Due to last week’s switch to online learning, MFS winter athletes were left wondering what is to come of the winter sports season. The overarching theme among athletes is that online school put a strain on each sport’s ability to practice, as well as their ability to compete. All practices were canceled for the week of January 3, however each sport was affected individually in different ways. 

Fencing captain Skye Mada (’22) shed some light on the fencing team’s experience so far: “Our first meet was actually supposed to happen January 5, but that’s not happening, unfortunately. We also had two big tournaments this weekend, one for the boys and one for the girls, called Santelli (girls) and Cetrulo (boys). We are sad that these tournaments were canceled, as the team loved going to them.” 

Mada also noted the team is fond of tournaments and bonding on bus rides and would love to get back to normal practice and meets. However, she noted, “Despite the fact that there have been many cancellations to the fencing season, as well as other winter sports seasons, I, along with other students, understand that it’s for safety precautions and to keep us healthy.” 

Other fencers like Andrew Mercantini (’23) have “substituted [fencing] by working out everyday and practicing footwork.” Until practices can resume, Mada and Mercantini, as well as other upperclassmen, encourage lowerclassmen to “practice footwork and blade work at home.” 

Boys and girls basketball have unfortunately suffered the same fate, having all games and practices canceled this week. Boys basketball captain Peter Tummarello (’22) noted that their “Holiday Tournament in Audubon” was canceled. He remarked wryly, “Also, having a game at Holy Cross be canceled while we were on the bus ride to the school was an interesting experience.”

Tummarello also noted that the switch to online school has shifted responsibility to the players and holds them accountable for their contributions to the team. “Instead of relying on the coaches and their lesson plans for practice it has become independent for the players. This means they know what they must complete or rep out to stay in the best shape possible for when the season resumes.”

Shriya Reddy (’23) commented that all JV and varsity girls basketball practices and games were canceled as well. “We start practicing again on Monday (COVID permitting). I am not sure what the future looks like, but hopefully there will be no more interruptions to our season.” 

MFS swimming has been put at a disadvantage in their season for multiple reasons, Katie Kirchoff (’24) explained. “We couldn’t practice all break either, and I’m worried we’re gonna be out of shape. We need as much pool time as possible with more meets coming up.” The swim team had a meet this week against Shipley that is now canceled, along with all of this week’s practices. 

Online learning has put swimming, along with all other MFS winter sports, at the disadvantage of not being able to practice. This has resulted in them having to find ways to keep up with teams from other schools in the area that have been practicing in person, such as Haddonfield and Moorestown High School. 

This week, MFS has resumed in-person learning as well as online learning for students who tested positive with COVID. These students are not able to participate in sports practices and games until their quarantine has ended, however students who are at school can participate. No games, meets, matches, or practices have been canceled so far this week.