Sports – The Mirror

Baker Represents Hong Kong on the World Stage

May 15, 2026 by Noah Moodey

Photo provided.

Over spring break, U17 star Josh Baker ’28 had the honor of being called up to represent Hong Kong’s under-20 National team in their friendlies against top-tier pro teams in Thailand. Being called up to anyone’s national team is difficult in its own regard, but getting called up for the U20 team as a 16-year-old is something otherworldly. “I had played for the younger age groups before, but this was my first time with the U20S, so I really wanted to make a good first impression,” Baker ’28 said. Safe to say, Baker did not disappoint management, tallying a goal and an assist across the two games and helping the team to a couple of good results.

Baker joined an elite group of Northwood stars who have represented their national teams, cementing his name with some Husky legends such as Jace Donawa ’25, Sachiel Ming ’24, Jeremy Tsang ’23, and Machai Davis ’25. The camp took place in Thailand, at some of the nicest facilities in the world, perfect grass fields, gyms, and trainers, all at Josh’s direct disposal.

The first match was intense from the start. Baker was up against Kasetsart FC’s U21 team, and since they were a local team, all the supporters came out in droves to watch the match. There was frenzied air around the pitch, and it definitely made the players on edge. “I had never been in an environment where the fans are like this, and to be honest, it made me quite nervous before the game, but as soon as the match kicked off, that all calmed down, and I was able to get settled in nicely,” Baker ’28 said.

Hong Kong’s U20 team discusses after the first match. Photo: HKFA

Despite performing well in training the prior week, Josh still sat on the bench for the first game, as he was 5 years younger than some of his competitors. It was not long before the staff realized how much they needed Josh on the field, as the team went down 2-0 in the first 60 minutes. That was when the coaching staff decided to put Baker in the match to see if he could turn things around, and boy, did he. With only 30 minutes left, it was a race against the clock, but Baker’s impact was immediate, with him getting a goal back in his first 10 minutes on the field. Josh received the ball on the turn and knifed his way through the professional academy defense before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner, igniting the flames of a comeback. Baker would later add an assist to his name as well, forcing the game to penalties, where he calmly converted his penalty into the bottom corner. Despite this inhuman effort from Baker, Hong Kong still came up short, falling on penalties 4-2, leaving a sour taste in their mouth.

The starting XI before the team’s second match. Photo: HKFA

The second match was against Bangkok United’s U20 team, and it proved to be a bit easier than the first. The coaches wised up and placed Josh in the starting eleven, and the team made quick work of the opponents, winning 3-0. Despite not being on the scoresheet, Josh was instrumental in all three goals, connecting the lines beautifully and running the midfield.

After the two matches, it was time for Josh to return to Northwood, but it is safe to say he made his mark on both the coaching staff and Hong Kong. “I was just happy to be able to live up to the high expectations they had for me. I can’t wait to go back and work on winning some hardware with the U20S this summer!” said a relieved Baker when asked how it felt to play such an instrumental role in Hong Kong’s international break. Baker put everybody on notice with his stellar performance in the two matches, and everyone will be watching keenly to see how he does this summer in his next stint with the national team.

Filed Under: People, Sports

A Review of the 2026 NFL Draft

May 15, 2026 by Gavin Kruger

Photo by steelerswire.usatoday.com.

The NFL draft is one of the few things NFL fans look forward to during the league’s long off-season; it is arguably the biggest event of the off-season. Fans are either licking their wounds after a heartbreaking playoff loss or excited for their team to bring in some new faces after missing the playoffs entirely.

This year’s draft class was considered a weaker class than usual, which meant that it would be unpredictable – the thought amongst teams was that if you liked a player, you had to find a way to get him, because there wasn’t a ton of talent to pick from. These thoughts were proven right, as we witnessed the second-highest number of trades (41) in a draft since 1990.

Here is a review of this year’s draft surprises and successes.

SURPRISE – Round 1 Pick 13: LA Rams select QB Ty Simpson (Alabama)

Photo: msn.com.

