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Athletics

Varsity boys’ track and field takes TISAC championship

May 26, 2022

Congratulations to the varsity boys’ track and field team for winning the TISAC conference championship for the second straight year last week, overtaking North Raleigh Christian Academy with a dramatic victory in the last event of the meet, the 4 x 400m Relay. The varsity girls’ team placed third place.

TISAC Conference Championship

Podium Scorers:

Tanya Sachdev
Gold Medal / All-Conference – 400m
Gold Medal / All-Conference – 800m

Sean Sheridan
Gold Medal / All-Conference – High Jump

Ryan Newnam
Gold Medal / All-Conference – 200m
Bronze Medal – 400m

Elise Boyse
Gold Medal / All-Conference – 1600m
Silver Medal – 800m

Josh Baird
Silver Medal – 200m
Silver Medal – 110m Hurdles
Bronze Medal – 300m Hurdles

Danica McCarron
Silver Medal – Pole Vault

Isaiah Short
Silver Medal – 400m

Colin Troan
Silver Medal – Pole Vault

Arran Swift
Silver Medal – 1600m
Silver Medal – 3200m

Cole Fekete
Silver Medal – 300m Hurdles
Bronze Medal – Pole Vault

Jenna Pullen
Bronze Medal – 3200m

Rebecca Liu
Bronze Medal – Pole Vault

Sydney O’Rourke
Bronze Medal – 100m Hurdles

Gabby Matejowsky
Bronze Medal – 300m Hurdles

KeShawn Brown
Bronze Medal – Long Jump

Eric Bright
Bronze Medal – High Jump

Max Li
Bronze Medal – Discus

Jacqueline Johnson, Anna-Sophia Polge, Elise Boyse, Tanya Sachdev
Gold Medal / All-Conference – 4x800m Relay

Andrew Epperson, Sean Sheridan, Ryan Newnam, Isaiah Short
Gold Medal / All-Conference – 4x400m Relay

Charlie Eheman, Alex Yohn, Ian Chen, Ryan Newnam
Silver Medal – 4x800m Relay

Will Coley, Thuy Dzu, Sean Sheridan, Eric Bright
Bronze Medal – 4x200m Relay

Scorers:

Gabby Matejowsky
4th – 100m Hurdles

Ijeoma Modilim
4th – Pole Vault
5th – Shot Put

Aarav Gupta
4th – Shot Put
4th – Discus

Thomas George
4th – 3200m

Isaiah Short
4th – Long Jump

Anna-Sophia Polge
5th – 800m
6th – 3200m

Rebecca Liu
5th – Long Jump
5th – Triple Jump

Matthew Schricker
5th – 3200m

Paloma Pulido
6th – Discus

Gabby Matejowsky, Annalise Davies, Maggie Su, Sydney O’Rourke
4th – 4x200m Relay

Anna-Sophia Polge, Mehitabel Surafeal, Molly Acton, Elise Boyse
4th – 4x400m Relay

Gabby Matejowsky, Maggie Su, Annalise Davies, Sydney O’Rourke
5th – 4x100m Relay

Written by Mandy Dailey, Director of Communications

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Trey Murphy (’18) reveals the formula for his leap to the NBA

September 16, 2021

After an explosive debut in the NBA Summer League that has already led to rookie of the year whispers, Cary Academy’s first alum to be selected as an NBA draft pick – Kenneth ‘Trey’ Murphy, III (’18) – recently sat down with Sports Illustrated’s Priya Desai for an interview hosted in CA’s Fitness Center gym.

Murphy returned to his “home gym” to discuss his path from Cary Academy to a career in basketball, the impact of COVID on his collegiate career, and the role that his love for psychology plays in his approach to the game. 

Afterwards, Trey showed off his skills in the FC gym, while the cameras rolled. 

Trey Murphy practicing in Cary Academy's FC gym

Before standout performances at Rice University and the University of Virginia, Murphy, from Durham, played varsity basketball at CA. His father, Kenneth, played at East Carolina University from 1986-88.

During his Cary Academy career, Murphy averaged 22 points, while shooting 53% from the floor, 45% from three, and 93% from the free-throw line. He is Cary Academy’s all-time leader in field goals made, three-pointers made, and free throws made. During his senior year at CA, Murphy the Chargers to a 14-8 record, averaged 24.7 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting on 49.4% from the floor, 43.6% from 3-point range, and 85.8% from the free-throw line. He was named All-Metro by the News & Observer. As a junior, he averaged 22.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting on 54% from the floor, 47% from three, and 93% from the free-throw line. He earned Triangle Independent School Athletic Conference (TISAC) All-Conference honors.

Written by Dan Smith, Digital Content Producer and Social Media Manager

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The power of purpose

September 2, 2021

Coach Pullen is a genius.

We had been watching our 65 middle school cross country students struggle through an early-season workout. A few students dutifully completed the warm-up jog. Still, most had quickly defaulted to walking — all the while grumbling about the heat, sore ankles, and assorted other tribulations associated with physical activity. 

