Malvern Magazine - Spring/Summer 2026

Faithful to the Mission The Augustinian Friars and the Mission That Lives On

At the close of the academic year, the Malvern Prep Community was made aware of updates in the ministry of the Augustinian Friars who reside on campus. In a message to the Malvern Prep Community Rev. Rob Hagan, O.S.A. T, Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, shared that there are fewer friars available to serve schools and ministries as they once did—a reality he manages with care and intentionality across the Province.

For decades, the role of the Augustinian Province to Malvern Prep has always been one of support, providing friars who serve the School’s mission as an extension of the Order’s ministry. As such, the Augustinians at Malvern have served on loan from the Province, entrusted to the Malvern Prep

Community while remaining accountable to the Order. Additionally, the School and the Augustinians have operated under a longstanding memorandum of understanding that affirms our shared commitment to the School’s mission and future. That partnership remains strong and includes an ongoing commitment to Augustinian leadership and governance, including active membership on Malvern’s Board of Trustees.

Fr. Rob shared that the Order remains dedicated and committed to Malvern Prep, and it is a priority that the Augustinian presence, wisdom, and leadership can remain vibrant at Malvern for generations to come.

Working in partnership with Dr. Sillup, Fr. Rob shared the following updates:

Rev. Bill Gabriel, O.S.A., has been admitted as a doctoral student at the prestigious Cambridge University in England. As a result, the School has decided to name him Co-Scholar in Residence, serving alongside Dr. Niobe Way. His work will also create opportunities to elevate the profiles of Malvern, the Augustinians, and the Augustinian Secondary Education Association (ASEA) through scholarship and collaboration. Through this appointment, Fr. Bill will remain connected to the School community, both virtually and through periodic oncampus engagement, as his schedule permits.

Rev. Michael Riggs, O.S.A., will continue serving Malvern Prep in a full-time capacity as faculty member and newly appointed School Chaplain. While he will no longer reside on campus, his weekly presence will be a tremendous gift to the community as he supports students through liturgies, retreats, blessings, and daily pastoral accompaniment. His role as School Chaplain ensures that weekly Masses remain a vibrant part of the school identity.

Rev. Patrick McStravog, O.S.A., will transition to the Monastery at Villanova University, where he will support the sacramental life and ministry of the University community while continuing to advance the Augustinian and Catholic mission of local ASEA schools, including Malvern Prep. Fr. Pat will remain connected to Malvern through future campus visits and weekly Masses.

Lastly, Rev. Chris Drennen, O.S.A. ’73, has been appointed Parochial Vicar (Pastor) at St. Augustine’s Church in Philadelphia and will also assist at St. Rita’s Church in South Philadelphia beginning in June 2026. Over his 16 years of service to the School, Fr. Chris has held a variety of roles, always placing students and the mission at the center of his work. His calm, steady, and approachable presence will be deeply missed on campus.

Addressing the community, Dr. Sillup confirmed that Malvern Prep remains committed to daily Adeodatus reflections, weekly Masses, and grade-wide retreats, including our flagship program, MECO. He added, “While we recognize that the physical presence of friars on campus is different from what it once was—and that this can be felt as a sense of loss—we are equally grateful for the Augustinians’ ongoing commitment to Malvern through new expressions of leadership, scholarship, governance, and ministry. Their enduring partnership continues to shape our community in meaningful and forward-looking ways.”

Congratulations Fr. Bill, Fr. Michael, Fr. Patrick, and Fr. Chris! And thank you to the Augustinians for their enduring commitment to Malvern Prep. mp

Malvern Prep Celebrates the at the School’s 100th Baccalaureate

Class of 2026 and Commencement

Malvern Prep’s 100th Baccalaureate

Mass and Commencement were held on May 31 and June 1, 2026, respectively.

The Baccalaureate Mass was held in Our Mother of Good Counsel Chapel and was presided over by Rev. Robert P. Hagan, O.S.A. T, Prior Provincial, and concelebrated by Rev. Christopher J. Drennen, O.S.A. ’73, Rev. Donald F. Reilly, O.S.A., and Rev. Michael Riggs, O.S.A.

In his homily, Fr. Hagan urged the Class of 2026, “Do not be afraid to take the initiative. Too many people sit back and wait for someone else to do it. … You will find yourselves in

situations [as you go off to college] that need somebody to take some initiative and lead with their faith.”

He reminded the graduating Class of 2026, “As you move forward, grounded in this foundation, take that spirit, that love, that brotherhood, and share it with the world— take the initiative … to transform the world into the vision that God has for all of us.”

Following Mass, parents and their sons were invited to attend the Head of School Dinner Reception held in the O’Neill Center.

