Taking the Lead: Keystone Athletic Teams on the Meaning of Sportsmanship
The fiercest struggles on sports fields happen not just for the championship trophy. In those moments, the belief, enthusiasm, and collective power of the team energize every member to persevere and carry on—a quality they bring out of the game and use in their daily lives.
Keystone Academy provides a wide range of athletic activities where students can convey sportsmanship, courage, perseverance, and positivity. Of course, actions often speak louder than results. Keystone sports teams celebrate successes and reflect on losses together, inspiring many others in the community.
The Keystone Sportsmanship
At the finals of a men’s singles badminton tournament this year, Baron Luo, captain of the Keystone Badminton Team, faced a formidable opponent to whom he had lost all previous matches. Not surprisingly, Baron lost the first game with a lopsided score of 9:21. In the second game, he clung to a five-point gap. Then the scores came to 17:20. Baron did not give up: “I didn’t think about anything at that time. I just thought I couldn’t slack up and should get as many points as possible.” As a result, Baron won the second game.
In this final, Baron played for more than an hour against his opponent. Although he still lost the match, Baron received praise and compliments from his teammates because of his tenacity.
Keystone Badminton Team members cheer until their voices get hoarse to support their teammates, win or lose. Keystone’s other sports teams do the same. Of course, it is pleasurable to win, but nothing beats the support and encouragement given by teammates to one another.
Terry Wang, captain of the Keystone Men’s Swimming Team, remembered the warm welcome and help from veteran member David Zhang when he first joined the team. David introduced him to the team and showed him what made it formidable, allowing the then-newcomer to jive in quickly. Soon after, Terry felt the charm of competitive sports—and competing under one banner—and understood the beauty of passing on the Keystone sportsmanship to the community.
Terry recalled the last event of this year’s All-Star swimming competition in which the men’s 4x50m freestyle relay was cutthroat. Terry had just recovered from illness. In addition, he and the other team members participating in the relay were tired after competing in several other events. But when Terry saw the seriousness and determination of his opponents, he and his teammates chose to give it their all.
After their final touch, Terry and his teammates found out they had won first place and broken the match record. But more importantly, it was the tenacity of his team that made Terry understand what his senior told him about the uniqueness of the Keystone Swimming Team.
Swimming
ACAMIS 2023
(Combined Team Scores: Keystone Academy 515.50）
Asian All-Stars 2023
(Combined Team Scores: Keystone Academy 1702.5)
Swimming races are often won or lost by just a few tenths of a second. Keystone’s Swimming Program coordinator and swim team coach Jingmei Li recalled that in this year’s ISAC games, James Zhu was confident that he could win, but the result was crushing. Even with the comforting words from his parents and coach, he couldn’t shake the disappointment off.
“The usually cheerful young man sat in the corner teary-eyed. Their captain, Terry, comforted the swimmer and helped him analyze his issues,” Ms. Li said.
“Terry had just recovered from COVID-19 a week before this year’s ACAMIS swimming competition. For health concerns, I wanted him to only participate in the 100-meter freestyle. However, he gave his all in the 200-meter freestyle, almost crying at the finish line. Soon after, it was the 100-meter freestyle final and Terry was close to giving up. His teammate, David, encouraged him with the words, ‘Come on, bro!’. He then put on his gear and achieved an impressive second place. In the ACAMIS swimming competition, Terry participated in four events and competed in seven rounds. Seeing the relay teammates cheering for each other by the pool, shouting ‘Keystone’, it’s hard not to relate to such a feeling!”
For Dorothy Zhu, who’s also a member of the Keystone Swim Team, swimming is not a sport that can be mastered on a whim but “requires persistence, perseverance, and extensive training.”
“Joining the Swimming Team not only gives me the opportunity to participate in more competitions but has also allowed me to meet like-minded friends who share the passion for swimming. For me, engaging in sports is not just a hobby but a means of physical and mental freedom,” Dorothy added.
