A Note from Jackie Hertgen, Middle School Athletic Director
What a great sports season for the Middle School! We formed a total of 10 teams: six for girls volleyball and four for boys soccer. Six teams participated in the Wasatch Athletic Conference (WAC) league end-of-season tournaments, which produced one championship, two runner-up teams, and two third-place finishes—wow! Congratulations to all of our teams.

A heartfelt thank you to our Winged Lions families for your support throughout the season.

We are fortunate to have a dedicated coaching staff who put in much time, effort, and care to develop the student-athletes. Thank you to coaches Scott Langone, Garrett Stern, Bobby Kennedy, Kayden Al-Mosawi, Sarah Yoon, Jackie Hertgen, Lauren Carpenter, Chad Obermark, and Olivia Young. 

Please read on for a recap of each team’s season highlights.

Middle School Grades 7/8 Boys Soccer
Coaches Scott Langone and Garrett Stern
What a fantastic season our Middle School A1 team had this year! The students played with tremendous effort and heart, and their love for the game was clear throughout the season. Our focus was on defense, 2 v. 1 combination plays in attack, and making smart decisions, both on and off the ball. We finished with a 2-1-3 record, placing third in the WAC league and third in the tournament. The third tie came in the tournament semifinals against Waterford, where, after a hard-fought overtime, Waterford advanced on penalty kicks. In the third-place consolation game, A1 delivered a dominant 6-2 victory over McGillis.

It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch the players develop and come together as a team, and I’m excited to see what our eighth graders achieve in high school soccer next year.

When the A2 team was down 4-0 in the first half of our first game, we could tell it was going to be a trying season. The evidence on the field suggested we needed ample time at practice to work on defending, passing, dribbling, our first touch, and many other skills. In our training sessions, we worked hard, though the progress was barely visible as we lost to our neighboring schools. Through the first six games, we were 0-6, with only two goals to our name.

Then on the final day, all of our hard work seemed to pay off. For the first time all season, we scored first. We looked like the better team, the team more likely to score next, the team taking the game to them. We strung together passes, had strong communication, and ran an offense that attacked relentlessly. We won 6-3! It was a deeply gratifying result, vindicating the hard work that our athletes had put in. In an era of instantaneous feedback, this was not only a win for Rowland Hall, but a lesson in delayed gratification. I hope that our student-athletes learn from this experience that hard work over time can pay off.

I’ve coached approximately 20 teams with varying results. I’ve gone undefeated, winless, and 500. But this season will stand out as a special one. Thank you to the young men who played hard even when the scoreboards were deeply unflattering, and thank you to the parents that supported them along the way.

Middle School Grade 6 Boys Soccer
Coaches Bobby Kennedy and Kayden Al-Mosawi
In late August, 21 students hit the field running as part of our sixth-grade soccer program. The technical ability and experience level was varied, and we never really knew who was coming to the practice or the game. However, that didn’t deter the group from having a meaningful experience on the pitch. Two teams were formed based on their availability and a nod towards positional balance.

We showed a lion-hearted spirit while playing in the WAC against a variety of teams with different formations, and steady progress was made throughout the season. We frequently took to the field with the entire roster in the starting lineup. This provided a great opportunity for our players to develop while playing the authentic game.

The C1 team finished with a 4-2-0 record, with a thrilling playoff victory against local rival McGillis as the highlight of the season. Thanks to all who participated and continue to enjoy the beautiful game.

The C2 team’s season was one of development, growth, and fun, as the team continuously took steps to show their improvement in understanding the game of soccer. The players were consistent in their efforts during training and matches, always asking questions and being coachable throughout the season. This effort can be seen in their win in the final game of the season against an athletic and talented ICS team, showcasing their ability to play together as a unit. It will be exciting to watch these players continue to grow over the coming years in their skills and knowledge of the sport.

Middle School Grades 7/8 Girls Volleyball
Coaches Sarah Yoon and Jackie Hertgen
The B volleyball teams, three in total, had a fun and successful season. We focused on team bonding and having fun, but we also worked hard in practices on skill development, game strategy, and honing our serving skills. The girls were fortunate to have technical coaching assistance with Lauren Carpenter, who is on the Upper School team’s coaching staff, as well as instruction and mentoring from varsity players Mina Bailey and Greta Filippone. Thank you to them for their assistance and support.

The B tournament team, composed of players from each of the three teams, exhibited a strong showing at the end-of-season WAC league tournament, hosted by APA West Valley on October 8. The team finished second overall. Congratulations—well done!

A highlight of this season was the amount of girls who were able to learn and improve their overhand serve, which was a goal for many of them. Thanks for a great season, ladies—the coaches are already looking forward to next year!

The A team had a fun and exciting volleyball season! From the very first practice, the team shared a passion and enthusiasm for the sport, and each player dedicated themselves to hard work. Their love for the game was clear in each practice. They never wanted practice to end and their favorite saying was, “One more! Please!” Players also showed up to lunch practice and showed exceptional work ethic.

As the team honed their skills and learned their positions, they not only improved as athletes but also built lasting friendships on and off the court. They celebrated each other’s successes and encouraged one another with fun cheers that united the team. The highlight of the season was the championship tournament, where each player fought hard and showed their resilience and determination.The excitement of competing, the laughter shared during practice, and the pride in their accomplishments made this season amazing. Congratulations to A Team on finishing second overall in the WAC tournament—well done!

Middle School Grade 6 Girls Volleyball
Coaches Chad Obermark and Olivia Young
The C team had a fantastic season. Players showed incredible growth over a short time, focusing on passing and serving. These athletes had an awesome mixture of focus, competitiveness, and enthusiasm. They cheered for each other loudly and proudly! The whole squad loved to be a part of this team. They were excited to get to play games across the valley, and played both at home and away. Both squads were competitive each night, with many matches going all three games.

Combined, we won the conference and earned the first seed in the tournament. After combining the teams to create a smaller squad to represent us in the tournament, Rowland Hall ended up winning a hotly contested match for the championship over a strong APA West Valley team!

We are incredibly proud of all the players and impressed by how much they developed their skills over the course of the season. It was a great way to start the year!