The following morning, Commencement Exercises were held on the Wolfington Plaza Lawn of Our Mother of Good Counsel Chapel. Family, friends, and the Malvern Prep Community gathered together on a beautiful day to pay tribute to the 122 seniors of the Class of 2026 for their accomplishments, commitment to service, and the strong bonds of brotherhood they have formed.

Tommy Onderdonk ’26 served as the Introductory Speaker. During his opening remarks, Onderdonk focused on the connections the Class of 2026 has made with one another and within the Malvern Prep Community. Through these shared connections, “we have learned to support each other, step up when it matters, how to keep going … it’s clear how much we’ve grown, not in what we have achieved but in what we’ve become,” said Onderdonk.

Addressing his classmates, Onderdonk asked them to recognize what has been accomplished over the last four years: the challenges, changes, and growth each young man has undergone. Acknowledging their

status as the 100th graduating class from the Warren Avenue campus, Onderdonk shared, “A full century of students have walked these halls before us, and now we are part of that legacy. That is something to be proud of.”

The Class of 2026 Student Speaker Chris Ventura ’26 stated, “Malvern didn’t just give

me a diploma … it gave me four years of situations that were too hard, too uncomfortable, or flat out not what I had planned.” He recalled that during each instance, he had to figure out who he was, noting that this is Malvern’s way of preparing graduates for life. “Four years

of being told you are something bigger than yourself, wasn’t tradition, but rather preparation … Malvern gave us the tools, the discipline, the faith, the resilience, but most of all the people,” shared Ventura. Addressing his classmates, Ventura ended with “Our hearts are restless until they rest in you, now go find out what yours is made of.”

This year, providing the Commencement Address was Mr. Matt McDevitt ’83 P’11, who shared the principles he lives by with the Class of 2026. He clarified that his first rule, location, does not refer to the actual buildings, but rather the people who you surround yourself with. “It’s the rooms you choose to walk into, it’s the expectation you choose to accept,” he shared. In speaking about rejection, which is bound to happen, McDevitt shared, “If you take rejection the wrong way, it will stop you in your tracks. If you take rejection the right way, it will sharpen you.” Finally, drawing on the Augustinian Core Values of Veritas, Unitas, and Caritas, McDevitt urged the Class of 2026 to live their lives with those values. “If you do that, you won’t just be successful, you will build something that actually matters.” mp

Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

The Father Duffy Memorial Award for Activities and Leadership

Syncere Harley

The Grifferty Award

Jack Hechler

The Thomas O’Brien ’67 Memorial Award

Mac Crawford

St. Augustine Christian Service Award

Jack Hechler

The Michael Finnegan ’81 Memorial Award

Andrew Geibel

Inclusivity & Belonging

Restless Heart Award

Syncere Harley

Student Idea Center Innovation Award

Jaime Schlichtig

SENIOR Awards

The Kevin J. Fitzpatrick ’81 Senior Class Award

Alex Ciarlone

The Brian Hackman ’05 Memorial Award

Donnie Sadoff

The Jacob Blosinski ’12 Memorial Award

John Kelley

Philadelphia Archdiocesan Scholars

Vincent Ayala

Mac Crawford

Blake Lee

Max Swiderski

Military Appointment

Vincent Ayala - United States Naval Academy

Augustinian Scholarship

Andrew Geibel

Advanced Credentials

Blake Lee - Design & Fabrication

Finn Riley & Jaime Schlichtig - Media Production

Donnie Sadoff - Media Production

Veritas in Action Certificate

Luke Bobbitt

Blake Lee

Charles Morgan

Finn Riley

Jaime Schlichtig

National Merit Certificate of Merit

Blake Lee & Matthias Michlitsch

National Merit Letter of Commendation

Matthew Balmer

Luke Bobbitt

Mac Crawford

John Kelley

Luke Vandevere

The Malvern Prep Class of 20 26

OUR 100TH GRADUATING CLASS

Malvern Prep recognizes members of the Class of 2026 who are trailblazers at their college—meaning that the particular college has not had a Malvern Prep graduate attend the school in 5+ years. These graduates will attend: College of Wooster, Salisbury University, Furman University, Hillsdale College, Hope College, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, University of Chicago, Winthrop University, Lynchburg University, Wesleyan University, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Morehouse College, Loyola University Chicago, Howard University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. mp

FRIAR ATHLETES SCORE WITH OFFERS to Play at the Collegiate Level

According to the NCAA, the average number of students nationwide who go on from high school to play a Division I, II, or III sport is just over 7%. For Malvern Prep’s Class of 2026, the number is 37%— over five times the national average. To be a studentathlete requires a great deal of commitment, time management, and talent—both on the field and off. Our student-athletes do not get admitted to these top academic schools on athletic talent alone. They must demonstrate their hard work and dedication both in the classroom and on the playing fields.

