Lion Sports Update (12/17)
Wrestling
On Friday and Saturday, December 13-14, the Lions hosted the 56th Annual Lonestar Christmas Tournament, featuring teams from Dallas, Richardson, Coppell, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Florida. This competitive 14-team, two-day tournament showcased excellent wrestling. St. Mark’s placed 5th overall with six podium finishers. Leading the den were two silver medalists, captains Beau Bacon ’26 and Wyatt Loehr ’25. They were followed by two bronze medalists, Jackson Barnes ’26 and Oliver Loehr ’27. Freshman Ferris Gottlich and sophomore Zach Golle rounded out the podium with 4th-place finishes.
Back
On Friday and Saturday, December 13-14, the Lions hosted the 56th Annual Lonestar Christmas Tournament, featuring teams from Dallas, Richardson, Coppell, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Florida. This competitive 14-team, two-day tournament showcased excellent wrestling. St. Mark’s placed 5th overall with six podium finishers. Leading the den were two silver medalists, captains Beau Bacon ’26 and Wyatt Loehr ’25. They were followed by two bronze medalists, Jackson Barnes ’26 and Oliver Loehr ’27. Freshman Ferris Gottlich and sophomore Zach Golle rounded out the podium with 4th-place finishes.
Next up, the Varsity and Junior Varsity wrestlers will compete in the Birdville Bash at Birdville High School on Saturday, December 18.
Swimming
The varsity swim team secured a dominant victory against Bishop Lynch last week, highlighted by strong mid-season performances. The Lions swept 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in every event except the 50 freestyle. Senior Leo Scheiner stood out with personal bests in the 100 freestyle and 50 freestyle.
The varsity swim team secured a dominant victory against Bishop Lynch last week, highlighted by strong mid-season performances. The Lions swept 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in every event except the 50 freestyle. Senior Leo Scheiner stood out with personal bests in the 100 freestyle and 50 freestyle.
The Lions will host Alcuin on Thursday, December 19, at 5:45 p.m.
Soccer
The varsity soccer team returned to form on Thursday, December 12, with a 2-1 win over the Nolan Catholic Vikings. Senior captain Alex Abel opened the scoring midway through the first half, heading in a corner kick from junior Kazim Hussain. Ten minutes later, David Dickson struck a shot from distance, but he was ruled offside. Just before halftime, a Lions turnover allowed the Vikings to equalize, sending the teams into the break tied 1-1 despite St. Mark’s controlling the play.
The varsity soccer team returned to form on Thursday, December 12, with a 2-1 win over the Nolan Catholic Vikings. Senior captain Alex Abel opened the scoring midway through the first half, heading in a corner kick from junior Kazim Hussain. Ten minutes later, David Dickson struck a shot from distance, but he was ruled offside. Just before halftime, a Lions turnover allowed the Vikings to equalize, sending the teams into the break tied 1-1 despite St. Mark’s controlling the play.
The Lions regained the lead in the second half when freshman JP Hanks delivered a free kick into the box. A failed clearance by the Vikings set up Hussain for a powerful volley into the net.
St. Mark’s carried momentum into Friday’s match against The Covenant School Knights, scoring three first-half goals. Chris Hahn intercepted the ball from a Knights defender and played a quick cross to David Dickson for the opening goal. Moments later, Aydin Sumer delivered a pinpoint free kick into a crowded box, where captain Alex Abel emerged to finish past the keeper. Just before halftime, senior Alden Reagins joined the action, taking a quick pass from David Gershenson, beating two defenders, and slotting the ball home to make it 3-0.
Unfortunately, the Knights scored three late goals in the second half to tie the match. While the result stings, the first-half performance remains a bright spot.
This week, the Lions travel to Greenhill for their first road game on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, December 21, they will host the annual alumni game at 11:00 a.m.
Basketball
The varsity basketball team played three games last week, beginning with a tough matchup at Prestonwood on Tuesday. The Lions started strong but lost momentum after missed layups and a buzzer-beating three-pointer. Despite senior Luke Laczkowski’s scoring heroics, St. Mark’s fell in overtime, 52-57.
The varsity basketball team played three games last week, beginning with a tough matchup at Prestonwood on Tuesday. The Lions started strong but lost momentum after missed layups and a buzzer-beating three-pointer. Despite senior Luke Laczkowski’s scoring heroics, St. Mark’s fell in overtime, 52-57.
The Lions rebounded on Wednesday against Anglican Church Grammar School, visiting from Brisbane, Australia. After a slow start, a buzzer-beating steal and score by junior Cooper Guiler ignited a 22-7 Lions run. Although Churchie dominated the third quarter, clutch shooting from Laczkowski, junior Pranav Danda, and sophomore Asher Collins secured a 67-52 victory.
On Friday, the Lions traveled to Kaufman High School for an exciting road contest. Sophomore Dawson Battie opened the scoring, and junior Pranav Danda caught fire from deep in the second half. With the score tied 50-50 and less than 20 seconds remaining, senior Luke Laczkowski made a game-winning steal and breakaway layup, sealing a dramatic victory for the Lions.
The team looks to build on these back-to-back wins with three home games this week:
- Thursday at 7:30 p.m. vs. Kingdom Collegiate Academy
- Friday at 7:30 p.m. vs. Dallas Thunder
- Saturday at 11:00 a.m. for the annual alumni game
Come support the Lions in Spencer Gym for all three games!
Alumni Athlete News
- Corvin Oprea ’22: A junior guard at the University of Rochester, Corvin has started the first seven games of the season, averaging 11.6 points (2nd on the team) and 4.4 rebounds (4th on the team). Unfortunately, he is currently sidelined with an injury but is expected to return soon. Rochester will travel to Texas to face Trinity University on January 4 in San Antonio.
- Harrison Ingram ’21: Playing for the Austin Spurs in the NBA G League, Harrison is averaging 11.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists through 14 games (all starts). On a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs, Harrison has also appeared in three preseason games and one regular season game this season.
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.
