Exactly one week ago, the 139th annual PC/GA Day, back on Penn Charter’s campus for the first time since 2023, came and went on Nov. 8 with just about the best possible outcome: victories for the Quakers in seven of the 10 athletic events. Not only did the Competition Cup remain with Penn Charter for yet another calendar year, but the day culminated with an exciting victory on the football field in first-year head coach CJ Yespelkis’ inaugural season at the helm of the program. In addition to the football triumph, the Quakers were victorious in girls & boys water polo, girls & boys cross country, boys soccer and girls tennis. Germantown Academy secured tight wins in girls soccer and field hockey, while the golf match held earlier in the week ended in a draw. All told, it was another fulfilling day celebrating the oldest continuous high school rivalry in the United States, and PC’s victory in the football game improved the Quakers’ all-time record to 90 wins, 38 losses and 11 ties. All told, it was an exciting day of Quaker pride and school spirit for the entire Penn Charter community.
FOOTBALL
Entering the contest on a three-game losing streak did little to diminish Penn Charter’s desire to end Coach Yespelkis’ debut PC/GA Day with a victory. With the Quakers trailing 10-7 in the fourth quarter, senior quarterback Tom McGlinchey scored a go-ahead rushing touchdown to put the PC in front for good en route to an exhilarating 14-10 victory. Wide senior receiver/cornerback Matt Furda hauled in five passes for 102 yards, including a 35-yard reception down inside the 10-yard line that set up McGlinchey’s winning touchdown. Furda was the recipient of the Geis Trophy, awarded annually to the football game’s Most Valuable Player. Senior Michael Banks also got into the end zone for the Quakers, and sophomore kicker Cecilia Albeck converted both of her extra points in the win. The result marked Penn Charter’s third consecutive football win on PC/GA Day. The Quakers finished the 2025 season with a record of four wins and six losses.
BOYS SOCCER
An intense, back-and-forth game ultimately yielded a 2-1 Penn Charter victory, with senior Willem van Beelen securing the James Rumpp OPC ’55 Trophy as the game’s Most Valuable Player. By virtue of defeating GA on PC/GA Day, the Quakers clinched their first Inter-Ac Championship in nearly a decade, finishing the season with an overall record of 15-5-2 overall and 8-1-1 against league opponents, concluding an impressive career for the 14 graduating seniors.
GIRLS SOCCER
The game was scoreless for the first 70 minutes of action until the Patriots were able to bury the only goal in an eventual 1-0 victory. Despite numerous season-ending injuries, the Quakers fought valiantly before coming up just short. PC finished its solid season with an overall record of 14-6-2 and 7-4-1 against Inter-Ac foes.
FIELD HOCKEY
Penn Charter’s 12-member senior class competed valiantly in their final high school field hockey contest, though it was Germantown Academy that came away with a 3-2 victory. The Quakers finished their season with five wins.
GIRLS TENNIS
Friday night’s rain soaked the Penn Charter tennis courts, leading to a delayed start on Saturday morning due to slick surfaces. The pushed back time did little to deter the Quakers’ resolve, as the team produced a dominant 5-2 win over the Patriots. Penn Charter’s number two singles player Payton Small was named the match’s most valuable player, further contributing to a strong finish to the team’s season. PC also advanced all the way to the PAISAA Tournament championship in 2025, finishing in second place as the team completed its season with an overall record of 11-6.
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
In a truly competitive race, Penn Charter was able to edge the Patriots by a final score of 26-29 for a true team win to start the day’s festivities.
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
The Quakers secured a dominant 15-48 win over GA, with two-time Inter-Ac League Most Valuable Player freshman Mackenzie Skelly also securing the MVP of the PC/GA Day race.
GIRLS WATER POLO
The Quakers put the finishing touches on another truly special season by knocking off GA, 13-4, in a commanding performance. Sophomore Eila Spaman scored a game-high five goals to lead PC, while senior Caroline Sumner earned the game’s most valuable player honor with a superb all-around performance of four goals, three assists and seven kick-outs drawn. Junior goalie Chelsea Gadsden posted 25 saves in the win. The Quakers finished the season on a four-game winning streak, with the final two victories coming against GA one week apart. Penn Charter finished the 2025 season with an overall record of 19-2.
BOYS WATER POLO
This battle was so tightly-contested that the teams needed three overtime periods to decide the ultimate winner — PC 11, GA 10. Senior Lev Puma secured the game’s most valuable player award in his team’s ninth overall win of the season.
GOLF
The Quakers and Patriots kicked off the PC/GA Day festivities on Wednesday at Huntingdon Valley Country Club, with the two rivals playing to a 4-4 tie.
– Ed Morrone OPC ’04