We congratulate these student-athletes of the Class of 2026 who have committed to play a sport at the collegiate level:

Brady Abate, Baseball Wake Forest University

Jack Arbogast, Rowing Wesleyan University

Zeke Bates, Football University of Minnesota

Billy Beck, Swimming New York University

Will Bentley, Rowing College of Holy Cross

Grant Chisholm, Lacrosse Catholic University

Bryan Cogliano, Baseball Salisbury University

Mac Coleman, Squash Denison University

Davis Conaway, Golf University of Richmond

Matthew Connolly, Lacrosse Lehigh University

Tyler Conroy, Wrestling Princeton University

Cody Coolidge, Lacrosse Lynn University

Mac Crawford, Lacrosse University of Richmond

Chase Deves, Lacrosse Washington & Lee University

Jackson Ford, Football Penn State University

Trey Gibson, Football James Madison University

Ian Gopez, Football Sacred Heart University

Jack Heffner, Baseball Hillsdale College

Jack Herbein, Baseball Lafayette College

TJ Hillery, Lacrosse Catholic University

Jason Kay, Baseball University of Maryland, Eastern Shore

Sam Kumpon, Football Dickinson College

George Laskowski, Lacrosse Penn State University

Lukas Littleton Mascaro, Wrestling - University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Nick Mejzak, Rowing Bucknell University

Jackson Melconian, Baseball

Vanderbilt University

Max Mohring, Football Northwestern University

Luke Moore, Baseball Winthrop University

Lukas Muller, Lacrosse College of Wooster

Dylan Novak, Lacrosse University of Notre Dame

Kevin Piffath, Lacrosse Penn State University

Thomas Ploszay, Lacrosse Villanova University

Stephen Postek, Baseball West Chester University

Daniel Riely, Lacrosse University of Notre Dame

Joe Rosano, Football Salisbury University

Eddie Rudloff, Lacrosse Drexel University

Cole Scarbinsky, Baseball University of Lynchburg

Nick Schmitt, Baseball Ithaca College

Brendan Schuck, Rowing University of San Diego

Joey Sucher, Football Franklin & Marshall College

Vincent Uglow, Soccer Indiana University

Brady Whalen, Lacrosse Merrimack College

Bryce Willey, Football Lehigh University

Sam Winner, Football Hope College

Ryan Woerner, Track & Field

Georgetown University

THE CLASS OF 2026 RECEIVED

420 COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES

Members of the Class of 2026 will go to schools in 22 states.

Top 5 Majors our students select:

1. Business

2. Engineering

3. Natural Sciences

4. Undecided

5. Social Sciences (Economics, Psychology)

48% of students admitted to a Catholic College or University

23% of students planning to attend a Catholic College or University

60% of students planning to attend a Private College 37% of students will go on to play a sport in College

Friar Sports Highlights

A

Message

from the Head of Athletics

The 2025–26 school year will be remembered as one of the most accomplished athletic seasons in Malvern Prep history. Defined by perseverance, competitive excellence, and the continued growth of our student-athletes.

This spring, the Malvern Prep Community came together to celebrate an extraordinary list of achievements across multiple sports and seasons:

Varsity Golf — PAISAA State Champions

Varsity Wrestling — Inter-Ac Champions and PAISAA State Champions

Cross Country — PAISAA State Champions

Winter Track — PAISAA State Champions

Varsity Lacrosse — Inter-Ac Champions and PAISAA State Champions

Varsity Baseball — Inter-Ac Champions and PAISAA State Champions

Track & Field — PAISAA State Champions

Varsity Rowing — Manny Flick Series Champions, Philadelphia City Champions, Mid-Atlantic Champions, Scholastic Rowing Association of America (SRAA) National Champions, Youth National Champions

Among the many highlights of the year, Malvern Prep’s running programs delivered a remarkable sweep of the state stage, capturing PAISAA championships in Cross Country, Winter Track, and Track & Field, a testament to the strength, depth, and consistency of the Friars’ distance and track athletes.

As we reflect on this historic year, we extend our deepest gratitude to the coaches whose passion, leadership, and countless hours of dedication continue to shape our programs and mentor our student-athletes. We also thank the parents, alumni, and fans whose support, whether at home or on the road, helps fuel the spirit of Friar Athletics.

Together, you made the 2025–26 season one for the record books.

Go Friars!

Mr. Jim Stewart Jr. ’86, Head of Athletics

For individual athlete honors and team recognitions, scan the QR code accompanying this feature.

The Impact of Blue and White Day Friar Sports

Blue and White Day has been a centerpiece of Malvern sports for the past three years. It provides a great impact on the teams, allowing them to do things that would otherwise be impossible without donors’ generosity. The lessons athletes learn display the need to sustain the programs and improve them further.

