• Varsity Tennis Wins Third NEPSAC Title in School History

    Varsity Tennis Wins Third NEPSAC Title in School History

    The Roxbury Latin Varsity Tennis team has capped off another amazing season with a New England Class B Tournament Title. The team’s 4-1 victory over Belmont Hill on Tuesday, May 24, sealed the championship for RL, its third NEPSAC Title—winning also in 2019 and 2013.

    At the end of every regular season, the top eight tennis teams in Massachusetts and Connecticut compete in a tournament in their respective divisions. Roxbury Latin earned the two seed in the Class B Tournament and hosted the first two rounds on Saturday, May 21. In the quarterfinal, Roxbury Latin faced Pomfret Academy. RL started strong, winning two of three doubles matches to win its first point.

    Six singles matches followed, and RL needed to win at least three to advance. Cole Oberg (IV) at number-two singles, Akshay Kumar (II) at number-three singles, and Jiho Lee (III) at number-five singles, were the first to finish, and RL qualified for the afternoon semifinal against Green Farms Academy. RL once again started fast, winning the first point in doubles.

    RL and Green Farms were tied 3-3 after Eric Diop (III) and Tait Oberg (II) won their singles matches. Only Akshay Kumar in number-three singles remained. Akshay won a fiercely contested match to send the team to the finals against top-seeded Belmont Hill, hosted yesterday at St. Sebastian’s School in Needham.

    The Varsity Tennis team had lost a close match to Belmont Hill during the regular season, and knew that winning early doubles points was crucial. After splitting the first pair of doubles matches, Eric Diop and captain John Fazli (I) got the first point for RL after in a close match that went to a tiebreaker. In singles, Cole Oberg, Eric Diop, and Jiho Lee were the first to finish their matches, pushing Roxbury Latin to the four points needed to be crowned New England Champions.

    Coach Diop and the entire Varsity Tennis team thanks RL Nation—students, faculty, alumni, and parents—for standing with the team throughout the tournament. Their support was critical to RL’s victory. Many former tennis players who were part of the 2019 New England Championship team were also present for the final: Brendan Jimenez ’19, who plays for Skidmore, Joey Barrett ’20, who plays for Colby, and Walker Oberg ’21, who plays for Yale, were in attendance. We are extremely proud and grateful for the continuity of our tennis program. Our two seniors, co-captain John Fazli and Frankie Gutierrez, have been instrumental in the team’s success over the years and will be greatly missed. We know we will see them next year, cheering on us at the 2023 tournament.

    Marcus MIller

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  • Track and Field Places Second in ISL and Ties For Second in New England

    Track and Field Places Second in ISL and Ties For Second in New England

    On May 14, Roxbury Latin’s Track & Field team had a remarkable showing in the 2022 ISL Championship meet, held at Thayer Academy. The team finished in second place, earning 79 points—RL’s best finish since 2013. The event included several highlights and strong performances from RL athletes.

    Senior co-captain Jedidiah Nelson scored in three events, including a second place finish in the long jump and pole vault. Jed now sits third all-time at RL in the pole vault with a massive one-foot personal best (12’0″). Senior co-captain Armando Walters now holds the second best all-time RL record in the 400m dash (51.30).

    At the meet, Cross Country team stand-out Kofi Fordjour (II) set a new school record in the 1500m (4:01.43), besting the previous record set by Joey Mullen ’15 by a full three seconds.

    Zak Bashir (I) and Carter Crowley (II) both scored in two events each—Zak in the high jump and triple jump, and Carter in the 300m hurdles and javelin.

    View photos from the ISL Championship meet, taken by Adam Richins.

    On May 21, at Governor’s Academy, the team competed in the New England Championship meet where they tied for second place with Suffield Academy, falling short only to first-place Middlesex. This was the team’s first year competing in Division II.

