By Gabriella Martinez
James Monroe High School: History Made on Football & Court
On December 6, 2025, the Monroe Red Jackets made history as the first school in the Rochester City School District to win a state football championship. That same school year, in March 2026, they broke an eight-decade drought by claiming the Class A basketball sectional title with a tight 49-47 win over Wayne. Coach Terell Cunningham became the first in city history to win both a state football championship and a basketball sectional title in the same academic year. His assistant, Kason “KiD” Morrison, also made strides: he’s now the first coach from Rochester to lead both boys and girls basketball teams (at BK and Aquinas Institute respectively) to sectional titles.
Monroe’s dual achievement signals a turning point—not just in city athletics but in what students believe they can accomplish.
University of Rochester Yellowjackets: A Season of Firsts and Records
The University of Rochester wrapped up its 2025-26 season with plenty to cheer about. The women’s outdoor track & field squad claimed their first-ever All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Championship team title. Sophomore Lauren Murphy swept the long jump and triple jump at the Liberty League championships, and both she and Nora Chen earned First Team All-America honors for their performances in national competition.
On the pool deck, the women’s swimming & diving team went undefeated in dual meets for the first time in fifty years—going 9-0. Multiple school records were broken across strokes and relays. And in men’s track & field, standout athletes like Emmett Hansen, Aadit Jain, and Ethan Beer rewrote program bests in events like the high jump, shot put, and relays, while also earning top Liberty League honors. UR’s achievements this year weren’t just about wins—they reflected a growing culture of excellence and consistency.
Bishop Kearney’s BK Selects: From Irondequoit to the Olympic Podium
Bishop Kearney High School has long been known locally—but in early 2026 it became a national headline. The BK Selects Hockey Academy—whose girls’ program began in 2016—has produced eight alumnae who represented their nations in Olympic women’s hockey. Among them, Haley Winn (’21) played on Team USA’s gold-winning team, playing sturdy defense through the tournament and helping the U.S. limit opponents to just two goals in seven games.
The BK Selects’ success in sending graduates to Team USA, Team Germany, and Team Czechia underscores an important trend: when local schools invest in strong programs, students can rise to international heights.
Looking Ahead: Building on Momentum
What connects these stories is momentum—districts, colleges, and high schools are showing that history doesn’t have to be distant. It lives in present victories, record books, and alumnae who wear Olympic gold. As the fall sports calendar begins, attention now turns to how teams will defend their titles, reclaim lost ground, and elevate expectations for what’s possible.