The LA Rams come off a 2025 season where they were top dogs for most of the year, though ultimately bowing out in the NFC championship game. And after a strong off-season in which they completely revamped their secondary (which was the only positional hole on their roster), they went into the first round with the luxury of drafting the best player available. Instead of adding a Tier 1 caliber pass catcher and giving future Hall of Fame QB Matt Stafford another weapon, they opted for his future replacement instead. That was problem #1 with this selection. Problem #2 was that they took a guy whose jury is still out on whether he can succeed in the NFL; in his one season as a starter, Simpson started great but was dreadful for the entire second half of the year. Whether or not Simpson turns out to be a starting-caliber NFL quarterback, this pick was terrible in the eyes of many, including head coach Sean McVay, who was visibly upset with GM Les Snead’s decision.

The bottom line: You don’t draft for the future when you have a roster strong enough to win a Super Bowl now.

Winners – New York’s draft classes (The Giants + the Jets)

Illustration: jchscaldron.com.

In the NFL, New York isn’t a city associated with winning in recent history. Since 2011, the Jets and Giants have 1 playoff win between them. Though the two franchises haven’t been good at much of anything in over a decade, they both deserve credit for their successful draft classes.

The Jets

The Jets took advantage of their plethora of top 100 picks by plugging several holes on their roster. With the second overall pick, they selected pass rush specialist David Bailey, who will provide them with immediate impact at defensive edge. With their remaining two first-round picks, they selected dynamic pass-catching tight end Kenyon Sadiq (pick 16) and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr, who offers flexibility in terms of his role on offense (pick 30). With their last two premium picks, the Jets filled a need at cornerback by selecting a feisty defender in DeAngelo Ponds. If not for his lack of size, Ponds would no doubt have been the second-best Corner in the draft. At pick 103, the Jets plugged another need at Defensive tackle, selecting imposing, run-stuffing lineman Darrell Jackson Jr.

The Giants

The Giants ran to the podium with their first pick of the draft, as Linebacker/Edge Arvell Reese fell into their lap at #5. Reese is seen as a top 3 talent in this year’s draft, while also playing a premium position. At pick #10, the Giants opted to protect their rising-star QB, Jaxson Dart, selecting offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa. At the top of the second round, they selected cornerback Colton Hood out of Tennessee, who is good value at that spot, thereby strengthening the weak point of their defense. With their last premium draft pick, head coach John Harbaugh decided to get his quarterback a 50/50 jump-ball specialist, selecting Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields; Fields is 6-foot-4, 220 pounds.

SURPRISE – CB Jermod McCoy falling to the 4^th round

Photo: totalapexsports.com.

Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy’s 2024 tape was exceptional. If he were being evaluated based on his 2024 season, he would have been a top 10 pick in the draft. Unfortunately, a torn ACL in January of 2025, along with new injury concerns, caused him to slide all the way to the 4^th round. We witnessed a similar ordeal last year, when Cornerback Will Johnson – a 1^st round talent – slid to the second round. While the situations were similar, McCoy is undoubtedly much more talented than Johnson. The new injury concerns that came out after the draft sounded pretty serious, and explained the long slide to the 4^th round; McCoy has a “bone plug” in the ACL he tore last year, and though he doesn’t need to have surgery immediately, there is a fear that the surgery to remove the piece of bone would knock McCoy out for at least a year.

A “bone plug” is used to repair ACL injuries. A surgeon takes a piece of bone and cartilage from a non-weight-bearing part of the knee and uses it to create a smooth joint surface.

Winners – Shedeur Sanders (Browns)

Photo: bolavip.com.

Whether by choice or by a lack of draftable quarterbacks, the Cleveland Browns look to be sticking with Shedeur Sanders as their quarterback for the 2027 NFL season. Sanders was not dazzling at all in his rookie year, though he did show progression throughout the season, giving the front office and fanbase something to chew on. As the likely starter for the upcoming season, Sanders is a draft-day winner. With their first 3 picks, the Browns went all offense; drafting offensive tackle Spencer Fano at pick 9, before selecting receivers with back-to-back picks by taking KC Concepion (pick 24) and Denzel Boston (pick 39). These three selections have given Sanders two things: more time to throw, and more reliable players to throw to.

