The football team played in the Drew Gamere Bowl against Avon Old Farms, our field hockey team made it to the Class B semifinals, while both of our soccer teams made their respective Class B finals.

“All of our Williston teams had fantastic seasons,” Director of Athletics Jade Morris said. “For the teams that made it to the NEPSAC tournaments, their playoff games were a testament to how hard they worked this season, and how they believed in each other to get there.”

The four team sports followed an amazing individual effort the week before, when Brody Richardson ’26 raced to victory in the NEPSTA Division II cross-country championships, which were hosted at Williston.

Football

After a stellar 7-2 regular season to earn the Northeast Prep Football Conference league title, the Wildcats were rewarded with a spot in the Class A championship for the Drew Gamere Bowl. Facing off against undefeated Avon Old Farms, the two teams duked it out in a game that was close throughout before Avon pulled away for a 35-21 win.

Nate Ellis ’26 had a massive day, racking up 132 yards on the ground for a touchdown. In the first half, Ellis took a direct handoff to the end zone to get Williston on the board.

Drew Alsup ’26 hauled in 10 catches for 117 yards and a touchdown to also assist the Williston effort, and additionally he took a kick-off return to the house for his second touchdown of the day.

“Although the end result wasn’t what we were hoping for, I loved the way that the guys competed and left it all out there,” said head coach Tommy Beaton. “As I reminded the players after the game, winning our league in back-to-back seasons is something to be very proud of!”

After the Bowl game, Williston was awarded an additional piece of hardware when the Western Massachusetts Officials’ Association named Williston its Sportsmanship Award winner for the season. The Officials group encompasses public and private high schools in the region, and Williston is the first private school to be recognized with the Sportsmanship Award.

Field Hockey

Williston, the reigning Class B champions, faced a tall task in the semifinals of this year’s Class B tournament, as they had a rematch of last year’s finals against Middlesex School.

Middlesex took the victory in two overtimes—the same amount of time it took to decide the 2024 championship game—by a score of 3-2.

“The girls had an incredible season, going 14-2-2 overall,” head coach Alex Tancrell-Fontaine said. “They really embraced the motto of playing with joy, not fear, all season. In every game, the team was incredibly supportive of one another. The other key motto of the team is ‘next play, ‘ and that was crucial in never getting hung up on one play or one game, and always being ready for what was next.”

In the quarterfinals, Williston beat Dexter Southfield School 2-1 behind goals from Zola Piekarski ’26 and Brooke Schlutter ’27. Caroline Doherty ’26 assisted on both of the goals, while Schlutter and Riley Stocker were each credited with one assist.

In the semifinals, Doherty scored the first goal on passes from Schlutter and Piekarski, and Schlutter scored the second on passes from Ella Skeiber ’28 and Piekarski.

“The team was led by an incredible group of seniors [Kat Mayer, Piekarski, Mia Townshend, Doherty, and manager Daryn Fox]. The leadership group of Kat, Zola, and Riley created an environment where everyone was working towards the same goal every day,” Tancrell-Fontaine said. “What this group created was magical and the success was purely wrapped up in the love they had for one another.”

Piekarski ended her Wildcat field hockey career with 204 points, while Ava Carr ’28 and Schlutter each had 50 points this season alone. In goal, River Grady ’27 had just 17 goals against in 18 games. Williston was also the Western New England champion for the season.

Boys Soccer

For the second time in as many years, the Wildcat boys soccer team found itself in the Class B championship game. This year’s path started with a 2-1 win over Middlesex School in the quarterfinals, then a 6-0 shutout of Vermont Academy in the semifinals. In the championship, the third-seeded Wildcats fell to No. 1 Mount St. Charles Academy 3-2.

“Our success is the result of all the hard work the team put in this year,” head coach John Chiavaroli said. “Our trip to Guatemala in the preseason was an excellent way to set the tone for the season ahead.”

In the semifinals, Nico Garcia ’26 scored two goals and had an assist, while Tristan Kokoszka ’26 had two goals, and Max Hodge ’28 and Adrian Ruiz Boughton ’26 each had one goal.

Against MSC in the final, Garcia had another goal and another assist, while Marco Pimenta ’28 had a goal and Kokoszka added an assist.

Garcia, Kokoszka, and Sebastian Fonseca ’26 were all named to the All-NEPSAC team, while Garcia earned All-Region honors. For the year, Garcia had 20 goals and 16 assists.

Girls Soccer

In a season that was all about “heart” according to head coach Sara Reid, the Wildcats peaked at the right time to make the Class B final. The path there included wins over Pingree School in the quarterfinals, and a 1-0 win over No. 1 Dexter Southfield in the semis. In the finals, the fifth-seeded Wildcats fell to No. 6 St. George’s School 1-0.

“We were a team fueled by fun, energy, and a genuine belief in one another,” Reid said, “where our success came not just from technical skill, but from our collective drive, grit, and the will to fight for each other every time we stepped on the field.”

In the quarterfinals, Catie Putt ’26, Jayme Cerasuolo ’26, and Scarlette Graybill ’26 all found the back of the net, while Cerasuolo recorded two assists and Marion Ayeh ’26 had another.

Against Dexter Southfield, Ayeh scored the game’s lone goal on an assist from Cerasuolo.

“This is such a special team who I am going to miss greatly,” Reid said. “Our team quote was ‘zero ego, all heart’ and it totally matched who we were as a team, and how we made it to the final.”

Evans Welch ’28, Peri Burns ’28, and Zoe Melia ’27 were all named WWNEPSSA All-Star Game participants, while Melia and Jayla Peets Butterfield ’27 were named NEPSAC Jr. All-Stars.

