2026 Mustangs Golf Preview: Mustangs Set Sights on CHL Championship
The Mustangs enter the 2026 fall golf season with clear goals and high expectations: compete for a CHL championship and earn another opportunity to represent the team at the District Tournament.
A strong group of returning players will help lead the way, including senior Nate Hyland, who earned First Team All-CHL honors and an Honorable Mention All-District selection last season. Sophomore Ezra Butler also returns after being named Second Team All-CHL as a freshman.
The Mustangs will remain in the same division this season and feature a senior class of seven players. Three seniors are returning varsity contributors and will look to build on their experience while taking on even larger roles in 2026.
The season features several marquee events, beginning with the CHL Preview Tournament on August 10 at the Mill Course. The Mustangs will then face Indian Hill and Mariemont in a tri-match on August 17 at Camargo Club, providing an early opportunity to test themselves against strong competition.
As the season progresses, the team will celebrate Senior Day on September 10 against Summit at the Mill Course before turning its attention to postseason competition. The CHL Championship is set for September 14 at the Mill Course, followed by the Sectional Tournament on September 21, also at the Mill Course.
The program will also welcome back a familiar face this fall. Brandon Conner returns to the Mustang golf family as the Middle School coach. Conner brings an impressive playing background to the position, including a four-year college golf career following an All-State high school career as a Mustang.
With proven talent returning, a deep senior class and championship aspirations, the Mustangs are poised for an exciting 2026 fall season.
2026 Amazons Golf Preview: Amazons Set Sights on Another State Run
The Madeira Amazons enter the 2026 fall golf season with high expectations and a familiar goal: make another deep run in the State Tournament.
Leading the way is junior Ellie Hartung, who returns after finishing as the 2025 State Runner-Up. Hartung is a two-time All-State and All-District selection, a two-time CHL First Team honoree and was named CHL Athlete of the Year in both 2024 and 2025. She was also recognized as the Southwest District Player of the Year last season.
Senior Maggie Meyer also returns with an impressive résumé, having earned CHL and Southwest District Honorable Mention honors. Meyer will be joined by seniors Lucy Dixon and Megan Schwallie, giving the Amazons a veteran group with a combined eight varsity letters.
The Amazons will need to replace two key contributors from their last two State Tournament runs, but the program enters the season with plenty of postseason experience. The team’s projected top six features two seniors and four juniors, all of whom have significant experience competing in deep tournament runs.
That experience was on full display immediately. The Amazons opened the season with a dominant 23-stroke victory at the CHL Preview, led by Hartung’s 68, which earned her Medalist honors. Meyer also turned in a strong performance, finishing third individually.
Championship-Caliber Leadership
The Amazons continue to be led by Head Coach Catie Kauffman, who has established herself as one of the area’s top coaches. Kauffman has been named CHL Coach of the Year three consecutive seasons and is a back-to-back Southwest District Coach of the Year.
With an elite returning junior, experienced seniors, a deep group of tournament-tested players and championship-level coaching, the Amazons are poised for another exciting season as they pursue another deep run on the state stage.
2026 Amazons Tennis Preview: Amazons Bring Experience and Depth
There’s plenty of excitement surrounding the MHS women’s tennis program as the Amazons enter the 2026 season looking to build on last year’s success.
With seven seniors returning and 17 players across the varsity and JV rosters, the Amazons will have a strong combination of leadership, experience and depth. The team enters the season with high expectations and will look to make a strong run in the CHL while sending more players to join Carolina Soto in District competition.
The program will also welcome new leadership this season, as Nick Tinsler takes over as head coach and Cara Kuester joins the program as the new JV coach. Both coaches bring new energy to a program poised to continue its growth and success.
With a veteran senior class, a deep roster and new leadership, the Amazons are ready to make their mark on the 2026 fall tennis season.
2026 Mustangs Soccer Preview: Mustangs Ready to Compete Together
The Mustangs enter the 2026 fall season with a clear team-first mindset: show up every day to compete, control the things we can control, and never stop fighting for one another. Challenges are inevitable over the course of a season, but the Mustangs believe how they respond to those challenges will define them.
The team returns several players with proven CHL experience, including Marty Cowden, who earned Second Team All-CHL honors last season. Andrew Cornejo also returns after finishing second in the CHL in assists a year ago and will be one of the players to watch as the Mustangs look to build on last season’s success.
The Mustangs will remain in Division 4 this fall and enter the season with an impressive group of 13 seniors. After graduating 11 seniors last year, the program is excited about the leadership and experience this year’s senior class brings. A strong group of returning players will provide valuable knowledge and leadership, while several new additions will have opportunities to contribute throughout the season.