By: Casey Evans ’28, Staff Writer & Liam Matlack ’28, Editor, The Friar’s Lantern

This article first appeared in The Friar’s Lantern. It has been edited for length.

On February 20, 2026, Malvern Prep celebrated its third annual Blue and White Day. This event focused on giving back to the School to support on-campus sports and programs, and raised nearly $340,000. Mr. Jim Stewart Jr. ’86, Head of Athletics, explained the true meaning of the Friar Club.

“Ultimately, the true heart of it was to try to raise funds to enhance the game day experience. So that’s the mission of the Friar Club. While it doesn’t look like tailgates and events, it allows a school or program like lacrosse to do their trips for free if there’s enough funding in the Friar Club account. In other words, we don’t have to charge families,” Stewart explained.

As Mr. Stewart explained, Mr. Matt Mackrides ’08, Head Varsity Lacrosse Coach and Associate Athletic Director, brought the idea to Malvern.

“[Coach Mackrides] was involved in the college sports scene and saw that a lot of universities have a day of giving for a certain program, or programs, outside of GivingTuesday,” Stewart said.

There are many people who make the day as successful as it could be: the Development team, our alumni, and the coaches. They have different roles: the Development team puts out the information, the coaches spread the word to their teams, and then alumni give back, demonstrating Friar Brotherhood.

Coach Mackrides and Mr. Stewart are both confident that the event will grow in the coming years. “We want new families to understand the true message and meaning of Blue and White Day,” Stewart said.

Our School’s mission of living out Truth, Unity, and Love is prevalent in the athletic department, and especially on Blue and White Day.

Teams at Malvern foster a tighter Brotherhood that blossoms in tough situations on the field, court, or pitch. The opportunity to participate in sports at Malvern is part of the further education system. They can learn and grow through practices and then apply those skills in their academic lives.

These donations allow Malvern’s coaches and players to perform and train at the highest level. Through generous donations, the teams and players feel backed and have a full support system behind them.

The donations received are put right back into the program and the kids. Head Varsity Football Coach Dave Gueriera described what the donations are going towards on the football team: “Equipment, training gear, travel costs, and helping make sure every player has what they need to compete and develop.”

Blue and White Day has been a big success at Malvern over the past three years. Each year, the number of donations increases drastically. It brings the Malvern Community together to support a common cause. Blue and White Day is going nowhere soon and will remain a staple at Malvern for years to come. mp

Winter Sports Wrap-Up

ICE HOCKEY

The Malvern Prep Ice Hockey season was defined not by wins and losses, but by the determination, resilience, and competitive spirit the team displayed every time they stepped on the ice. Game after game, the group battled through tightly contested one- and two-goal games, consistently proving their ability to compete with anyone on their schedule.

BASKETBALL

The Friars enjoyed a successful season, highlighted early by impressive non-league victories over two top Philadelphia Catholic League playoff teams, Archbishop Carroll and Bonner-Prendie, the PIAA 5A State Champion. The Friars headed south for a post-Christmas trip to Charleston that was met with some travel difficulties, but the trip paid off as the squad took down two of the top teams in South Carolina.

Over the final 17 games, the Friars went 14-3 while playing their best basketball of the season, including a thrilling Senior Night overtime victory against a strong Peddie School team. The team finished second in the Inter-Ac with an 8-2 record, with both losses coming to Haverford School: one at home by one point and another on the road in overtime.

The program’s younger teams also enjoyed outstanding success. The JV team finished with an impressive 19-1 record, while the freshman team completed a perfect 19-0 season. mp

The Friars’ league schedule featured a number of hard-fought contests, most decided by a small margin, and the players competed relentlessly in every matchup. While those efforts may not always be fully reflected in the standings, they revealed the true character of this group and laid a strong foundation for the program’s future. mp

Malvern Prep Coaches vs. Cancer Week Raises $4,000

The Malvern Prep Community rallied together in January to support Coaches vs. Cancer Week. Over the last 30 years, the Coaches vs. Cancer program has united coaches and fans to raise funds to improve the lives of cancer patients and their families through support and research. Through donations and merchandise sales, the Malvern Prep Community raised $4,000!

Mr. Jim Stewart Jr. ’86, Head of Athletics, expressed his appreciation, saying, “This year’s Coaches vs. Cancer Week was a tremendous success. Cancer has affected so many in our community, and this week provides an opportunity to come together, raise funds, and show support for the American Cancer Society.”

Thank you to everyone who participated. Your contributions are appreciated and will make an impact! mp

Inaugural

KT 3v3 Event a Great Success!

