New Varsity Sports Offered

Athletics adds golf, swimming and diving to the roster

BY KRISTIN DUISBERG

Starting this academic year, St. Paul’s School student-athletes will have two new arenas in which to compete: the swimming pool and the golf course. In May, SPS Athletic Director Chris Smith P’28 announced the addition of boys and girls swimming and diving and coed golf to the School’s offerings of 17 varsity sports. The new options reflect the interests of both current and prospective students and are part of a roster of expanded afternoon programming that also includes club sports, arts and service-learning opportunities.

A winter sport, swimming and diving will be coached by Science Teacher Nick Babladelis and Math Teacher Laura Hrasky P’18, who previously served as advisers to the School’s club swim program, alongside new Science Teacher and Head Swim Coach Mike Carroll. The Athletic and Fitness Center’s 25-yard Ma Pool will serve as the host site for meets against other New England independent schools, including Exeter, Andover, Deerfield, Groton and Northfield Mount Hermon as well as local public high schools. The installation of a 1-meter diving board above the pool’s 11-foot diving well will allow both new and experienced divers the opportunity to practice and compete at SPS.

Noting that in a typical year 20 or more students participated in the club program for swimming, Smith says he expects the transition to a varsity program will be well-received. “I think we’re all excited to have the opportunity to put Ma Pool to its full use,” he says.

A new addition to the spring sports lineup, golf will be coached by Associate Director of Admissions and Boys Varsity Ice Hockey Head Coach Scott Harff ’09 and Math Teacher Gannon Leech. The team will utilize a number of local Concord courses for practices and competitions, giving athletes experience with a variety of course layouts and terrain. A generous supporter has donated an indoor simulator to the program for practice at SPS.

“There’s been tremendous interest in golf,” Smith says, noting that until now St. Paul’s has been the only Lakes Region school without a varsity golf team. For the 2025 season, the team will compete in the Lakes Region League and also plans to play against Exeter, Andover and other NEPSAC schools. Smith is confident that the School has the talent to get the team off to a strong start. “The first year might look a little different than three or four years from now, but the intent is that we will be competitive from day one.”

The announcement of both new sports generated considerable buzz among the student body, and Smith anticipates there may be some shifting of rosters where students have pursued different sports because they haven’t been able to swim or golf competitively. “That’s great for sports at SPS,” he says. “More teams means more opportunities for kids.”