    Individuals successes from RL athletes at the New England meet were many:

    – Seven boys set lifetime personal bests.
    – Kofi Fordjour (II) was a double event winner/champion, in both the 3,000m and 1,500m. He also placed second in the 800m (his third event of the day) and recorded a school record in the process (1:57.14). Kofi was named Outstanding Performer of the Meet on the boys’ side.
    – Scoring in an incredible four events was senior co-captain Armando Walters (4×100 anchor leg, 400m, 200m, 4x400m anchor leg).
    – Scoring in multiple events were senior co-captain Jedidiah Nelson (long jump, 4x100m), senior Zak Bashir (high jump, triple jump), junior Adam Kuechler (800m, 4×400), and sophomore Alejandro Rincon (pole vault, 110m hurdles).
    – In a positive sign of the future, Benji Macharia set the freshman record in the 400m (54.94)!

    Erin Berg

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  • RL Places Third in Annual Graves Kelsey Tournament

    RL Places Third in Annual Graves Kelsey Tournament

    On February 12, Roxbury Latin’s wrestlers headed to Thayer Academy to compete in this winter’s Graves Kelsey Tournament—the Independent School League wrestling championships, named for long-time and legendary coaches Bert Kelsey of Roxbury Latin, and Gibby Graves of Buckingham Browne & Nichols.

    Earning a highly respectable third place finish overall in a field of 13 teams, Roxbury Latin’s wrestlers exhibited dedication and toughness in a collective effort, with the following wrestlers placing in their respective weight classes:

    1st place: Navid Hodjat (V)
    2nd place: Benji Macharia (IV), Justin Lim (IV)
    3rd place: Declan Bligh (V), Aydin Hodjat (III)
    4th place: Dovany Estimphile (III), Justin Shaw (II), Nick Consigli (III)
    5th place: Noah Abdur Rahim (IV), George Humphrey (I), Krystian Reese (II)
    6th place: Alejandro Rincon (III)

    Rounding out the RL team were tournament representatives Aidan Gibbons (II) and Thomas Savage (II).

    The Graves-Kelsey Tournament was named in honor of Gibby Graves and Bert Kelsey in 1966. Bert was Roxbury Latin’s wrestling coach from 1937 to 1966, earning 24 winning seasons and numerous individual championships. A master of English and debate, his energy and good nature endeared him to hundreds of students. Gibby Graves was a long-time coach at Buckingham Browne and Nichols and was a pioneer in developing the league tournament. Roxbury Latin has earned the title of Graves Kelsey Champion 20 times since 1966.

    Twelve members of RL’s wrestling team went on to compete at the New England Championships, including Navid Hodjat, Benji Macharia, Noah Abdur Rahim, Declan Bligh, Dovany Estimphile, Justin Shaw, Justin Lim, Aydin Hodjat, Nick Consigli, George Humphrey, Krystian Reese, and Aidan Gibbons. The team finished sixth in New England out of 39 teams. Three of RL’s wrestlers—Navid Hodjat, Benji Macharia, and Justin Lim—qualified to complete at the National Tournament at Lehigh University.

    Perhaps most impressive, the team also went on to earn the ISL Wrestling Sportsmanship Award, an honor they also received in 2019-2020.

    Erin Berg

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  • Varsity Cross Country are New England Champions

    Varsity Cross Country are New England Champions

    On November 13, the Varsity Cross Country team earned the title of New England Champions, after competing in the New England Division II race, held at the Northampton Williston School. The win capped Roxbury Latin’s undefeated season, adding to its 2021 ISL Championship title earned on November 5. In the New England championship race, RL scored 47 points to place first; Middlesex followed with 67 points. Sixteen teams competed in the race on Saturday.

    RL placed all seven of its Varsity runners in the top 32 out of 115 runners in the race. Leading the pack were:

    2nd – Co-captain George Madison (I)
    3rd – Kofi Fordjour (II)
    4th – Co-captain Mark Henshon (I)

    Rounding out the team were Eric Diop (III), who finished 14th, David Sullivan (I) in 24th, Michael Thomas (II) in 25th, and Tommy Reichard (II) in 32nd.

    Prior to the New England championship, the team clinched its 2021 ISL Championship title on November 5 against the 15 other schools in the ISL. In the league championship race, RL scored 60 points to place first. Middlesex followed with 66 points, and Belmont Hill placed third with 121 points. This is RL’s third ISL team title in five years.

