Athletics Archives

2025 Hall of Fame Inductee: David McGaha

September 9, 2025

Launched in 2023 to celebrate MPA’s rich athletic tradition, MPA is proud to announce the 2025 Hall of Fame inductees: David McGaha, longtime coach and mentor; Lauren LaRoche ’99, alum athlete; and Olivia (Lansing) Herrick ’06, alum athlete. Please take a moment to read about David McGaha!

How did your time at MPA shape your future?
I was fortunate to apply and land in what was then a new private school in 1983, the second year of MPA’s existence. I knew from seventh grade what I wanted to do when I grew up. Bob and Lois Kreischer had a vision of what a school should be. Now retired, I have so many fond memories of the faculty and of the many students that I was able to work with. Again, I was fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful school.

What is one piece of advice that you would share with MPA athletes?
As a young athlete, you have one opportunity to be the best that you can be. Once you graduate from high school—knowing that you committed yourself to getting the most out of your abilities in your chosen sport or sports—you will move on with an inner satisfaction you never lacked in effort. You control your effort and commitment.

In what ways did the school support you during your time at MPA?
One of the reasons that MPA is such a successful school stems from the freedom that teachers and coaches have to teach and guide students in what they believe to be the right direction. I always felt supported by the administration. Coming to school each year, each day, I visualized what I wanted my classes and teams to accomplish. I always felt that the administration appreciated my efforts. It was challenging and not always easy, but it resulted in a very rewarding career. Read More

Why I Coach At MPA From Declan Dahlberg ’18

August 21, 2025

from Declan Dahlberg ’18

Throughout my athletic career at Mounds Park Academy, I had the privilege to be coached by Bev Docherty and Dan Ethier. Any alumni or parents who shared in this privilege will know how outstanding their dedication, expertise, and mentorship was to all their student athletes.

When I had the opportunity to return to MPA as an alum and coach, I remembered how transformative my experience with Coach Docherty and Ethier was for my development as a person and athlete. I wanted to do my best to replicate this experience for the next generation of MPA student-athletes.

MPA has a reputation for giving student-athletes an experience that they remember for the rest of their lives. These experiences go beyond performance and skill. Student-athletes at MPA make lifelong friends, overcome barriers, and learn how to work as a team that is diverse in age, ability, and countless other metrics. Coach Docherty and Coach Ethier were instrumental in carrying out this mission for many years at MPA, and it was my privilege to try to carry on their work during my time at MPA as a coach.

Congratulations, Upper School Students!

May 28, 2025

Upper School students at Mounds Park Academy dedicate tremendous time and energy to their work, embodying the values that make our community proud. In recognition of their accomplishments, MPA held the Upper School Awards Assembly on Friday, May 23 in the Nicholson Center. The event celebrated students who earned distinctions in areas such as Academics, National Merit, Scholarships, Yearbook, Choir, Band, Orchestra, Visual Art, Math, English, Science, Social Studies, Forensics, French, Spanish, Drama, Athletics, the Spirit of ’86, Certificates of Distinction, and the Alumni Association. Join us in congratulating these outstanding students! View the full photo gallery from the awards here.

Cum Laude Inductees

Annika Binstadt
Navreen Biring
Paul Fertig
Henry Korbach
Srina Lakkundi
Zainab Lodhi
Marlaina Minear
Zoya Nayak
Amal Sastry
Samaya Thomas

Valedictorian

Annika Binstadt
Paul Fertig

Salutatorian

Samaya Thomas

Why I Coach At MPA From Wade Peterson ’87

May 19, 2025

from Wade Peterson ’87

When I relocated back to the Twin Cities in 2007, I was looking to get involved in coaching quiz bowls, as I had done at the school where I was teaching in Eugene, Oregon. That summer, I contacted the Upper School director, Roberta Seum, and asked her if I could get involved. She told me the previous coach had just left the school and asked me to come in for an interview.

Over the last 18 years, I have coached a lot of things at Mounds Park Academy. I have coached Middle and Upper School quiz bowl, Middle School soccer, Middle School baseball, and even a few years of the Future Problem Solvers (FPS) team. I am still coaching soccer, baseball, and Middle School quiz bowl. In fact, I coached a tournament for Middle School quiz bowl recently, and I enjoyed it as much as I did when I first started in 2007.

I love working with MPA students and love the passion they bring to activities. It is a truly wonderful part of my life. It is amazing that I have been associated with Mounds Park Academy as a student, coach, and in various other roles since 1983. When I first visited as a potential student in the spring of my eighth-grade year, I never realized that I would be associated with the school in such an enduring way. MPA is an amazing place, and I am grateful to be a part of it!

The Class Of 2025 Finds Their Fit

May 8, 2025

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the May 8 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

In a few short months, MPA Panthers from the Class of 2025 will become Wildcats, Badgers, Huskies, Ducks, Bruins, Boilermakers, Lions, and more.