Putt, Skyler Walker ’26, and Ayeh were honored with All-NEPSAC selections for their stellar seasons, and Cerasuolo and Graybill were named All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention.

Photographs for boys soccer, girls soccer, and field hockey by Risley Sports Photography. Photo of football by T.J. Houle ’27

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Richardson won the 2025 championship in a time of 16 minutes, 17 seconds. The senior pipped Roxbury Latin’s James Kerr, the 2024 champion, to the finish line by one second.

“This has been a goal of mine since my first race in seventh grade,” Richardson said. “It’s a dream come true. Putting in all the miles, all the work, and seeing it finally pay off at the line there was incredible.”

Richardson’s top finish helped his Wildcat team to a fourth-place team finish. Casey Muscato ’26 (18^th), Finn Mailloux ’28 (34^th), Kamal Sergeev ’27 (38^th), and Noah Lehane ’28 (56^th) rounded out the five scoring runners for Williston.

“To come out on top personally and also get that fourth-place team finish was great,” Richardson said.

Racing on the friendly home course around Galbraith Fields, Richardson noted that the race was a tactical one. Instead of being in the lead throughout, Richardson used the pacing of some runners ahead of him to set up a dramatic overtake down the final stretch.

“It was kind of like playing chase the whole second half of the race,” he said. “I let them do the work. Ultimately, my summer training helped me come out on top. My coach [Michael Doubleday] said the cross-country season starts in June. I put in about 410 miles in the summer.”

The NEPSTA finish was not Richardson’s only highlight this season. He broke the school record for the Galbraith course—and had a first-place finish in Williston’s Shaler Invitational. At the Shaler, Richardson also highlighted how big it was that the team as a whole placed in the top 3.

“The boys performed a lot better than we were projected to, and it made me very hopeful for the future of this program,” Richardson said.

The cross-country season isn’t over yet for Richardson. On November 22, he will head to Wappingers Falls, New York, to race in the Nike Cross Regionals hosted by Nike. The following week, he will race in the Brooks Northeast Cross-Country Championships in Boston. In college, Richardson plans to run for Union College.

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Good evening, everyone, and welcome to Williston’s Fall College Commitment Signing Day. Tonight, we’re here to celebrate eight incredible student-athletes who have earned the opportunity to continue their athletic and academic journeys at the collegiate level.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge not only the dedication these students have shown to their respective sports, but also the commitment and leadership they’ve brought to all areas of our athletic program. Skyler, Catie, Jayme, Scarlett, and Kat are currently competing this fall and fighting for a NEPSAC championship, while Nina has led our varsity volleyball team as captain.

We’re also thrilled to recognize Ethen and Nathan, two outstanding athletes who are new to Williston this year and have already made a strong impression on our community.

Tonight is about celebrating hard work, perseverance, and passion. We’re so proud of each of you and can’t wait to see all that you accomplish at the next level.

We’ll now recognize each athlete individually. For each of you, please come up after your name is called, you will sign, then take a few special photos—one by yourself, with coaches, one with friends, one with family, to mark this special achievement.

Skyler Walker is a four-year student from Barrington, RI. Next year, Skyler will be playing basketball at Stonehill College. Congratulations, Skyler.

Nina Coffee is a four-year student from Lyme, CT. Next year, Nina will be playing hockey at College of Holy Cross. Congratulations, Nina.

Catie Putt is a four-year student from Norfolk, MA. Next year, Catie will be playing hockey at the University of New Hampshire. Congratulations, Catie.

Jayme Cerasuolo is a three-year student from Hampden, MA. Next year, Jayme will be playing lacrosse at East Carolina University. Congratulations, Jayme.

Scarlette Graybill is a four-year student from Old Lyme, CT. Next year, Scarlett will be playing lacrosse at Davidson College. Congratulations, Scarlett.

Kat Mayer is a three-year student from Massena, NY. Next year, Kat will be playing lacrosse at Radford University. Congratulations, Kat.

Ethen Fines is a one-year student from Sarnia, ON Canada. Next year, Ethen will be playing lacrosse at Drexel University. Congratulations, Ethen.

Nathan Tremlett is a one-year student from Medford, MA. Next year, Nathan will be playing lacrosse at Long Island University. Congratulations, Nathan.

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Introducing our Athletes of the Week program! Each week, Williston coaches nominate one student-athlete from their team who stood out by demonstrating our core values of purpose, passion, and integrity. These athletes show exceptional dedication, leadership, and sportsmanship, both on and off the field, embodying what it means to be a Williston Wildcat. Read below for more information on each of the Athletes of the Week.

Audrey Dowsett ’29 – Girls Varsity Cross Country

This week, we recognize Audrey Dowsett ’29, who has demonstrated exceptional resilience and dedication throughout the season. Despite battling injury for much of the year, she continued to show up every day, pushing herself to contribute meaningfully to the team. Her grit and mental toughness were on full display this past weekend at the NEPSAC Championships, where she exemplified what it means to push beyond one’s limits. She has been an inspiration to her teammates, showing true perseverance and heart. We look forward to her continued growth and contributions next season!

Sofia Oblomkova ’28 – Girls JV Cross Country

This week we’re celebrating Sofia Oblomkova ’28, a newcomer to cross country who has quickly become an integral part of our team. From the moment she joined, she has embodied the true spirit of the sport — showing up with a positive attitude, an eagerness to learn, and a growing love for the process of becoming a runner. Throughout the season, she has discovered that she is a runner at heart, embracing the joy of training alongside her teammates and pushing herself in every race. This Saturday, all of her hard work and dedication paid off as she achieved a new personal record of 27:54! We are so proud of her progress and can’t wait to see all the amazing things she will accomplish in the seasons ahead.