    Four Roxbury Latin runners placed in the top 15, out of 110 runners: 

    6th – Co-captain Mark Henshon (I)
    7th – Co-captain George Madison (I)
    10th – Kofi Fordjour (II)
    13th – Eric Diop (III)

    David Sullivan (I), Michael Thomas (II), and Tommy Reichard (II) rounded out the varsity squad competing in the league championship race, finishing 24th, 31st, and 53rd respectively.

    The Junior Varsity team also completed a strong season, offering lots of promise for the future of the program. The JV squad earned a fifth place finish in the ISL, with Jake Popeo (III) placing 4th out of 176 runners.

    The Junior team also earned an undefeated record this fall, concluding their season by earning first place in the Junior Jamboree hosted on November 3 at Roxbury Latin.

    Erin Berg

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  • Celebrating Homecoming, Reunion, and the Dedication of O’Keeffe Field

    Celebrating Homecoming, Reunion, and the Dedication of O’Keeffe Field

    On Saturday, September 25, hundreds of Roxbury Latin fans—students, alumni, faculty, families, and friends—gathered on campus for a long-awaited Homecoming/Fall Family Day and Reunion, the first athletic and social event of its kind on campus since October 2019.

    The day brought athletic competitions across campus, including varsity matches in cross country, soccer, and football. Cross country topped Rivers 16-47; football beat Middlesex in a nail-biter match by a score of 16-13; and soccer put up a valiant effort against Brooks, but ultimately fell 2-1. Before kick-off, Headmaster Brennan—along with members of the O’Keeffe family and trustees—gathered at the 50-yard line to officially dedicate the turf football/lacrosse field as O’Keeffe Field, in honor of the late trustee and loyal alumnus, Bill O’Keeffe ’57.

    “The O’Keeffes, through various acts of kindness to their school, have honored our fondest hopes and offered their leadership, service, and generosity on behalf of this old school and our mission,” said Headmaster Brennan. “Though a dozen or so O’Keeffes have attended the school, today we focus especially on Bill O’Keeffe, from the Class of 1957. Bill’s father, Bernard, was a member of the Class of 1924, and attended the old school on Kearsarge Avenue in Roxbury. Bill’s two sons, Ian, Class of 1986, and Tim, Class of 1989, made their own mark on the school during their time as students and subsequently as especially devoted alumni. In fact, Ian just completed a term as a member of the Board of Trustees. Ian’s son, Ben, is currently a member of Class III. But today I want especially to honor Bill O’Keeffe who for 25 years served faithfully on the Board of Trustees and as secretary and vice president. He was known for his deep devotion to the school, his hard work, and his ever-present wit. He could be counted on to leaven any discussion with both wisdom and humor. One of those epochal Board discussions occurred in 2013 when the Board of Trustees were considering taking on the process of renovating and building the athletic facilities we all enjoy. After a lot of understandable hand wringing, it was Bill who brought the meeting to a conclusion and a resolution when he said simply ‘How can we not do this?’ So, here today on the field on which Bill’s grandson plays, on the field on which both Ian and Tim played, on the field on which Bill himself played—where he led his team as its quarterback—we honor Bill who on his deathbed ensured the benefaction that led to our realizing this special, improved, all-turf facility. With us today are Bill’s sons, Ian and Tim, and his wife, Paula. To all of them, who together have not just made this gift possible but who have been faithful stewards of our school, I offer my deepest gratitude.”

    Following the dedication, and just prior to the game, the Latonics performed the National Anthem from the steps of the Indoor Athletic Facility. At halftime, on the football field, Sixies and Fifthies battled it out in the annual tug-of-war. (Class V emerged victorious, continuing a years-long championship.)

    The weekend-long celebration was also in honor of those classes whose Reunions had been disrupted by the pandemic. Alumni from classes ending in 0, 1, 5, and 6 were on campus for a variety of celebratory events, beginning Friday evening—with the 25th Reunion BBQ for the Class of 1995 and the Class of 1996 and their families—and concluding with the Reunion Dinner on Saturday evening, which included more than 300 alumni and their guests, representing the Class of 1951 through the Class of 2016!

