Sidwell Friends Boys Soccer

[Anonymous]

I have read so much about the "average" athletics at Sidwell Friends. But recently someone was talking to me about their boys soccer team. #1 in the Washington Post?? They are ranked higher than schools like DeMatha, Gonzaga, Whitman and Churchill, all traditional soccer powerhouses. Is there something special about this senior class? Apparently they've been nationally ranked for three years in a row as well. This interests me, because I have a 7th grade boy (soccer player) for whom we are still looking at high schools.

[Anonymous]

Excellent coach, strong program for years, not just this year. Sidwell is also building a really nice new athletic center. A lot of the stereotypes on this board are just that.

[Anonymous]

Interestingly, I had wondered if the soccer was a result of recruiting, but I have learned that many of the players are in fact long time Sidwell students (ie started in Lower School), so it isn't just a matter of bringing kids in to stack a team.

[Anonymous]

Sidwell's soccer success is not the result of recruiting. It's good coaching along with some luck. A lot of kids at Sidwell have done well with club soccer and been able to bring that experience to the school.

[Anonymous]

Sidwell sports program is mixed. It does well in track and field, soccer, wrestling. But its lacrosse, football and baseball programs are weak. Lots of Sidwell kids go on to play college sports. However, sports are a definite second place to athletics.

[Anonymous]

Second place to academics...i meant

[Anonymous]

Sidwell boys have competed in the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAC) since leaving the IAC (which includes STA, Landon, Bullis, SSSAS, etc.) in 1999.

These schools are the MAC members:

Flint Hill School
Georgetown Day School
Maret School
The Potomac School
St. Andrew's Episcopal School
St. James School
Sidwell Friends School

[Anonymous]

NP here.

Sidwell soccer's dominance really is a result of the fact that a core of 7 or 8 players each year have played high level club soccer together since lower school.

That being said, Sidwell's wrestling program is successful as well, and defeats most of the IAC and WCAC teams it competes against.

Sidwell sends a good number of recruits to play in college, be it D1 or D3. But yes; academics come first.

[Anonymous]

The MAC doesn't seem like a very strong conference, but Sidwell seems to do pretty well:

http://wapedia.mobi/en/Mid-Atlantic_Athletic_Conference

[Anonymous]

Given Sidwell's size, it should do very well in the MAC. The wrestling program is all about the coach. He really is outstanding. The soccer program may have peaked, the incoming senior class doesn't have as many strong players. And there is a lot of unhappiness among football team parents because it really isn't competitive at any level. In an extraordinary letter, the school AD said she was committed to football and would take steps to help the program improve. The parents felt that the school had basically turned its back on football. Previous HM master never came to a single game etc.

[Anonymous]

Sidwell's XC team is also very strong, both in terms of results -- conference champs -- and participation -- a great group of kids (boys and girls) from all 4 classes, including both nationally-recognized runners and others who constantly strive to improve their own times. Everyone's contribution is valued, coaches go well above and beyond what's expected of them, and running is a lifetime sport.

[Anonymous]

Just saw this, very impressive:

http://www.sidwell.edu/athletics/teamschedule.aspx?TeamID=1098

[Anonymous]

OP,
What level soccer does your son play?

[Anonymous]

Just talked to Sidwell parent and soccer enthusiast. Apparently Sidwell has alumni playing varsity soccer at these schools:

Brown, Yale, Wesleyan, WashU, GW, Stanford and Middlebury

This year's class has players committed to play at:
Duke (player left Sidwell to play with national team), Wesleyan, Princeton, WashU and Amherst

[Anonymous]

to 11:04--
my son plays at a high level. He plays for a top travel team in the area and has been invited to participate with US National Team training.