One position to watch will be in goal, where senior Michael O’Cull will take on an important role for the Mustangs.
The season opens with a special Home Opener with Girls Soccer on August 14 at 5 p.m., giving the community an early opportunity to come out and support both programs.
The Mustangs will celebrate Senior Night on October 13 against Taylor, with the JV match at 5 p.m. and varsity at 7 p.m.
New Coaching Staff Roles
The Mustangs will also have several new coaching roles in 2026. Amy Dyer enters her second season as Varsity Head Coach and will be joined by Francisco Caceres as Varsity Assistant Coach. Daniel Kuntz will serve as the program’s Goalie Coach, while Ben Miller takes over as JV Coach. Jon Unger rounds out the staff as an Assistant Coach.
With experienced returning players, a deep senior class, new additions ready to contribute and a coaching staff bringing fresh energy to the program, the Mustangs are ready to embrace the challenges of the 2026 season—and face them together.
2026 Amazons Soccer Preview: Ready for the Next Challenge
The Madeira Amazons enter the 2026 season with high expectations, returning eight starters from their back-to-back State Championship teams and bringing a wealth of championship experience into a new challenge: competing in a higher and more talented Division IV.
At the heart of the Amazons’ lineup is a defensive unit built on experience and leadership. Senior captains Lilah Beers and Macy Mueller, both All-Southwest Ohio selections, return to anchor the center of the defense. The two standout defenders will become four-year starters this season, providing the Amazons with tremendous leadership, composure, and championship experience. Senior captain Lily Lex also returns as a starting defender from last year’s State Championship team, giving Madeira one of the most experienced defensive groups in the area.
The Amazons return their entire starting midfield from last season, giving the team continuity in the middle of the field. Seniors Maya Parker and captain Emily Dunn, along with junior Tessa Combs, all return as All-CHL performers. Their ability to control possession, dictate the pace of play, and create opportunities will be critical as Madeira takes on a demanding 2026 schedule.
The attack will be led by Second Team All-CHL junior Olivia Naegeli and senior Karielys Vasquez Martinez. Both forwards have two years of varsity experience and will look to provide the scoring punch necessary to keep the Amazons competing at the highest level.
While the Amazons return an impressive amount of experience, several young players will be counted on to make an immediate impact. Sophomore Olivia Ellerbrock steps into the goalkeeper position, while sophomore Hanley Slaton will contribute as both a defender and midfielder. Two talented freshmen, Reese Guerre and Hadley Pelfrey, are also expected to play significant roles on the defensive side of the field.
Madeira will also look to two juniors who have already experienced the pressure of championship soccer. Caitlin Creedon, a forward, and Lillie Blackwelder, a midfielder, were members of the Amazons’ previous two State Championship teams and will be looking to take on expanded roles in 2026.
The road back to Columbus will not be easy.
The Amazons will compete in a loaded Cincinnati Hills League, with early-season showdowns against Mariemont and Wyoming followed by highly anticipated matchups with Indian Hill and Taylor later in the season. The non-conference schedule will be equally demanding, featuring some of the best programs in Southwest Ohio, including Division I St. Ursula Academy; Division II Turpin and Harrison; Division III Batavia and Roger Bacon; Division IV Cincinnati Country Day; and Division V Regional Finalist Legacy Christian.
After winning back-to-back State Championships, the Amazons know they will have a target on their backs every time they step on the field. The move to Division IV only raises the level of competition.
But this is a team that embraces challenges.
With eight returning starters, a senior class filled with championship experience, All-CHL and All-Southwest Ohio talent, and a talented group of young players ready to make their mark, the 2026 Amazons will look to prove that the Madeira tradition of excellence is about more than what happened in the past.
The championships are behind them. The challenge is ahead. And the Amazons are ready.
2026 Cross Country Preview: Mustangs and Amazons Set Sights on Championship Season
The 2026 cross country season brings high expectations for both the ‘Stangs and ‘Zons, with each program entering the fall determined to compete at the highest level and make a strong postseason push.
‘Stangs Looking to Reclaim the CHL Title
The ‘Stangs enter the season looking to rebuild following the graduation of several outstanding seniors. A new group of younger athletes will be counted on to step into important roles as the team works to develop throughout the season and compete as a cohesive unit.
The goal is clear: take back the CHL title and make an impact in the postseason. The ‘Stangs hope to build momentum through the season and compete strongly at the District and Regional levels with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the State Meet.
Returning CHL, District and State-level competitors include Blaine Causey, Patrick Larson, Ryder Hilgeman, Troy Harding and Cooper Causey. Causey and Harding will provide senior leadership as the team looks to navigate the challenges of replacing last year’s graduating class.
