The Principia Athlete

COLLEGE TENNIS

Redefining “Best-Case Scenario”

A six-year-old girl in a tiny Mexican town picks up a tennis racket. By 10 she’s competing nationally. From there, she’s launched into the stratosphere—a teen tennis phenom competing at the ITF World Junior Tennis Championship at age 16. If Saray Hernández Cisneros’s (C’26) story sounds like a best-case scenario, the best was yet to come. 

As the pressure of international tennis took its toll, the sport she once loved became more obligation than passion, and Cisneros’s idea of “best case” began to look more like a supportive environment to try new things than a cutthroat tennis circuit filled with cameras and oversized checks. Enter Principia College tennis coach Shannon Carney.

“Coach Carney posted about Principia College on Facebook,” says Cisneros. “I’d spoken to D-I and D-II coaches, but there was something different about Coach Carney. She was welcoming and kind.”

As in tennis, so in life, the best course is rarely the easiest, but Saray Cisneros is nothing if not persistent. Growing up without access to English classes, her mastery of the language was incomplete. But she was undaunted when she didn’t pass Principia’s English language assessment. She simply retook the test. Again, and again. On her third try, the self-taught English speaker proved ready to tackle a four-year college education—in English.

“My professors and classmates were understanding and patient with me—in communication and understanding cultural norms,” recounts Cisneros.

At home in Principia’s supportive environment, Cisneros devoured new opportunities. She picked up a shift at the Pub. She found a natural fit managing the Languages and Cultures Department. She got a third job at the library. And she reignited a spark for her first love.

“Coach Carney was loving and encouraging—she saw me as a whole person,” Cisneros says. “And it healed my relationship with tennis. I fell in love with the sport again!”

Cisneros found ways to serve and volley in the classroom as well as on the court. Just a few years removed from failing the English language assessment, she was reporting for the Pilot and tutoring in the writing center. Then the global studies and sociology/anthropology double major was named the 2026 Public Affairs Conference co-director.

When asked about the transformation, Cisneros credits her spiritual approach. “Christian Science helped me understand and navigate college,” she says. “I grew up Catholic ... but I realized that you can learn from other religions. I now identify more with Christian Science than with Catholicism.”

“Principia gave me the tools to evolve my interests and expand my curiosity,” she continues. “They made me feel that I could do anything.” It’s hard to imagine a better-case scenario than that.

SCHOOL TRACK AND FIELD

Command Performances on the Track and Stage

You might not call this Furnace fiery. But her opponents in track and field sure do feel the heat.

Puns aside, Upper School freshman track phenom Khloe Furnace’s easygoing humility belies a competitive streak that has propelled her to the top of the Principia record books in her first season as a high school athlete.

Maybe she takes it all in stride because obliterating expectations is nothing new. Furnace recalls her first time throwing the shotput as a “scrawny” 11-year-old coached by her grandmother: “They just put me in this random event. I picked up the shotput and threw it. Mine landed about six feet farther than all the other girls’!”

It’s a precedent that has persisted. Now 14, Furnace smashed School records in both the shotput and discus in just her second high school meet, and wrapped up the season with a fifth-place finish at State.

But if athletic excellence runs in the family (father Lee Furnace is a former national champion athlete who coaches wrestling and track and field at the Upper School, and brothers Korbin and Lee “Trey” Furnace III both advanced to the Missouri State Wrestling Tournament this year), it hardly defines her.

“Khloe is very diligent and disciplined in her training,” says head track and field coach Sarah (Jarvis) Grigsby (C’07). “She is also a very thoughtful person; I appreciate that about her.” 

In fact, while sports get the spotlight for now, performing arts may soon take center stage. An accomplished cellist, she is breaking the mold in band just as much as in track and field—even adapting conventional arrangements to take advantage of her talents. “Concert band is a different style of music from the classical music I was trained with,” she says. “So, it’s been a fun experience to adapt the music for cello.”

The pull of the stage proves strong, and she’s building performing muscles alongside the athletic ones. “When I came to Principia in seventh grade, I said I would never do anything like [acting]—but the next year, I was in The Lion King JR, and I fell in love with being on stage!”

One thing is for sure: whether she’s projecting from the stage or tossing projectiles from the throwing circle, this Furnace is on fire.

COLLEGE RUGBY

Always at Home on 
“A Great Journey”

For the creator and host of The Leaving Point, a podcast that shares stories about athletes competing abroad, Francisco Alessio (C’26) always seems to be at home. Principia’s 2026 Lincoln Laureate, Alessio was born in a small town in Argentina, spent time in Southern California, then got his college education in Elsah, Illinois. At each stop, he found his people, built a community, and thrived.

