The 2025-2026 fall sports season was packed with energy, determination, and memorable moments throughout every team. Football delivered Friday night excitement, field hockey showcased skill and resilience, and the growing girls’ flag football program continued to make history. Our poms and cheer squad brought spirit to every sideline, while cross-country athletes pushed their limits on tough courses. As fall sports wrap up and winter sports begin, we celebrate the athletes, coaches, and accomplishments that made this fall one to remember.
After a historic season, the Richard Montgomery Varsity Football team made its mark on the 2025-2026 fall sports lineup. Finishing with an impressive 8–3 record, the Rockets secured their first home playoff win since 2019, a major turnaround from last year, when they were unable to advance past the first round. Senior Captain Tendai Maseko credits much of the team’s success to the dedication of the coaching staff. “Something I admire from our coach is the amount of time they dedicate on and off the field to help us be the best football players and young men we can be,” Maseko shared. Teamwork was at the core of this season’s momentum, with players leaning on each other in tough moments. “Being able to pick each other up and cheer one another on gave a huge edge in all of our games,” he added. Maseko also expressed deep admiration for his teammates’ resilience: “Their ability to give all their effort despite being exhausted or even injured is incredible to me.” With a renewed sense of pride and unity, the Rockets look ahead with confidence, determined to build on the legacy they set this year.
Along with the Football teams’ recent success, Poms and Cheerleading have been a major part of hyping up the student section at games. The team dynamic and leadership have helped lead both the Poms and cheerleading teams through their popular halftime shows and sideline chants this season; Pom captains, juniors Abby Lee and Audrey Markel, have helped keep the Poms’ spirit up and the dynamic flowing.
After another great season, the Varsity Girls Volleyball team’s exceptional dynamics and teamwork contributed to their success. Senior Ellie Mitchell and junior Ana Djordevic have stepped up as captains, and after winning divisional, regional and county championships, the Rockets made a name for themselves in the 2025 season. “Especially with the loss of Corinne and Emma and Amy, I would say that being able to prove to ourselves that it wasn’t just them and that we could compete just as well was a success itself,” sophomore Ellyn Kim said. After facing a loss at state quarterfinals to Churchill, the Rockets supported each other as a team. “There’s no toxicity, and no one would get mad at each other. [Our coach] deals with everything very calmly … she treats us with so much care that I feel like it’s honestly like a big family.” The Rockets have high hopes for next season and look forward to playing more games as a team. “Our success will be definitely harder [with] more of a charge to make it all the way to states, but I think we still have a lot of talent left and a lot of work that we can put into probably have as successful if not a more successful season than this year.” sophomore Ellyn Kim said.
RM’s cross country team qualified for states this year, showcasing perseverance after narrowly missing the cut last year and losing their 2025 seniors. After placing second at the annual Bull Run invitational, Coach Mark Anderson’s supportiveness and the team’s drive throughout the season played a big role. Although the runners perform alone, they compete as a team. “We definitely had to work together a lot to get where we got to,” sophomore Yanning Lin said. “Especially at regionals, where we ran really strongly, we ran for the team instead of ourselves… After a race, we always stay at the finish line and wait for our entire team to finish and congratulate each other.”
For field hockey, the positive atmosphere contributed to the Rockets’ wins, helping each player grow on and off the field. “Our success really came from how much we grew as a team and how much better we got together,” said Sophomore Beliz Zolnik, JV. The dedication of the team carried the Rockets throughout the season.
One of RM’s newest sports, the Flag Football team’s success this season has significantly improved since last year. In spite of how young the team was, the Rockets’ skill rapidly improved throughout the season. “This was because we had more practice and started taking the sport more seriously, our coaches definitely helped motivate us.” said sophomore Kimberly Ellison Mendoza. “Our two seniors will be graduating and not be with us next year and they were our star wide receivers, but I believe that our team can for sure improve.”