Badminton
Zongyu Cup Badminton Invitational Competition
· First place: Keystone Badminton Team
ISAC Boys U19
· Baron Luo (singles): 1st place
· Jerry Wang (singles): 3rd place
· Baron Luo, Gabriel Cheng (doubles): 1st place
· Oliver Ouyang, Kasper Chow (doubles): 2nd place
ISAC Girls U19
· Xixi Liang (singles): 1st place
· Ella Dai, Emma Wang (doubles): 1st place
· Xixi Liang, Lillian Ning (doubles): 3rd place
ACAMIS Badminton Tournament, Shekou International School (Shenzhen)
· Keystone Team 1: 4th place
· Keystone Team 2: 2nd place
· Xixi Liang (women’s singles): 1st place
· Emma Wang (women’s singles): 3rd place
· Baron Luo (men’s singles): 2nd place
· Jerry Wang and Tim Yang (men’s doubles): 1st place
“Apart from their love for badminton, members of the Keystone Badminton Team are like a close family,” Echo Li, Keystone Science Teacher and Badminton Coach, said. “Their badminton training sessions on Wednesday afternoons allow them to know each other better. Team members support and help one another; some older students even practice with their younger counterparts to help them improve. This positive and harmonious atmosphere has encouraged more students to join the badminton team.”
“In every match, students compete like a team, regardless of the results. The sportsmanship that guides the Keystone Badminton Team is unity, perseverance, hard work, and doing the best to win each point.”
ISAC Girls U/14 Badminton
· Xixi Liang (singles): 1st Place
· Xixi Liang, Annie Zhang (doubles): 1st Place
· Kelly Chen, Queenie Zhang (doubles): 2nd Place
ISAC Boys U/14 Badminton
· Andy Chen, William Wei (doubles): 2nd Place
“The Keystone sportsmanship, as I understand it, is about persevering until the very last moment and never giving up. Even when you are trailed by many points, you need to strive to win every possible point. Additionally, it is a collective spirit that encompasses both on and off-field encouragement among team members, celebratory gatherings, and consoling those who lose the game with hugs. Moreover, the Keystone sportsmanship is characterized by honesty on the court, as we respect every opponent, referee, and ourselves.”
- Baron Luo, Captain of the Keystone Badminton Team
Table Tennis
ISAC HS Table Tennis Tournament
· Jerry Wang (HS men’s singles): 1st place
· Leo Li (HS men’s singles): 2nd place
· Leo Li and Alex Dong (HS men’s doubles): 1st place
· Jerry Wang and Toby Zhou (HS men’s doubles): 2nd place
“A good physical condition is essential for a table tennis player, including stable body posture and balance, explosive power, and endurance. However, good mental and emotional qualities, such as perseverance in the face of setbacks and bravery against tough opponents, are even more important. During training sessions, students often support and help each other, with older and more experienced players leading and guiding the younger ones. On the court, they show a strong will to fight and a spirit of hard work and perseverance, which constantly inspire their teammates.”
- Monica Shi, Keystone PHE Teacher and Table Tennis Team Coach
?ISAC MS Table Tennis Tournament
· Mario Yao (MS men’s singles): 1st place
· Kevin Tan (MS men’s singles): 2nd place
· Unique Liu (MS men’s singles): 3rd place
· Mario Yao and Kevin Tan (MS men’s doubles): 1st place
· Unique Liu and Tomas Xia (MS men’s doubles): 2nd place
· Jonathan Bi and Martin Zheng (MS men’s doubles): 3rd place
· Bella Wang (MS women’s singles): 1st place
· Ponyo Ouyang (MS women’s singles): 2nd place
“The aspect of table tennis that captivates me the most is the desire for victory it instills in individuals. Once on the court, facing the table, the objective becomes clear: to win the match. The thirst for victory can bring about feelings of pressure, responsibility, and excitement, often pushing individuals beyond their limits. Even in the face of defeat, continuously pushing oneself beyond the limit and becoming stronger with each endeavor is thoroughly enjoyable. Reflection on failures can help individuals recognize their shortcomings and become more disciplined and resilient.”