‘Zons Chase Six Straight CHL Championships
The ‘Zons enter the fall looking to continue one of the most successful stretches in program history. The team is pursuing its sixth consecutive CHL championship while setting its sights on strong performances at the District, Regional and State levels.
The ‘Zons return an impressive group of experienced runners, including Lucy Folger, Hannah Gemmel, Olivia Naegeli, Paige World, Katherine Smith, Norah Kellet and Olivia Grisak.
Seniors Hannah Gemmel and Paige World will provide leadership for a team that is shaping up to be one of the strongest in school history. With the competition for the ‘Zons’ top seven expected to be fierce, every runner will have an opportunity to play an important role as the season progresses.
One school record could also fall this season. Amanda Blackwelder’s 1996 State Meet performance of 18:38, which placed her third at the state meet, is within reach. The mark could be surpassed by either Lucy Folger or Hannah Gemmel, adding another exciting storyline to an already highly anticipated season.
Looking Ahead
One of the season’s highlights will come in September when both the ‘Stangs and ‘Zons travel to Alabama for the ON Twilight Meet. While the postseason remains a long way off, the experience will provide valuable competition and an opportunity for both teams to test themselves against strong fields.
Coaching Staff Updates
The program welcomes two new coaches this season after the departure of three members of last year’s staff. Alex Dawson moves up from the middle school program, while Amy Prugh joins the Madeira program for the first time.
Both coaches bring different skill sets and perspectives that will add to the program as the ‘Stangs and ‘Zons continue preparing for the challenges ahead.
With championship goals, experienced returners and talented young runners ready to step into bigger roles, the 2026 cross country season promises to be an exciting one. The ‘Stangs will look to reclaim their place at the top of the CHL, while the ‘Zons pursue another championship and a potential record-setting run through the postseason.
2026 Football Preview: Mustangs Ready to Get Back on Track
The Mustangs football team is excited to take the field for the 2026 season with a clear goal: get back on track and return to the playoffs. After missing the postseason for the first time in seven years, the Mustangs are motivated to bounce back and build a successful campaign.
Offense
The Mustangs return plenty of experience up front, with four of five starting offensive linemen back from last season. Sam Redlinger is the lone returning starter among the skill-position players, but a number of newcomers and returning contributors will look to make an immediate impact.
Junior Dom Schueler, sophomore Jameson Fendley, and returning players Eli Beck, Henry Busken and Luke Kuester will be key additions as the Mustangs support starting quarterback Cooper Blackburn.
Defense
Experience also returns on the defensive side of the ball, with seven players who saw action during the 2025 season coming back to lead the unit.
Team captains and linebackers Cooper Blackburn and Simon Peters will anchor the defense and provide leadership throughout the season. Along the defensive line, Ayden Fields, Rex Koch, Dom Beinke, Noah Jones and Vaughn Leborgne are expected to see significant action.
In the secondary, Logan Helmick, Sam Redlinger, Eli Beck, Asaiah Jefferson and Dom Schueler will all contribute as the Mustangs look to build a strong defensive unit.
Special Teams
Senior Adam Horak will play an important role on special teams, handling PATs and field goals. The Mustangs will look to his experience and consistency to provide valuable points throughout the season.
Mark Your Calendar
Two of the biggest dates on the 2026 schedule will be Homecoming on Friday, September 18, and Senior Night on Friday, October 16. Both nights will provide great opportunities for the Mustang community to come together and support the team.
After a season away from the playoffs, the Mustangs are ready for a fresh start. With experience returning on both sides of the ball, emerging young talent and strong leadership, the team is prepared to compete every Friday night and work its way back into postseason contention.
We look forward to seeing you there on Friday nights!
2026 Amazons Volleyball Preview: Amazons Set Sights on CHL Championship
The Madeira Amazons enter the 2026 volleyball season with high expectations after a successful 2025 campaign that saw the team finish 17-8, place third in the CHL and advance to the District Championship match.
A strong group of returning players will lead the way for the Amazons. Senior Evie Schiller returns after leading Madeira with 252 kills and 73 aces last season. Senior Maddie Hambidge also returns following a standout year in which she recorded 160 kills and 196 digs.
Junior setter Dee Dee O’Malley will once again help direct the Madeira offense after collecting 660 assists and 49 aces in 2025. Her experience and playmaking ability will be an important part of the Amazons’ attack this fall.
Madeira will also look to several younger players to take the next step. Among them is Karina Vazquez-Martinez, who emerged in an important role late last season and helped spark the Amazons during their postseason run.
With experienced seniors, a talented junior class and emerging young players ready to contribute, the Amazons have the pieces to build on last year’s success. The goal for 2026 is clear: compete for a CHL championship and make another deep postseason run.