All In, All Year

One of the defining strengths of Fay’s athletic program is its encouragement of three-season athletes, students who embrace the challenge of competing year-round, building not only physical resilience but also the emotional maturity that comes from adapting to different sports, teammates, and coaching styles throughout the year. “Fay’s student athletes gain a diversity of athletic experiences, helping them become more well-rounded athletes and teammates,” says Director of Athletics Rob Feingold. “We feel this philosophy and program better prepares our student athletes to compete at the next level because they will not just be skilled–they will have a greater understanding of what it takes to find success in athletics.”

 

Meet three of our tri-varsity athletes as they reflect on how their time at Fay has shaped them—on the field, on the court, and as leaders on their teams.

 

 

Mekhi joined Fay’s Upper School in seventh grade and quickly made an impact as the varsity football team’s starting quarterback, bringing both athletic talent and a strong work ethic to the team. His dedication paid off early—he earned the Coaches Award in eighth grade and, this year, he was honored with the Simpkins Award for his leadership and outstanding contributions to the football program. While Mekhi values football as a physical outlet and a way to manage stress, his experiences in basketball and lacrosse have taught him the importance of technique, strategy, and finesse. This well-rounded approach to athletics served him well as captain of the varsity basketball team this year, where he led with passion and confidence and was named co-MVP.

 

Playing football at Fay has taught me the importance of patience and self-control. I always want to be better for my team, for the coach, and for the game that I love, and that’s also really helped me in basketball. In the last two minutes of sprints, I want to encourage my teammates to get as many lengths of the court as possible, and if we’ve got to shoot 10 free throws, I’ll encourage them to aim for 15. I’ve learned how to lead by example instead of just using words.

 

My dad helped reframe my attitude about the importance of winning. He said that people might remember you for your great plays on the field, but they’ll remember you much more for the person that you are on and off the field. So, I’ve learned to focus on my character development as a player and being a better teammate.

 

Eaglebrook beat us badly last year in basketball, and this year we played them at Eaglebrook. It was the last game of the season, and we were down the whole game. In the last two minutes we came back and won the game by 9 points. It was the craziest game I had ever been a part of!

 

Avery grew up on the sidelines of the basketball court, watching her dad, Will Sargent, coach the Fay girls varsity team and absorbing the game through his guidance and example. Over the years, basketball has remained the sport that brings her the most joy. As an eighth grader, she not only captained the varsity team but also earned MVP honors for her leadership and performance on the court. Beyond basketball, Avery has brought the same energy and commitment to other sports as well. She was captain and MVP for the varsity field hockey team and a key member of the varsity lacrosse squad. Avery leads by example–working hard, staying positive, and lifting up her teammates with a relentless enthusiasm that defines her presence on every team.

 

Being exposed to that type of work, the conditioning we do, and learning how to push myself harder has made me more athletic and more well-rounded as an athlete.

 

My dad and Ms. Qua have both taught me not to be so hard on myself. It’s important to know your worth on the team and to feel seen by others, but it’s even more important to focus on the whole team and the outcomes that you can get by working together than on individual success.

 

I really look up to Paige Bueckers, who was on the UConn basketball team. I admire her perseverance and also the team’s chemistry. I would love to push myself and my teammates to be like that, because if your team is close, you’ll see it on the court, and you’re going to play better.

 

Ice hockey has always been Zach’s first love. Raised in a family passionate about the sport, he laced up his first pair of skates at age two and spent countless hours watching his brother play. It was only natural that he would develop a passion of his very own for hockey, competing for both Fay and several club teams over the years. Throughout Upper School, Zach has been a cornerstone of Fay’s varsity hockey squad, earning MVP honors in eighth grade and the Michael Shay Memorial Trophy in ninth grade for his outstanding contributions to the program. In addition to hockey, Zach has been a stalwart on the varsity lacrosse team for three years, earning the Sean O’Rourke MVP Award this spring, and he helped launch the varsity golf team during its inaugural competitive season. This year, Zach captained all three teams, leading with a combination of enthusiasm, skill, and a fierce competitive spirit.

 

Golf is all mental, and it has taught me the importance of keeping a positive attitude. If you hit a bad shot, you just have to move on and think about the next one being better, and that goes for all sports. If I have a bad shift in hockey, I have to erase it and focus on the next one. That’s been a really helpful mindset to develop.

 

Mr. Feingold puts a big emphasis on focus and working on the little things in practice, like cradling, passing, and stick work. There is a time to be goofy and mess around with your friends, and there’s a time to focus. Mr. Feingold helped me bring that understanding to all my sports.

 

My dad. He was a high-level hockey player in college and then went on to compete in the CrossFit Games. He’s still a great athlete, and I’ll go to CrossFit with him sometimes. He’s probably twenty years older than some of the people there, but he’s still leading the class, and it’s so impressive.