Filed Under: Sports

An Idiot’s Guide to Ski Jumping: Summer Jumping

May 15, 2026 by Jack Kroll

Ski Jumping is one of the 16 original Winter Olympic events. It is often referred to as “the original extreme sport.” Despite its rich history, most people don’t know what ski jumping is, and almost no one understands it. If you fall into either of these categories, then this series is for you. Click here to view other articles in this series.

When people hear Ski Jumping, they envision a skier jumping on snow, which is true in the winter. In the summer, however, ski jumpers can still jump. How?

In the summer, the ice and snow melt off the inrun, revealing the summer plastic tracks below. The summer tracks have round bumps on the bottom that reduce friction between the skis and the track. The bumps, combined with a system of misters that spray down the track, “make it feel almost exactly like snow,” says Jack Kroll ’26.

Ski Jump summer tracks. Photo by Everslide.com

Snow nets are being installed on the 90M at the Lake Placid Olympic Jumping Complex. Photo by Lake Placid Legacy Sites.

For the landing hill, it is a little more complicated to go from winter to summer jumping. When the snow melts, it reveals large snow nets that cover the entire landing hill. These are massive cargo nets attached to the concrete beneath the landing hill, preventing snow from sliding off the slippery summer landing. The nets must be removed before summer jumping can start. The summer landing hill consists of plastic sheets with nylon bristles that resemble weed-whacker string. The sheets are roughly 2 feet long, and they overlap each other down the landing hill like shingles on a roof. On the side of the hill, there is a sprinkler system that waters down the plastic. These sprinklers are turned off while someone is jumping, as they interfere with the flight. Then, there is a water break when the plastic gets too dry. If the plastic is dry, there is a lot of friction between the skis and the plastic, which can cause the jumper to stick to the landing hill and fall.

Snow nets installed at the Olympic Jumping Complex. Photo provided.

Summer jumping makes Ski Jumping a year-round activity. Northwood Ski Jumpers can train on the hill for all but three and a half months a year. Northwood Ski Jumpers are extremely lucky, as they get to call one of the two American Olympic-sized jumping complexes their home hill in the summer.

Filed Under: Sports

An Idiot’s Guide to Ski Jumping: The Phases of Ski Jumping

May 14, 2026 by Jack Kroll

Before every practice or competition, athletes must prepare. They spend substantial time warming up and preparing for a jumping session. Northwood ski jumper Henry Loher ’26 says, “First, I wax my skis, then I go for a short run. Then, I play one bounce,” (the American ski jumper version of a popular Norwegian soccer game). “Once we finish one bounce, I go and stretch for ten to twenty minutes. Then, I do some plyometrics and balance work with my coach. When my coach gives me the ok, I go and suit up.” Once suited up, athletes head up the jump and put their skis and jets on. For more on equipment, click here. Then, they slide out onto the bars. Now for the actual jump.

First is the in-run. When an athlete gets on the bar, a coach will put their hand up. The coach watches the wind and waits for the right, safe conditions. The coach waves their hand, and this is the athletes’ signal to go. They then get off the bar and into an in-run position. This is a low-aerodynamic tuck position that athletes use to gather speed and prepare for takeoff.

USA Ski Jumping National Team and NYSEF Alum Tate Frantz is in an in-run position while warming up. Photo provided.

The second phase, the takeoff, is the most critical. Jumpers need to push straight down through the ball of their foot. If a jumper rolls off their toes, the ski tips go down. Jumping skis are designed to catch a lot of air, and when that air is caught on the top of the skis, the skis fall away, and the jumper flips over and crashes. If a jumper jumps off their heels, the skis pop up, and they catch a lot of air. This acts like a brake, reducing all the jumpers’ speed, so they travel less far. Ski jumpers are trying to find a balance between generating lift (positive ski angle) and maintaining speed without lift (flat ski angle). Notice the shin angle in the image of the inrun. This is extremely important as it allows jumpers to jump not just up but also out, maintaining their speed. The takeoff also has a timing component. Ski jumpers are moving 55+ MPH on the Olympic-sized hills in Lake Placid. This makes perfectly timing a jump very difficult. Many people think there is a lip or jump at takeoff, but it is at a negative angle, which is why timing is essential, since all of a jumper’s power and trajectory are self-created.

