Sandy Spring Friends School

 

Breadcrumb

Our Athletics Program

Morley Games - Frazleerham
SSFS Pep Rally

At Sandy Spring Friends School, our athletics program focuses on creating balance and developing skills that will help on and off the field. As students participate in sports and physical education, they learn how to set long-term goals and be dedicated to them, learn how to problem solve in the midst of pressure-filled situations, and learn to recognize the importance of honest effort, competition, contribution, and sportsmanship.

SSFS Athletics in Action

Fall 2025 Athletics Highlights

Congratulations to all our student athletes and coaches for a fantastic fall season filled with team bonding, skill-building, grit, determination, and championship banners! Thanks also to our amazing community of supporters who came out to cheer on our Middle and Upper School soccer, volleyball, and cross-country student athletes throughout the season. 

Seventh Grade Outdoor Ed Trip

On Oct. 24, the 7th grade took a class trip to Calleva, where they participated in team-building activities and learned more about about the benefits of sustainable farming practices.

Fourth Grade Outdoor Ed Day 2025

Fourth graders took part in team-building activities on our on-campus low ropes course, hiked to the Sandy Spring while cleaning up trash, journaled, and enjoyed a beautiful fall day.

SSFS Spirit Week 2025

SSFS students, faculty, and staff showed their 'Beestly spirit during Spirit Week 2025, with traditional Spirit Days like Pajama Day as well as new, creative ones. The week culminated with an All-School Fall Pep Rally, where the community celebrated students on MS and US fall teams (soccer, cross-country, and volleyball), and cheered on student athletes and faculty-staff members in relay races!

Sixth Grade Outdoor Ed Day

Sixth graders spent a day of bonding and outdoor education at Calleva on Sep. 25. They participated in a ropes course and various team-building activities.    

Sports Season Highlights for Spring 2025

It was another banner spring season for SSFS! The 'Beests ran away with several season and championship banners and wins, including the MS Track and Field PVAC Tournament Championship, Varsity Baseball PVAC Regular Season and Tournament Championships, and Varsity Lacrosse's South Hagerstown Classic Championship win. In addition, ten seniors signed commitments to play sports at selected colleges, universities, and conferences. See below for full updates from all our spring teams, and thanks to all the fans who came out to support our athletes!

Senior Signing Day 2025

Congratulations to our ten seniors who have signed commitments to play sports at selected colleges, universities, and conferences. Our amazing student athletes will take their athletic skills to the next level in various sports, including baseball, basketball, cross country, ice hockey, lacrosse, tennis, and track & field. Although their journeys will continue elsewhere, as Athletic Director Sal Benitez says, "They will always carry 'the 'Beest' within!" 

LS Field Day 2025

From relay races and cooperative games to parachute fun and hula-hooping while blowing bubbles, all of our Lower School students had a blast at their Field Day on Fri., May 2. Thanks to the 8th Graders for helping run the stations! 

All-School Spring Pep Rally 2025

Students, faculty, and staff had a great time cheering on our spring team athletes at the all-school pep rally on Fri., Apr. 4. After team entrances, seniors and 8th Graders from each spring sports team took on faculty and staff in an exciting game of "Quakerball"!

US Men's Lax Invitational

Led by Head Coach "Joe Joe," Asst. Coach Keith Amberman, and team captains, the Upper School Men's Lacrosse Team won the 1st annual South Hagerstown HS Men’s Varsity Lacrosse Invitational Championship! 

MS Sportsplex Day 2025

Middle School students and staff enjoyed their annual Sportsplex Day on Apr. 4. During their time at the Sportsplex, they participated in various team sports, including the ever-popular "Hungry Hippo" challenge. 

2024-2025 Winter Sports Season Highlights

Congratulations to our Middle and Upper School winter team athletes and coaches on a successful winter sports season! From basketball to climbing, swimming to ice hockey, the 'Beests played hard, had fun, and showed SSFS's signature 'Beestly team spirit!

All-School Winter Pep Rally 2025

On Fri., Jan. 24, SSFS celebrated our winter team athletes (basketball, swimming, and climbing) in the Athletic Center Gym. The pep rally also featured a rock climbing demonstration, student games such as musical chairs and a basketball "knock-out" contest, and the ever-popular Faculty/Staff Basketball Game! 

Fall 2024 Athletic Team Highlights

SSFS had a strong fall season of athletics (soccer, volleyball, cross-country, and intramural sports), and we are incredibly proud of our student-athletes, supported by our amazing coaches and 'Beestly community of fans. Now that the fall season has wrapped up, we invite the community to come out to support our winter teams! See the school calendar for dates, times, and locations of athletic events. 

