I was so proud and happy for her to have that game-winning goal!”
In a thrilling finish at the front of the pack after navigating the roads from the Peddie Golf Course back to campus, Hunter Norman ’30 matched surges from Blair’s top runner, Ashton Brockington, leaving the two even as they transitioned to the track and the race’s final 100 meters. He is the first Peddie freshman in at least a decade to earn All-MAPL and win an individual title on Blair Day. Just like his performance during the MAPL Championships on November 4, Norman once again found another gear when it mattered most to capture the individual victory in a personal best of 16:52.
Hunter Norman ’30 crossing the finish line during his first Blair Day
“Hunter had an outstanding first season and his finish on Blair Day was further proof of his grit and potential as a runner,” Boys Cross Country Head Coach Grant Edwards said. “Running step-for-step with Blair’s top guy, there were a number of moments where either of them could have pulled away. Hunter making the final, decisive move underscored his toughness and determination, but he should be most proud of his interaction with Brockington after the race: They pushed each other to greatness, and each acknowledged the other in a true sign of sportsmanship.”
Norman noted that the final kick at the end of a race is always the most challenging. It requires every ounce of willpower to push your body to its absolute limit, after straining it for three miles.
“When I was nearing the final stretch, I honestly wasn’t sure if I had anything left in the tank,” he added. “I remember hearing the cowbells and the roar of my Peddie classmates. That energy carried me through the finish line and allowed me to emerge victorious. It was exhilarating, but the best part was celebrating with my teammates as they came across the finish line!”
Girls cross country co-captain Charis Chien ’27 saved her best race of the season for her final Blair Day. She channeled her inner Falcon strength, propelling herself to a second individual victory for the season and a strong finish time of 19:28. In the final mile, Chien knew that she had just enough in the reserve to pull away from Blair’s top runner.
Although Peddie’s junior varsity girls volleyball team fell to Blair Academy, 2-0 (27-25, 25-17), the energy was shared on and off the court between the team and the crowded bleachers of fans.
Assistant Coach Desmond Frost directs the JV girls volleyball team in a huddle.
This final match of the season marked the team’s return to Blair Day for the first time in two decades, and featured a nail-biting first set from both teams.
Both the Peddie varsity girls soccer and the JV girls soccer teams won on Blair Day. The Peddie varsity girls soccer team defeated Blair Academy, 4-0, to cap off a 10-5-2 season. Lilyana Gordon ’27 opened the scoring on an assist from co-captain Reese Kowal ’27 59 seconds in. Kowal scored on a penalty kick with 34:52 left in the first half. Lily Ingram ’27 added the third goal in the first half on an assist from co-captain Janelle Muenzen ’27 with 24:21 left in the first half. Kat DeSimone ’30 added an unassisted goal in the second half. Goalkeeper Sadie Lawrence ’27 made four saves.
Left to right: Reese Kowal ’27, Sadie Lawrence ’27 and Janelle Muenzen ’27
The JV girls soccer team added a 4-1 victory to the Potter-Kelley Cup tally later that afternoon. Riley Toomey ’29 opened the scoring in the first half on an assist from Nylah Rein ’30. Erica Ma ’30 added a goal on an assist by Rania Despastene ’30. Maddie Hughes ’28 scored the third goal on an assist by Geraldy Pillajo ’29. Toomey scored the fourth goal on an assist from goalkeeper Emma Harris ’30.
For the ninth year in a row, varsity girls tennis defeated the Bucs on Blair Day. The Falcons won, 3-2. Vicky Chen ’28 won 6-2, 7-5 at second singles. Wenqing Bao ’30 won 6-1, 6-1 in dominant fashion at third singles. Masha Nelen ’28 and Lindsay Kim ’29 won 6-1, 6-2 at first doubles.
Left to right: Reese Kowal ’27, Sadie Lawrence ’27 and Janelle Muenzen ’27
For a team composed of one returning varsity player, two swing players, five seniors moving up from JV and three freshmen, the Falcons finished the season with an impressive 12-6 record. The JV team also added a 4-1 victory on the day.
The Peddie varsity football team defeated Blair Academy, 27-13, helping the Falcons clinch the Potter-Kelley Cup and a three-peat. It was the first time since 2019 that the Falcons have beaten the Buccaneers on Blair Day.
“It was a great day all-around,” Head Coach Mark Fabish said. “Awesome for the entire Peddie community to come together, compete and win.”
Head Coach Mark Fabish celebrates the Potter-Kelley Cup victory with the varsity football team.
Augie Cassidy ’28 had both a 2-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter and a 7-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter, for a total of 114 rushing yards on 21 carries. Xzavier Torres ’28 had a 1-yard rushing touchdown. Max Perry ’28 had five catches for 44 yards and a receiving touchdown. Quarterback Vinny King ’29 went 12 of 15 passing for 164 yards with the touchdown connection to Perry. James Rumph ’28 ran for 52 yards on five carries and tallied three receptions for 34 yards, with an additional pass completion of his own for 14 yards.
Defensively, Cassidy recorded a team-high nine tackles (one sack, one tackle for a loss). Josh Thomas ’28 contributed seven total tackles (one for a loss). Rumph made six total tackles and had two interceptions. Jesse McLaughlin ’28 had seven total tackles (one sack, one for a loss). Torres made seven total tackles. Aaron Motley ’29 added six total tackles. Ethan DeChant ’28 made five total tackles, while Perry contributed four.