    Reunited alumni also enjoyed a series of events throughout Saturday morning, including a 50th Reunion breakfast held in the Kelsey Faculty Room; classes taught by faculty members Mike Pojman (Chemistry), Mo Randall (English), Sue McCrory (Art History) and John Lieb (STEM). Headmaster Brennan then offered welcoming remarks and an update on the school today, and a panel of five members of Class I spoke to alumni about their experiences at RL over the years, answering questions on an array of lively topics.

    View photos from Homecoming games and Fall Family Day events.

    View photos from Reunion 2021 activities and Saturday evening dinner.

    Erin Berg

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  • Roxbury Latin Hosts Graves-Kelsey Tournament, With a Fourth Place Finish

    Roxbury Latin Hosts Graves-Kelsey Tournament, With a Fourth Place Finish

    On February 8, Roxbury Latin’s campus buzzed with the energy that 13 schools’ worth of wrestlers, coaches, and fans can generate. RL played host to this year’s Graves-Kelsey Tournament—the Independent School League wrestling championships, named for long-time and legendary coaches Bert Kelsey of Roxbury Latin, and Gibby Graves of Buckingham Browne & Nichols.

    Earning a competitive fourth place finish overall in a field of 13 teams, Roxbury Latin’s wrestlers exhibited dedication and toughness in a collective effort, with 7 of 12 wrestlers placing. “Each wrestler worked his hardest and showed a lot of grit,” said head coach Josh Wildes. Seniors Javi Rios and Evan Kisselev placed first in their weight classes. Keaton Sahin (II) earned a second place finish, and Mat Cefail (I), Pete Levangie (I), and Justin Shaw (IV) placed third in their respective weight classes. Coming in sixth place in his weight class was Miguel Rincon (II). Rounding out the RL team were tournament representatives Nick Consigli (V), Aidan Gibbons (IV), Richard Impert (I), Kayden Miller (III), and Thomas Savage (IV). Justin Shaw put up a particularly valiant effort, emerging victorious in a dramatic triple-overtime, sudden-death win to capture third place. The team winning overall first place in the tournament was from Belmont Hill.

    The Graves-Kelsey Tournament was named in honor of Gibby Graves and Bert Kelsey in 1966. Bert was Roxbury Latin’s wrestling coach from 1937 to 1966, earning 24 winning seasons and numerous individual championships. A master of English and debate, his energy and good nature endeared him to hundreds of students. Gibby Graves was a long-time coach at Buckingham Browne and Nichols and was a pioneer in developing the league tournament. Roxbury Latin has earned the title of Graves-Kelsey Champion 20 times since 1966.

    Six members of RL’s wrestling team will continue on to the New England Championships this weekend, including Justin Shaw, Keaton Sahin, Mat Cefail, Evan Kisselev, Pete Levangie, and Javi Rios.

    View photos of the tournament, taken by Evan Scales.

    Erin Berg

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  • Varsity Cross Country are Independent School League Champions

    Varsity Cross Country are Independent School League Champions

    On November 1, the Varsity Cross Country team competed against the 15 other schools in the Independent School League in the league championship race, held at the St. Mark’s School. Roxbury Latin emerged victorious, earning the 2019 ISL Championship title. RL scored 44 points to place first. Middlesex followed with 56 points, and St. Mark’s earned 110 points. (View full results here.) Four Roxbury Latin runners placed in the top 15, and five placed in the top 20. This is RL’s second ISL team title in three years.

    Many RL runners earned strong individual results, as well. Will Cote (II) placed first overall—the first time that RL has had an individual champion in the culminating league competition. Other RL runners placing include:

    3rd – Mark Henshon (III)
    10th – Quinn Donovan (II)
    14th – George Madison (III)
    16th – Javi Werner (II)
    26th – Nolan McKenna (II)
    36th – David Sullivan (III)

    On November 9, the varsity team earned a second place finish in the New England Championship meet, ceding a title they have held for the past two years. Five RL runners placed in the top twenty at the meet, earning All-NEPSAC distinction. Those boys include:

    1st – Mark Henshon (III)
    4th – Will Cote (II)
    11th – Quinn Donovan (II)
    19th – George Madison (III)
    20th – Javi Werner (II)

    The Junior Varsity team also completed a strong season, offering lots of promise for the future of the program. The J.V. squad earned a third place finish in the ISL, placing three runners in the top 15:

    6th – Michael Thomas (IV)
    9th – John Harrington (I)
    14th – Liam O’Connor (I)

    The Junior team completed a perfect season, finishing with an undefeated record of 13-0, running many perfect races throughout the fall. They concluded their season by earning first place in the Junior Jamboree hosted on October 30 at Roxbury Latin.