Zola Piekarski  ’26 – Varsity Field Hockey

Zola has been an offensive force since the moment she arrived at Williston. She is as much of a goal scorer as she is a playmaker. Over her career, Zola has developed her defensive abilities and is an integral part of our corner unit. Her speed and decision-making help with transition and create scoring chances consistently. This season, Zola has led the team with confidence on and off the field. She is someone who consistently puts in extra work. Regularly, she is up at the field early, getting extra shots in or working on her stick skills. Zola is an inspiration to her teammates, motivating them to work hard and always bring their best. On Saturday, she hit the incredible milestone of reaching 200 points in her career. Zola has forever changed the Williston Field Hockey program, and we could not be more grateful and proud of her.

Nora Penney ’31 – JV Field Hockey

Nora had her best game of the season against NMH. Though the wildcats ended up losing in a tough fourth quarter, Nora sent the whole team into wild cheers when she scored in the second quarter. After an exciting breakaway, Nora received a pass cleanly and took a strong shot on goal. The NMH goalie was fooled and caught off balance, allowing the ball to enter the cage. Throughout the season, Nora’s hard work and dedication to the team always shown through. Her coaches and teammates thank her for a strong season of play!

Dean Ruksnaitis ’26 – Varsity Football

Dean Ruksnaitis had a monster game for the Wildcats on Saturday in their 29-25 win over Brunswick. It was the first win the Wildcats had over Brunswick in team history. On the day the Wildcats ran for 313 yards and 7.3 yards per carry. Furthermore, they had four rushing TDs and two 2-point conversions on the ground. Dean has been a four-year starter and a two-year captain.

Bella Marinello ’26– Girls Varsity Volleyball

Her body of work through the season has been consistently admirable. Her ranging contributions this term include opening up her home for a team gathering during preseason, actively seeking input to improve her game, and putting the team first during practice and matches- all combined with her cerebral, diverse net play and steady back row defense as our starting outside hitter.

Sara Xiao ’29 – Girls 3rds Volleyball

Sara has shown tremendous growth in her volleyball game this season. Her passing has become consistent and dependable, and she approaches every practice and game with a positive attitude. Even when things don’t go perfectly, she stays composed and focused, setting an example for her teammates. Sara’s hard work and steady presence have made her someone the team looks to for support and leadership on the court.

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Success, according to head coach John Chiavarolli, has to be measured by a metric besides simply wins and losses.

“I tell them at the beginning of the season and reiterate it throughout: success is measured in many different ways,” Chiavaroli explains. “A part of it is wins and losses, but also what friendships you establish for years to come because of your role on this team.”

While his current squad is undefeated in NEPSAC Class B play, and 11-4-1 on the season, Chiavaroli, in his 10^th year as varsity coach, says the relationships are will outlast the scoreboard.

“The reality is only one team gets to raise the NEPSAC trophy that says ‘Champions’ on it,” he explains. “That means 90 percent of players won’t. If that’s your only measure of success, you’re setting yourself up for almost certain failure.”

To remedy this, he says, “There have got to be other goals you focus on that transcend results. That’s friendship and how you build respect for one another.”

These friendships are fostered internally, according to both Chiavaroli and assistant coach,

Jesús López Díez, who, in his first year with the varsity team, has been incredibly impressed with the team unity.

“I have never seen a better chemistry between kids on any team that I’ve coached in my life,” López Díez said, “that’s how good it is.”

López Díez previously coached at Milton Academy, Dana Hall School, and Deerfield Academy. Chiavaroli coached at Choate for five years after playing at Kenyon College.

This camaraderie is integral to the core identity of the team, and it is something Chiavaroli said past captains have instilled as part of the program. Each year, no matter how many new players join the squad, everyone feels welcome, he said. They continually bolster this sense of unity through team breakfasts and lunches, clear communication and support on the field, and a pre-season trip to Guatemala that Chiavaroli credited with starting to cement the team’s bond.

It is “ultimately about spending time with one another,” Chiavaroli said. “The strength is in their relationships. The guys really get along well and work hard for one another.”

“We genuinely like spending time together,” agreed senior Yahya Wilson. “Our team unity is a big contributor to the success we have had this season.”

Wilson added that he and his teammates “push each other to grow and generally wish the best for each other.”

For López Díez, the players’ character shines through every day.

“In our society we cannot be ourselves in many occasions, we have filters,” he said, citing the cultural differences between his native Spain and the U.S. “But they are very open-minded, and open about sharing their feelings. I’ve seen many instances where these kids are absolutely genuine. There’s not one single day when I get on the field and they don’t give me a hug or a fist bump. They’re fantastic.”

López Díez also credits Chiavaroli for his tactical and analytical approach to coaching the players in a way that gives them exactly what they need in every moment.

“One of the things John does beautifully is he is able to analyze where the team is and adjust what’s needed throughout the season,” he explained. “The analysis he has made of other teams is so in-depth that when he coaches them, he knows what exactly is the best tactic.”

He saw this play out in the October 8 game against Choate, in which the team adopted a more defensive approach. They were losing 2-0 but came back to tie in the final two minutes. “That was huge,” López Díez said.

The Wildcats beat Northfield Mount Hermon 3-2 on Nov. 8 and will play in the first round of the NEPSAC playoffs this Wednesday, Nov. 12.