On Wednesday, April 29, nearly 300 people gathered to support and participate in the inaugural KT 3v3 Memorial Scholarship Tournament. Students from Villa Maria and Malvern Prep organized this tournament to bring our communities together in honor of Kevin “KT” Donohue ’27. In addition to a very spirited evening, $3,000 was raised for the Kevin T. Donohue ’27 Memorial Scholarship.

Special thanks to KT’s classmates, Luke Capaldi ’27, Blaise Pellegrini ’27, Drew Waterfield ’27, and Eric Waterfield ’27, and Villa Maria students Riley Genther and Anna DelVescovo, who organized this event in partnership with the Athletics Office. mp

SWIMMING & DIVING

The swim program enjoyed one of its most successful seasons, capturing the Inter-Ac Championship for the first time in seven years and establishing itself as one of the top programs in the region. Throughout the season, the team combined depth, leadership, and outstanding individual performances to deliver a memorable championship run.

The Friars also made a strong showing at the Eastern Interscholastic Swimming and Diving Championships, finishing seventh overall against some of the top competition in the Northeast.

SQUASH

A major highlight of the season was the rewriting of the school record book, as five new records were established. Henry Anstine ’27 set a new record in the 200 Freestyle with a time of 1:37.31 and later broke the 100 Freestyle record with an outstanding time of 44:31. Billy Beck ’26 established a new record in the 100 Butterfly with a time of 49.16. The 200 Freestyle Relay team of Billy Beck ’26, Jonathan Richardson ’27, Alex de Vries ’26, and Henry Anstine ’27 set a new standard with a time of 1:23.35. The 400 Freestyle Relay team of Billy Beck ’26, Brady Gallagher ’28, Jonathan Richardson ’27, and Henry Anstine ’27 capped the season by breaking another record in 3:03.54.

Beyond the records and championships, the season was defined by the team’s commitment to one another and a culture of excellence that led to an Inter-Ac Championship. mp

Malvern Prep Squash entered an exciting new chapter this season with the return to its newly renovated home courts in the Donald F. O’Neill Sports Center. Despite beginning the year as a relatively young squad following the graduation of several key seniors, the team quickly found its footing with impressive early-season victories over Friends Select, First State, and La Salle.

Senior captains Mac Coleman ’26 and Blake Lee ’26 provided outstanding leadership, setting the tone with their work ethic, experience, and mentorship of the program’s younger players.

With a talented and motivated core returning, the future of Malvern Prep Squash is exceptionally bright. The program continues to build momentum and establish itself as a rising force within the Philadelphia squash community. mp

WINTER TRACK

The Winter Track team delivered an outstanding season filled with remarkable performances, culminating in the program’s first-ever PAISAA Championship. Throughout the winter, the Friars showcased exceptional depth and talent, rewriting the school record book and competing at the highest levels of the sport.

The team was led by MVP Jalen Bowman ’27, who set records in both the 60m dash (6.76) and 200m dash (21.60). Ryan Woerner ’26 continued his dominance in the field events by breaking his own record in the triple jump with a leap of 46' 4'', while Gunner Benedix ’27 established a new indoor record in the high jump by clearing 6' 6''

The 4x200m relay team of Jalen Bowman ’27, Ryder Yoder ’29, Tyler Ryan ’28, and Kaiden Jacobs ’28 also etched their names into program history, setting a new record with a time of 1:29.28. All of these athletes earned the opportunity to compete at the New Balance Indoor Nationals in Boston against some of the nation’s top competitors.

The highlight of Nationals came from Gunner Benedix ’27, who became just the third athlete in Malvern Prep history to earn All-American honors in the pentathlon. Competing in the grueling one-day event, consisting of the 60m hurdles, long jump, shot put, high jump, and 1000m, Benedix scored an impressive 3,752 points to finish fourth overall in his first appearance in the event.

With a historic championship season, Malvern Prep Winter Track marked a major milestone in the program’s continued growth and success. mp

WRESTLING

The Malvern Prep Wrestling team put together another outstanding season against some of the nation’s toughest competition. The Friars opened the year with a statement win over eventual PIAA AAA state finalist Norwin, and went on to place sixth at the prestigious Ironman Tournament and finish in the top three at Beast of the East, crowning two champions. The team also earned a second-place finish at Powerade and captured the East Coast Classic team title in January.

The Friars dominated Inter-Ac competition, winning every dual meet, before closing the season with an exceptional postseason run. Malvern Prep crowned five state champions and captured the team state title, defeating Wyoming Seminary for only the second time in school history. At National Preps, the Friars finished second overall and crowned three national champions, highlighted by the program’s firstever victory over Blair Academy in a scored tournament at Nationals.

