All posts by Kate Snyder

Heartwarming Memories Mark Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

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By Matt Liebowitz

Emotions ran high, and tears mixed with levity and laughter as the entire campus community, alumni included, gathered under the tent to pay homage to competitors of the past and induct a select group into Williston’s Athletic Hall of Fame on May 12, 2017.

Athletics Director Mark Conroy summarizes a successful Wildcat year.

Athletic Director Mark Conroy, in a brief introduction, shined a spotlight on a handful of current student athletes, including Gabby Mercier (diving), Nick Hill (cross-country), Devin DeVerry (skiing), David Fitch (swimming), and Hunter Adams (wrestling), whose accomplishments have set them apart in their Williston careers. Continue reading →

Posted in: Athletic Hall of Fame, Athletics News

Boys Varsity Golf Team is Nearly Unstoppable

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Boys varsity golf coach Michael Fay enjoys a moment on the green during a game against Northfield Mount Hermon School.

By Matt Liebowitz

In the 13 years Coach Michael Fay has been leading the Williston boys varsity golf team, he has not had a team as ready, as confident, and mentally poised to contend for the championship at the upcoming 24-school Kingswood Invitational Tournament as this year’s squad.

“I think our chances are the best since I’ve started coaching varsity golf,” said Fay. The team has consistently placed in the top eight in the past 10 years at the tournament, scheduled for May 25 at Oak Ridge Golf Club in Agawam, Mass. Continue reading →

Posted in: Team Profile

Connor Cavanagh ’20 Heads to Junior Olympics for Gymnastics

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Connor Cavanagh ’20

Connor Cavanagh ’20 started gymnastics lessons when he was just two years old, and began competing at age five. It’s no wonder, then, that after more than 12 years of hard work, he’s off this week to Kissimmee, Florida, to compete in the Junior Olympics Nationals.

Setting aside 20 hours a week to practice gymnastics at a gym in Agawam run by former Olympic gold medalist Tim Daggett, Connor also finds time to participate in other sports.

“In addition to his noteworthy success in gymnastics,” cemmented Athletics Director Mark Conroy, “in his spare time, Connor also plays on the football and baseball teams here…pretty remarkable!” Continue reading →

Posted in: Athlete Profile, Junior Olympics

Command Center: Jordan Strum’s Pitching Power

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By Matt Liebowitz

Jordan Strum’s fastball makes a mark—on the opposing lineup, who one after another leave the box dejected, bat in hand; on the catcher’s glove, which it hits with a satisfying and resonant smack; and on her coaches and teammates, who show the confidence of playing behind such a force on the mound.

Jordan’s fastball, most of all, makes a mark on Jordan. Her arsenal of pitches, which also includes a change-up, drop curve, screwball, and “riseball,” is, in a way, Jordan’s armor on the softball field. Continue reading →

Posted in: Athlete Profile

JT Chamberlain Fulfills Longtime Dream, Signs to Assumption College Hockey

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JT and parents, Judy and John Chamberlain

By Matt Liebowitz

JT Chamberlain’s dream has come true. And like any sought-after goal, his took a long time, a lot of early mornings, persistence, and patient, proud parents.

On Wednesday, April 12, JT formally committed to play hockey next year for the Greyhounds of Assumption College in Worcester, MA. JT, a Williston Northampton senior and forward for the Wildcats, has been anticipating this since around the time he could lace up his own skates.