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Introducing our Athletes of the Week program! Each week, Williston coaches nominate one student-athlete from their team who stood out by demonstrating our core values of purpose, passion, and integrity. These athletes show exceptional dedication, leadership, and sportsmanship, both on and off the field, embodying what it means to be a Williston Wildcat. Read below for more information on each of the Athletes of the Week.

AJ Tanihaha ’27 – Boys JV Cross Country

AJ has been working extremely hard since he joined the team in September.  He comes to every practice with a great attitude and a desire to improve.  AJ has seen significant improvement in his times since his first race and can always be counted on to support his teammates and display great sportsmanship.  The coaches are very pleased with AJ’s improvement and look forward to seeing what AJ can accomplish next fall after a full summer of training.

Ava Richardson ’26 – Girls Varsity Cross Country

This week, we recognize Ava Richardson ’26 for her incredible perseverance and drive throughout the season. She continues to rise to every occasion—showing the true heart of a competitor. Ava approaches each race with a quiet, focused determination that fuels her success and inspires those around her. This was on full display at this Saturday’s race, where she finished 4th among her teammates and ran a personal best this season, 25:55! Ava thrives when the competition is toughest, demonstrating grit, focus, and resilience every time she steps onto the course. We can’t wait to see how her hard work and competitive spirit shine at the NEPSAC Championship this weekend!

Mia Townsend  ’26 – Varsity Field Hockey

Mia has battled back from a significant injury this season. She has set a great example for the team on how to navigate injury through constant communication with trainers and coaches, while giving her rehab her best effort. There was never a moment when Mia was not focused on getting back, and this tenacity was an inspiration to her team. Mia has played nearly every position on the field, except goalie. This Saturday, on senior day, Mia played sweep for the first time and played confidently as the anchor of the defense. During her field hockey career, it has been amazing to watch her grow as a player and as a leader. The program is better because of her strong work ethic and sense of humor. We are proud of all she has accomplished!

Campbell Schulze ’31 – JV Field Hockey

Campbell had two impressive showings in the goal last week—one against Kingswood Oxford and one against Loomis. Though JV field hockey was defeated by both teams, Campbell blocked more shots on goal than their coaches could keep track of. There were multiple times when it looked like a certainty that the opposing team would score, but Campbell was somehow able to throw up a hand to deflect a shot or reach their stick out to block a ball that was inches from the cage. In the game against Loomis in particular, our defense had to contend with multiple corners in each quarter, but due to our defense’s tenacity, led by Campbell, Loomis was only able to convert a couple of those corners into goals. Campbell has been a wonderful presence on the team this year and their coaches and teammates look forward to more strong play in the cage from them in our last two games!

Drew Alsup ’26 – Varsity Football

Drew Alsup has done everything for the Wildcats this year and this continued on Saturday in their 34-7 win over Salisbury. In the first half he had five catches for 60 yards and a touchdown rush on the first offensive play of the game for the Wildcats. This marks the second week in a row in which Drew scored on Williston’s first offensive play. Although these numbers are modest for Drew, it was his blocking and selflessness that stood out. Drew is the consummate teammate and has an incredible work ethic.

Yahya Wilson ’26 – Boys Varsity Soccer

Senior midfielder Yahya Wilson’s soccer playing career for Williston will be complete in about two weeks.  Yahya has demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship throughout the season, and he has contributed to the success of the Boys Varsity team by playing many roles over the past three years. He represents a model student athlete that our program is very proud of. A stellar student and a starter this fall, Yahya has always come prepared to compete as his best. His performances in recent games against Cheshire and Taft were some of the best of his career. He demonstrated a high level of fitness and creativity with his movement off the ball. Yahya’s best is exactly what his teammates will need this week when they travel to Kingwood on Wednesday and host NMH on Saturday. Yahya as well as seniors, Devin Berry Brown, and Eden Dushekenov, represent the seniors who have worked their way up through the program. They are flagbearers of this program, and much of its success over the past three years is because this group consistently pushed themselves to get better.  Williston thanks them for all of their service to the program.

Campbell Keenan ’29 – Boys JV A Soccer

Campbell Keenan ’29 scored his first goal of the season, a winning goal against Deerfield team, which JVA defeated 4-2 on the weekend, in comeback fashion. He pounced on a loose ball on a corner and volleyed it into the net. Campbell has proven to be a classic destroyer at the center midfield position all season long, breaking up play and winning the majority of his one-on-one duels. This is in addition to being arguably the most helpful player on the team, always picking up cones and balls, and assisting the manager and coaches in transitioning between drills or at the end of practice. Both on gameday and in practices, the kind of work Campbell is doing often doesn’t get the same appreciation as the goalscorers do, but his work in both places has been integral to both team success and creating a positive team culture.

Skyler Walker ’26 – Girls Varsity Soccer

Our Athlete of the Week is senior captain, and goalkeeper Skyler Walker, whose leadership and composure have been a steady force for our team all season. On Saturday, she stepped up in a big way, making key saves and organizing our defense with confidence. Her even-keeled presence and ability to uplift those around her set the tone for the entire group. Even in Wednesday’s game, when she didn’t see much action, she remained fully engaged—communicating, encouraging, and holding her teammates to a high standard while keeping the energy positive. Skyler’s leadership, consistency, and presence on and off the field have been invaluable all year.

Isabel Sorkin-Camacho ’26 – Girls Varsity Volleyball

Isabel displayed excellent focus and spirit in the week of practice leading up to our final Senior match of the season. Her positivity really supports a great practice atmosphere and her work has paid off with consistent play and improvement in games.

