Lion Sports Update (Feb. 25)
WINTER SPC RECAP
Swimming – SPC Champions
The St. Mark’s School of Texas swim team delivered a championship performance at the SPC Championships, hosted at the Zierk Athletic Center and Levering Pool. In a meet defined by depth, discipline, and momentum swings, the Lions captured the team title with 162 points, finishing ahead of St. Stephen’s (125), Greenhill (75), and St. John’s (71).
The Lions established themselves immediately during Friday’s preliminary session, advancing three swimmers to finals in nearly every event and posting an extraordinary number of personal bests.
Highlights included:
The finals session showcased composure under pressure and strategic execution.
Wang’s blistering 45.13 anchor leg sealed the victory as the Lions broke the SPC record, the Levering Pool record, and established a new team record. The relay win punctuated one of the strongest championship performances in program history.
Wrestling
The varsity wrestling team placed fourth at the SPC Championships, improving one spot from last season. The Lions crowned two SPC Champions, Jackson Barnes and Oliver Loehr, while Beau Bacon earned silver.
Four Lions advanced to the National Prep Wrestling Tournament at Lehigh University, competing against one of the nation’s most competitive prep fields. Ferris Gottlich and Jackson Barnes advanced deep into the bracket, and Oliver Loehr battled into the Blood Round, narrowly missing All-America honors in a 3–5 decision.
With only one senior among the national qualifiers, the foundation for continued success is firmly in place.
Basketball
The Lions finished fourth at the SPC Tournament, highlighted by balanced scoring and senior leadership.
In a first-round victory over St. John’s, six Marksmen scored six or more points, led by Dawson Battie (22) and Asher Collins (13).
In the semifinal matchup, the Lions erased a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit before falling 55–58 in a dramatic finish.
Facing Greenhill in the third-place game, the senior class delivered standout performances in their final SPC appearance. Sam Blumenthal shot a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, and Battie closed the tournament with 27 points.
Soccer
The varsity soccer team concluded its SPC run with a strong 4–2 victory over Greenhill to secure fifth place.
After a competitive 1–2 opening loss to Kinkaid, the Lions responded with resilience. They defeated Houston Christian 5–0 before rallying past Greenhill in the final match. Goals from Christian Denis, Wyatt Gair, Riggs Bean, and Ollie Morgan powered the victory.
Despite back-to-back matches on the tournament’s final day, the Lions closed the season with composure and attacking confidence.
LION SPORTS NEWS
Baseball
The Lions opened the 2026 season with back-to-back wins.
A 12–1 run-rule victory at Shelton featured a strong start from Spenser New and a highlight defensive play from Nolan Driesse. The offense produced 12 runs, sparked by Jake DeBoever’s RBI triple.
In Game 2, the Lions defeated Coram Deo Academy 10–7 behind Whit Turner’s four-inning effort and a save from Driesse. Over two games, the offense produced 22 runs, with Driesse going 5-for-7 and driving consistent production.
St. Mark’s travels to Austin this weekend to open conference play against St. Stephen’s and St. Andrew’s.
Lacrosse
The varsity and JV lacrosse teams traveled to Tulsa to face Cascia Hall Preparatory School. Despite an 8–12 result, the Lions demonstrated resilience and competitive intensity. The experience will serve the team well as they enter SPC matchups against Kinkaid and Houston Christian this weekend.
Tennis
Varsity Tennis opened the season with a 7–0 sweep over Legacy Christian in a home scrimmage. Senior captain Dilan Koganti led at #1 singles, while freshmen Taco Loeb and Alekh Desai impressed at #1 doubles. Ryan Zierk contributed wins in both singles and doubles play.
The Lions travel to Austin this week for conference matches against St. Stephen’s and St. Andrew’s.
Crew, Golf, and Track & Field
Several spring programs begin competition this weekend:
Back
Swimming – SPC Champions
The St. Mark’s School of Texas swim team delivered a championship performance at the SPC Championships, hosted at the Zierk Athletic Center and Levering Pool. In a meet defined by depth, discipline, and momentum swings, the Lions captured the team title with 162 points, finishing ahead of St. Stephen’s (125), Greenhill (75), and St. John’s (71).
The Lions established themselves immediately during Friday’s preliminary session, advancing three swimmers to finals in nearly every event and posting an extraordinary number of personal bests.
