Lion Sports Update (April 28)

GOLF
The St. Mark’s golf team entered the SPC Championships (April 21–22) aiming to defend its 2025 title, battling heavy rain throughout the opening round. Despite showing resilience, the Lions posted one of their highest team scores of the season and found themselves trailing Kinkaid by 18 strokes and Greenhill by 11 after day one. Senior Duff McKay, the defending individual champion, kept pace with the field at even par.

The team responded on day two with a strong showing. Senior Jonathan Lobel delivered his best competitive round as a Lion, matched by junior James Hoak’s 75. Junior Sam Merryman built on a late surge from day one to post a team-best 73, while sophomore Rafe O’Rear improved to a 78. Ultimately, Kinkaid and Greenhill held their leads, and the Lions finished third. McKay (146) earned runner-up individual honors, with Merryman (152) securing All-SPC recognition. It was a remarkable season highlighted by consistent excellence, particularly from the senior class. McKay, an Indiana signee, capped a dominant 13-month stretch atop tournament leaderboards.

BASEBALL

On the diamond, the varsity baseball team secured a 2–0 win over Greenhill in a tightly contested pitcher’s duel. Senior Spenser New delivered a complete-game shutout, allowing just two hits while striking out six. The Lions capitalized on key moments at the plate, with junior Eli Thorne driving in the first run and senior Jake DeBoever adding an insurance RBI. Thorne and DeBoever each collected two hits, while senior catcher Alex Dahlander and the Lions combined for five stolen bases. The team next travels to Bishop Lynch for a night game on Tuesday.

TRACK & FIELD
Track & field continued its momentum at the FWCD Last Chance Qualifier, compiling 48 personal records in challenging heat and humidity. Competing with the largest squad in program history, the Lions saw standout performances across events. Leo Hughes qualified for SPC in the pole vault with a 10’ PR, while Bryce Jones-Quaidoo posted PRs in both hurdles events. Max Bean won the 100m and 200m (PR 22.27), with Tripp Schoellkopf close behind. The Cho brothers and Charles Shea all turned in PRs in the 800m, and Omar Jenkins claimed the shot put title while placing second in discus. Braden Scott and Anderson Love posted PRs in the long jump, with Scott also winning the triple jump. The team now turns its focus to the SPC Championships at Awty International School.

TENNIS

Varsity tennis closed its regular season with a decisive 5–0 sweep of Greenhill, showcasing depth and balance across the lineup. Dominant singles play and composed doubles performances secured the win. The Lions enter the SPC Tournament as the #2 seed and will face Houston Christian in the opening round.

LACROSSE
Lacrosse delivered a pair of emphatic performances to close the regular season. On senior night against Frisco, the Lions erupted early, building an 8–1 first-quarter lead behind a flurry of goals. Weston Chance and Mac Saye led the charge, each finishing with five goals, as the team honored its senior leaders with a commanding win.

They followed with an even more dramatic statement against Rockwall. Trailing 6–4 entering the fourth quarter, the Lions unleashed an 11–1 run to secure a 15–7 victory—an emphatic display of resilience and firepower. Now 10–win strong, St. Mark’s enters the State Class AA playoffs with momentum, facing #2 seed ESD in the THSLL quarterfinals.