News

Pace Athletics is excited to announce that Tom Marechek, one of the most respected names in the sport of lacrosse, will join the Pace Academy faculty as head coach of varsity boys lacrosse and a physical education teacher. A true icon in the lacrosse world, Coach Marechek brings to Pace more than 30 years of experience as a player, coach, and program director.

Coach Marechek rose to national prominence as a student-athlete at Syracuse University, where he was a four-time All-American and played a key role in securing two NCAA championships for the Orange. His professional career was equally impressive: he starred for the Philadelphia Wings, who retired his No. 42 jersey, and the Baltimore Bayhawks. A 13-time All-Pro, he has been inducted into both the National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame and the Baltimore Chapter of the Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

After retiring from professional play, Coach Marechek transitioned to education and coaching, leading teams at Glenelg Country School and the Friends School of Baltimore. Under his leadership, those programs captured two MIAA championships and finished as runners-up twice. In 2013, he coached the Under Armour All-American Champion Baltimore Team, and since 2020, he has guided the New Balance All America South Team.

Most recently, Coach Marechek served as director of lacrosse at IMG Academy in Florida. During his tenure, he grew roster sizes, supported families through the college recruitment process, and cultivated a student-first culture that became a hallmark of the program. In addition to his school-based work, he is the founder of All Pro Lacrosse Camps, through which he has coached and mentored more than 15,000 young athletes over the past two decades.

“I’m incredibly excited to join the Pace Academy community,” Coach Marechek says. “The school’s values and vision for the growth and development of student-athletes deeply resonate with me. I love the culture here—it’s collaborative, forward-thinking and full of energy. I’m thrilled to be building something special alongside strong leaders who understand the importance of doing things the right way. With more than 30 years of experience at the highest levels of lacrosse, I’m eager to contribute everything I’ve learned to help elevate Pace. Leaders lead, and I’m ready to bring that mindset to the Knights.”

Please join us in welcoming Coach Marechek to Pace Academy. We are excited for the future of our lacrosse program and look forward to the leadership, experience and energy he will bring to our community.

More than 100,000 students in all 50 states and 26 countries take the National Latin Exam every year, and this spring, 37 Middle School students earned achievement awards for outstanding performance. Special congratulations to eighth-graders Evie Brunt and Mac Luber (pictured) who earned perfect scores and received the prestigious Perfect Paper Award. Gold medals went to sixth-graders Lucy Carpenter, Langley Hooper, Adhrit Pathak and Wade Hyman; seventh-graders Brooke Huang and Dean Brown; and Brunt, Luber and eighth-grader Helen Mitchell. Congratulations to all our Latin scholars! 

Pace Academy honored the Class of 2025 with a series of heartfelt year-end celebrations, beginning with Senior Honors Day on Thursday, May 15. The annual event recognized the achievements and contributions of both seniors and faculty members. Among the top honors, Stephen Yang was named valedictorian; Olivia Resnick was recognized as salutatorian; and Enrique Alvarez and Kate Grice received the Frank D. Kaley Award, the school’s highest distinction.

Later that evening, the community gathered in The Zalik Theater for Baccalaureate, where Middle School Latin teacher Rev. Kim Peterson delivered the keynote address. Class of 2025 Dean Krista Wilhelmsen offered a warm and personal farewell to the class. 

On Friday, May 16, the Pace Academy Alumni Association officially welcomed 124 new alumni as the Class of 2025 graduated in a Commencement ceremony at Mount Paran Church. Andrew Young, former UN Ambassador and chairman of the Andrew J. Young Foundation, delivered the Commencement address. 

Members of the Class of 2025 will matriculate to 58 colleges and universities across 25 states and Washington, D.C.

This summer, the Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) will take Lower, Middle and Upper School students on immersive learning experiences spanning across three continents. A total of 153 students and 26 faculty and staff members will explore Bali, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Greece, Iceland, Italy and South Korea on eight study tours designed to deepen their understanding of critical global issues. From sustainability and ethical tourism to global religions and history, study tours will provide students hands-on opportunities to engage with different cultures, ideas and perspectives. Follow their journeys and discoveries on the ICGL Instagram account.

Following the varsity girls lacrosse team’s journey to the GHSA Sweet 16, three members of the squad earned All-State recognition. Congratulations to freshman Ann Cole Canova, sophomore Lucy Fleming and junior Eva Swales, who received All-State Second Team honors. Way to go, Knights!