The King of Spring celebration carried into last weekend as many upper school spring athletes and teams faced off Saturday, April 22. Varsity Girls and Boys Lacrosse, Varsity Softball, and Varsity Baseball competed in games on campus, as Track and Field and Crew teams competed in events off campus. The on-campus festivities featured a PA Viking Pride spirit table and photo booth, an ice cream truck, and the Rollin’ Rooster food truck! 

Girls Lacrosse faced Hamden Hall on the Segalas Family Field to kick off the first game of the weekend. A solid overall performance by the Vikings, with balanced scoring and very powerful play in goal, led to an 11-5 victory to get things going on a high note for the day! 

Softball was next up on the Armstrong and King Family Fields, and although the team was down early to Hopkins School, stronger moments later in the game led to a shutout of the visitors after the third inning. The lead, however, was too much to overcome, and despite some exhilarating moments, King could not mount enough of a comeback. 

Boys Lacrosse was next to hit the Segalas Family Field turf against league opponent The Masters School. The Vikings got up early in the game and never looked back, giving all players on the roster a chance to see quality minutes on the field. Several players scored in the 18-4 win, and the defense and goalie play was outstanding. 

Rounding out the afternoon, Baseball welcomed The Harvey School for the day’s final game. In a close contest throughout, King was able to get runners on base but not able to drive them in. Strong pitching kept the Vikings in the game, but in the end, they did not put the runs needed up on the board.

The King Crew team took part in their first regatta of the season, competing in the Mercer Sprints race in New Jersey. All King boats were in action on Saturday and Sunday, and the event was highlighted by the Men’s Varsity 4+ and the Men’s Varsity 4x, each advancing to the B Finals of their respective races, where both teams finished second! 

Track and Field was also on the road competing in a Fairchester Athletic Association league meet, where several Vikings had great scoring performances. Peter Passaro ’23 broke his own school record on his way to a first-place finish in the discus!

Community members who came out to campus on the tremendous day were treated to a fun-filled afternoon of competitions, food, photos, and fun! 

King of Spring Continues with Annual Harlem Lacrosse Clinic this Weekend!

The final athletic event of King of Spring will be held this Sunday, April 30, as the King Varsity Girls and Boys Lacrosse teams welcome athletes and coaches from New York for the Harlem Lacrosse Clinic. King is thrilled to continue its relationship with Harlem Lacrosse, and this will be the sixth annual event held on campus.

Both King teams have been in contact with specific lacrosse players within the non-profit organization to ease their upcoming arrival to campus. Athletes from King’s Boys Team have established relationships with their Harlem Lacrosse counterparts through personalized videos sent to specific players. Athletes from King’s Girls Team took a similar approach, as they delivered handwritten notes to their lacrosse buddies before this weekend’s event. Harlem lacrosse players all responded to the King athletes in a genuine effort to get to know one another before they met each other on the field on Sunday.

Director of King Cares Karen Raidt underlined the significance of the upcoming event. 

“We are so pleased with the relationship that King and Harlem Lacrosse have had over the years, and the connection that has formed with the programs at the P.S. 149 School - The Sojourner Truth School,” Raidt said. “We are excited to be able to reconnect with the Harlem Lacrosse players for their sixth visit to King and to maintain the wonderful partnership we have had for so many years with the organization.”

Katie O’Connor, King Varsity Girls Lacrosse coach, has given her players the discretion to run their favorite practice drills during the clinic. It will be a tremendous leadership opportunity for the athletes as they find their way on the field, leading the Harlem Lacrosse organization through a series of drills they regularly practice out on the fields with Coach O’Connor and her staff. O’Connor is excited to watch her girls develop their communication skills throughout the King Cares clinic. 

“The girls are going to be nervous, but I love seeing them build their confidence as they progress their way through the day,” O’Connor said. “It’s going to be another great day of fun.”

Jay Hill is also excited to be a part of the event. The first-year Varsity Boys Lacrosse head coach is new to the sidelines for King but familiar with the non-profit organization. Coach Hill spent time with Harlem Lacrosse during his 22-year tenure at The Harvey School, experiencing the rise of one Harlem Lacrosse player who eventually graduated from Harvey. The former Harlem Lacrosse player later attended Skidmore College and was an inspiration to Coach Hill.
 
“I immediately jumped on the opportunity to work with Karen Raidt to continue to build the relationship with Harlem Lacrosse,” Hill said. “I had such a great experience with the non-profit organization during my time at Harvey.”

King Athletics will donate all proceeds from the event to help cover equipment costs for the girls and boys teams at P.S. 149 School. Below is a breakdown of the special day here at King!

Schedule for the day: Sunday April 30, 2023
8:30 a.m. Bus picks up players at Harlem Lacrosse P.S. 149
8:45 a.m. Coaches and captains arrive at King to set up
9:00 a.m. All King lacrosse players arrive at King
9:15 a.m. Harlem Lacrosse arrives at King 
9:45 a.m. Breakfast and clinic preparation
10:00 a.m. 6th Annual Harlem Lacrosse Clinic run by King lacrosse players
12:00 p.m. Lunch
12:30 - 1:15 p.m. Free time on campus 

Harlem Lacrosse is a school-based, non-profit organization that provides academic intervention and leadership training to at-risk youth. The organization seeks to empower kids who are at risk for academic decline and dropout to rise above challenges and reach their full potential. Harlem Lacrosse was established to use lacrosse as a tool to teach leadership, cultivate confidence, and practice discipline. In addition to introducing the sport of lacrosse to these students, each child is provided with year-round tutoring, academic guidance, and behavioral support.