Malvern Prep celebrates its three state champion spring sports teams

Malvern Prep students, faculty, staff, and parents gathered at the school’s Duffy Arts Center May 28 to celebrate the championship wins of three of its spring sports teams — baseball, rowing, and track and field.

On May 24, the Malvern Prep baseball squad (32-5) won its third consecutive PAISAA title with a 6-1 win over Episcopal Academy. Led by Coach Freddy Hilliard, this was the Friars’ ninth PAISAA title in the last 12 seasons. Chase Ecker was the MVP of the championship game, pitching a complete game, giving up only four hits, no walks, no earned runs, and four strikeouts, while Owen Hammond went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a double, Thomas Sergio was 2-for-4 with three RBIs and Jackson Melconian hit a triple and had two RBIs.

Also on May 24, Malvern Prep’s Varsity Quad won the SRAA (Scholastic Rowing Association of America) National Championship. This win comes on the heels of an undefeated regular season, the Philadelphia City Championship, and winning the Stotesbury Regatta. The Malvern Prep Quad of Will Bentley, Ben Donohue, Jack Arbogast and Brendan Schuck went undefeated all season.

On May 19, Malvern Prep’s track and field team, led by coach Mike Koenig, captured its first PAISAA State Championship title since 2014. In the PAISAA final, 12 meet records were broken and the Friars overcame the Mid Atlantic Prep League champions (Hill School), the Friends League champions (George School) and the three-time defending PAISAA and Inter-Ac outdoor champions, Episcopal Academy.

The team was led by the high scorer of the meet, senior Will Cipollone, who took 1st place in the javelin (159 feet, 8 inches) and shot put (53 feet) and second place in the discus (143-7). Brock Yoder won the 1600 meter run (4 minutes, 20.02 seconds) and the 3200 meter runs (9:35.88). Ryan Woerner came away with a victory in the long jump (21-9.25) and second place in the triple jump (45-10.5). Gunner Benedix launched a 24-foot personal best to take second in the javelin (159-3), placed fourth in the 110 meter hurdles (15.36) and finished sixth in the high jump (5-10).

Malvern Prep Head of Athletics Jim Stewart Jr. said, “Being able to celebrate one state or national championship this spring would be amazing, but to be able to celebrate championship wins for three of our spring sports teams is truly remarkable. These wins demonstrate the commitment of the scholar athletes and coaching staff — we are so proud of everything our scholar athletes have accomplished this season.”

Originally Published: May 30, 2025 at 9:05 PM EDT