Athletics News

Senior Athlete Spotlight: Augustine Schuitemaker-March

4/19/2024

For as long as Augustine Schuitemaker-March can remember, she has loved the game of baseball. With two brothers playing baseball and a family who loved attending Major League Baseball games whenever the opportunity arose, it was natural for Schuitemaker-March to transition into the game of softball. Schuitemaker-March began playing in 6^th grade while still living in New York, playing there through her freshman year of high school before making the move down to Miami and joining Palmer Trinity’s Varsity Softball team as a sophomore in 2022.

Schuitemaker-March calls her experience on the team “amazing”, noting how close the team is. “It feels more like a family than just a school team,” says Schuitemaker-March. “Our team is filled with younger players who continue to get better each year and encourage each other. I am very excited to see the team continue to improve and work together each season.” Schuitemaker-March is also quick to point out the impact that Varsity Head Coach Jen Cerda has had on the team. Schuitemaker-March believes that Coach Cerda’s understanding and care allows the team to both play to the best of its ability and have fun while doing so. She also believes Coach Cerda is a terrific leader who has not only improved the team significantly on field, but has helped them grow off of it as well.

Something that makes the Varsity Softball team unique is that it is a team mixed with both Middle School and Upper School student-athletes, including two sixth graders. While this dynamic could result in a separation amongst the team, Schuitemaker-March loves the opportunity to be a role model to the next generation of Falcons. Through words of wisdom and encouragement, Schuitemaker-March wants to inspire the younger players to be confident and resilient. “I tell them that mistakes are okay and unavoidable, so all we can do is work on our challenges and try to do better next time.” In fact, if you ask Schuitemaker-March her favorite memory of being on the team, it was when the team did Bigs & Littles where each younger student-athlete was showered with posters and gifts from an upperclassmen buddy who then became a mentor. Coach Cerda also sees the leadership that Schuitemaker-March brings to the team. “She is source of energy and intensity and keeps the team motivated, even after a tough inning or game,” Cerda speaks of Schuitemaker-March.

Off the field, Schuitemaker-March is an active participant in The Symphonettes, an all-girls community service initiative dedicated to benefitting youth performing arts in Miami. She also tutors Ukranian students to expand their English fluency. In her down time, Schuitemaker-March enjoys spending time with family and friends. One of her favorite activities is going swimming in the ocean with her dogs.

Schuitemaker-March, whose favorite food is sushi, favorite movie is Mamma Mia!, and favorite artists are Morgan Wallen and Zach Bryan, is excited to attend Tulane University in fall where she plans to double major in Philosophy and Neuroscience.

Be sure to come out and support Augustine and the rest of the Varsity Softball team in their road up to the District Tournament, beginning the week of April 29^th.

Go Falcons!

Senior Athlete Spotlight: Jake Pearcy

4/5/2024

Beyond all Jake Pearcy has accomplished as a four-year letterman on the Varsity Football and Baseball teams, Pearcy has found a passion in coaching younger student-athletes in our local communities. Over the past few years, Pearcy has served as a swimming instructor. In doing so, Pearcy became a role model to many of these children, teaching them the importance of self-esteem, building their confidence, and having fun. Pearcy also volunteers at the Miracle League where he hosts baseball games for children with mental and physical disabilities. Pearcy believes he has learned a lot through these experiences, and in turn, they have inspired him.

Starting at Palmer Trinity, Pearcy was nervous to join two varsity teams during his first year on campus as a freshman. However, as he gained friends, he became known as a hard-worker who was always striving to get better. His leadership prowess grew quickly, believing that the best leaders are ones who lead by example both on and off the field. “That is the type of leader I strive to be, while also motivating younger players to find their drive to be better than they were yesterday,” Pearcy reflects. It is clear that his experiences coaching local youth has positively impacted his ability to lead a Varsity Baseball team filled with underclassmen.

Pearcy started playing baseball at only five years old when his father introduced him to the game and he quickly fell in love with it. As a senior, Pearcy has seen the baseball program grow quickly under the guidance of Varsity Head Coach Howard Cuervo. Pearcy believes that the new staff has had a profound effect on the team in terms of both skill development and confidence. Most importantly, it is their dedication to the program and its players that has Pearcy excited. Varsity Baseball Assistant Coach Kris Cartelle believes that Pearcy has been instrumental to the team’s success. “When he’s on the mound, our team is confident that we have a great chance to win,” Cartelle speaks of Pearcy, “his work ethic and preparation are second to none.”

Looking back at his time as a Falcon, the 2022 Varsity Football Regional Quarterfinal win over Archbishop Carroll is a memory that stands out. “This game was one of the most competitive sporting events I’ve played in and to finally beat a team that had beat us multiple times over the past year felt very special,” Pearcy remembers. His favorite food is spaghetti and meatballs, favorite movies are The Dark Knight and Prisoners, and favorite musicians are Kanye West and Frank Ocean, he loves to play other sports such as basketball or tennis for fun and hang out with his four dogs in his free time. In the fall, Pearcy is excited to study business at Indiana University.