The third phase is the flight, which continues the takeoff. Jumpers try to be aggressive and out over their skis. The goal is to be nearly parallel to the ground. The skis are in a V position, increasing effective length by up to 30% compared to traditional parallel skis.

Henry Loher ’26 in flight at the 2024 US Nationals. Photo by Nancie Battaglia.

The fourth and final phase is the landing. Landings are scored by judges on the side of the hill. For more on style points and judges, click here. The ideal landing is the telemark landing, with one foot in front of the other and hands out to the sides. Then, athletes slow down as they go up the counter slope and are ready to go back up and jump again.

Filed Under: Sports

Nineteen Students Take Home Co-Curricular Awards

May 13, 2026 by Mirror Staff

Nineteen students received awards at the annual co-curricular awards ceremony on May 13, held in the auditorium. For Northwood’s co-curricular activities and sports, the “Coach’s Award” is given to the student who exemplifies the notion that there is no “I” in “team.” They lead by example on and off the field, rink, hill, etc. They are consummate team player who goes above and beyond to make a difference for their team. Their leadership and ability to communicate with teammates and coaches are critical to the team’s success. The award is given to the student who best demonstrates the true spirit of activity throughout their season, recognizing hard work, personal improvement, and a willingness to understand and learn to achieve one’s potential. The following students are the 2025-26 recipients:

Prep Hockey
Cody Betsch ’26

Varsity Hockey
Andrew Sherland ’26

U16 HockeyConner Sestak ’28

Girls HockeyLoelie Lachapelle ’26

U19 SoccerTziyon Morris ’26

U17 SoccerMaxwell Notley ’27

Alpine Skiing – BoysAsa Schwartzberg ’26

Alpine Skiing – GirlsAnja Robertson ’26

David Phelps/Kimbal AwardElizabeth Gauvin Langevin ’26

Northwood Adventure SportsJacob Slagel ’26

RoboticsOrrin Tracy-Deuss ’26

Ski and Snowboard ClubWillow Zhao ’26

MusicMarley Tracy-Deuss ’26

Nordic SkiingJack Kroll ’26

Freestyle SkiingBen White ’26

CrewKatey Anne Clark ’26

CAREFlorence Richard ’26

DanceUma Laguna-Curtis ’26

Figure SkatingDominica Sarandeva ’26

All photos by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports

Friends to Rivals: Moodey and Riddell to Join Patriot League

May 13, 2026 by Josh Baker

Soccer at Northwood School does not just develop players for team results; instead, players develop to reach even higher levels. In this case, two Northwood prodigies, Noah Moodey ’26 and Hamish Riddell ’26, are reaching that higher level, committing to Holy Cross and Bucknell University. Once friends, soon-to-be rivals compete in the Patriot League.

Photos: Instagram.

Noah Moodey is an exceptional defensive midfielder. In this position, Noah dictates the tempo of games and controls the entire field. Many people like to say his passing range is like Trent Alexander-Arnold’s, as Noah can deliver high-quality passes no matter what the distance is. His passing, linked to his Pedri-like vision, allows him to break lines and see a whole different game than his opponents do. Defensively, Noah is a brick wall. His defensive ability is comparable to Fabinho’s at Liverpool, as there is simply no way around him.

His soccer journey started when he was just four years old in Massachusetts. He developed his skills at the club level before joining Northwood to reach even higher levels. Northwood allowed Noah to meet players from around the globe, building friendships that will last forever. Constant travel and intense workouts made Noah feel like he was part of a community. That sense of community is one of the reasons Noah committed to Holy Cross. Holy Cross is an exceptional program with a smaller campus and a strong environment, much like the one he found at Northwood School.