- Toby Zhou, Keystone Table Tennis Team Captain
Tennis
ACAMIS Tennis Tournament
· Chelsey Sheng, Cathy Kang (women’s doubles): 1st place
“For me, composure, patience, and perseverance are the most important characteristics a tennis player should possess. Tennis has taught me to eliminate distractions after a loss and focus on the next moment. More importantly, after many training sessions and competitions, tennis has taught me to remain composed in the face of honor or disgrace. Keystone tennis players grow together through mutual trust, companionship, support, and sharing.”
- James Wang, Keystone tennis player
ISAC Tennis Tournament
U14 Girls
· Riko Pienaar (singles): 2nd place
U/14 Boys
· Luke Zhang (doubles with a non-Keystone partner): 2nd place
“Failure is an inevitable part of sports competitions, and athletic activities can help students be more resilient. The Tennis team members exhibited excellent teamwork, constantly encouraging one another. I believe that sports are something that everyone should persist in, as they not only keep us in a good mood and make our minds more flexible. Sports also enhance students’ ability to withstand setbacks and boost their confidence.
- Yanjun Wang, Keystone Visual Arts teacher and Secondary School Tennis Team Coach
Soccer
ISAC U/14 Boys Football Tournament
· Keystone Boys Football Team: 2nd place (Divisions 1, 4)
ISAC U/14 Girls Football Tournament
· Keystone Girls Football Team: Division 1 Champions
ISAC U/12 Boys Football Tournament
· Keystone Boys Football Team: 7th place
“First and foremost, students play sport because it provides an enjoyable experience. From these experiences, students can compete with their friends, but also form new connections, and create special memories that will last forever. I believe students view sports as a means to develop important skills that will help prepare them to face the challenges of life. In a word, sports mean everything to students.
I remember a game against Daystar Academy that proved to be a significant moment in our season. We were losing the game at halftime against a very tough opponent. In training, I always would stress to the players that it is the performance that matters, and not the result. In this particular game against Daystar, I asked the players at halftime if anyone would like to say anything. Instead of hearing criticism and negativity, I only heard words of encouragement and support. At this moment, I witnessed the players take ownership of their performance as a team, which was wonderful to see. This powerful moment led the players to achieve a positive result in the end.”
- Gareth Haylins, Keystone PHE Teacher and Secondary School Men’s Soccer Team Coach
“Whenever our team loses a game, we sit down, reflect on our shortcomings, and think about how we can progress. Our coaches also remind us frequently that we represent our school and the community. My four years in the Soccer Team have been very rewarding. I am familiar with every team member, and we progress and grow together as a team. Over the past four years, Keystone Soccer Team has always maintained its original intention. We follow the same guidelines, put in the same effort, and respect soccer similarly.”
- Osbert Chang, Captain of Keystone U14 Soccer Team
Basketball
ISAC U/14 Boys Basketball Tournament
· Keystone Basketball Team 2: 1st Place (Division 3)
· Keystone Basketball Team 3: 1st Place (Division 4)
· Keystone Basketball Team 1: 3rd place (Division 1)
ISAC U/12 Girls Basketball Tournament
· Keystone Basketball Team: 1st place
BASE U14 Boys Basketball Tournament
· Keystone Basketball Team: 1st place
“I think sport is an avenue for students to develop their passions, first and foremost. During my time here, I seldom see students playing basketball for extrinsic reasons. They play because they love the sport, no matter what their talent level is. This makes our kids quite coachable because they want to be there, they want to get better, they want to succeed.
I won’t forget the game in 2021 against Tsinghua International School at home when we were down by like 15 at halftime. We made adjustments and the kids came out and dominated the second half. They didn’t get down on each other or hang their heads. They showed tremendous resilience in clawing back to earn a very hard-fought and deserving win. This was a springboard to the rest of our successful season.”