Alessio grew up as the son of a firefighter and a high school teacher who instilled in him a tireless work ethic and the importance of academic excellence. While he concluded his college career receiving Principia’s most prestigious academic award and a bevy of high-level job opportunities, it was rugby that brought him here in the first place.

“[When I started looking into college], I was focusing on rugby,” says Alessio, a subtly confessional tone to his voice. “I had played for my local team, state team, and eventually the trials for the under-20s Argentinian National Team. Then [former Principia rugby coach] Ward Patterson (C’82) contacted me, and I heard about Principia.”

While he could have competed in much larger programs, Principia provided Alessio opportunities to dive into his ever-expanding list of passions. “What makes Principia different are the extracurriculars. You can take classes at any school, but what are you doing outside of that? What is the extra mile?”

A standout athlete since he started playing rugby at age four, Alessio is no stranger to going the extra mile. At Principia, that didn’t just mean training and conditioning; it meant preparing for the GRE, pursuing internships, and launching the aforementioned podcast. “I was having a hard time getting an internship, so I figured I’d create something,” he recalls. “I asked myself and my friends, ‘What am I good at?’ I love helping with recruiting, meeting people, and hearing their stories. I’ll create a podcast!”

With the podcast, the stories flowed. And so did the internships: shadowing a CEO in California, studying finance in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and diving into investor relations in Lisbon, Portugal. 

“[Principia rugby] really developed my character—that ability to bounce back, to get ready for the next play. That’s a lesson that applies to life and whatever I’m doing,” says Alessio.

The academic accomplishments, real-world work experience, and boundless enthusiasm led to multiple job offers well before commencement. Next stop: San Clemente, California to explore mergers and acquisitions. “It’s been a great journey,” Alessio says of his Principia College experience. And wherever the journey takes him next, he’s certain to feel right at home.

COLLEGE SOCCER

The Joy of Addition

Mid-conversation, Zayana Brown casually mentions the word “amalgamation.” For someone struggling to describe this multi-talented student-athlete, the off-handed comment is the perfect distillation: Zayana Brown is an amalgamation. Now entering her senior year, the Georgia native is soccer player, actor-writer-director, dancer-choreographer, and musician all rolled into one.

“I’ve always done multiple things,” she says. “When I was doing theater in high school, my director knew that I might have to scoot out to go to soccer practice, or vice versa.” The opportunity to be a leader on the soccer field first attracted Brown to Principia College, but she had other leading roles in mind as well. “Honestly, I think theater is a bigger part of college for me [than athletics]. Art and creativity are a big part of my personality.” 

Brown’s accolades range from College orchestra violist to SLIAC Women’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week, but even this impressive range left room for more. If an amalgam is a combination of things, then amalgamation is the act of adding-on; and Brown jumped at the opportunities Principia afforded her to do more, reach further, go bigger. 

When a freshman-year class in dance history opened the door to a new way to combine athletic movement and dramatic expression, Brown took her next leap. Encouraged by dance professor Erin Lane, Brown says, “I went to Dance Production auditions on a whim, and it ended up being super fun. I’ve done Dance Production every year and it’s been really rewarding!”

Some people are slow and steady; others go fast then rest. But true to form, Brown prefers to do both—and does both equally well. Thanks to her boundless energy and restless creativity, she has produced a mind-boggling repertoire of work at increasingly higher degrees of difficulty. In just three years, Brown completed the requirements for a theatre major and dance minor, accomplishing her capstone—directing and starring in a short play—at the end of her junior year. And the actor and soccer player who casually dropped in on dance auditions just two years ago is now choreographing original works for others. In fact, in just one breakneck semester, she performed in seven productions—including directing and choreographing.

“I’ve had chaotic semesters when I didn’t know if I was going to make it,” says Brown. “But this one felt pretty calm.” On the soccer field, they might call that “being in the zone”; for Zayana Brown, it’s just the joy of addition.

SCHOOL SWIMMING

Making History Through Mental Fortitude

Sarah Lamb arrives at Principia Upper School in the morning, aces her classes, and then goes and makes history—literally. Every Wednesday and Thursday, as an intern at the Missouri History Museum, she and a team of peers chronicle St. Louis’s historical neighborhoods and produce informational materials for museum visitors. 

On alternate days, the Upper School sophomore reports to the Principia pool and breaks records. This season, Lamb broke the School’s 100-breaststroke record twice on her way to scoring fifth in State. History-making all the way around.

When asked what her secret is to clocking the two fastest 100-breaststroke times in Principia history, she is quick with an answer: mental fortitude.

“I’ve always known that swimming is 90 percent a mental sport, and all about overcoming limits you put on yourself,” she reflects. “But coming to Principia, where my coaches have a spiritual standpoint, I know I can go to them for spiritual support. That’s really helped me overcome mental limits and accomplish my goals.”