As a Senior, Isabel has set a great example for the underclassmen who will follow in her footsteps in the coming years.

Luo Yi Zhang ’29 – Girls JV Volleyball

This week, we’re excited to recognized Luo Yi, who bring unmatched energy to the JV volleyball team. Known for her powerful serves and quick reflexes, Luo Yi’s continues to set high standards for her teammates to follow. She played a key role in leading the team to victory against last week’s 3-2 game against Ethel Walker including a streak of serves that our opponents failed to respond to. Of the court, Luo Yi is admired for her positive attitude and humor.  We’re grateful for her contributions and look forward to seeing her growth as the season progresses.

Amaya Arias Soto ’29 – Girls 3rds Volleyball

Amaya has stepped up as a role model both on and off the court and emerged as a leader during last week’s game against Eagle Hill School. Throughout the season, the team has been able to count on Amaya for words of encouragement or a good laugh. She is always eager to get out on the court before practice begins, and her enthusiasm helps set a positive tone for the team. Amaya takes feedback well and shows a clear desire to learn and improve, which has been evident in how much progress she has made this season. Her passes have become more consistent, and her strong serve contributed to several key points in last week’s game. Amaya’s energy, work ethic, and ability to motivate others make her a valued part of the team.

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Every runner has uttered a variation of that statement, and Williston cross-country captain Francesca Gionfriddo is no different. She said her team is “bonded by the difficulty of running.” She also said, “the running never gets easier, you just get stronger.” Her co-captain, Zoe Simon, summed it up with an understatement: “This is not an easy sport.”

But in spite of this, or perhaps because of it—the motto goes their sport is other teams’ punishment—Williston’s cross-country runners are a unique breed of athlete. Self-driven, mentally tough, fiercely competitive with themselves, and yet at the same time always ready to celebrate anyone who laces up and participates in this physically and mentally grueling pursuit.

In fact, celebrating is part of what brings the team together, and what keeps them going when the next hill looks too steep to climb.

“We celebrate the little wins, like a PR [personal record] or even a first race finish,” said Simon, a day-student senior who has been on the team since ninth grade. “The environment is really supportive,” she said, a culture that’s constantly being built by both coaches and runners. “A hard sport plus a hard social environment would make it not tolerable.”

It’s not by accident that both the boys’ and girls’ teams are such strong communities. Every practice, every meet, the runners are figuring out ways to push each other while also keeping things light—at least as light as they can when striving to run as fast as feasibly possible for 3.1 miles against a swarm of other people all trying to beat them.

“It’s a really positive atmosphere, both in practices and races,” said Gionfriddo. To that end, the team intersperses hard training runs, hill repeats, pace work on the track and weekly lifting sessions with runs around the Mt. Tom reservoir and up to Park Hill Orchard.

The girls’ team is coached by Christa Talbot Syfu ’98 and Jessica Tabb Wood; the boys by Michael Doubleday and Michael Mailloux. Both compete in the NEPSAC Class B division.

They blend in silliness as well, with traditions like Friday theme days; a recent ‘80s theme coincided with an aqua jogging pool training during which Gionfriddo pumped ‘80s jams through a portable speaker. The team also has a practice called “Secret Sneaker,” a take on Secret Santa in which runners send anonymous notes of positivity to their teammates.

Because it’s always possible to run faster, Gionfriddo said it can be difficult as a competitor to mark notable achievements from day to day, and that’s where this culture of positivity comes in. “It’s hard to feel accomplished,” she said. “We kind of have to celebrate the little wins.”

As Simon stated, “It’s much easier to go up that hill when there are people cheering for you.” That cheering and optimism, she was quick to mention, is something the team continually works hard to cultivate.

Sarah Martini, the third co-captain with Gionfriddo and Simon, takes leadership cues from her first captains when she was a seventh grader, Anna Richardson ’21 and Poojaa Prakash Babu ’21.

“They were wonderful,” she said, noting that both runners instilled in her the importance of traditions to offset the pain of running and form a cohesive unit of competitors. Those traditions, along with theme days, include scavenger hunts, ribbons which Martini brings to each meet, and baked goods she makes for the team.

Prakash Babu, a recent graduate of Trinity College, remembers that team fondly, and says what cross-country taught her, more than anything, is that she is capable, because she pushed through the pain, of so much more than she ever thought.

“Cross-country is hard and long and more than stamina you need a strong mental attitude,” she said. “No matter how big the hills are … as long as you keep running you will reach the finish line. You just have to keep pushing and something good will come your way. All you can do is make an honest effort and not give up.”

Something good is already coming Martini’s way. She admits that when she began six years ago, said she would “walk to the top of the hills, it was so brutal.” However, at the October 25 Shaler Invitational, Martini ran a PR of 23:08—beating her record by one minute and seven seconds.

Along with the constant battle of pacing and pushing themselves, of trying to beat the course record or just finish the course, cross-country also provides its competitors with a surprising sense of serenity, according to boys’ co-captains Brody Richardson and Casey Muscato, who said he especially enjoys the long, 8-10 mile runs, even more so as the leaves begin to change. “It’s like sightseeing,” he said.

On nature trails, Muscato added, “it’s usually pretty peaceful and quiet,” and he can “zone out or get into conversation.”

Richardson, who runs with Muscato, agrees.

“I don’t think about anything, just breathing and how to stay calm,” he said. “If I’m on a race where I’m solo and don’t have to deal with anyone else next to me, I can get into the zone and remind myself to breathe, take deep breaths, and use the people around me to motivate me.”

