From professional squash to youth baseball, Northwest Philadelphia's athletes and teams dominated their respective sports in 2024, with local schools and organizations collecting championships across multiple disciplines and setting new standards for athletic excellence.

Local squash superstar Olivia Weaver continued her remarkable ascent in professional squash, defending her title at the Chestnut Hill Classic with a commanding victory over U.S. Squash teammate Marina Stefanoni. Weaver, ranked No. 4 in the world and the top American player, added to her impressive resume with her ninth career PSA Squash Tour title and second of the 2024/25 season, following her triumph at the Gold-level Silicon Valley Open. Her continued success has helped cement Northwest Philadelphia's reputation as a hub for professional squash.

The Philadelphia Cricket Club secured a major coup for NW Philadelphia golf,  earning the right to host the Truist Championship, a PGA Tour Signature event, at its historic Wissahickon course in Flourtown in May 2025. The tournament, formerly known as the Wells Fargo Championship, will bring the world's top 70 ranked players to the area, along with an estimated $70 million in regional economic impact. With a purse expected to reach $20 million, the event promises to attract golf's biggest names to the historic course, marking one of the most significant professional sporting events to come to Northwest Philadelphia in recent years.

Springside Chestnut Hill Academy's Jackson Erdos, known as "Jaccident" in competition, proved himself a force in the ninja warrior world, clinching first place in the "Elite" division of the World Ninja League season 9 World Championships. The 17-year-old rising senior outperformed contestants from across the globe at the June competition in Greensboro, N.C., which drew over 10,000 viewers on YouTube. It marked Erdos's third world championship victory in six appearances, adding to his impressive record of two second-place and one third-place finish. His dominance in the sport has brought national attention to local athletics.

Mt. Airy Baseball demonstrated the enduring power of community sports programs, prepared to celebrate its 40th anniversary with unprecedented growth. While many Little League programs across the city face declining numbers due to competition from for-profit showcase teams, Mt. Airy's program continues to expand, offering a model for sustainable community athletics. The organization registered approximately 1,400 players throughout the year, with 850 active participants across 60 teams and plans for further expansion. 

Mount St. Joseph Academy dominated local school athletics, collecting multiple championships throughout the year in a display of remarkable athletic depth. The Magic's swim team captured its sixth consecutive Athletic Association of Catholic Academies title after an undefeated regular season, continuing their dynasty in the pool. The school's track and field team secured its fourth straight AACA championship with a commanding performance that left little doubt about their supremacy, winning 10 of 11 track events and four field events while amassing 231 points to second-place Villa Maria's 140. The 91-point margin of victory highlighted the program's exceptional depth and coaching.

The Magic's success extended to cross country, where the team secured its sixth league title despite increased competition from a rising Gwynedd Mercy program. While the margin of victory narrowed compared to 2023, Mount St. Joseph demonstrated its staying power by placing all seven varsity runners in the top 12, showcasing the program's ability to develop talent across multiple running disciplines.

Springside Chestnut Hill Academy enjoyed success across multiple sports, with its softball team writing a redemption story by avenging last year's heartbreaking 1-0 loss in the Pennsylvania Independent Schools tournament finals. The Blue Devils captured the Indy Schools title by defeating both Germantown Academy and Penn Charter, adding to their 2022 championship. The school's athletic excellence continued on the soccer field, where the girls' team secured the Inter-Ac League title with a decisive 3-0 victory over Academy of Notre Dame, finishing with an impressive 10-2 league record that demonstrated their consistency throughout the season.

Germantown Friends School made history as its boys' tennis team captured its first state championship, edging out the Haverford School in a thrilling 3-2 match that showcased the rising prominence of the school's athletic program.

The year's achievements across such diverse sports highlighted Northwest Philadelphia's rich athletic tradition and the continued strength of its school and community sports programs. From professional competitions drawing international attention to thriving youth programs fostering the next generation of athletes, 2024 proved to be a banner year for local sports.