Individually, standout performances came from Matt O’Neill ’28, Declan O’Byrne ’27, and Lukas Littleton-Mascaro ’26 Chase Hetrick ’28 had a stellar season that earned him All-American honors. The team also benefited from strong senior leadership and the continued growth of a talented freshman class. The team captured the Inter-Ac title, and all 14 varsity wrestlers earned All-Inter-Ac honors. mp

Spring Sports Wrap-Up

BASEBALL

It was another banner year for Malvern Prep Baseball, as the Friars capped an impressive season winning their sixth consecutive Inter-Ac League Championship and fourth straight PAISAA State Championship. Malvern Prep finished the season with a remarkable 34–4 record and earned national rankings in several publications.

Individually, senior Brady Abate ’26 made school history by becoming the first player to conclude his career with more than 100 runs scored, 100 hits, and 100 walks. Jalen Bowman ’27 also etched his name into the record books, breaking the program’s

single-season stolen base record and becoming the first Friar to record 40 stolen bases in a season.

The Friars’ pitching staff was equally dominant, posting a stellar 1.57 ERA while throwing six no-hitters. Leading the way were Collin Romanczuk ’27 and Jack Herbein ’26, who combined to go 18–1. The duo logged 103 innings, allowed just 10 earned runs, and struck out 115 batters while issuing only 28 walks.

As a team, the Friars held opponents to three runs or fewer in 31 of their 38 games, including 13 shutouts and 11 contests in which they surrendered only a single run. Their dominance was reflected in a staggering 320–73 scoring advantage over opponents throughout the season. mp

LACROSSE

Malvern Prep Lacrosse found success this season with a culture that was defined by consistency, accountability, and each player knowing and honoring his role on the team. This all-in-for-one team mentality is what led to the Friars claiming the Inter-Ac League title and PAISAA State Championship.

A highlight of this season was defeating Inter-Ac rival Haverford School three times, with the final 8-6 victory also coming with the PAISAA Championship title. The team gained well-deserved national recognition with significant wins over nationally ranked teams, including Loyola Blakefield, Delbarton, and Chaminade.

The Friars finished the season with an impressive 20-3 record. mp

RUGBY

This was a challenging but important year of transition for the 15s program, following the graduation of a large senior class the previous season. As a result, underclassmen and upperclassmen newcomers alike were asked to contribute early, and they rose to the challenge, quickly developing their skills and competing at the varsity level.

While the season did not produce all of the results the team hoped for, the experience gained this year laid a strong foundation for the future of the club. These young players will return with valuable varsity experience alongside an incoming senior class that has experienced both the highs and lows of the program and is motivated to lead the team forward next season. mp

ROWING

Throughout the spring, the Friars demonstrated exceptional depth, speed, and resilience, consistently competing among the nation’s elite scholastic rowing programs. From the Manny Flick Series (winning a third consecutive Horvat trophy) through the championship season, Malvern Crew showcased the strength of the program at every level.

The championship run began at the Philadelphia City Championships, where the Friars captured four City Championship titles, winning the Varsity Quad, Varsity Double, Freshman Quad, and Freshman/Novice Double. Malvern’s depth was on full display as 11 of 12 entries advanced to championship finals and eight crews earned medals.

At the USRowing Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships, Malvern continued its momentum against the region’s strongest youth and scholastic competition. The Varsity Quad again proved to be the class of the field, earning the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship. The victory gave the Friars back-to-back championship regatta wins. The Freshmen Quad also won its event in the U17 Quad, and the Varsity Double finished third.

At the Stotesbury Cup Regatta, the world’s largest scholastic rowing event, Malvern produced one of the program’s strongest performances in recent memory. Malvern had four boats make the finals, and all boats finished in the top three. The freshmen Quad won their event, marking the first time they had won since 2009. The Lightweight Double finished second, and the Junior Varsity Quad finished third. The Varsity Quad finished second, .64 seconds behind a very strong Ridley crew from Canada.

The season reached its pinnacle at the SRAA Scholastic National Championships in Oakridge, TN. Malvern Prep delivered one of the most successful national championship performances in program history, bringing home three national championships. Notably, this was the first time that Malvern Prep won the Freshmen Quad event, as well as only the second time that Malvern has won both the Varsity Double and Varsity Quad at the SRAA Scholastic National Championships.

This summer, Malvern Rowing will have four boats (Youth Quad, Youth Double, U17 Quad and U17 2x) competing at Youth Nationals in Sarasota, FL, against the nation’s top scholastic and club programs. mp

TRACK & FIELD

Malvern Prep’s 2026 Track and Field team overcame multiple injuries throughout the season to capture its second consecutive PAISAA State Championship, edging out a talented Haverford School squad in a tightly contested meet. Team MVPs Brock Yoder ’27 and Gunner Benedix ’27 led the way, each delivering record-breaking performances in historic seasons for the program.