Important to know: Muscato and Richardson are zoning out and enjoying the peace and quiet while running 7 to 7:20-minute miles. For upwards of 13 miles.

“It’s a very self-driven sport,” Muscato explained. “You can make it hard and get a lot out of it. I’m reaping the rewards of it. I’m getting faster, feeling faster, and being able to go for longer runs.”

Those rewards were on full display on October 4, when Muscato, a senior from Pensacola, Fla., ran the course in 18:18, his personal best. Of course, as he’s done all year, Richardson finished first that meet. And the following one.

And then there was the team’s home meet against Taft, in which Richardson broke his own PR (set the prior week), crossing the finish line in 16:15, the fastest Williston time ever recorded on the Galbraith course. The course record, 15:54 set in 2019 by Loomis Chafee runner Matt Farrell, is a record he always has his sights on.

He wasn’t always this fast, of course. As a seventh grader, Richardson, a day student senior, said his dad has videos that show him looking “like a dying gazelle. My form was atrocious; it was a whole new sport for me.”

But as runners do, over and over, he kept running. His times got faster. His form got stronger. And, as someone who racks up 45-plus miles a week, he could easily take credit alone for his accomplishments. But here, again, is where this sense of community shows itself.

He remembers his middle school teams, and the subsequent ones, as “so closely knit together as a family,” he said. “They included me in my seventh and eighth grade years in after-practice activities, group chats, making senior posters. We all did these extracurricular activities that made the group bond better than any other team I’ve been on.”

Richardson said he looked up to his past captains Will Chalfant ’23, Calvin Klumpp ’24, and Jeremy Dube ’24, and tries to lead the way they did, with inclusivity.

“I try to be a leader not only to correct mistakes, but to be a friend, and make them feel they belong and to motivate them,” he said.

As for the pain?

“That’s what you sign up for,” said Richardson. “That’s what the sport is about. You have to embrace the pain and be almost one with the pain. You train your body to be able to maintain and push through the pain. You’re not going to run a fast time if you’re not hurting. You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable, ultimately.”

Added Gionfriddo, “You have to be willing to push yourself past what you think you’re capable of. We’re bonded by the difficulty of running.”

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Introducing our Athletes of the Week program! Each week, Williston coaches nominate one student-athlete from their team who stood out by demonstrating our core values of purpose, passion, and integrity. These athletes show exceptional dedication, leadership, and sportsmanship, both on and off the field, embodying what it means to be a Williston Wildcat. Read below for more information on each of the Athletes of the Week.

David Truoiolo ’30 – Boys Varsity Cross Country

David has burst onto the scene this year for the boys cross country team and has steadily worked his way up into the top seven runners on the team.  His great work ethic, positive attitude, and natural ability have combined to make him a force on the team.  Only in eighth grade, David has a tremendous future in the sport ahead of him and the coaches are very excited about his potential.

Gus Cunha ’31 – Boys JV Cross Country

Gus has been making steady progress since the start of the season and ran a PR this past weekend at Williston’s Shaler Invitational by over 60 seconds. Gus works hard in every practice and has a quiet determination to do his best in every workout. The coaches are really excited to have Gus in the program and look forward to watching him continue to improve in the future.

Francesca Gionfriddo ’26 – Girls Varsity Cross Country

This week we are proud to recognize Senior, Francesca Gionfriddo ’26. She is a dedicated leader and steady presence within the team, an example of commitment, perseverance, and teamwork, making her a valued and powerful teammate. Throughout the season, Francesca has demonstrated consistent improvement, shaving an impressive three minutes from her opening time. This past week at the Shaler Invitational, she achieved her fastest performance of the season at 24:44, finishing just 12 seconds shy of her personal record. This milestone is a direct reflection of her sustained effort, discipline, and drive to improve. Francesca’s continued progress and leadership serve as an inspiration to her teammates and a model of what it means to compete with dedication and heart. Go Wildcats!

Julia Lloret ’30 – Girls JV Cross Country

This week we are proud to recognize Julia Lloret ’30. She is a newcomer to the cross country team and has quickly demonstrated exceptional dedication and enthusiasm, embracing the challenges of daily runs and workouts, while valuing connections with teammates. At the Shaler Invitational, she led the JV squad, finishing first among her teammates and recording her fastest time of the season at 26:26. Her steady improvement and willingness to push herself each day are a testament to her determination and focus. We are excited to celebrate Julia’s growth and accomplishments, and we look forward to her continued success throughout the season and in the years to come.

Ava Carr ’28 – Varsity Field Hockey

This week and every week, Ava is the energy source for our team. Whether it is coming up with games or team sayings, Ava has a knack for making every drill, every practice, and every game better. As the team had a practice week with no games, Ava helped everyone find the joy. She inspires her teammates to arrive early or stay behind to get additional shots and practice in. During the Pink Game, Ava was the catalyst for much of the team’s offense. She ran fearlessly with the ball and helped transition it in the midfield. Also, Ava scored her 50th point in just her second season playing with the team. We are excited to see all the success still in store for Ava!

Sam Sada ’30 – JV Field Hockey

Sam had a standout performance in JV’s pink-out game against Suffield. Sam scored the only goal in a very exciting fourth quarter. Multiple shots on goal that missed the cage by inches set the stage for a tension-filled final three minutes of play. Sam took control of the ball and broke into the circle, taking a strong shot that resulted in a goal. Throughout the game, Sam played effectively and decisively, supporting her teammates and carrying the ball down the field on multiple breakaways. Over the course of the season, Sam has shown tremendous growth in her field hockey skills. Her teammates and coaches look forward to more strong play from Sam in the final weeks of the season.

