Credit: Kate Ahn
With broken records and historical performances, last season was a big one for Penn sports. From national record holders to internationally ranked athletes, there was plenty of talent on the field and court. Here are five Penn student-athletes to keep an eye on this year.
Liam O’Brien — football
In the middle of last season, it looked bleak for the Quakers. Then-senior starting quarterback Aidan Sayin went down with an injury during a matchup with Yale, and Penn was struggling to notch its first Ivy League win of the season. But then-junior quarterback Liam O’Brien took the spotlight. While the game against Yale ended in a loss, O’Brien proved himself as signal caller after Sayin was out of the game.
In his first collegiate start the following week, O’Brien led the Red and Blue to their first Ivy victory of the season against Brown. He then followed up that win by leading the team to a historic, dominant 67-49 victory against Cornell a week later — a performance soon dubbed as “Liamsanity.” Penn set the record for the most points scored since the start of Ivy League play in 1956, and O’Brien also set two program records for passing touchdowns and total touchdowns in a single game. He was named the FCS Offensive Player of the Week following the performance.
And that was only O’Brien’s second time as starting quarterback. With more experience under his belt and the chance for an Ivy League title now coming with a guaranteed spot in the FCS playoffs, the stage is set for him to have another electrifying season.
Salman Khalil — men’s squash
With the US Squash headquarters located just across Market Street, it’s no surprise that Penn men’s squash has consistently been the nation’s best — and junior Salman Khalil has been at the center of it all.
Khalil has been a standout since his freshman season, collecting every major accolade including Ivy League Rookie of the Year, College Squash Association first team All-American, and a national team championship — the first in program history.
Khalil continued his streak of dominance during his sophomore year, achieving an undefeated individual record — which was instrumental in the team’s perfect 20-0 overall record. Khalil also collected an individual national title in the CSA individual tournament — the first Quakers player to do so since 1979.
Under the shining lights of the Arlen Specter US Squash Center, Khalil had a picture-perfect finish to the season, defeating Yale’s Tad Carney to clinch a second straight national team title for the Red and Blue.
Khalil has a chance to continue his dominance this year amid the team’s quest for a “three-peat” and cementing a dynasty.
Katie Collins — women’s basketball
During her freshman year, now-sophomore forward Katie Collins made her presence known on the court and across the Ivy League. Collins, who started all 27 games for the Quakers, excelled on both sides of the ball. She led the team and conference in blocks and blocks per game and ranked third on the team in total rebounds.
Collins was named Ivy League Rookie of the Week nine times for her consistent, strong performances throughout the season — the second most in both Penn and Ivy League history. She was also unanimously voted the 2025 Ivy League Rookie of the Year.
Now that former star guard Stina Almqvist — who hit 1,000 career points in her final season with the Quakers — has graduated this past May, Penn will look to Collins for a stronger presence in the interior and as a scorer this season.
Ethan Roberts — men’s basketball
Senior guard/forward Ethan Roberts has only been with the Red and Blue for a year, but he’s made every minute count. After transferring from Drake, Roberts became a regular starter for the Quakers, only missing two games. The Arlington Heights, Ill. native led the Quakers in scoring average with 16.8 points per game.
Following former star center/forward and team captain Nick Spinoso’s graduation and former Penn guard Sam Brown’s transfer to Davidson — the latter player leading the Ancient Eight in scoring during last season’s conference play — Roberts will help to fill their shoes on offense, especially with a large incoming class of freshman and transfer players.
Roberts has already been a strong leader in the offseason, assisting new coach Fran McCaffery with recruitment efforts heading into a new era for Penn men’s basketball. With games on the horizon in November, Roberts will lead the effort to bring glory back to Penn men’s basketball.
Orly Sedransk — women’s lacrosse
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Following former star goalkeeper Kelly Van Hoesen’s graduation in the Class of 2024, then-freshman goalkeeper Orly Sedransk had big shoes to fill last season. And the phenom impressed.
Last season, Sedransk started in all but one games and cemented herself as a key member of the starting lineup after amassing 13 saves in the first ranked game of the season against Johns Hopkins. And she didn’t stop there, leading the Ivy League in saves per game and a save percentage of 0.49.
Sedransk earned 2025 Ivy League Rookie of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year titles for her performance, as well as All-American honorable mentions from USA Lacrosse and Inside Lacrosse. While women’s lacrosse won’t take the field until the spring, Quakers fans are eagerly awaiting the return of one of their strongest teams, with Sedransk manning the cage again. The team will have another chance at an Ivy League championship title and goals of another deep NCAA tournament run after advancing to the quarterfinals in the 2025 season.
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