“OK, runners,” Coach shouted as they came in from the first loop of the field. “Those of you who are one of the top 15 to 20 runners on the team — my best runners — you can go out for another loop. The rest of you, go ahead and stop for a water break.” 

I watched in amazement as at least half the team looked at one another, trying to assess the situation, themselves, and their friends… and then headed back out for a second loop. This time, at a full run. 

Coach Pullen’s motivational technique got me rethinking about something I shared with Upper School students at their opening convocation this year. 

There is a growing body of research on the positive impacts of having purpose in life. As Cornell University psychologist Anthony Burrow recently explained on an NPR podcast: “There seems to be accumulating evidence that one of the benefits of feeling a sense of purpose is that it can help us remain even keel in moments of stress or challenge, and sometimes even uplifting experiences.”

The challenge for all of us — but especially young people — is how to “find” that purpose. 

Professor Burrow would be quick to point out that this might be the wrong way to look at it. 

Purpose, he would say, is “cultivated,” not found. This happens by creating an environment where you establish a sense of identity and self-understanding, are exposed to new things, interesting questions, and challenging ideas, and then have some self-determination in where you go in life. 

Fortunately, as I told the students in August, research shows us three potential ways to cultivate purpose. 

  1. Proactive: A gradual, sustained attempt to engage in a topic or opportunity. Think of a hobby that morphs into something more, sometimes without even realizing when the transition happened. 
  2. Reactive: Responding to something that happens in life, which can often be negative, that nonetheless gives somebody a newfound sense of purpose or direction.  
  3. Pro-Social: Cultivating a sense of purpose through interacting and learning from other people and their passions or purposes. Like a hobby, this type of purpose acquisition may grow gradually over time — but it comes from our natural desire to share experiences with others. 

We can see opportunities to cultivate purpose in all three ways here at Cary Academy, but certainly more clearly in ways 1 and 3. As we move further down the path of our strategic plan, we seek to build more opportunities to grow student interests and passions through coursework, extracurricular programs, and new experiential learning pathways embedded in X Days. 

Which brings me back to Coach Pullen and seeing first-hand the power of pro-social motivation. None of our new runners are really experienced enough to know if the sport will be for them or if it will lead to a life-long association with running or fitness. For now, though, the experience of being together and of trying on the identity of “top runner,” is a powerful motivator and a positive experience. 

That’s ultimately how the race is won—one step at a time.

Written by Mike Ehrhardt, Head of School

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Charger student-athlete earns national recognition

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Congratulations to Sydney Ross (’23) for being named to the 2021 USA Volleyball AAU Academic All-American team! The award recognizes high school student-athletes for their excellence in the classroom as well as the volleyball court. Ross is the only Triangle-area student-athlete named to the team for 2021.

In addition, Ross received the Junior Volleyball Association AthLeader award. For 2021, Ross is one of 22 players from across the country to receive this prestigious award, which recognizes the top JVA member club players in the nation for outstanding achievement outside of the volleyball court. 

Ross’s mother, Donna, credits her time at CA with enabling her to reach such national heights, “Sydney’s experience with CA’s Leadership During Crisis Program, along with her facilitator role set her apart from other scholar athletes.”

Go Chargers!

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Trey Murphy III (’18) picked by the Pelicans in NBA Draft

July 30, 2021

During last night’s 2021 NBA Draft, Cary Academy alum Trey Murphy III (’ 18) was drafted as the number 17 overall pick, landing a spot with the New Orleans Pelicans. With Murphy widely considered one of the most versatile players in this year’s draft class, the Pelicans’ pick has is being lauded by NBA analysts across the country. Earlier in the day, Murphy visited Cary Academy’s campus for a shoot-around in his old stomping grounds, the Fitness Center Gym.

Trey Murphy III '18 in the FC Lobby

The 6-foot-9-inch, 200-pound guard is the only player in University of Virginia history to post a 50-40-90 shooting season in 2020-21. Before transferring to UVA as a junior, Murphy led Rice University in scoring during his sophomore year. Because of the pandemic, the NCAA granted Murphy immediate eligibility, allowing him to play for the Cavaliers rather than requiring him to take a redshirt during the 2020-21 season.

Murphy, from Durham, played varsity basketball at CA. His father, Kenneth, played at East Carolina University from 1986-88.

Murphy averaged 22 points during his CA career while shooting 53% from the floor, 45% from three, and 93% from the free-throw line. He is Cary Academy’s all-time leader in field goals made, three-pointers made, and free throws made. During his senior year at CA, Murphy the Chargers to a 14-8 record, averaged 24.7 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting on 49.4% from the floor, 43.6% from 3-point range, and 85.8% from the free-throw line. He was named All-Metro by the News & Observer. As a junior, he averaged 22.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting on 54% from the floor, 47% from three, and 93% from the free-throw line. He earned Triangle Independent School Athletic Conference (TISAC) All-Conference honors.

Written by Dan Smith, Digital Content Producer and Social Media Manager

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Cary Academy celebrates 2020-2021 student-athlete Chargers

May 20, 2021

In a typical year, Cary Academy’s Athletic Department hosts three banquets — one for each athletic season — to celebrate and recognize the efforts and achievements of our student-athletes. This year, Athletic Director Kevin Jones chose to celebrate our Chargers with a massive celebration on the CA Quad, before their classmates, during the final day of Upper School classes.