“It’s awesome,” said JT, 19, who plans to study sports management. “I’ve been waiting for this since I was five years old.” Continue reading →

Posted in: College Signings, NCAA Commitments

A Lifetime on Skates Leads Nick Schofield to a Skyhawk Slot

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Nick Schofield ’17

Nick Schofield, who on April 12 signed a letter of intent to play hockey at Stonehill College next fall, recalls a proud moment in the rink. It lasted only 10 seconds, but it made the difference in the game. Playing Millbrook School at Williston’s Lossone Rink this winter, the teams were tied, and 17 seconds remained on the overtime clock. Before the face-off, Nick told his defenseman he would take possession of the puck back and pass it to him. “’We are going to get it and win this game,’” he told his teammate. “The puck dropped and I won the draw back and we executed,” Nick said. “I scored the winning goal with seven seconds left, and it is a moment I will never forget.” Continue reading →

Posted in: Athletics News, College Signings, NCAA Commitments

Ian Ostberg Receives Dr. Frank L. Boyden Award

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Ian Ostberg with the Dr. Frank L. Boyden Award

Williston Northampton School senior football captain Ian Ostberg received the Dr. Frank L. Boyden Award at the annual National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame scholar-athlete dinner held at the University of Massachusetts on April 9.

Over 500 in attendance saw the Florence, Mass., native become the 18th Williston recipient of this prestigious award, given to the top prep school football scholar-athlete in western Massachusetts, and the sixth Williston recipient in a row. The Boyden Award has been presented since 1962.

As a football player, Ian had a tremendous career at Williston. As a sophomore, he started at safety on a Super Bowl team. As a junior, he took over the reins at quarterback and had a tremendous two-year stint rewriting the school record book both in season and career totals. In 17 starts during his career, he threw for a remarkable, record-setting 4,310 yards and 45 touchdown passes. Continue reading →

Posted in: Dr. Frank L. Boyden Award

Water Polo Brings Out Abbie Coscia’s Inner Warrior

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Abbie Coscia ’19

By Matthew Liebowitz

The first time Abbie Coscia’s mom saw her daughter play water polo, she was horrified.

“She screamed, ‘That girl’s drowning my daughter,’” recalled Abbie.

Her grandfather, who Abbie cited as one of her “biggest supporters,” saw things differently, even from the first time she jumped in the pool as a seventh grader.

Well, maybe not right away. Water polo is, notoriously, a brutally hands-on sport.

“When I was a little seventh grader, he might have been worried,” Abbie said. It didn’t take long for her grandfather, who also played, and now regularly sends her tips and texts after games, to realize Abbie’s prowess in the pool would outdo any fears he had for her safety. Continue reading →

Posted in: Athletics News

Winter Sports Awards and Academic All Americans

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The winter sports season is fading in the rearview mirror, and with spring storms leaving traces of snow around campus, it’s hard to believe winter sports are becoming a dim memory. But Athletic Director Mark Conroy wanted the Williston community to remember some exemplary sports achievements during the winter term and expanded the list of recognition-worthy students he offered in March.

JV Swimming
Most Valuable Player Award — Alan Martin ’20
Most Improved — Rachel Burke ’19
Sportsmanship — Toshiki Ayabe ’18

Girls varsity hockey players during its pink in the rink game
Girls varsity hockey players during a “pink in the rink” game

Girls Varsity Hockey
Most Valuable Player Award — Danielle Marquez ’18, Marielle McHale ’18
Most Improved — Madison Cardaci ’20
Sportsmanship — Alexis Ryan ’17 Continue reading →

Posted in: Athletics News

Fight and Flight: Mercier’s Record-Shattering Diving Success

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By Matt Liebowitz

Gabby Mercier '17 and teammate Natalie Aquadro '17
Gabriella Mercier ’17 and teammate Natalie Aquadro ’17

Gabby Mercier made an indelible mark on Williston’s diving program this year. She broke the school record for the six-dive and the 11-dive events; she broke the pool record for the 11-dive event; she broke her own NEPSAC Division II 11-dive record; and she set the 11-dive New England Open record, landing the highest score of all time in NEPSAC history.

If the stats seem overwhelming, how about a more succinct encapsulation of Gabby’s four years of outstanding accomplishments from Williston’s Athletic Director, Mark Conroy: “She’s arguably the greatest diver in the school’s history.” Continue reading →

Posted in: Athletics News