FDR has many outstanding student/athletes! For this year’s final issue, varsity coaches submitted their MVPs for the 2025-2026. Here are the athletes who made their team and school proud!

Evelyn Diaz

Girls Varsity Soccer

After graduating 5 seniors, this year was expected to be a rebuilding year, but as a freshman Evelyn exceeded all expectations and excelled from the start. She led the team with 21 goals and 17 assists, embracing a major role with her leadership and outstanding performances. She helped guide the team to the best record in the last 5 years and into the second-round payoffs.

Mehribon Alimova

Girls Table Tennis

Mehribon Alimova has been an outstanding leader and competitor for the FDR Girls Table Tennis team this season. As our first singles player, she consistently competed in the toughest position on the team and rose to every challenge with determination and confidence. Mehribon’s tremendous work ethic sets the tone for the entire program. She is always the first person to arrive at practice and the last to leave, constantly pushing herself to improve. Her dedication, leadership, and commitment to the success of the team have made her an invaluable teammate and a true student/athlete model. For all of these reasons, Mehribon is our team’s MVP.

Ben Wolfson-Harris

Boy’s Outdoor Track and Field

Positive attitude, understands boundaries, shows up, takes things in stride, great general demeanor and sense of respect for self and others!

Yusufdzhon Balaev

Wrestling

Yusufdzhon was a four-year varsity wrestler and Captain in his junior and senior years.  He was a PSAL 2026 Individual City Champion and competed in the 2026 NY State Championship up in Albany.  He has committed to the Hunter College Wrestling Program for next year.

Emily Wu

Girls Badminton

A 3 year player who worked her way up from 2nd doubles into a high-level singles competitor. Throughout her career, she has been a key contributor and dependable anchor in many hard fought team victories.

Choeklang, Tenzin

Boys Volleyball

On a team filled to the brim with hitting talent Ten is as talented as anyone.  Yet he sacrifices the ability to do it on a regular basis to be our libero (a backcourt specialist), because no one can match his passing ability. Without him digging balls and accurately receiving, there simply wouldn’t be many opportunities for anyone to hit, let alone win matches.

Congrats to all these amazing athletes for being named our 2025-2026 Cougar MVPs!!!!