And we had a lot to celebrate:

  • 85 All-Conference Players
  • 8​ Conference “Players of the Year”
    • Elise Boyse ’23​ – Track and Field
    • Kenny Eheman ’21 – Cross country, Track and Field
    • Asher Lucas ’23 – Baseball
    • Anna Newman ’21 – Swimming
    • Abby Pompeo ’21 – Field hockey
    • Nisma Said ’21​ – Swimming
    • Nousha Tehrani​ ’23 – Tennis
  • 19 All-State athletes​
    • Sarah Chen ’26 – Swimming
    • Gabriella Cicuto​ ’22 – Field hockey
    • Chase Dawson ’23​ – Basketball
    • ThucUyen Dzu ’21 – Cross country
    • Kenny Eheman – Cross country, Track and Field
    • Bryan Fang ’23 – Golf
    • Asher Lucas – Baseball
    • Sydney Martin ’21 – Swimming
    • Anna Newman – Swimming
    • Sebastian Polge ’22 – Cross country
    • Abby Pompeo – Field hockey, Soccer
    • Nisma Said​ – Swimming
    • Jordan Smith – Swimming
    • Andon Swartz ’22​ – Baseball
    • Nousha Tehrani​ – Tennis
    • Louisa Wendt – Swimming
    • Elena Zayas ’21 – Swimming
  • 8 Records broken​
    • Baseball
      • Christian Larsen ’22 – Stolen Bases/Season (18)​
    • Track and field
      • Kenny Eheman​ – 1600m – TISAC meet record​
      • Matthew Crow ’21, Xavier deSouza ’21​, Thomas George ’24, Kenny Eheman – 4x1600m Relay​
    • Swimming
      • Alex Lim ’22 – 100yd Breastsroke (1:00.98)​
      • William Hook ’24 – 500yd Freestyle (4:49.95)​
      • Oliver Wang ’22 – 200yd IM (1:55.96)​ & 100yd Backstroke (:52.92)​
      • Alex Moore ’24, Alex Lim ’22​, Evan Alexander ’23, Oliver Moore ’22 – 200yd Medley Relay (1:41.73)​
  • 18 Triple Play Athletes​ (athletes who earn varsity letters in all three seasons of a single year)
  • 6 Conference Championships​:
    • Boys Cross Country 
    • Girls Cross Country​
    • Boys Swimming 
    • Girls Swimming​
    • Baseball 
    • Boys Track & Field​
  • 2 State Runners-Up:
    • Boys Cross Country 
    • Boys Swimming​
  • 1 State Championship Title:
    • Girls Swimming (5th Consecutive State Championship!​)

Members of the Class of 2021 who have signed commitments to play at the collegiate level

  • Russell Burns​ – Track & Field​ – William & Mary
  • ThucUyen Dzu​ – Cross country/Track and Field​ – University of Chicago
  • Kenny Eheman​- Cross country/Track and Field​ – Davidson College
  • Ethan Hortelano​ – Fencing​ – Brandeis University​
  • Koa Kaliebe​ – Soccer​ – Franklin & Marshall​
  • Aaron Messer​ – Soccer​ – University of Pennsylvania​
  • Anna Newman​ – Swimming​ – Davidson College​
  • Abby Pompeo​ – Field Hockey​ – Davidson College​
Class of 2021 collegiate athletes
Class of 2021 collegiate athletes

2021 Athletic Department Awards

  • TISAC Sportmanship Award
    • Ellie McMahon​ ’21
    • Matthew Crow 
  • Charger Pride Award
    • Jordan Smith​ ’21
    • Christian Larsen
  • Athletic Leadership Award
    • Lily Weinstein​ ’21
    • Vibhan Nandigiri ’21
  • Scholar Athlete Award
    • Nisma Said​
    • Koa Kaliebe ’21
    • Kyle Murphy ’21
  • Athlete of the Year Award
    • ThucUyen Dzu​
    • Henry Lee ’21
  • Lifetime Achievement Award
    • Abby Pompeo​
    • Kenny Eheman​
2021 Athletic Department award winners
2021 Athletic Department award winners

Watch the slideshow to view all of our outstanding Chargers:

https://youtu.be/KsMp1pEA2r8

Written by Dan Smith, Digital Content Producer and Social Media Manager

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Congratulations to the undefeated varsity baseball Chargers for finishing the 2021 TISAC regular season with a record of 17-0! Team captains Christian Larsen ’21, Miles Lubas ’22, and Lawson Wheeler ’22 led the team to a thrilling 11-4 victory over Durham Academy to close out the season, securing the program’s sixth TISAC Championship and a truckload of momentum to start the NCISAA playoffs later this week. This marks the second undefeated season for Cary Academy’s varsity baseball program under Head Coach Ray Pope.

Chargers baseball kicks off its postseason pursuit of an NCISAA State Championship in a game against Greensboro Day School on Tuesday, May 4 at 6:00pm, on the Cary Academy baseball field.

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