    Erin Berg

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  • A Sunny Homecoming Celebration Kicks Off the 375th Anniversary

    A Sunny Homecoming Celebration Kicks Off the 375th Anniversary

    On Saturday, October 5, more than 1,100 Roxbury Latin fans—alumni, families, faculty, and friends—gathered on campus for a special Homecoming and Fall Family Day, which kicked off the school’s 375th Anniversary celebration for the entire RL community.

    The day brought athletic competitions across campus, including varsity matches in cross country, soccer, and football. Cross Country topped Belmont Hill, Lawrence and Thayer; soccer beat St. Mark’s by a score of 4-0; and football put up a valiant effort against Groton, but ultimately fell 16-7. Before kick-off, the Latonics performed the National Anthem from the balcony of the Bernstein Tea Room. At halftime, on the football field, Sixies and Fifthies battled it out in the annual tug-of-war. (Class V emerged victorious, “restoring order to the school once again,” as put by Class V Master Darian Reid ‘05.)

    After the games guests enjoyed dinner on campus served by five food trucks—including local favorites Roxie’s Grilled Cheese, Bon Me, and Cookie Monster—and younger party-goers made their way to the bouncy house, bubble soccer arena, and face painter inside the new Indoor Athletic Facility.

    There’s something about gathering over food that brings people closer, whether it’s the smoky aroma of grilled favorites wafting through the crowd or the simple joy of sharing a plate under the open sky. Events like this remind us how food has a way of turning ordinary moments into cherished memories, especially when cooked in the fresh air. The ease and flavor of a camping grill can capture that same spirit at home, transforming a backyard dinner into an occasion that feels just as vibrant and communal. The sizzle of food meeting flame, the glow of twilight, and the chatter of friends nearby all combine to make these outdoor feasts as much about connection as they are about taste.

    Earlier that morning, about 30 RL alumni flocked to Centre Street field to compete against Belmont Hill grads in the inaugural Terry Iandiorio Alumni Soccer Game, played in memory of Terry Iandiorio ’89, who tragically drowned off Nantucket in August 2017. Terry taught at Belmont Hill in the 1990s and his wife, Ann, is a faculty member at the school. After the game, these alumni—along with the Iandiorio family, several of Terry’s RL classmates, and friends— gathered in the Jarvis Refectory for a reception. Headmaster Kerry Brennan welcomed the assembled crowd and spoke about Terry’s impact on the RL community during his schoolboy days. (Mr. Brennan was his faculty advisor.) Even at a young age Terry constantly put others before himself. Chris Sweeney—a Belmont Hill alumnus and colleague of Terry’s in the math department—spoke about Terry’s teaching talent and the care he showed his students as a teacher, coach, and advisor at Belmont Hill. In future years, the Terry Iandiorio Alumni Soccer Game will be played on alternating schools’ campuses. Terry’s fellow Class of 1989 members have also established an endowed fund in Terry’s name to support scholarship.

    View photos from the Homecoming 375th celebration here.

    Erin Berg

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  • Track and Field Completes Another Winning Season

    Track and Field Completes Another Winning Season

    Recently concluding another successful season—with a 10-2 record, including late-season wins over league powerhouses Belmont Hill and Milton Academy—Roxbury Latin’s Track and Field team has much to celebrate. With individual winners at both the Independent School League and New England Championships, the team includes both seasoned and developing athletes who achieved personal and school records this year.