Highlights included:
- Ethan Wang qualifying first in the 200 IM
- Armaan Newaskar earning the top seed in the 100 Butterfly
- Ilan Gunawardena securing the #2 seed in the 50 Free
- Nicholas Sun dropping 12 seconds in the 200 IM
- Eddie Stehel cutting 11 seconds in the 500 Free
The finals session showcased composure under pressure and strategic execution.
- The 100 Butterfly proved pivotal: Newaskar won the event in a personal-best performance, and the Lions gained 17 points on St. Stephen’s, who did not qualify a finalist.
- In the 200 Freestyle Relay, the Lions defended their 2025 title and extended their lead in the team standings.
- Newaskar added another victory in the 100 Backstroke, edging the top seed in dramatic fashion.
- Entering the final event, the 400 Freestyle Relay, the Lions had effectively secured the team championship. But the quartet of Miller Martin, Armaan Newaskar, Ilan Gunawardena, and Ethan Wang aimed higher.
Wang’s blistering 45.13 anchor leg sealed the victory as the Lions broke the SPC record, the Levering Pool record, and established a new team record. The relay win punctuated one of the strongest championship performances in program history.
Wrestling
The varsity wrestling team placed fourth at the SPC Championships, improving one spot from last season. The Lions crowned two SPC Champions, Jackson Barnes and Oliver Loehr, while Beau Bacon earned silver.
Four Lions advanced to the National Prep Wrestling Tournament at Lehigh University, competing against one of the nation’s most competitive prep fields. Ferris Gottlich and Jackson Barnes advanced deep into the bracket, and Oliver Loehr battled into the Blood Round, narrowly missing All-America honors in a 3–5 decision.
With only one senior among the national qualifiers, the foundation for continued success is firmly in place.
Basketball
The Lions finished fourth at the SPC Tournament, highlighted by balanced scoring and senior leadership.
In a first-round victory over St. John’s, six Marksmen scored six or more points, led by Dawson Battie (22) and Asher Collins (13).
In the semifinal matchup, the Lions erased a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit before falling 55–58 in a dramatic finish.
Facing Greenhill in the third-place game, the senior class delivered standout performances in their final SPC appearance. Sam Blumenthal shot a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, and Battie closed the tournament with 27 points.
Soccer
The varsity soccer team concluded its SPC run with a strong 4–2 victory over Greenhill to secure fifth place.
After a competitive 1–2 opening loss to Kinkaid, the Lions responded with resilience. They defeated Houston Christian 5–0 before rallying past Greenhill in the final match. Goals from Christian Denis, Wyatt Gair, Riggs Bean, and Ollie Morgan powered the victory.
Despite back-to-back matches on the tournament’s final day, the Lions closed the season with composure and attacking confidence.
LION SPORTS NEWS
Baseball
The Lions opened the 2026 season with back-to-back wins.
A 12–1 run-rule victory at Shelton featured a strong start from Spenser New and a highlight defensive play from Nolan Driesse. The offense produced 12 runs, sparked by Jake DeBoever’s RBI triple.
In Game 2, the Lions defeated Coram Deo Academy 10–7 behind Whit Turner’s four-inning effort and a save from Driesse. Over two games, the offense produced 22 runs, with Driesse going 5-for-7 and driving consistent production.
St. Mark’s travels to Austin this weekend to open conference play against St. Stephen’s and St. Andrew’s.
Lacrosse
The varsity and JV lacrosse teams traveled to Tulsa to face Cascia Hall Preparatory School. Despite an 8–12 result, the Lions demonstrated resilience and competitive intensity. The experience will serve the team well as they enter SPC matchups against Kinkaid and Houston Christian this weekend.
Tennis
Varsity Tennis opened the season with a 7–0 sweep over Legacy Christian in a home scrimmage. Senior captain Dilan Koganti led at #1 singles, while freshmen Taco Loeb and Alekh Desai impressed at #1 doubles. Ryan Zierk contributed wins in both singles and doubles play.
The Lions travel to Austin this week for conference matches against St. Stephen’s and St. Andrew’s.
Crew, Golf, and Track & Field
Several spring programs begin competition this weekend:
- Crew competes at the Heart of Texas Regatta in Austin
- Golf travels to the St. John’s Invitational at Lost Pines Resort in Bastrop
- Track & Field competes locally at the Greenhill Relays
St. Mark’s School of Texas
10600 Preston Road
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000
About Us
St. Mark’s School of Texas is a private, nonsectarian college-preparatory boys’ day school for students in grades 1 through 12, located in Dallas, Texas. St. Mark’s aims to prepare young men to assume leadership and responsibility in a competitive and changing world.
St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