Hamish Ridell offers a different type of threat. A gifted right winger from Hong Kong, Hamish uses his pace and technical ability to outmaneuver his opponents. His first step is extremely explosive, comparable to Jeremy Doku’s at Man City. Once Hamish gets his space, there is simply no way to stop him. He attacks with speed and is very unpredictable. A few people from the Northwood U19s like to say that Hamish is the “right-footed Lamine Yamal!”

Together at Northwood, they pushed each other daily. The duo was dynamic on gameday, leaving opponents completely stunned.

When Holy Cross and Bucknell face each other, it will be more than just a conference game. Noah will try to dictate the game while Hamish will amaze the Holy Cross defenders with his range of skill moves and his explosiveness. At the end of the day, the story shows how these young talents have developed and are ready to take the next step in their careers.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People, Sports

Catching up with Meghan Crowley ’25

May 13, 2026 by Rylie Griffiths

Photo: SLU Saints Hockey.

During her senior year at Northwood, Meghan “Meg” Crowley used her time to the fullest. She excelled in every priority in her life, including academics, athletics, and friendships that developed into family. Even though she was in her first year, she quickly became an exemplary student. Her quiet work ethic never went unnoticed. She graduated at the top of her class while committed to playing Division One hockey at St. Lawrence University. As a former teammate of Meg’s, I couldn’t have asked for anyone better to work alongside. She would always give her absolute best on the ice and in the fitness center, day in and day out. Without complaint, she put her head down and worked. Admired by her teammates, she left a legacy of what Husky hockey looks like. I recently had the opportunity to catch up with Meghan, hear about her first year of college, and reflect on her Northwood career.

“My favorite moment has probably been my first game at Appleton area. The energy and atmosphere there is so special, and to experience that for the first time was definitely one of my favorite times here so far.”

“The adjustment was pretty easy from Northwood. I would say the biggest thing is control over your own schedule, since you only have class once or twice a week and most of the work is done on your own time. So being able to prioritize work and fitting everything in with all of your commitments was probably the biggest adjustment.”

“Not only did my time at Northwood make the transition really easy in terms of time management, living away from home, and balancing hockey and school, but it also taught me what it’s like to live in a tight-knit community and build those connections. Those past connections and my new ones are valuable to me, and I will hold onto them forever, especially since SLU is a relatively small school and, in that sense, really similar. Being able to transfer those skills over has had the greatest impact on me.”

“I miss the people at Northwood the most. I think the people really make the place, and it’s always felt like home. I believe it’s largely due to all of the people there that made it so special. Arriving in September was nerve-wracking, but I quickly settled in thanks to the time I spent with my team. We ate, slept, studied, practiced, and played together twenty-four-seven, so naturally those bonds quickly formed.”

“When I think back, the springtime really sticks out as being some of the best times at Northwood. Going into town, the whole school at Northwood beach, spike ball on the turf, bonfires, those were some of my favorite moments there.”

“As of right now, after I graduate, I plan to get my Master’s in accounting and then at that point see where I’m at and hopefully get a job in that field. Due to my time at Northwood and SLU, I know I will be well prepared!

Filed Under: People, Real World, Sports

From Northwood Teammates to Sun Belt Rivals: Morris vs Khory

May 13, 2026 by Josh Baker

At a small place like Northwood, relationships are strong. The soccer players train together every day, eat dinner together, and travel together every weekend. Over time, these players bond and begin to understand each other better, both on and off the field. That is the case with two of the U19s: Tziyon Morris and Ashton Khory. They are both currently seniors, teammates, and part of the same Northwood soccer system. But that is about to change.

Next year, they will be competing against each other at college.

Illustration: Instagram.

Tziyon Morris, a center back, has committed to Old Dominion University, while Ashton Khory, a midfielder, has committed to James Madison University. Both are elite programs in the Sun Belt Conference, meaning Ashton and Tziyon will play against each other multiple times.

Commitment posts sent by Ashton Khory and Tziyon Morris.