Winter Sports & Ben Uzzell Invitational

The winter sports season has  started off strong! Come out to support our 'Beests as they compete in swimming, rock climbing, and basketball events—including the Dec. 12-13 Ben Uzzell invitational! 

All-School Fall Pep Rally 2024

SSFS celebrated our fall team athletes on Fri., Nov. 8, with an all-school pep rally. Congratulations to all our student athletes and coaches on a wonderful fall season. Come cheer on our 'Beests as winter season sports begin!

Fall Sports - #GoBeests!

Middle and Upper School fall athletic teams are up and (literally) running! Come cheer on our 'Beests at a soccer or volleyball match, or a cross-country meet!

'Beests Athletics Quick Facts

2 gymnasiums—including an Athletic Complex with a fitness center and 40-foot climbing wall—plus 3 athletic fields, and 6 miles of cross-country trails.

33 Interscholastic Sports Teams in the Middle and Upper School.

Inclusive, non-competitive options provided to our students.

Full-time Athletic Trainer

Our Middle School and Upper School student athletes compete in the Potomac Valley Athletic Conference (PVAC).

Recent team championships and banners (from 2022-2024) include:

Fall Teams

  • US Women’s Volleyball PVAC League Champions 
  • US Women's Cross-Country PVAC League Champions
  • US Men's Cross-Country PVAC League Champions
  • US Men's Cross-Country State Champions
  • US Women’s Soccer PVAC League Champions  
  • Goucher invitational Cross Country Champions
  • MS Boys Cross Country PVAC Champions 
  • MS Girls Cross Country PVAC Champions
  • MS Volleyball PVAC Champions 

Winter Teams

  • US JV Men’s Basketball PVAC Tournament and League Champions 
  • US Varsity Men’s Basketball PVAC League and Tournament Champions 
  • US Varsity Women's Basketball PVAC League and Tournament Champions
  • US Varsity Men’s Basketball Ben Uzzell Champions 
  • Varsity Women’s Covenant Life Invitational Champions
  • MS Girls Basketball PVAC Champions 
  • JV Men’s Basketball PVAC Champions 
  • Varsity Men’s Basketball PVAC Champions 
  • Women’s Swimming PVAC Champions 

Spring Teams

  • US Varsity Women’s Softball PVAC League Champions
  • US Varsity Men’s Baseball PVAC Champions 
  • Varsity Women’s Track & Field PVAC Champions 
  • Varsity Men’s Track & Field PVAC Champions 
  • MS Boys PVAC Track and Field Champions 
  • MS Girls PVAC Track and Field Champions
  • MS Baseball PVAC Champions

Calendar

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Sat/Sun
Monday, December 29
Tuesday, December 30
Wednesday, December 31
Thursday, January 1
Friday, January 2
Saturday, January 3
Sunday, January 4
Monday, January 5
Wednesday, January 7
Thursday, January 8
MS Boys' Gold Basketball vs McLean School
Yarnall 015 - Horning Gym
Friday, January 9
Coed Swimming Practice
UMD Eppley Recreation Center
Saturday, January 10
Sunday, January 11
Monday, January 12
Coed Swimming Practice
UMD Eppley Recreation Center
MS Girls' Basketball at Jewish Day School
Jewish Day School
Tuesday, January 13
MS Girls' Basketball at Edmund Burke School
Edmund Burke School
JV Men's Basketball at Model Secondary School for The Deaf
Model Secondary School for The Deaf
Varsity Women's Basketball at Model Secondary School for the Deaf
Model Secondary School for The Deaf
Varsity Men's Basketball at Model Secondary School for The Deaf
Model Secondary School for The Deaf
Wednesday, January 14
Thursday, January 15
Friday, January 16
Saturday, January 17
Sunday, January 18
Monday, January 19
Wednesday, January 21
Thursday, January 22
Varsity Women's Basketball at Washington International School
Washington International School
MS Girls' Basketball at Washington Waldorf School
Washington Waldorf School
Friday, January 23
Varsity Men's Basketball at St. Anselm's Abbey School
St. Anselm's Abbey School
Saturday, January 24
Sunday, January 25
Saturday, January 31
Sunday, February 1

Sal Benitez
Director of Athletics
Email

Elaine Lapato
Athletic Operations Coordinator
Email

Declan Burros

Declan Burros
PE Teacher & Coach
Email

Dan Conway

Dan Conway
PE Teacher & Coach
Email

Corey Lyman

Corey Lyman
PE Teacher & Coach
Email

Jeffrey Rohrman

Jeffrey Rohrman
PE Teacher & Coach
Email