Nate Ellis ’26 – Varsity Football

Nate did it all for the Wildcats in their 58-28 win over their rival. On the ground he finished with 18 carries for 185 yards and 2 TDs. Furthermore, he added three two point conversions. He also caught two passes for 14 yards and a touchdown. Nate also did a great job blocking for his teammates!

Paolo D’Arrigo ’26 – Boys Varsity Soccer

Paolo’s performance at center back has excelled in recent weeks, helping his team to impressive performances against Taft, Wilbraham, and Suffield. The Bordeaux native anchors a defense that has been strong all fall, which is one of most significant reasons for the team’s success. Paolo’s hard tackling and clear communication from the back has given his teammates confidence to absorb pressure and launch devasting counterattacks.  Paolo, and his teammates, look to finish the regular season with more impressive performances when they host Salisbury on Wednesday and travel to Deerfield on Saturday.

Alberto Metta Taraboulsi ’27 – Boys JV A Soccer

Alberto has been a lynchpin in JV A’s backline all season long by playing an aggressive style of centerback that makes him both strong in the tackle and crucial to starting counterattacks on numerous occasions, including the recent tie against Suffield, he won the ball off an opponent and carried the ball past several more to start the offense. He has played most every minute of the season, so the team owes much of its success this season to his efforts. That he is a good, supportive, vocal teammate only means he brings that much more to the team!

Declan Baxter  ’26 – Boys JV B Soccer

Declan has been an essential member of the JV B soccer team this season. He is very coachable and always asks for and respects feedback with a smile. Declan is an energetic and enthusiastic player who gives 100% effort in every game. He has shown steady improvement since the beginning of the season and has become our leading scorer. Last week, he played very well, scoring an Olympic goal directly from a corner kick against Deerfield on Wednesday and a decisive goal against Suffield on Saturday that secured our win. We are looking forward to a great finish to the season with him.

Zoe Melia ’27 – Girls Varsity Soccer

Zoe is a player who has been steady and reliable all season long. This past week her consistency, effort, and commitment to the team has really stood out and has made her a key contributor to our success. In our three games last week she especially stepped up—bringing an incredible work rate, a positive attitude, and an unselfish approach that lifted everyone around her. Her tough defense and ability to connect through balls in the attack have been major factors in our success. She has led by example last week and has set the standard for what it means to compete with heart and purpose.

Mia Goulet ’30 – Girls 3rds Volleyball

Mia is an important member of the Thirds Volleyball team. Practice wouldn’t be the same without her positive energy, sense of humor, and consistent effort. In games, Mia gives it her all; she’s always moving for the ball and doing her best to keep it off the floor. During practice, she takes feedback in stride and works hard to apply it right away. Mia also helps keep things running smoothly by pitching in with equipment cleanup and cheering on her teammates with enthusiasm. Her positivity and effort make her a great teammate, and we’re glad she’s a part of the group.

Wes Gibbons ’28 – Boys Varsity Water Polo

Wes has developed this fall as one of water polo’s most consistent defenders. This past week, however, Wes displayed another side of his game with an offensive explosion scoring three goals in the game against a tough Choate squad and tallying another goal and assist against Suffield. Wes developing as a dual threat in the pool will be very important to the team’s success as they move into a critical final weekend of the regular season while the team fights for a playoff berth.

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The symbolism of what goes on twice a week in Williston’s climbing and hiking afternoon program—support, trust, teamwork, reliance, cooperation—is almost too evident, too convenient. But the fact is, it’s true, and every Tuesday and Thursday, when the 10 students head to Central Rock Gym in Hadley for two hours of climbing, lead by a gym guide, they get a chance to put these skills to use.

The team balances these twice-weekly rock gym visits, during which they practice top-rope climbing and bouldering, with area hikes, which have taken them up Mt. Tom as well as to the Ashley Reservoir in Holyoke, Fort Hill in Amherst, and other local wilderness walks.

Started last Spring and now in its first full year, this year’s fall program is led by first-year biology and chemistry teacher Kaitlin Grant, a Western Massachusetts native returning to the area after seven years at Dublin School in New Hampshire, where she coached several seasons of the school’s “Outdoor Adventure” program.

Scaling Central Rock Gym’s 450,000 square feet of climbing area has had tangible benefits, both for the team and personally, says Livia Locke, a senior participating for her first time.

“It’s a big trust thing, making sure you’re not plummeting to the ground,” she said, outlining the dynamic between the climber, whose rope is connected from their harness up through an anchor at the top of the route, and the belayer, who stands at the bottom, managing the climber’s rope. All climbing and hiking participants are now certified in belaying.

“It’s a workout, for sure,” she added. “I don’t think people realize how much strength you build and how much strength it takes to keep going, especially for two hours. I have very strong arms right now.”

Locke said being paired up with someone different on the team every Tuesday and Thursday has contributed to a close-knit camaraderie built on safety and trust—something not necessarily inherent in many more traditional team sports.

“I love how close-knit everyone is,” Locke said. “I’ve become close with people I probably wouldn’t have become friends with otherwise.”

Coach Grant agrees. “They’ve gotten pretty close with other,” she said. “They’re all talking, they’re not stuck in their friend groups, and they’re very welcoming to new students.”

She added that because students have to belay each other, which she calls “the ultimate trust exercise,” she finds they are communicating better and more readily.

“They are coming out of their shells and talking to each other more, which carries over to our hikes, too.”