Be sure to come out and support Jake and the rest of the Varsity Baseball team as they continue their hot start to the season. Senior Day will be held on April 22^nd.

Go Falcons!

Senior Athlete Spotlight: Valentina Fonteles Camps

3/21/2024

Despite signing up for Girls Lacrosse every year, Valentina Fonteles Camps did not actually join the team until her junior year. “I always imagined myself sitting alone on a team while all the girls who had dedicated their lives to the sport interacted,” Fonteles Camps describes of why she never followed through after signing up. As a junior, Fonteles Camps ultimately decided to not let a fear of rejection or failure stop her from trying something new. Throughout the entire fall and winter, you would find her out on the fields training to ensure she would be ready. “I trained and practiced whenever I could and taught myself the game so when the time came, I would be as ready as I could ever be,” Fonteles Camps reflects.

It turns out, Fonteles was right to face her fears because she realized how wrong she was in being fearful of being outcasted. “Everyone welcomed me with open arms and took me under their wings.” In addition, Fonteles Camps thrived as an upperclassman on a team filled with not only many underclassmen, but middle schoolers as well. In Fonteles Camps, they saw someone that they trusted and looked up to. Whether it be giving advice, a hug, or a ride, Fonteles Camps has become a big sister to the majority of the young team and is happy to help them in any way, whether it be school, athletics, or life, thus earning her the nickname Mama Camps. “This is my favorite subject to talk about because all my girls are my little sisters,” Fonteles Camps says excitedly, “I love them and I care for them with all my heart!” Varsity Head Coach Jose Herrera believes that her dedication to the game and the team, as well as her natural ability as a mentor, makes her an invaluable asset. Herrera describes her as someone who “embodies the true spirit of leadership, seamlessly blending her defensive prowess on the field with a nurturing presence that guides and inspires her teammates.”

Lacrosse is just one of the many extracurricular activities that Fonteles Camps is a part of. She is extremely talented within the orchestra program, is a certified GenCLEO chapter speaker who travels to many local schools to educate younger students on climate change, and participates in beach cleanups around Miami. When she is not busy with extracurriculars, you will often find her working out at Soul Cycle.

Fonteles Camps’s favorite food is peanut butter toast, favorite movie is Kingsman, and lists her favorite bands and artists as Harry Styles, Blink-182, and Wallows. She is excited to attend TCU in the fall with a major in interior design and architectural lighting design with a minor in fine arts.

Be sure to come out and support Valentina and the rest of the Varsity Girls Lacrosse team in the lead up to the District Tournament! The senior class will be celebrated on April 4^th for Senior Day.

Go Falcons!

Senior Athlete Spotlight: Melina Ruiz

3/8/2024

Melina Ruiz sees the huge impact that tennis has had on her life. Contrary to most sports, tennis does not allow on-court coaching, forcing Ruiz to lean on her years of training and guide herself to the best of her ability. In turn, Ruiz believes that she developed many characteristics such as independence, problem solving, and determination from a very young age that has set her up for success.

Ruiz’s mom first placed her in the sport at the age of four after watching her best friend play. Along with tennis, Ruiz competed in gymnastics and dance until the age of seven when she had to choose one to stick with. Ruiz chose tennis and never looked back. That decision shaped the remainder of Ruiz’s childhood and even educational experience. Something many students may not know is that Ruiz does not attend Palmer Trinity full time. She enrolls in three classes in person and completes the remaining ones online. This allows her to complete a full day of training. On Monday-Saturday, an average day of training for Ruiz entails a two-hour practice in the morning, gym training afterwards, and two-three hours in the evening back on the court, on top of her schooling. Weekend tournaments consist of three-six matches and her national schedule has brought her to compete all over the country.

Her vast experience has led her to thrive as a captain on the Varsity Tennis team. She loves competing individually, but to constantly support those around her. “As the captain, I have learned to reassure the players that all that matters is that they go out on the court and give their very best, no matter the outcome,” Ruiz describes. Varsity Head Coach Kevin Chow believes that everything Ruiz does is to the best of her ability, referring to her as a “team player who goes above and beyond what is needed of her.” In return, Ruiz always feels that her teammates are there for her no matter what. Ruiz notes that her favorite memory as a Falcon was playing in the District Finals as a sophomore with her full team and large crowd watching, fueling her to compete at her very best.

Off the court, Ruiz loves to spend time by the ocean. With a full schedule of tennis, Ruiz does not always have much time to relax, but feels fully at peace out on the beach. She is very active in Palmer Trinity’s community through community service, attending the Visions Trip to the Dominican Republic, serving as Co-President of Fueling Futures which helps underprivileged students at Miami-Dade College ensure they have food and groceries to live, and is an ambassador and active member of Miami Learning Experience and Fight Like a Kid.