Morris is not just another center back. His game intelligence is much higher than most center-backs, allowing him to play smart passes that no one else sees. Defensively, he is a player who reads the game well, stepping in at the right moments and controlling the whole backline. When you watch him play, you will immediately spot the composure and calm he brings to chaotic situations. He doesn’t just react; he predicts with his game intelligence. Many people compare him to players like Van Dijk as he brings both physical strength and mental intelligence.

Illustration: Instagram.

Khory, on the other hand, is a player who is all about flow. As a midfielder, he always has the ball, linking with players and connecting the team. He is extremely comfortable under pressure, which is not surprising given the hours he spends perfecting his craft on his own. He is a highly creative player, which makes it hard for defenders to predict his moves. He also likes to dictate the tempo of games and bring others into the game. Many people like to compare him to players like Paul Pogba because of his elite flair and size.

At Northwood, these players complement each other well, and I am sure they will miss playing on the same team.

The Morris vs Khory battle is interesting because it has developed naturally. They have spent years playing together and building such a strong relationship. Now, they will have to get used to competing against each other rather than with each other. This is a matchup to look for. They are friends who have been forced to be rivals.

Filed Under: People, Sports

Strength and Conditioning Co-Co Popular with Athletes

May 13, 2026 by Cody Betsch

The updated Fitness Center. Photo: Parker Thompson ’26.

With seasons coming to an end, it is time for students to pick their new Co-Curriculars on campus. Co-curriculars offer opportunities on campus and in Lake Placid to stay active and pursue interests. For example, Golf and Volleyball are options. Today, we are looking at the Strength/Conditioning Co-Co.

The Strength and Conditioning Co-Co allows Northwood students to get into the gym and work on whatever they need in a private gym session. It allows students to go to the gym multiple times a day, but also earlier than open gym, so they can have free time after their workouts. “Now that we’re not skating, getting the gym open right after school is great. I can get in a lift and go shoot pucks later in the day, or do cardio, etc. It’s great because I feel like I can work on building strength but also staying in shape,” said Miles Van Mullen ’27.

As Northwood students know, open gym can get very crowded during the week. The Strength and Conditioning Co-Co is much less crowded and exclusive to those in the Co-Co. Instead of waiting for racks or dumbbells, everything you need is usually open.

“On a usual weekday, I would have to go into the corner of the weight room or the turf to find a spot to stretch out. Now there are usually only one or two people using the open space for stretching in the gym, and I can go anywhere,” said Devin Smith ’26.

The Co-Co used to be called Intramurals, but because so few people took it, it turned into a gym session. It caught wind in the Northwood community and quickly became a popular Co-Co to switch into. The Strength and Conditioning Co-Co is a great opportunity for Northwood students to get into the gym every day while still having free time.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports

Offseason Grind Begins for Boys’ Hockey Players

May 6, 2026 by Cody Betsch

Now that the season has ended for all the Ice hockey teams, we are going to take a look at the next steps in preparing for the upcoming season. For many players, Northwood was a stepping stone to get to the next level, college, or junior hockey. This can be a very stressful time for players seeking opportunities.

A few players have already locked up spots with teams and are now preparing for next season. Devin Smith ’26 just recently signed with a team for the next season and is working hard in the gym. “I took the conditioning coach so that I could really nail down my training this offseason. I’m creating the habits now so that when I get back home, I can stay consistent and be the best player I can be,” said Smith.

Parker Thompson ’26 and Henry Kress ’26 recently played games over spring break. Now that they’re back here, the level change was a little bit eye-opening. “It took a little while to get adjusted. The speed and size were the biggest challenge for me in the first few days,” said Thompson. “Now that I’m back at Northwood, I want to utilize the weight room and focus on building muscle while I have the resources here.”

Henry is taking a slightly different approach. “I saw conditioning and thought it was a no-brainer for my co-co, but when I saw tennis as an option, I wanted to sign up for that instead. I’ll have enough time with open gym to get my lifts in. I love tennis and want to play it so that I don’t get burned out with hockey.” Many players are in the Tennis co-co or the Lacrosse co-co following this same mindset.