Lamb credits the Principia program with unlocking her record-breaking potential. “My times had been stagnant for about two years, but Coach Jess (Matson) Fendon (C’04) helped me push myself mentally and know that I’m capable of anything—I dropped three seconds in just one season!”

Fendon says the benefit of Lamb’s work ethic and mental toughness radiate throughout the whole team. “Her exceptional work ethic, focus, strength, competitive spirit, toughness, and resilience have made her not only a remarkable swimmer but also an outstanding teammate,” says Fendon. “Her dedication and determination consistently inspire those around her.”

Swim team isn’t the only mental challenge Lamb savors at the Upper School. The honor roll student just completed precalculus as a sophomore and loves Principia’s experiential trips. “My family loves to travel; the trips were a big factor in us coming here,” she recalls. “The Dominican Republic service trip was life-changing for me. It was such a cool opportunity to see my impact on people in real time.”

Looking ahead, Sarah’s gearing up for the Bible trip to Greece and Türkiye and landing a spot in the USA Swimming Sectionals meet. She may be making history, but she’s definitely not looking back.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Scoring on the Rebound

Nolan Simon always believed his time in the gym would pay off. Thousands of shots. Hours of ball handling. Blood, sweat, tears. “I knew basketball could help me transition into life and chase my goals,” he says.

But as it often goes, the payoff was different, and even greater, than expected. While his dream of playing D-I basketball never materialized and his college career got off to a disappointing start, a chance encounter set him on a fresh and fulfilling trajectory.

“Jake Kampf (C’23) used to shoot at the gym where I worked out,” says Simon. “He always wore a Principia College shirt, so I got his number and texted him out of the blue.” It was a bold step for the introverted Simon, who attributes the impulse to divine guidance. He says it’s proof that “having faith can help guide your decisions and give you strength in difficult moments.”

The text led to an introduction; the introduction to a campus tour, and within months, Simon was at Principia having a standout season as a SLIAC conference leader.

“After my freshman year, my confidence was shot,” says Simon. But Principia’s supportive environment and his tireless work ethic turned that around. “I just kept grinding every single day—proving that I’m capable of becoming the great player I always dreamed of,” he says. “And I had a great support system, with Coach Neyko Dominguez restoring my belief that I’m capable of doing anything.”

The results speak for themselves: Simon finished his junior season as the SLIAC leader in points per game and national Division III top 10 scorer. And the kid whose parents insisted on academic excellence also earned spots on the Principia Honor Roll and the SLIAC All-Academic team. 

When he’s not scoring impressive game points and grade points, Simon is making assists in the Career Development Office. “The work is important to me,” he says, “because a lot of kids experience the same thing I did, and lose confidence in themselves. So I like giving back and supporting them, just like people here supported me.”

Reflecting on his time at Principia, Simon says, “At first, I was very shy. But I give thanks to my parents, because they made me get out of my comfort zone. And to God—God put me in this position. I couldn’t have done it myself.”

SCHOOL FIELD HOCKEY

Coaching, Competing, and Conquering Perfectionism

They say you never forget your first love. For Hazel Stewart and the game of field hockey, that adage rings true. The Upper School senior got hooked on field hockey at three years old. She dabbled in dance briefly but recalls, “I had so much competitive spirit and energy that I had to keep playing field hockey. That’s how I let everything out.”

Club field hockey became a constant in Stewart’s life. By her teenage years, she was training, practicing, and helping coach younger teams—even while she competed on Principia’s volleyball and soccer teams. That often meant two practices a day; not starting her homework until 9:30 p.m.

But the long days and hectic schedule didn’t deter Stewart from academic success; her name is a perennial presence on the honor roll as well as team rosters. “Balancing school and sports has been a huge thing for me, because I’m a perfectionist,” Stewart says. “Obviously no one’s perfect, but I like to try.” 

The pressure that accompanies perfectionism can be overwhelming, and athletics offered Stewart more than an opportunity to “let everything out.” A soccer goal-setting exercise helped her address the issue. Well-known to her teammates as an uplifting presence on the field (“Hazel is constantly supporting the players around her,” says soccer midfielder Milo Broadhurst), Stewart realized that she owed herself the same measure of compassion. “One of my goals for the season was to treat myself the way I would treat others when I make a mistake or don’t do something perfectly.”

Self-compassion is key to resilience, and resilience is a cornerstone of Principia’s athletics program. “Resilient is who Hazel is,” says Principia soccer coach Nigel Marples. “She shows up with joy every day and works hard. The consistency of her mentality is exceptional.”

Stewart says this approach “has helped me play more freely. Also in school, when I don’t get a perfect test grade, I can learn from it. What did I do wrong? What can I do better?”

