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As the school year gets underway, the Nighthawks fall sports teams are preparing for another exciting season of competition. With a mix of experienced veterans, emerging talent, and high expectations across the board, the Nighthawks are looking to build on past success while chasing new accomplishments this fall.
Cross Country
The cross country team will be led by senior Max Sun, who has built a tremendous resume throughout his four years as a runner. During his sophomore and junior seasons, Sun was named to the MVC Second Team. In 2025, he was a standout runner at the Finneytown Spring Thaw Invitational as he won the 1600m (4:59:95) as well as the 3200m (11:38:10).
Many familiar faces will return to the team, while there will be several young runners looking to make their debuts. The Nighthawks look to get off to a fast start on August 29 at the CCD Invitational.
Football
The 2026 Nighthawk football team is looking to have another winning season. With at least nine wins in each of the past four seasons, the team will be led by first-year head coach Jim Collins. Collins brings immense collegiate-level coaching experience, including recent tenures at the University of Dayton and Wittenberg University. Collins’ goal is to lead the Nighthawks to their sixth consecutive Miami Valley Conference (MVC) Gray Division Championship.
“These guys care about the game and are excited to practice every day, so I’ve seen very little in terms of the difference in enthusiasm and dedication between the coaching players at the collegiate level versus high school,” Coach Collins said in an interview. “We’re going to develop everyone on this team into a leader, and it’s going to be fun because a team that cares about each other and plays for each other is a team that is going to be hard to beat.”
On the offensive side of the ball, the team will be facilitated by Levi Guttman `27, who had a breakout year last season. In 2025, Guttman totaled 35 touchdowns, complementing his 2,848 all-purpose yards. He threw just three interceptions while slinging 27 touchdowns. Guttman earned 2025 MVC Offensive Player of the Year and Cincinnati Enquirer Offensive Player of the Year. The Nighthawks’ high-powered offense will also be supported by Thomas Huckleby `28, a primary wide receiver target for Guttman. During the 2025 season, Huckleby recorded six games with at least 85 receiving yards, along with three games with over 145 receiving yards. Huckleby found the end zone 21 times throughout the season, earning himself MVC First Team honors. In 2026, the team seeks to improve upon last season’s average of 37.3 points per game.
The Nighthawks’ defense will be led by Leon Hall `27 and Thomas Huckleby `28, two prominent defensive backs in the MVC. In 2025, Hall and Huckleby both hauled in two interceptions, providing significant momentum for the team. Huckleby’s superb defense was showcased against Blanchester, where he tallied 21 tackles, while Hall recorded 17. Hall earned MVC First Team honors in 2025 and looks to do the same throughout this season.
The Nighthawks kick off their season with the annual Country Day Cup, where they travel to Summit Country Day on Friday, August 21 at 7:00 p.m.
Boys Golf
The boys golf team looks to make some noise this season after a competitive 2025 season. Led by head coach Greg Faulhaber, the team placed 4th at the 2025 OHSAA D3 Sectionals, qualifying for districts.
A new face has emerged in the Nighthawk golf program: Griffin Long `30. Long is a competitive golfer, having been named the 2024-2025 Golf Week Junior Tour Player of the Year. Long looks to lead the Nighthawks to the OHSAA tournament as he continues to make a name for himself in his first varsity season.
The team will also consist of Ray Chen `28, Harry Freeman `27, Jack Shafer `30, Justin Faulhaber `28, Sam Parnell-Kerr `28, and Ollie Oxley `30. The team teed off on August 3 at the Madeira Invitational, taking home 12th place and highlighted by a Runner-Up finish from Griffin Long in his varsity debut.
Girls Golf
The girls golf team is excited to welcome several new faces to the team after saying goodbye to a senior-heavy squad in 2025. Scarlett Highlands-Amster `27 will lead the team as the squad’s only senior. The Nighthawks, led by Jeanette Hecker, teed off at their first tournament of the year on August 4 at the CCDS Invitational.
Boys Soccer
Led by Coach Greg Hirschauer, the boys soccer team looks to improve upon last year’s 6-11-1 record. With just six upperclassmen, the program will welcome a young team and looks forward to building on experience throughout the year.
Returning seniors Luke Schnieber, Andrew McGivern, Matthew Wood, and Boden Guido will guide the young team through a challenging schedule. Schnieber, who is coming off an OHSAA State Championship-winning pole vaulting season, will have the opportunity to step up big for the Nighthawks' offense. He recorded 2 goals and 2 assists last season.
McGivern, Wood, and Guido will also be instrumental in setting the tone for the squad, bringing experience as the younger players settle into larger roles.
The team kicks off their season under the lights on Friday, August 14 at 7:00 PM as they host Winton Woods.
Girls Soccer
The 2026 girls soccer team is looking to improve on last season’s record of 9-9-3. The girls Nighthawk soccer team has a proven track record with five consecutive MVC championships from 2018-2022. The 2026 squad will look familiar, with the majority of the team returning for this season.
Audrey de Alarcon `27 looks to dominate the field again this season after averaging one goal per game, leading the team with 15 goals last season. Zoe Doerger `28, Nicole Hardesty `27, and Josie Hyden `27 also racked up double-digit goals. In 2025, Hyden and de Alarcon were both named to the MVC First Team, Hardesty earned MVC Second Team honors, and Doerger received Honorable Mention.
The Nighthawks’ defense looks to keep the net clear as several familiar faces return to the field. The defense will be led by Gabrielle Gonzalez `28, Roxy Vollmer `27, and Emily Mixson `27. Mixson seeks to replace Alyssa Easter’s `25 role as a goalkeeper. In 2025, Vollmer earned MVC Honorable Mention honors for her performance on defense. The team recorded six shutouts last year, tied for 4th in the MVC.
The girls soccer team debuts on August 19 against Conner, as kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
Girls Tennis
The reigning Miami Valley Conference Co-Champions intend to have another strong season on the courts. After sending 2025 seniors Caroline and Katherine Connelly to the OHSAA State Tournament, the team looks to repeat success.
The team will depend heavily on Gertrude Lazarus `27, Reema Arebi `27, Andrea Sgro Plaut `27, and Elena Gregorsok `28. Lazarus and Sgro Plaut look to improve in 2026 after a solid 4-2 record in second doubles. Arebi, who plays first singles, compiled a record of 8-5 (.615) in 2025, proving to be a key piece of the team.
The 2026 team begins their season on August 13 against Wyoming.
Volleyball
The girls volleyball team looks to light a spark on the courts this season after concluding the 2025 season as District Runners-Up, where they finished 5-15.
The team will be led by Ellie Albers `27, a prominent middle blocker in the league. Last season, Albers racked up 236 kills, the third most in the league and a school record. Albers led the team in aces with 76 and blocks with 21.
Jordyn Brown `28 is seeking another superb season as she enters her junior year. She led the team in assists with 364, the sixth most in the league, and digs with 209.
Samirah Barber ’29, Camila Garcia-Altuve `29, and Ece Karakus `29 look to step up this year after an impressive freshman season. The three combined for 275 digs and 130 kills.
The Nighthawks start their season on August 22 at Indian Hill as they seek to have a winning season.
Article written by Henry Freeman `27.