FALL 2025

Fall Athletics Season Review

ATHLETICS REVIEW

The 2025-2026 Menlo Athletics campaign opened with a statement as fall sports delivered thrilling performances with an energetic charge.

From teams making back-to-back state appearances to a CCS Open Championship, league titles, and countless moments of grit and heart, the Knights once again set the standard—not just for competition, but for character. Every Menlo program competed in the top tier of its league, proving that success is built on a foundation of teamwork, preparation, and shared commitment.

Seven Knights earned Player of the Year honors, 53 were selected to all-league teams, and two programs—football and girls’ water polo—were recognized as CCS Top Five Scholastic Team Award winners, posting the section’s highest grade-point averages in their sports. These accomplishments reflect the true spirit of Menlo Athletics: excellence on and off the field.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHT

Fall Athletics Highlights

From the pool to the fields, our community saw dedication, camaraderie, and passion in action. This season affirmed that Menlo athletics is about more than winning. It is about character, resilience, and connection.

Here is a glimpse of the season’s highlights.

Cross Country

Both the girls’ and boys’ teams earned bids to the state meet for the second consecutive season. The boys, paced by Henry Hauser ’27, who finished seventh, took silver in the Div. V race. They also defended their Central Coast Section and West Bay Athletic League titles, taking first at the West Bay Athletic League Championships. After their state championship season in 2024, the boys were determined to keep their strong sense of unity alive.

“The aspect of running for each other and that your result matters for the sake of the team is a really big motivator,” Amay Srinivasan ’26 said. The girls finished 11th at the state meet after placing fourth at the section race, led by Ariya Kaushek ’26, who took fourth. Nearly every runner from both teams achieved a personal record while finishing strong for the team. “A PR [personal record] is so special because it really shows that all the hard work that we’ve put in is really going toward something that’s quantifiable, which I think is so beautiful about the sport of running,” Kaushek said. “It was just such an amazing feeling personally, and as a team, I think we all just really relished in that.”

Football

The 27-player Menlo football team climbed the ranks, making the CCS Div. II semifinals, its highest level in history, as the Open and Div. I brackets were combined this year. The Knights, who took third place in the top-tier Peninsula Athletic League-Bay Division, also met a West Catholic Athletic League foe for a program first, playing St. Ignatius in the CCS Div. II semifinals. The Knights defeated neighbor Sacred Heart Prep in the annual rivalry game, the Valparaiso Bowl, for the second season in a row to end the regular season. For most of the players, now and throughout history, playing two-way ironman football is a badge of honor.

“Often, playing football at Menlo is like literally moving mountains,” offensive and defensive lineman Tyler Hinkie said. “If you want to leave the field after every game proud (and tired), Menlo definitely is the place for you.”

The team has advanced to at least the CCS semifinals every year the past four years.

“It means a lot to them,” Coach Todd Smith said. “They gave all of themselves, and that’s all I can ask. It’s normal to have a good season here and there, but what’s atypical is to have that continued success, and that’s because of the players, families, and community. And it means a lot to me because it means a lot to them.”

Flag Football

Since the sport was sanctioned three seasons ago, Menlo’s girls’ flag football team has been a trailblazer. This season was no exception as the Knights captured the inaugural Central Coast Section Open Championship, defeating Los Gatos 27-13. Aside from tennis, which competes in one division, it is the first CCS Open Championship in School history. Ava Allen ’27 has been quarterback since Day 1. “We’ve just always wanted to play at the highest level and as long as possible,” she shared. “Being a new sport, we just fell in love. Finally, to be able to play under pressure to the very end really meant a lot to us.”

The team rolled to a 16-2 record this year and is 48-3 overall in three seasons.

“Our coaches kept saying we’re making history, and it’s been so special, such a great experience that I feel so fortunate to be a part of,” Maren Mulloy ’26 said.

Girls’ Golf

The girls’ golf team finished the season with several league victories and had a season of growth.

“Everyone improved a lot and gained more confidence throughout the matches,” junior Inaya Abdulkariem said. “It was definitely a learning year, but we had a lot of fun and built a strong foundation for the future.”

The team kept the approach positive and upbeat while keeping the competitive spirit high.

“The banter and joking around kept the vibes light, especially on match days. Everyone was supportive of each other but also competitive in a good way,” Abdulkariem added. “We took the matches seriously, but we also made sure to enjoy it and keep the energy positive no matter how the round went.”

Girls’ Tennis

The Knights finished the season with a lofty 23-4 overall mark and were one step away from returning to the section championship. Menlo fell in a tight CCS semifinal match to the eventual state champion. Earlier in the season, the Knights won the prestigious Point Loma Invitational, with the match coming down to games won. They won the Tyler Nii Invitational among four defending section champions and were fourth at the Golden State Classic, featuring some of the top teams in the state and Hawaii.

“Tennis is typically an individual sport, so I hope that we’ve left an impact showing how special it is to have teammates to play for. That’s the true beauty of high school tennis and team tennis, having something bigger than you to play for, and I hope that the underclassmen get to truly appreciate and experience that,” Elise Chen ’26 said. “I think that experience can only be fulfilled when your team is truly like your family.”

Volleyball

The Knights finished with an 8-4 record, placing third in the West Bay Athletic League and advancing to the CCS Div. IV playoffs. Menlo won its quarterfinal match on the road against Pacific Grove before falling in a down-to-the-wire five-set thriller at Harbor. Menlo faced some of its toughest challenges early, including a Southern California tournament in Huntington Beach.

“Facing some of the toughest competition in the first half made us stronger and more prepared,” Knights libero Ava Wang ’26 said. “I saw so much collective growth from our team. While it’s disappointing that we really started clicking right as the season was cut short, it also makes me excited for the future of this program.”

Boys’ Water Polo

Menlo boys’ water polo made its first trip to the CCS Open Championship since 2017, when it was a finalist. To get there, the Knights beat Los Altos in the quarterfinals, fueled by a fourth-quarter rally that sealed a come-from-behind win. The Knights staged another final-quarter comeback in the semifinals, beating St. Francis to advance to the final. “I could see them believing in each other and playing as a team, and that was really impressive to see,” Menlo coach Jack Bowen said. The Knights fell in the final and closed the season in the top-level NorCal Div. I quarterfinals with a 21-9 record. “It’s a really good showing of what’s to come after I graduate,” Calvin Barad ’26 said. “The young guys are going to step up, and I’m really excited to see them doing that.”

Girls’ Water Polo

For the sixth year, the Knights returned to the CCS Open, the top-level division. Menlo finished fourth in the mighty West Catholic Athletic League and was 12-13 overall. The girls hosted the 30th Annual Amanda MacDonald Invitational after a commanding win in the third-place game.

“I’m so glad to have been a part of this program for four years,” two-year captain Kate Hirsch ’26 said. From freshman year and an early season trip to play in Orange County, Hirsch said the teams have thrived in a positive atmosphere, “which directly correlates to how well you play and your ability to take negative moments and turn them into positive ones. That’s something we did a really good job with.”