It’s an outlook that will serve her well later in life. The aspiring elementary school teacher cherishes her experiences coaching the younger players: “Coaching has helped me see the sport from a whole different perspective.”

With varsity field hockey returning to Principia in her senior season, Stewart will get plenty of opportunities to lead, teach, and demonstrate compassion. “I’m excited to help rebuild this program because field hockey is my favorite thing. I love it so much. Finding other people who love it as much as I do makes me happy.”

If those aren’t the words of true love, I do not know what are.

COLLEGE TRACK AND FIELD

One Step Ahead of Expectations

Zachery Proctor (US’22, C’26) is perpetually in motion. His legs charge down the cross-country homestretch, his wheaten curls awash in late-afternoon sun; his arms propel him over Arkansas River rapids; and his boundless curiosity continues to add new line items to his already-bulging resume. For this two-sport champion, expectations are just another opponent, and he always stays one step ahead.

Case in point: while many long-distance runners revere the solitude of a run, for Proctor it’s the camaraderie that keeps him going. “The people are a big part of why I’ve been running so long,” he comments, referring to longtime Upper School and College teammates Rex Heath (US’22, C’25) and Aaron Nutwell (US’22, C’26). But it’s not just as teammates; Proctor savors a “competitive connection” with his opponents, as well. “You get to talk beforehand,” he says, “then you go bump against each other in a race.”

He bucks stereotypes in his academic journey as well. Early to declare a major in computer science, he rejects the notion that the field needs to be solitary and sedentary. “I found it fascinating and fun,” he says. But, true to form, he wasn’t one to rest there. Indulging his love of creativity and collaboration led to a second major in digital media and journalism—and forays into lighting and sound design, broadcast production, and news reporting.

The Denver native hops continents as fluidly as he takes on new areas of study: running through ancient monasteries on an Upper School trip to Greece and letting his curls fly free on the oceanside cliffs of New Zealand during a College study abroad. “I got to interview people in New Zealand and I enjoyed the experience,” says Proctor, before adding his characteristic twist: “Talking to strangers kind of freaks me out. But apparently, I like doing things that freak me out.”

He may have a wandering soul and limitless curiosity, but (again, counterintuitively) he’s anything but inconsistent. Proctor is a Principia Dean’s List member and a perennial member of the SLIAC All-Academic Team. College track coach Justin Halley says, “Zach is just a hard worker. Looking back at all his seasons at Prin, he’s never had a bad one. He just gets better each year.”

But looking back isn’t his style. Always ready for the next thing, Proctor has ambitions that are predictably unpredictable: stringing news for the Christian Science Monitor in Boston or riding the rapids through the Grand Canyon. Either way, the list of things that freak him out is shrinking fast.

SCHOOL SOCCER

Taking the Lead

Plenty has been written about leadership. How it can be born or built, earned or bestowed. With the role of leader comes responsibility—the aphorisms to that end (“Heavy is the head ...”; “To whom much is given ...”) are too numerous to count.

For Shepherd Thomas (US’26)—honor roll student and elected captain of both the boys’ varsity soccer team and Upper School’s Hubbell House—leadership comes easily but is taken seriously. 

“My coaches have told me I’m a natural leader,” says Thomas. “I think my teammates see me as a leader because I’m not afraid to hold someone accountable or take responsibility myself.”

Leadership runs in the family—father Travis Thomas (C’95) is a notable author and leadership coach and former mindset coach of the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team, and mother Hollister (Smith) Thomas (US’92, C’96) is head of community engagement at the Euphrates Institute, a global community-building and peacemaking organization. But call it nature or nurture; youngest son Shepherd has put in the work.

He has been playing soccer at a high level since age eight, spending his formative years at an elite soccer academy in Florida. Since arriving at Principia his sophomore year, Thomas has put in the hours, waking up early for a morning workout and then completing a full practice each afternoon. That work ethic enabled him to lead Principia to the State finals in both soccer and doubles tennis, dramatically scoring the winning goal with 30 seconds left in this year’s State semifinal soccer game. 

Leading a team to victory is one thing. Leading Upper School’s Hubble House, full of diverse personalities and divergent priorities, is another. “In soccer, everyone wants to be there, and we all know what we have to do to succeed,” Thomas explains. “But being the House Captain is more of a challenge. Not everyone wants to participate. That’s where my skill with creating relationships comes in. If I can befriend someone or build trust, they will support what we’re trying to do. If I treat them with respect, they will respect me in return.”

Shepherd Thomas is already looking ahead to his next challenge at Principia College, where he will continue to play soccer and prepare for a business career. Whatever direction he takes—on the field and off— you can bet he will take the lead.