Grant has seen this dynamic in action, noticing that as climbers work up to more challenging levels, “they’ve learned how to read the wall.”

In addition to getting a sixth sense for assessing the route in front and above them, climbing and hiking has other less tangible benefits. Kat Martini, a senior on the team, enjoys the “focused, peaceful, and mindful” exercise inherent in being both on a quiet mountain trail and high up on the sheer rock wall.

Martini praised the Central Rock Gym instructors for pushing her and her teammates, urging them to tackle their insecurities.

“I literally conquered my fear of heights,” Martini said.

These abilities, both to assess the complexities of a route, to leap full force into something new, and to trust another person implicitly in the process, have deep roots for both Locke and Grant. Locke, a day student, grew up “always just walking around outside.” Her mom, Juliet, is currently in pursuit of climbing all 48 of the 4,000-foot peaks in New Hampshire, a quest she began three years ago. To date, she’s summited 12 of the “NH48” as they’re called and plans to finish within the next five years. Locke said that with enough training and time, she’d love to join her mom in an upcoming climb.

For Grant, the mountains and rivers of the Pioneer Valley sunk their claws into her parents long ago; they moved to the area for the whitewater kayaking. Her dad was a kayaking guide, and family trips centered around the sport. “Growing up,” she said, “we were always on the water in some way.”

Though the technical parts of the climbing and hiking program take the team members out of their normal routine, both in elevation and comfort, the excursions on non-climbing days, though they tend to be less physically demanding and more casual, are not without their excitement.

Grant recalled a hike in the early weeks of the season at nearby Nonotuck Park, during which the team encountered a bear.

“It was the closest bear I’d ever seen, it was crazy,” Grant said, noting that the bear was “eating berries about 10 feet from us.”

Ever ready to read the outdoors and react appropriately, Grant said the group, led by senior Emmett Gould, immediately acted the way it’s recommended when seeing a bear in the wild: act large, be loud, make your presence known.

“Emmett started it, and then everyone followed along,” Grant said.

The post Pulling Each Other Up with Climbing and Hiking appeared first on Williston.

Good morning. My name is Mrs. Polin, Williston’s Academic Dean. This morning, I have the pleasure of sharing the recognition earned by a number of our students by virtue of their participation and success in multiple AP classes. These awards are established and shared with us by the College Board, the organization that oversees the AP curriculum and tests and standardized tests such as the SAT and PSAT.

72 graduates from the Class of 2025 were honored in one the four categories designed by College Board. In addition to those graduated students, 56 current students have been recognized for their performance on AP exams taken in grades 10 and 11.

We will display the names of the winners for each category on the screen. At the end of the assembly, we ask that all students who’s name was listed, to please stay after for photos and to receive their award.

First, Recognition as an “AP SCHOLAR” is granted to students with scores of 3 or higher on 3 or more AP exams.

• Lateef O. Aiyeyemi
• Devin F. Berry Brown
• Nicolas P. Bonin
• Ruth S. Butler
• Sarah C. Dripps
• Eden Dushekenov
• Bennett J. Evelti
• Connor W. Graff
• Scarlette E. Graybill
• Luke T. Green
• Maya T. Green
• Charlotte A. Honig
• Hayden P. Hutner
• Tristan Kokoszka
• Taehoon Koo
• Alexander J. Landon
• Will H. Lee
• Dannielle Lu
• Lauren F. Martinez
• Amelia F. McCullough
• Teppei Morita
• Jordyn Osorio
• Henry B. Sanders
• Zoe E. Simon

Recognition as an “AP SCHOLAR WITH HONOR” is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on 4 or more of those exams

• Thuan Doan
• Brandon D. Gou
• Madeline S. Helgeson
• Sarah C. Martini
• Jack W. Nolan
• Haruka Okuno
• Jaejoon Park
• Catherine M. Putt
• Isabel S. Sorkin-Camacho
• Pabhangkorn Suranunt
• Maya E. Vulakh

“AP SCHOLAR WITH DISTINCTION” is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on 5 or more of those exams

• Keshav Ambadi
• Juliana C. Castelo
• Francesca Gionfriddo
• Max Gordon
• Runzhe Hu
• Zhejing Hu
• Aiyana Karanja
• Jaelyn E. Luo
• Katherine C. Martini
• Christopher G. Oswitt
• Junwon Park
• Zola V. Piekarski
• Josephine E. Schumacher
• Kamal Sergeev
• Douglas G. Warner
• Yahya Wilson
• Richard Yu-Hwang
• Binyang Zhang

“AP INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMA” is granted to students who score a 3 or higher on a minimum of five AP Exams, including two from different languages, one exam with a global perspective, and one from math, science, or computer science

• Zhejing Hu

In addition to the AP awards, we will recognize students that have been Commended in the National Merit Scholarship Program. These students have demonstrated exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2025 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students place among the top 50,000 students who entered the competition by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

The recipients are:

• Brandon Gou
• Zhejing Hu
• Alexander Landon
• Sarah Martini
• Junwon Park
• Yahya Wilson

Finally, I would like to recognize the semifinalist in the National Merit scholarship program.

National Merit Semifinalist status was granted to more than 16,000 students nationwide, out of millions who took the PSAT last year. This represents approximately the top 1% of all test takers.  Williston students who were awarded Semifinalist status have been invited to continue in the Merit Scholarship competition, in order to advance to Finalist standing, based on a number of additional requirements.  This year’s semifinalists are:

• Katherine Martini
• Douglas Warner

Thank you!

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