- Maclyn Maguire, Keystone Individuals and Societies Teacher and Secondary School Men’s Basketball Team Coach
Volleyball
ISAC U/14 Girls Volleyball Tournament (Group A and Group B)
· Keystone Volleyball Team: ISAC Spirit of Sport Award
“Many believe that a school’s environment should not be limited to academics. Only focusing on reading and studying can make children bookish, so other activities like sports and games are essential for a student’s holistic development. Although studies are crucial, we cannot deny that sports also play a vital role in a child’s growth. Games and sports have been necessary in a student’s life for ages. Sports are not just viewed as a way to stay healthy and fit, but they also help teach life skills such as teamwork, leadership, accountability, patience, and self-confidence, which prepare students to face life challenges. Playing sports helps students work on their physical and mental abilities, achieve goals in life, and develop a strong foundation from an early age. The physical benefits of playing sports include overall fitness, a healthy body, disease prevention, stress reduction, hormonal benefits, enhanced social relationships, life skill development, time management, discipline, and better values.
Additionally, including sports activities in students’ daily routines contributes to their overall brain and physical development. Academic studies and athletic capabilities are associated and work together to form an individual’s personality and holistic development. The educational benefits of sports are countless and extend beyond just physical fitness.
Regardless of the team’s performance, everyone feels part of the team’s triumphs and setbacks. The community celebrates when the team is doing well and supports each other during difficult times.
At Keystone, we believe in embodying the spirit of sportsmanship. This means accepting our successes with humility and using our failures and disappointments as opportunities to make renewed and challenging efforts toward achieving success in the future.”
- Majkel Popovic, Keystone PHE Teacher and Secondary School Women’s Volleyball Team Coach
“I believe that Keystone’s sportsmanship lies in “love”. Although training can be tiresome and monotonous, we all take training sessions seriously because of our love for volleyball, and sometimes even train more than required. Even when we lose, we don’t get discouraged, despite the great efforts and beautiful smashes, we still cheer and jump on the court. We are genuinely happy when we finally master different skills.
- Stella Li, Keystone Secondary School Women’s Volleyball Team member
Handball
ISAC U11 Boys Handball Tournament
· Keystone Primary School Boys Handball Team: 1st place
ISAC U11 Girls Handball
· Keystone Primary School Girls Handball Team 2nd Place
Boys ISAC U10 Boys Handball
· Keystone Primary School Boys Handball Team: 2nd Place
ISAC U8 Boys Cross Country Championships (PS)
· Evan You: 2nd place
· Patrick Xu: 3rd place
ISAC U9 Girls Cross Country Championships (PS)
· Trinity Ding, 2nd place
· Hannah Hai, 3rd place
ISAC U10 Cross Country Championships (PS)
· Vicky Niu, 2nd place
· Jason Hu, 3rd place
· Jojo Hu, 3rd place
ISAC Cross Country MS and HS
· Vivian Yu (Girls Group): 1st place
· Vger Yu (Boys Group): 2nd place
“The sports scene has changed at Keystone over the past few years. More and more Primary students are participating in our sporting events, weekend experiences, and sports teams. It connects them with their friends and peers, and it is fun! It provides an escape from their everyday schedules and gives them a positive outlet for physical activity and emotion.
In March, Keystone Academy sent four boys’ Handball teams to the German Embassy School (DSP) to play in the ISAC U.11 Handball Tournament. All teams performed well, but one team won the entire tournament, solidifying Keystone as a Handball powerhouse in the ISAC community. After receiving the championship trophy, all four teams celebrated as one, showing that they could not have done it without each other.
Keystone Academy’s sports spirit is growing. We have come so far in the last few years despite the challenges set before us. Every year, we will continue to grow and improve to create a culture of sportsmanship that is healthy and competitive in the conferences in which we participate.”
- Joshua Tunon, Director of KAP (PS)
ISAC PS Track and Field
Around 50 members of Keystone’s Primary School teams won ten gold medals, fourteen silver medals, and eight bronze medals. With a total of 32 medals, Keystone ranked first among all participating teams.
In sports, students feel another collective, one that is more closely connected and shares honor and heartbreak. A warm encouragement or a cheerful gesture carries unexpected power.
As Keystone’s athletic teams keep running bravely on the field, they bloom and continue to pass on the power and spirit of sports.
