The Shawnee girls tennis team scored its championship Group III win – a first in school history – with a victory over West Windsor-Plainsboro North High School on Oct. 17, .
Not one, not two, but three Shawnee High School sports teams have won state titles this fall, setting and breaking records in the process.
The girls tennis team and boys and girls soccer teams were cited for their Group III championships at Shawnee’s annual turkey trot on Nov. 27.
The tennis team was the first to take home a title. Coached by math teacher Sarah Doyle, the players won their final match against West Windsor-Plainsboro North High School on Oct. 17 with a score of 3-2. It was the first state championship in Shawnee history for girls’ tennis, according to a school press release.
Player Sofia Basto Cabrera shared with CBS News Philadelphia that the team “pushed each other to always do better” and “always tried to give our 100%.”
Next to take home a state title was the girls soccer team. Coached by Shawnee phys-ed teacher Drew Wagner, the team took on Northern Highlands Regional and scored a 3-0 victory on Nov. 23. It also marked the first state championship for the soccer program in Shawnee history.
“I’m so beyond proud of everybody …” player Eva Matesich shared with the news outlet. “I love all the girls, and the chemistry is insane. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
The next day, it was the boys soccer team’s turn. Coached by history teacher Ryan Franks, the players took home their Group III title after beating Randolph High School 2-0 on Nov. 24. It was the eighth overall state championship for boys’ soccer; the last was in 2006.
“You dream of these moments,” player Jacob Santamaria told CBS. “It was just a great feeling. Words really can’t describe it, honestly.”
The back-to-back soccer wins were also the first time in Shawnee history that both a boys and girls team won state championships in the same weekend.
“At Shawnee, we teach our athletes the core principles of ROOTS … Respect for Opponents, Officials, Teammates and Self,” noted Shawnee athletic director Rich Dodd as he reflected on the fall championship season.
“We could not be prouder of our coaching staff and our athletes,” he added. “The preparation, self-discipline and conduct on and off the field is a tradition at Shawnee that we are proud to see our athletes uphold year after year.”
The Shawnee boys soccer team won its eighth title on Nov. 24. The girls soccer team (right) championship was a first in school history.
