Winter 2026 Highlights:
- 12 Senior Athletes
- 63 total athletes across four Shark teams (basketball, bowling, cheer, ice hockey)
- 22 club athletes participating in rowing through West Side Rowing Club
- Six Top Ten Seniors in athletics
- One Monsignor Martin title in bowling
- Three qualifiers for New York State competitions in bowling
- One Top Five NYS finalist in bowling
- Division A Rep Champion for Basketball (first appearance since 2022)
- Five All-Catholic recipients in basketball and bowling
- Two WNY Scholar Athletes and Five honorable mentions
Sports Breakdown 2025 - 2026
Basketball
This year, the Sharks were determined to make it to the New York State tournament for the first appearance since 2022. SHA was successful at defeating Cardinal O'Hara in the Division A relegation game. This qualified SHA for the Division A Champion and representative for States. The Sharks made it to the semi-final round at Staten Island College before being eliminated.
Makenna Chamberlain '26 was named to the Division A All Catholic First Team and the All WNY Third Team. Julia Zielinski '26 was named to the Division A All Catholic Second Team.
Bowling
For the fifth year in a row, the Sharks were the Monsignor Martin League Champions! The Sharks finished second at the All Catholic match by only four pins. It was a close match, but with a young Shark team, we are hopeful for a win next year.
Addy Bren '28, Olivia Falvo '28 and Evie White '28 finished the season with top eight averages in the Monsignor Martin league, which qualified them for the New York State tournament in Babylon, NY. Addy Bren finished in fifth place at States and also swept the league awards for high average (160), high series (608), and high game (245) for the regular season.
Cheer
The Sharks put together a solid routine that consistently finished in second place this season! Notable performances include the Raider Rally Competition at Eden High School and the Crystal Crown Championship at Lancaster High School.
SHA honors three senior members of the cheer team for their contributions this year. Thanks to Amelia Anspach, Nina Gnozzo, and Katie Firkins for their hard work and dedication to mentoring their younger teammates!
Ice Hockey
Monsignor Martin combines schools to create an ice hockey team that competes with the Section Six schools. Six SHA athletes were on the team: Grace Elliott '29, Lena Hurley '27, Claire Kloetzer '28, Lily Sampson '29, Rosanna ModiaAmore '28, and Kate Kelley '26.
Kate Kelley was named to the All-Federation Second Team. She was also awarded the Monsignor Martin Top Goalie Award from WNY Athletics. Lily Sampson was selected as the Monsignor Martin Top Forward from WNY Athletics.
Rowing (club participation)
For the winter season, 22 SHA athletes participated at West Side Rowing Club. The winter season is a time to focus on technique and conditioning in preparation for the spring season.
In January, West Side welcomed Emily Regan and Dave Burke to spend time with the athletes and parents. They shared their insight into the general collegiate recruiting process, having a competitive mindset, and some general tips for success.
Emily Regan is an Olympic rowing athlete and Buffalo native. She started rowing at Michigan State University, continued on the US National Team, and represented the US at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where her eight-athlete boat won gold. Dave Burke is the associate head coach for the men's team at Princeton University.
Ice Skating (individual participation)
Olivia Hobika '29 participated in the 2026 Empire State Winter Games in Lake Placid on February 7. She represented the Amherst Skating Club and won a gold medal in the Aspire 4 program.
Alumnae Coaching Highlights
SHA welcomes back our alumnae with open arms to help coach the next generations of SHA athletes. Thanks to the following women who help to share SHA's values with our student athletes:
Josh-Lynne Jenifer '19 - JV Basketball
Kennedy Crumish '16 - Cheer
Alecs Gilbert '24 - Cheer
Amelia Gajewski Martin '15 - JV Lacrosse
Mary Kathleen Christ '24 - JV Lacrosse
Morgan Giancaterino '22 - Track
Senior Athletes with Top Ten Averages
#1 Ella Yusick - Tennis
Ella is a four-year member of the tennis team and a captain during the 2025 fall season. She has worked through the High Five Organization to introduce disabled athletes to tennis. In the fall, Ella brought SHA to the worldwide stage by organizing and producing SHA's first TEDx. Through Roswell and Hauptman-Woodward, she has done independent scientific research. In addition, Ella serves on Student Council, is a peer mentor for Sources of Strength, is a state officer for HOSA, and competes in robotics. As a member of SHA's Music Council, she has brought Girl Power Fridays to our weekly routine. Ella is also a National Merit Commended Scholar.
#4 Lauren Hart - Rowing
Lauren is a three-year member of the SHA swim team, but focused exclusively on rowing for her senior year. She committed to rowing Division 1 at teh University of Delaware. Through local college programs, she has been able to explore careers in accounting, engineering, and medicine. She is a member of HOSA and DECA, and a peer mentor in SHA's Sources of Strength program.
#7 Henrietta Hilmey - Volleyball & Lacrosse
Henny is a three-year varsity lacrosse player and a four-year volleyball player. She was named captain to both the varsity volleyball and varsity lacrosse teams, as well as being named to the All Catholic second team in 2025. In addition, she has been a class officer for all four years. She is a member of the mock trial team and supports SHA events as part of the stage crew.
#8 Ella Kutis - Soccer
Ella Kutis is a four-year varsity soccer defender. She is a Sources of Strength peer mentor and a gifted dancer outside of SHA. Ela also volunteers for the Porter Cup Golf tournament. In her early years at SHA, she attended Leadership Camp over the summer and has been a camp counselor for the past four years, helping to mentor future SHA leaders.
#8 Julia Zielinski - Basketball
Julia is a three-year player in the basketball program. In making her return to the varsity stage this year, Julia was named to the All Catholic second team and helped the team make it to states as the Division A representative. She is also a member of the SHA Service Club, helping over the summer with service camp for current students.
#10 Maeve Dailey - Soccer & Basketball
Maeve Dailey is a four-year varsity soccer player and a three-year player in the basketball program. She was named captain of the soccer team for the past two years and was named to the All-Catholic first team in 2024 and 2025. Maeve is also a senior class officer and helped organize the Care for Clare event to honor and support Mrs. Clare as she began cancer treatments.