Following the Covid-regulated 2020 sports season, the pent-up longing of loyal fans burst forth on a spirited 135th PC/GA Day.
Fans from both schools packed the bleachers and sidelines and filled our corner of East Falls with cheering, chants and cowbells ringing. At the center of it all was the fabulous new Graham Athletics & Wellness Center, open for tours and eliciting oohs and ahhs.
Penn Charter’s energized athletes seized the spotlight and the day, winning six contests to GA's three and capturing the coveted Competition Cup.
A highlight of any PC/GA Day is the football game, the oldest continuous high school football rivalry in the United States. PC won the 135th contest in a back-and-forth struggle that ended in the final seconds of the game when PC recovered GA’s on-side kick. The two PC players who produced much of PC’s offense in the 35-32 win — quarterback Seamus McCain and running back Ohifame Ijeboi, both juniors — shared the MVP Geis Trophy.
Boys and girls cross country started off the morning in victorious style. Boys beat GA 19-39 and PC junior Wes Trautwein was named MVP. The girls raced to a 18-49 win and ninth grader Alli DeLisi was MVP.
Girls water polo, just off capturing the Easterns championship, dominated in their match against the Patriots, winning 17-4. Senior Ruby Singer won the MVP. Boys water polo took an early lead and held it in a tight fourth quarter, winning 14-13. Senior Aidan Mehta won the MVP.
PC picked up another MVP trophy in girls soccer, where senior Kayla Bradby was recognized for her contribution to a 3-1 win over GA. In boys soccer, senior Jason Stearn won Penn Charter’s Rumpp Memorial Soccer Award and took home the trophy. GA captured the win 3-0.
Girls field hockey appeared to have tied the game 1-1 with less than a minute to play, but an official ruled that the ball had hit a player’s foot before crossing the goal, and the girls lost an exciting game 1-0.
Weather prevented girls tennis from completing the match, which was at first delayed because of a rainstorm and eventually postponed to Monday. Play resumed on the three matches remaining, all of which were in third-set tiebreak, and GA earned a point with a 4-3 win over PC. Earlier in the month, golf fell to GA 7-1.
See photos of the day on Flickr.