Falcon Girls Teams Rewrite the History Books
Something special is happening in Peddie Athletics.
Across every season, girls teams are rewriting the record books, breaking long-standing records, winning championships and building momentum that shows no signs of slowing.
Fall
On September 27, the girls field hockey team defeated The Lawrenceville School 4-3 in overtime, its first win over Lawrenceville in a decade. Anna Treese ’26 scored the game-winning goal just 14 seconds into overtime. Four days later, she reached 100 career goals.
The varsity girls tennis team continued its run of excellence, posting a 62-3 record over the last four seasons and placing second in the Mid-Atlantic Prep (MAPL) Championships. For players like Masha Nelen ’28, who has been playing since age three, Peddie’s program was a major draw.
“One of the aspects I considered when choosing schools was an inspiring tennis program,” she said. “Clearly, the Peddie tennis program impressed me a lot with its unbelievable record. Team spirit is one of the most important aspects that make any sports team successful.”
The momentum carried straight into the winter season.
Winter
Tessa Hughes ’26 continues to stand out. On February 11, she became a two-time state champion at the NJISAA Prep A & B Championships, winning the 55-meter hurdles (8.51) and the high jump (5’2”). She also broke the school record in the girls 200-meter dash (25.78), surpassing Deja Cunningham’s 2015 record. At the Eastern State Championships on March 3, Hughes placed fourth in the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 8.26, an All-East performance and her 15th school record.
“Tessa is a quiet champion,” Head Coach Tim Brennan said. “Her soft smile and dry humor mask her intense internal drive and determination. Tessa is never satisfied with a result and is always looking for the next challenge, whether it’s a new event or lowering her own record. She is totally self-confident and has unshakable composure under the most high-pressure situations. Tessa has both grit and grace, making her an easy athlete to coach and a fearsome competitor.”
At the Tsai Relays in January, the 4x-200-meter relay team of Hughes ’26, Safiyyah Malik ’26, Maddie Hughes ’28 and Foluke Oladeji ’28 broke a Peddie record that had stood since 2008, finishing in 1:49.27.
In the wrestling room, Sarah Karlekar ’26 became the first Peddie girl to graduate as a four-year varsity wrestler. Karlekar, along with Amelia Kenney ’28 and Addie Collins ’27, was among nine Peddie wrestlers who qualified for the National Prep Wrestling Championships at Lehigh University in February. She reached the semifinals and was just one match shy of placing. Collins also had a notable performance, going 2-2 on the weekend.
In the pool, the varsity girls 200-yard medley relay team of Hannah Bateman ’26, Mary Bao ’26, Zoe Tashjian ’27 and Lola Early ’26 broke a Peddie record (2007) and a pool record (2016) in a dual meet against Germantown Academy. The same day, Bao broke a 31-year-old school record in the 100-yard breaststroke. At the Easterns Interscholastic Swimming and Diving Championships, Bateman swam a 54.99 to break a 31-year-old record in the 100-yard backstroke.
“Our finish at Easterns shows the program continues to be strong year after year, and it should motivate others to come to Peddie and join the program,” Bateman said. “With the direction of Coach Emmett [Walling], I am confident that Peddie swimming will continue to be successful.”
The Zhao and Li Family Fitness and Exercise Center, which includes the two-level Michael Li ’17 Performance Training Center, has helped student-athletes perform at their best.
A new Girl’s Only Power Hour, held every Saturday afternoon, gives students a dedicated space to learn the fundamentals of the varsity weight room without the distraction of a crowded gym. Each week, students participate in a full-body strength and conditioning session led by Coach Zoe Necerato.
“If you’re new to the gym or unsure of where to start, this program is for you,” Necerato said. “It’s designed to build strength, power and confidence.”
With spring underway, the Falcons will continue to have their sights set on more records and achievements.