They’ll pursue programs and passions in majors like engineering, neuroscience, business, biology, music, political science, public policy, and game design. Many of them will also be competing in athletics for their new schools, continuing their contests in basketball, cross country, skiing, and rowing.

They’ll dream big and shake the world at institutions across the United States, coast to coast and beyond, landing in 13 different states and Rome, Italy. They’ll be everywhere from California to Massachusetts and Colorado to North Carolina. They’re landing in cities all around the country, like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. Read More

Come Sail With Us!

April 30, 2025

Students in first through sixth grade from Mounds Park Academy are invited to experience the excitement of sailing—for free—during a special introductory event hosted by White Bear Sailing School just for MPA!

The event will be held Saturday, June 7, from 12:30 to 2:30 PM at the White Bear Sailing School! Participants will have the opportunity to meet coaches, learn new skills, and get out on the water.

Sailing is offered at Mounds Park Academy as a club sport beginning in seventh grade, with activities in both the fall and spring. The club is coached and hosted by White Bear Sailing School.

White Bear Sailing School also offers a variety of summer camps for youth of all experience levels, ranging from beginner Opti camps for ages seven to 11, to advanced racing programs for teens up to age 18. Programs include all-day camps, learn-to-race sessions, and competitive race teams.

Students and families interested in participating in the June 7 event can sign up here! Or, if interested in a summer camp, find more information and register online by clicking here.

Why I Coach At MPA

April 14, 2025

from Takele Thompson-Nelson ’18

One reason I decided to return to MPA as a coach was that I was asked by fellow teammates who were also leaders and captains, Brendan Connolly ’17 and Cooper Olson ’16. I was eager to join the team, knowing that I would have those two by my side. I returned in hopes of passing on the knowledge and values that were given to me through my time at MPA. I also love basketball!

It means a lot to be able to mentor the next generation. However, those feelings are also partnered with fear. To have people, especially kids, relying on you is a powerful thing. But I know I wouldn’t be put in this position if I wasn’t ready. When coaching, I want to make sure that I’m not just hitting the Xs and Os because life is more complicated than that. In my time here at MPA, my coach is someone I could look up to and who helped guide me through other aspects of life beyond sports. I believe that it is my responsibility to also take that role for my athletes if needed.

My past experience as an MPA athlete has filled me with immense pride for everything related to being a Panther. Every win, loss, or game has an emotional connection for me because that was something I used to be a part of. I believe that being an alum and now a coach has created a strong bond between my passion for the team and the school. I am not just a coach but a previous athlete. This connection has given me my “why,” which is the fuel that has guided me to come to MPA every day with the same passion and love I had when I was a student here.

MPA’s 2025 Athena Award Winner

April 3, 2025

Congratulations to Delaney Cunnington ’25, MPA’s 2025 Athena Award Winner!

This program honors outstanding female high school senior student-athletes based on excellence in individual athletics or participation and accomplishments in team sports. Delaney was a member of soccer, gymnastics, and track and field during her time as a Panther.

During her time competing for MPA, she has racked up numerous accolades, including a state title on the uneven bars in 2024, among others.

Congratulations again, Delaney! The selection for the award was warranted, and we can’t wait to see what you do this track season.

Five Things To Know About MPA From Ford B.

March 13, 2025

Middle School student Ford B. shares five key things about his MPA experience, including discovering passions, finding his place here, and skills he’s built upon.

1. Everyone is super welcoming.

I joined MPA last year for my seventh-grade year. On the first day, I was afraid to make new friends, until my first class, and someone asked me to sit next to them. It instantly made me feel more at ease.

2. You can try new clubs and sports.

I had heard the Nordic team was fun, but I had never done it before. I still gave it a shot, and it’s now one of my favorite things I do. And now I’m in the school play, which I haven’t done before, but I’m giving it a shot.

3. Homework builds strong skills.

Homework here may be different from other schools, but over time, it became easier once I learned to plan out my homework load and do my best not to procrastinate. Read More

March 6, 2025

Registration is open for our annual Summer Panther Sports Camps! Check out our offerings below:

Panther Soccer Camp: June 9-12, 9-11:30 AM
Soccer lovers in grades K-6 can join Mr. Sheehan and the MPA soccer coaches for a fun and challenging week of activities for all abilities! Bring a friend!
Panther Basketball Camp: June 9-12, 12:30-3 PM
MPA’s basketball coach, Chris Hopkins, will run these basketball camps for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The emphasis will be on shooting, ball handling, and fundamentals for all skill levels.
Panther P.E. Summer Camp: June 16-19, 9-11 AM for kindergarten-second grade, 1-3 PM for third through sixth grade
Panther P.E. Camp offers a friendly space for students of all athletic abilities to participate in a mix of some of the students’ favorite P.E. activities and games.