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The 2024-25 Vikings athletic campaign is off to a fantastic start. Upper school fall athletes returned to campus two weeks before the beginning of the academic year to prepare for the upcoming fall season. Preseason saw the athletes train, compete, condition, grow, build, and come together to represent the King community on the fields, courts, courses, and water. Practices, team-building activities, fun events, scrimmages, jamborees, and tournaments, along with some fantastic weather, set the tone for what is sure to be an outstanding school year!

The upper school coaches got things going with an opening all-coaches meeting to introduce our newest members and to set the foundation for the year. Next up were the fall varsity team captains as they worked to develop and sharpen their leadership and communication skills while exploring the important roles they play in building and establishing the culture and spirit of the school community. The fall athlete orientation saw all of our athletes and coaches gather in the Performing Arts Center to hear from Dean of Athletics Micah Hauben, Head of School Carol Maoz, and Head of Upper School Marnie Sadlowsky, as they kicked things off by welcoming all of our new student-athletes and Grade 9 students and recognizing and honoring the senior athletes for all they have meant to their teams, and to King Athletics, as they begin the final fall season of their careers.

Fall Athlete Celebration

The first week of preseason culminated on Friday, August 23, with all our fall athletes coming together to celebrate and connect with Playa Bowls, Gatorade product giveaways, the Ridgefield Running Company, a female athlete table, music, and more!

Women of Will Female Athlete Leadership Day

The Women of Will program provides an opportunity to empower and celebrate our upper school female athletes. This year was the sixth edition of Women of Will, and it welcomed over 80 participants! This year's essential question was Who am I? The athletes explored their identities through artistic expression by making abstract self-portraits and moving their bodies through several dance workshops.

Fall Athlete Family Cookout and Meet the Coach Night

In line with this year's theme, “Making Connections,” our fall athletes and families got together for a nice evening of getting to know each other. Once again, great food and good tunes fueled the vibe as the Vikings community heard from members of the Athletic Department before breaking out by program to meet and hear from all of our fall coaches. The more than 300 attendees were treated to an outstanding night to help get the school year going in style!

Girls Volleyball

After eleven intense days of preseason, the King Girls Volleyball team showed remarkable progress, pushing themselves to the limit every day. In the second week, the girls took on two top FCIAC teams, Greenwich High School and Darien High School, in scrimmages, winning both matches 3-1 and 3-2. The varsity team capped off the preseason with a stellar performance at the Nectar Classic hosted by Northeast Volleyball Club in Norwalk, where they played five teams in a 10-hour tournament, dropping only one set in the twelve-team event, ultimately winning the championship by defeating Greenwich Country Day School. Head Coach Kat Pitasi is incredibly proud of their hard work, dedication, and teamwork and eagerly anticipates what they will achieve together this season. 

Congratulations are also in order for all the athletes and coaches who participated in the 2023 King Varsity Girls Volleyball team! Not only did the athletes help lead the way to a second straight FAA title and an eighth straight New England Championship, but they also earned a 2024 AVCA Team Academic Award, sponsored by INTENT! The team was also recognized with the additional distinction of AVCA Team Academic Honor Roll, representing the top 20% of GPAs nationally by division.

Football

It is always great to start the season off with a victory, as the Vikings did on the road on Saturday, August 31, in Long Island against a tough St. Dominic High School team. Getting strong performances from both sides of the ball, King held a 27-0 advantage after the third quarter and rolled to a 33-7 victory. The seniors led the way, but it was also a great experience for the younger players, as everyone who suited up got in the game and had a chance to see time on the field. As showcased by the performance on Saturday, this year's team has an opportunity to be really special due to its strong leadership from the upper-level students. Great leadership in football isn't just about making the right calls; it's about inspiring the team, guiding the younger players, and leading by example both on and off the field. Success is not just about winning; it's about playing as a team, fighting for every yard, and leaving everything on the field. The home opener for Varsity Football is this Saturday at 1:00 p.m. versus Hackley School on the Segals Family South Turf Field.

Boys Soccer

The Boys Varsity program concluded one of its best pre-seasons in coach Juan Zubillaga’s years with the team. After graduating a large number of seniors last year, the coaches and players wanted to make sure that the team was in top shape to make up for some of the challenges of being a younger and smaller team. Coach Zubillaga and the rest of the coaching staff are proud of the work that the boys put in, culminating in the Italian Center hill runs, which marks the end of the first week of preseason. It’s safe to say that the King Soccer boys conquered that hill! Athletes from both the King boys and girls soccer teams capped off the preseason by watching a New York City Football Club game at Citfield in Flushing, NY, where the varsity captains for both programs were honored at halftime on the field! A great bonding experience for the coaches and players, who hope the early hard work and all of the team-building efforts pay off as the teams head deeper into their seasons.

Girls Soccer

Girls Soccer players have been working hard during the preseason, sharpening their skills, building chemistry, making connections, and setting many small goals. The coaches can’t wait to see the dedication and passion translate into strong performances on the field during the fall. The King community is encouraged to come out to support the team and witness the start of an exciting new chapter for the Vikings. Athletes from both the King boys and girls soccer teams capped off the preseason by watching a New York City Football Club game at Citfield in Flushing, NY, where the varsity captains for both programs were honored at halftime on the field! A great bonding experience for the coaches and players, who hope the early hard work and team-building efforts pay off as the teams head deeper into their seasons.

Field Hockey

The King Field Hockey program, boasting an impressive roster of 44 dedicated players, is a powerhouse in both JV and varsity leagues. As the coaches and players push each other to new heights, skills continue to sharpen and improve. The unity and enthusiasm within the squad are off the charts and make every practice and game an exhilarating experience. King Field Hockey is about building physical abilities and forging unforgettable memories. With every match, the team showcases its strength and potential, driven by a collective passion for the game. Let's go 2024 Vikings Field Hockey!  

Crew

King Crew got underway with a pre-season that emphasized technique on the water and core strength training. The Vikings will compete in local and regional regattas, including the Head of the Riverfront in Shelton on October 6, the Head of the Housatonic in New Haven on October 13, and the Head of the Schuylkill in Philadelphia on October 25 and 26. The team is poised to repeat the success of last year with the return of rowers who won an entry to U.S. Youth Nationals in the spring. Mark your calendars and come out to support King Crew during the upcoming fall regatta season.

Cross Country

King Cross Country is excited to enter a new phase in its program this season. Coach Mark Lingle retired at the end of last season after a tremendously successful 27 years at King. 
There is a newfound sense of youth and excitement within the program. The freshman-laden group is ready to help build the program from the group up with new co-head coaches Rafael Ricaurte and Ryan Harford. We can’t wait to see what our new and returning Viking runners will accomplish on the course this season!