Gracie Simpson ’15 Signs with Elon University

Coach Calls Lacrosse Player One of the Fiercest Competitors I've Ever Had

Photo by Dennis CrommettWhen there was no local female lacrosse coach to help her young daughters learn the sport, Pamela Simpson picked up a manual and taught herself enough to coach the local recreational team, the South Hadley Tigers.

It was a strategy that appears to have paid off in spades. On Nov. 12, Mrs. Simpson was at the Grubbs Gallery to watch her younger daughter sign a National Letter of Intent to play with Elon University in North Carolina.

Her older daughter, Karly Simpson ’13, also received multiple honors while at Williston, including the Alumnae Bowl, and went on to play varsity lacrosse at Trinity College.

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Mar Harris-Kuiper ’15 Signs with Saint Leo

Teammates Call Basketball Star Their Role Model

Photo by Dennis CrommettThe Grubbs Gallery was a loud and happy place on November 12, as the entire Williston Northampton girls varsity basketball team turned out to see their teammate sign a National Letter of Intent to play with Saint Leo University of Florida.

Coach and teammates alike described Maranie “Mar” Harris-Kuiper ‘15 in glowing terms: warm, hardworking, gifted, strong, kind, and generous.

“Mar has been such a role model to me,” said teammate Sarah Marion ’17. “She always has my back—emotionally, physically, academically. I’m so proud of her.”

“She’s a kind and generous teammate who always wants the best for herself and those around her,” agreed Jen Fulcher, head coach of the girls basketball team. “She always believes we can, and that’s infectious.”

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Jack Gethings ’15 Signs with Fairfield

Baseball Player Described as "D1 Caliber"

Photo by Dennis CrommettEver since John “Jack” Gethings took to the baseball diamond as a little leaguer, coaches have been commenting on his standout abilities.

“We saw it,” said his mother, Colleen Gethings, during a recent event to celebrate her son signing a National Letter of Intent to play with Fairfield University Stags. “His gym teacher in elementary school said, ‘He’s going to be playing at the college level.”

By signing the agreement on Nov. 12, the Williston senior indicated that he could no longer be recruited by other schools.

His coach, Matthew Sawyer, noted that Mr. Gethings was “D1 caliber” and had shown a real consistency in his play, particularly in his role as lead off hitter.

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Garofano Rushes for 1000 Yards, Sets Scoring Record

garofano3Williston football has had a tremendous season, and the Wildcats finished the regular season with a 7-1 record. The team earned a berth in a New England Prep School Athletic Conference championship bowl on Saturday, November 15 against Lawrence Academy.  This is the Wildcats first appearance in the championship bowl since 2002.

As is always the case in any great season, a number of players have had outstanding seasons.  Junior running back Nick Garofano has had a fall for the record books. Garofano surpassed the 1,000 yard mark in rushing when he broke off a 90-yard run last Saturday night in football’s convincing 50-19 victory over Tabor.  Garofano becomes the first Wildcat to break the 1000-yard mark in a season.  Going into this coming Saturday’s championship bowl game, Garofano has rushed for 1,038 yards, averaging a remarkable 9.7 yards a carry.

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To add to this great accomplishment,  Garofano also broke the school scoring record with 124 total points.  Only a year ago, Ledell Robinson ’14 had tied the school record of 122 points set by Arwin Gbolie ’02 in 2001.   Garofano has scored 18 touchdowns (14 rushing and four receiving) this fall while adding eight two-point conversions.    

Garofano is a three-sport varsity athlete at Williston. He is a stand-out on the hockey team and lacrosse team and is a member of the school’s honor roll.

 

Field Hockey and Football Earn Post-Season Berths

The Williston varsity field hockey and football teams have earned post-season berths in NESPAC Championship Play. The field hockey team is the #3 seeded team in the Class B Tournament and will host #6 Berkshire School on Wednesday at 2:15pm on Sawyer Field. This is the sixth consecutive year that the Wildcats (10-4) have qualified for tournament play.  Below are the seedings jerolmanand match-ups for the Class B Tournament.

#8 Rye Country Day at #1 St. Marks School

#5 Cushing Academy at #4 Brooks School

#6 Berkshire School at #3 Williston Northampton

#7 Hopkins School at #2 Governor’s Academy

 

 

garofanoThe varsity football team is hosting Lawrence Academy in the Hugh Caldara Bowl on Saturday at 2:30 at Berube Stadium on Sawyer Field. The Wildcats enter the game with a 7-1 record, finishing the season as the second place team in the Colonial League. The Lawrence Academy Spartans also enter the game with a 7-1 record and were tied for first place in the Independent School League.

 

Athletes of the Week – Nov. 3rd

paschenkoGleb Pashchenko ‘15

Gleb has emerged as one of the boys’ varsity soccer team’s most dynamic offensive threats.  Gleb possesses a combination of speed and fearlessness that has earned him a significant role on the team at the center forward position. At Salisbury, Gleb scored both goals in the team’s recent 2-2 tie. Gleb has a great work ethic and he has developed into a solid leader for the team.

 

 

 

mchaleMarielle McHale ‘16

Marielle has had a fantastic season for the girls’ cross country team. Marielle has finished three races as the number one runner on the team, including last week’s huge win at Berkshire.   At the Shaler Invitational Marielle ran a 20:35, which places her in fourth place on the Williston Honor Roll.

 

 

 

 

hillRobby Hill ‘19

Robby is having an excellent season for the boys’ junior soccer team. Robbie’s defensive play and stellar contributions on offense have been a big part of the Wildcats success this season.  Robbie has shown great leadership as he knows how to motivate his teammates on and off the field.