     

    In Class IV, five boys set class records at the annual Hillside Jamboree on the same day the rest of the team was competing at the New England Championship. Those boys included Armando Walters, who set a long jump record of 19′ 1.5″; and Ben Kelly, Alejandro Denis, Sunil Rosen, and Rami Hayes-Messinger who set a class record of 49.5 seconds in the 4×100 meter relay. In Class III, Ben Brasher set the sophomore triple jump record at 42’ 1.5”; and Class I pole vault star Milan Rosen set the senior record of 13’ 0” at this spring’s New England Championship meet. Milan is already the school record-holder at 13’ 3” and made a heroic late-season comeback from a back injury in order to win the ISL and New England Championship pole vault—his third consecutive event win at each meet.

     

    In addition to Milan’s individual ISL Championship pole vault win, several other RL track and field athletes had tremendous success at the culminating league meet:

    Reid Corless (II) set personal bests in all four of his events: triple jump (42’ 4.25” for 4th place); 110 meter hurdles (16.29 for 2nd place); 300 meter hurdles (42.88 for 5th place); and 4×400 relay (54.3 split for 5th place).

    RL’s 4x400m relay team ran the school’s fastest time in four years at 3:35.73; the relay team included Nate Ukoha (II), Reid Corless (II), Erik Zou (I), Aidan Bowen (I), securing a 5th place finish.

    Significant personal bests were set by:

    Ben Brasher (III) in the 110 meter hurdles (17.29 for 7th place) and triple jump (42’ 1.5” for 6th place)—a new personal record by over a foot, and a new sophomore record, ahead of the distance jumped by school-record-holder Aman Stuppard ’13 when he was a sophomore.

    Aidan Bowen (I) in the 800 meter (2:05.94, a new personal best by three seconds for 9th place).

    Ejiro Egodogbare (II) in the discus (153’1”, good for 2nd all-time at RL and 2nd place).

    Sam Morris-Kliment (III) in the 200 meter (23.84 for 5th place).

    At the New England Championship meet, the team had two individual champions—junior Ejiro Egodogbare (discus at 145’ 10”) and senior Milan Rosen (pole vault at 13’ 0”). Quinn Donovan (III) pulled the “distance double,” scoring in both the 1500 (3rd in 4:21) and 3000 meter (4th in 9:34). Senior Colin Miller heaved the javelin 153’ 0”—a 9-foot personal best and good for 6th all-time at Roxbury Latin, for which he secured 2nd place.View photos of this year’s track and field team in action. (Photos by John Gillooly)

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  • Undefeated Varsity Tennis Earns Both ISL and NE Championship Titles

    Undefeated Varsity Tennis Earns Both ISL and NE Championship Titles

    It was a great season for RL tennis. The varsity squad, arguably the best in RL history, finished their season this week with a 15-0 record and two titles. In defeating St. Sebastian’s this week, RL claimed its seventh ISL title in nine years. Over 90 singles matches this year, RL lost only three, scoring an incredible 87 points over the course of their season. Guided by longtime head Coach Ousmane Diop, the team also won the New England Class B Tournament, which gathers the best teams from Massachusetts and Connecticut. Though RL had made it to the final rounds in the tournament in 2017 and 2018, this was their first New England title win since 2013.

    RL was the number one seed in the New England tournament and hosted the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, where they beat Nobles 4-0 and Belmont Hill 5-0 respectively. In the final round, hosted by Groton, RL faced Middlesex—another familiar ISL foe—and clinched the doubles point despite strong resistance from Middlesex players. Captain Joey Barrett (II), Walker Oberg (III), and Captain Brendan Jimenez (I) then won at #1, #2, and #3 singles to seal the title.

    As we look toward next year and beyond, Coach Diop is optimistic for RL tennis. The varsity squad is graduating only one senior – Capatin Brendan Jimenez. The other nine varsity players will return next year as defending ISL champions. The junior team also had a successful season, taking home the team prize at their invitational middle school tournament at Fessenden School. This was the first tournament win for RL’s junior team. Eric Diop (VI) made it to the semifinal round and Frankie Gutierrez (IV) went all the way to the finals. Will Hutter (V) and Leonardo Bene (VI) also made important contributions to the overall team win.

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