Paddle On: Eight Straight Championship
for Brooklyn Tech Table Tennis
With banner raised and paddles high, Brooklyn Tech’s Boys Varsity Table Tennis team has captured its eighth consecutive New York City Public School Athletic League championship—an extraordinary achievement that cements the Engineers’ place as a true New York City dynasty.
Tech sealed the title with a 4–1 victory over longtime rival Stuyvesant High School, but the road to the trophy reflected the discipline, preparation, and resilience that define this program. After a decisive 4–1 semifinal win over John Jay High School, the Engineers entered the championship match ranked No. 1—yet fully aware that rivalries are never decided on paper.
Head coach Maureen Malone, co-coach Carla Sigona, and volunteer coach Edward Suen deployed a sophisticated 2-2-1 strategy to counter Stuyvesant’s formidable lineup. The opening round ended in a tense draw, kept alive by sophomore Aron Poyker and junior Sean Lall, whose gritty fifth-set doubles victory shifted momentum. Junior Isaiah Gitman’s relentless preparation—particularly his training to neutralize an opponent’s specialized “pips” paddle surface—proved pivotal, earning Tech a critical lead. Junior Kevin Berfirer then clinched the championship with a calm, clinical performance, while senior Nico Corona and sophomore Leo Ling closed out the final frames in commanding fashion.
The team was anchored all season by senior Louis Chen, whose steady leadership and belief in his teammates set the tone for this remarkable run. Alongside Nico Corona, he leaves behind not only wins, but a culture of mentorship and excellence that will guide the next generation of Engineers.
We are so proud of our boys and their amazing win! We've been asked, ‘Does it get boring winning another city championship?’ No, it does not! Each win has been a battle and that is what makes the journey to win even sweeter! Eight years running! Thank you, alumni, for all your support!”
– Coaches Maureen Malone and Carla Sigona
This sustained success also honors the enduring legacy of the late founding coach and Tech alumnus Clarence C. McCullum ’69, whose vision helped establish the foundation for today’s championship tradition.
Through our long-running Jeffrey M. Haitkin ’62 Faculty Grants Program—and the generosity of our alumni community—the Brooklyn Tech Alumni Foundation is proud to support not only academic enrichment, but outstanding teams like Table Tennis. Year after year, these student-athletes demonstrate that dynasties are built not simply on talent, but on teamwork, tenacity, and Technite pride.
Eight in a row—and still paddling forward.
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