Yoder broke his own school record in the 3200m, posting a remarkable time of 9:02.67.

Jack Morley ’26 added another school record with a discus throw of 156' 6 the PAISAA discus title. Benedix set both a school and Inter-Ac record in the javelin with a throw of 189' 6'', winning the Inter-Ac Championship in the event.

Max Ortega ’27 also contributed to Malvern Prep’s dominance in the throwing events, capturing the PAISAA shot put title with a personal-best throw of 49

TENNIS

The 2026 Malvern Prep Tennis team continued to move the program forward, building valuable experience and depth for future success. Facing a challenging schedule that included strong non-league opponents and a highly competitive Inter-Ac League, the Friars competed with determination in every match.

Highlights of the season included non-league victories over Bishop Shanahan, Rustin, CB South, and Holy Ghost. More importantly, the team demonstrated the commitment, resilience, and perseverance that will continue to elevate the program in the years ahead.

The leadership and dedication of the senior class played an important role in the team’s growth and development. Congratulations to our seniors and the entire team on a season that laid a strong foundation for the future of Malvern Prep Tennis. mp

KEEP IN THE KNOW!

Share your Alumni news!

NOTES CLASS

1960s

Malvern Prep encourages all alumni to share news in the ClassNotes section of the Malvern Magazine

To contribute, visit the Alumni page on www.malvernprep.org, write to Alumni Programs, Malvern Preparatory School 418 S. Warren Ave. Malvern, PA 19355, or e-mail alumni@malvernprep.org.

(All alumni notes are edited for length, grammar, and content.)

Alumni photos are welcome!

Digital photos, saved as 300 dpi .jpg files, are accepted, as well as print photos. To submit a photo, e-mail it to alumni@malvernprep.org or mail it to Alumni Programs, Malvern Preparatory School, 418 S. Warren Ave., Malvern, PA 19355. Photos will be returned upon request. Only acceptable photos will be published.

Looking for a great way to get involved with Malvern that involves the people you know best — your class? The Class Agents & Correspondents program is the answer! E-mail alumni@malvernprep.org to get involved.

Rev. Bill Waters, O.S.A. ’61, is living in the monastery at Villanova. He is involved in ministry at the Phoenix Prison in Collegeville, the Retrouvaille retreat program (for couples with difficult marriages), retreats at the Malvern Retreat House, and helping at various parishes.

Members of the Class of 1963, Bob McIntyre ’63, Joe Finnaren ’63, John Ermilio ’63, and Peter Greenhalgh ’63, gathered for a fantastic day of golf at Greate Bay Country Club.

On May 2, Patrick Driscoll BS, MS, R.Ph. ’65 celebrated his 80th birthday. Born in Paris, France, at the U.S. Army’s 50th Field Hospital, Patrick marked the occasion with a special trip to Bermuda with his wife. Together, they have now spent nearly 500 days cruising and traveling the world.

1970s

Alex Baran Jr. ’71 P’08 extends his congratulations and gratitude to the entire Class of 1971 and its supporters for achieving the goal of fully endowing the Class of 1971 Scholarship in under five years.

1980s

Dave Rogers ’87 retired in 2023 after a distinguished 30-year career in local government. Over the past three years, he has worked with the Haverford Township School District and is now enjoying summers with his family at the Jersey Shore. Dave also remains closely connected to Malvern Prep as a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee.

NOTES CLASS

2000s

Thad Kirk ’06, along with his wife Katie, welcomed Clara Rose Kirk on April 30, 2025. Thad, Katie, Clara, and big sister Lucy reside in Oreland, PA, where Thad was recently elected as Springfield Township Commissioner in Montgomery County. Thad is a subrogation attorney at de Luca Levine in East Norriton and has been selected to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for seven consecutive years.

On May 6, 2026, Lieutenant Colonel Jerome Reitano ’01 retired from the United States Army after more than 20 years of service. He will now begin career number two as a First Officer for Delta Air Lines.

John Nawn ’07 and his wife welcomed their seventh child, Catherine Felicity.

2010s

Justin Farrell ’09 and his wife, Lauren, excitedly welcomed their second child, a boy, Luke Perry Farrell, on September 3, 2025. Everyone is doing well, and JJ is a great older brother!

Jack Sheridan ’12 co-founded Sneaky Brew with his brother Michael ’17 and their sister Corynn. The company launched its first product, a decaf canned latte, in December 2025. Sneaky Brew lattes are available online and in several stores throughout the Philadelphia area.

Nick Algeo ’15 married Lauren Steeves at St. Paul’s Parish in Philadelphia last December. They are enjoying newlywed life together in their South Philadelphia home!

