Fox Chapel Area board recognizes winter athletes from swim, basketball, track and fencing

The Fox Chapel Area School District board on Monday recognized student-athletes from a string of winter sports for sectional titles and state-level performances.

Wyn Kershner, introduced as the Fox Chapel Hill High School assistant swimming coach, told the board the boys team finished the season 10–4, went undefeated in section play and broke one team record. "Our girls won the section 3 team title with a 13 and 1 record, undefeated in the section, and they set 6 pool records and 7 team records," Kershner said, adding that the girls scored the highest point total in school history at the Whitbills championships and finished second overall.

Kershner named Delaney O'Toole and Ellie Lang as individual state champions and praised relay and individual record performances. "They really just bought in and had an absolutely incredible season," he said.

An assistant varsity basketball coach identified as Gibson thanked the board and said the girls' basketball team finished second in their section, qualified for playoff competition and represented Fox Chapel with "genuine joy." The coach asked players to stand for recognition.

Tom Moll, identified as the girls indoor track head coach, described the team's qualification for the state meet and said they earned a sixth-place podium finish after being seeded 19th. "Getting there was quite a feat," Moll said, praising athletes for their performances against statewide competition.

Vincent Thomas, president of the Fox Chapel Fencing Club and a parent volunteer, said the fencing program has grown and that the girls varsity team advanced through playoffs to win the Pittsburgh-area championship, unseating the reigning champion North Allegheny High School. "I'd like to thank the school board for honoring the student athletes of our girls varsity team this evening," Thomas said.

The board thanked coaches, parents and athletes before concluding the recognitions. Certificates were distributed to students and several teams were invited to the front of the room for acknowledgment. The recognitions covered multiple teams and acknowledged both team results and individual state-level achievements.

The board did not take formal action related to the recognitions; the segments were ceremonial acknowledgements on the public agenda.