Ruiz, whose favorite food is pasta, favorite artist is Morgan Wallen and once broke her knee in middle school from growing too fast, is excited to study biology on a pre-med track in college while hopefully continuing to play her favorite sport. She is currently considering the University of Florida, Clemson, College of Charleston, SMU, and University of Tennessee.

Be sure to come out and support Melina and the rest of the Varsity Tennis team as they continue a great start to the season. Senior Day will be held on April 3^rd.

Go Falcons!

Gold Standard Breakfast February 2024

2/13/2024

Varsity Girls Basketball Wins District Title

2/13/2024

Congratulations to the Varsity Girls Basketball team on capturing their fourth District Championship over the past five seasons with a 51-46 win over Somerset South Homestead. Both teams battled with neither able to pull away until late in the game. Jade Leon '24 led the Falcons with 23 points. Emma Esparza '27 added seven points, nine rebounds, six assists, and three steals. Palmer Trinity will host Carrollton on Wednesday, February 14th at 7:00pm in the Regional Quarterfinals.

Go Falcons!

Senior Athlete Spotlight: Santiago Franceschi

2/2/2024

When you hear the name Franceschi around Palmer Trinity, memories of the 2018 and 2019 Boys Soccer State Championship teams quickly come to mind. Brothers Alberto ’19 and Eduardo ’21 were members of those teams, with Alberto being selected as the Class 1A State Player of the Year both seasons. However, current senior Santiago Franceschi believes he has the advantage over both of his brothers. “I am different because I am the youngest and I can learn from their experience,” Santiago says. He uses his brothers for inspiration and often goes to them for advice on how he can improve his game to best prepare for another state title run. Alberto and Eduardo are quick to help because, as Santiago believes, they all have the same love and passion for both Palmer Trinity and the game. “For us, playing for Palmer is the best experience,” Santiago proudly boasts.

Santiago has been playing soccer since before he can even remember, oftentimes serving as the designated goalie for his older brothers. His father and brothers inspired him to begin playing and ever since, it has become the sport they have all loved and shared. As a player, Santiago believes in hard work and discipline in order to gain the trust of both his teammates and coaches. He has worked hard to improve as a leader, knowing that his actions have impacts on others and that he can inspire his teammates with positive energy. This translates to off the field where Santiago works to plan team activities outside of the school to help create a family bond on the team and make the underclassman feel included.

Varsity Boys Soccer Head Coach Abiodun Adeyemi believes he was fortunate that Santiago was a part of the team during his first year at Palmer Trinity, believing that Santiago was exactly what the team needed. “Not only did he bring elite skills, his qualities fueled the team with the confidence and the belief that we were the best team in the state,” Adeyemi recalls. Santiago, in return, is thankful for Coach Adeyemi for making him feel valuable and supported. “He helped a lot with my leadership skills. He asks for my opinion and demands excellence in setting an example for others,” Santiago speaks of his head coach.

During his time as a Falcon, Santiago has many memories to reflect back upon, but the recent win over Ransom Everglades where the whole team’s focus and mentality led them to the win on the road is the first that comes to mind. The other is last year’s Regional Playoff win over Westminster Christian, where the team thrived on the support and energy of the crowd.

When he is not playing soccer or spending time with his family, Santiago tries to make an impact on another community. With the political instability and violence in Venezuela, many Venezuelans have made the move to Miami without financial backing. Santiago created a website named “Imigrantes Miami” that catalogs and explains resources available to those who need them. Through various fundraisers and contributors, Santiago is proud to offer assistance to low-income families because he wants to help those making the difficult transition.

Santiago, whose favorite food is steak and arepas, favorite movie is Harry Potter, and favorite artist is Myke Towers, is excited for his next chapter next fall. He hopes to continue playing the game he loves while studying business analytics or finance. For now, the only thing on his mind is joining his brothers in bringing a state championship home to Palmer Trinity.

Good luck to Santiago and the rest of the Varsity Boys Soccer team as they compete next week in the Regional Tournament!

Go Falcons!

Varsity Girls Soccer Wins District Championship

2/1/2024

Congratulations to the Varsity Girls Soccer team on their 4-0 win over Keys Gate to capture the 2024 FHSAA Class 3A District 16 title. The Falcons scored all four goals in the second half. Gabriella Feetham '26 opened the scoring before Ariana Adessi '26, Olivia Baumberger '26, and Cailyn Sullivan '24 each scored to put the game out of reach. Luna Diaz '26 earned the shutout in net. Earlier in the District Tournament, the top-seeded Falcons defeated Coral Shores 8-1 in the District Semifinals. The Varsity Girls Soccer team will host the Regional Quarterfinal on Tuesday, February 6th at 3:30pm.

Go Falcons!