Rev. Donald F. Reilly, O.S.A. D.Min, former Head of School, presided at the wedding of his grandnephew, Anthony Pacitti ’15 and Morgan Rowe on January 24, 2026, in Our Mother of Good Counsel Chapel.

Michael Flanagan ’16 and his wife welcomed their first child, Hugh, on March 9.

Steven Van Ommeren ’16 received the Woods College Master of Science in Applied Economics Graduate Student Award at Boston College in April 2026. This award is given to a graduating student who brings together a spirit of service and leadership.

Gavin Canzanese ’19 recently completed his final semester at Villanova Charles Widger School of Law, where he concentrated in Intellectual Property—building on his undergraduate background in Mechanical Engineering, also from Villanova. After graduating this May and sitting for the bar exam in July, Gavin will join Ice Miller LLP’s Philadelphia office as a fulltime associate this September, practicing IP law.

2020s

Riley McCarry ’21 recently proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Ashley, after six years together. High school sweethearts, the couple has shared countless milestones through the years, and family and friends are excited to celebrate this next chapter with them. Congratulations to Riley and Ashley on their engagement, and best wishes for a lifetime of happiness together!

Rosario V. Barbagallo ’22 graduated from Rowan University on May 13, 2026, earning a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship. In addition to his academic achievements, he has owned and operated Busy B Farms LLC since 2021, demonstrating his passion and commitment as a young entrepreneur.

Nick Harris ’22 was a member of the 2026 NCAA D1 Men’s Swimming and Diving Championship-winning University of Texas team. He also served as team co-captain for the 25-26 season. Nick capped off his diving career by being named an All-American for the seventh time at the Championship. He will be completing an internship at Fidelity Investments in Dallas, TX, this summer.

Nicole “Nikki” Hinsdale Walls

Grant A. Burgess ’19, brother of William S. Burgess ’17

Ed H. Caterson ’67 P’92 GP’26, father of Edward J. Caterson, M.D. ’92 and grandfather of Duke Zdancewicz ’26

Michael J. Ciunci P’96’98, father of Chris Ciunci ’96 and Mike P. Ciunci ’98

Joseph “Joe” Vincent D’Ascenzo Sr. P’77’78’81’83 GP’09’16, father of Chris J. D’Ascenzo ’77, Joseph V. D’Ascenzo Jr. ’78 P’09’16, Victor F. D’Ascenzo ’81, Andrew N. D’Ascenzo ’83, and grandfather of Joseph V. D’Ascenzo III ’09 and Christian W. D’Ascenzo ’16

William “Bill” M. Davis P’94’95 GP’23’24’25, father of Glenn M. Davis ’94 P’23’25, Mark “Ben” C. Davis ’95 P’24 T, and the grandfather of Ryan O. Davis ’23, Tague P. Davis ’24, and Andrew M. Davis ’25

Jillian Flanagan, sister of Michael Flanagan ’16

Michael P. Gallen P’14, father of Troy M. Gallen ’14

William “John” J. McCans Jr. ’80 , brother of James “Jim” P. McCans ’82

Ranney R. Moran ’77

John Ogborn P’85 GP’26, father of Joseph P. Ogborn ’85 and grandfather of Cash J. Ogborn ’26. Michael J. Ryan ’79, son of Andrew K. Ryan ’45 P’74’79 (decd.) and brother of A. Kemper Ryan III ’74

William “Bill” N. Ryan ’61

John N. Sloan ’96

Nicole Hinsdale Walls, Malvern Prep Staff Member (February 2026-June 2026)

Nikki Hinsdale Walls, the Aquatics Administrator for the Malvern Swim Association, and a member of the Malvern Prep Community for over 13 years, passed away unexpectedly on May 7. Her husband, Donnie Walls, is a member of the Malvern Prep Facilities Team.

Nikki had a lifelong love for swimming. She swam at Kutztown University and continued her passion by joining the Malvern Swimming Association. She lived a free-spirited life, maintaining a positive outlook on the world. She was very active and loved spending time with family and her lifelong friends, but she enjoyed nothing more than being together with her husband, Donnie, and their son Boone.

She is described by those who love her as an amazing mom, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, granddaughter, friend, and coach. Her passing has left a hole in the hearts of her family, friends, and colleagues—she will be missed immensely at Malvern Prep.

The School has set up a GoFundMe account dedicated to supporting her son Boone’s education. Please scan the code to access.

418 S. Warren Avenue • Malvern, PA 19355-2707

MALVERN PREPARATORY SCHOOL

tel: 484-595-1100 fax: 484-595-1124 • e-mail: information@malvernprep.org • web: www.malvernprep.org. For Malvern Magazine queries, call 484-595-1117 or e-mail communications@malvernprep.org.