The morning of February 9^th was cold and snowy on Crotched Mountain in New Hampshire.  Williston’s Devin Deverry ‘17 had just completed his first run of the giant slalom, and the Southwick native sat in second place, .02 seconds behinds the leader, at the Class B New England Prep School Athletic Counsel Ski Championships.

“After the first run I knew I could win,” said Deverry about his chances of becoming NEPSAC G.S. Champion.  “I really pushed hard on the second run.  However I knew that I had to take the risky line; a safe line wouldn’t allow me to win the race.  Knowing this, I charged out and attacked as hard as I could.  Unfortunately, I put my hand through a gate panel and fell.”

Deverry remained focused on finishing the race after falling.  He got right back up on his skis and finished in 10^th place, but he was visibly upset with the result when he reached the bottom of the mountain. “It was very disappointing,” Devin said about his fall, “because I knew I had a shot at winning the G.S., it’s my best discipline.”

As the afternoon approached the sun came out from behind the clouds to warm the mountain and it stopped snowing.  Devin shifted his focus towards that afternoon’s slalom championship.  “I was able to pull myself together after the G.S. race and put all of my energy on the slalom race,” said Deverry. “I knew I could win!”

Determined to make up for the morning’s disappointment, Devin was eager to jump out of the starting gates for his first run when the skier before him knocked out a gate on the course, putting a hold the race.  Devin waited in freezing temperatures in his ski suit before having the chance to tear down the mountain.

“A stop, or hold, on the course before your run is called ‘being iced in the gate,’” Deverry explained.  “Normally this is because skiers start their adrenaline rush right before the run, and if the rush starts before they hold the skier it can sometimes mess people up.  However, for me this gave me more time to visualize my run to make sure I had to perfect start to my run and race the line I wanted.”

When Devin’s time came, he was ready. “I pushed out of the start going full tilt holding nothing back,” he explained.  He raced aggressively down all sectors of the course, and when he crossed the finish line he knew he was in contention for the title.  “Immediately I knew I put down a solid run.  Even a few spectators complemented my finish!  After the first run I was about a second ahead of the field, and I felt pretty amped up especially after my G.S. result.”

Devin’s second run would determine if he would take home the slalom title.  He overcame the pressure of being in the lead and pushed out of the gate at full tilt.  After a great start to his run, he recalls hitting a hole towards the bottom of the course that cost him valuable time.

“I knew at that moment I really had to push to get as much speed as possible,” said Deverry about making up time after his near-championship-ending crash.  “I crossed the finish knowing that I might have lost my lead so I went down to the timing shack and looked at the times.  I was ahead by a mere .18 of a second!  I was instantly ecstatic!”

“No matter how many races you win every one feels special,” he recalled about winning the Class B NEPSAC Slalom Championship.  “I felt a warm feeling of accomplishment when they called my name at the awards ceremony.  It was a special feeling I’ll never forget.  It was just pure happiness.”

Williston ski coach Will Eberle praised Devin’s performance at the Championships. “He was relatively upset going into the slalom but knew the race was not over,” Eberle said.  “He toughened up mentally and skied the course neatly and aggressively.  It was a great race for him, but ultimately it showed his determination to come back after a fall and take gold!”

Skiing is in Devin Deverry’s blood.  His parents and grandparents are all deeply involved in the New England ski community.  His father, Ray, was the youngest person to become a PSIA examiner, which is the highest rank one can achieve as a teacher of skiing.  His mother, Harriet, is a level III PSIA instructor, which is the second highest level in the U.S.

Devin has been skiing since he was two years old and began racing at the age of six.  At ten years old, Devin won the overall championship for the Tristate Ski League, and he currently competes in the Vermont Alpine Racing Association, the most competitive league in the country.  Last year, Deverry qualified for the Eastern Team, which is composed of the best skiers from the East Coast.

Deverry plans on taking skiing as far as he can.  Next year he plans to compete in FIS races in Vermont, which will give him a world ranking.  He also plans to ski for his college, but he is more concerned about focusing on completing a degree in aerospace engineering.

“My dad always used to say ‘fun is the most important thing,’” Devin explained, and “I ski by this rule.  It means I never get frustrated or bored, and I always have the drive to be better.”

The Williston community is eager to see what Devin will accomplish in skiing before he graduates in 2017. This young Wildcat skier is supremely talented and has the right mentality to go far.

Captain David Fitch ’17 has had an exceptional season for the Boys Swimming team.  The Conway native is undefeated in the 50 and 100 Freestyle this winter and has recorded the second fastest times in school history in these events!

Fitch, a nationally-ranked swimmer, was ranked as high as 6^th in New England in the 16-17 age group, and at the New England Championships last year, he came in second in 50 Free and won the 100 Free.  The Williston junior currently holds pool records at our own Babcock pool, at Worcester Academy, and at St. George’s School in Rhode Island.

As the boys swim team tapers down for this year’s New England Championships on March 5^th, Fitch was able to speak to us about how he developed a love for swimming, who inspired him to be at his best in the pool, and his future plans for the sport he loves.  We all wish him the best as he attempts to make history in the coming weeks.

When did you first begin to love swimming?

I think I’ve always enjoyed swimming.  Even as a kid I would love swimming for fun in pools.  I used to think I needed a life jacket when I was in the pool. I would try to swim to the bottom of the pool with my lifejacket on, but this never worked even though I tried over and over again.  I started going to swim practices when I was 8 or 9 years old, and I have been swimming in races for about 7-8 years now.  I was never really excited about waking up for 5 am practices, but I really found my love for the sport somewhere in my past 5 years at Williston thanks to my coaches and teammates.  I feel that both the Williston team and my recreational team have always been major supporters of everything that I do in swimming.

When did you start to pursue swimming competitively?

I never really had a sudden realization that I would pursue swimming to such an extent.  When I first started out, my biggest inspiration to get up and go to those early practices was my sister, Ashley.  She always inspired me to try my best whenever I felt as though I was too tired to go that day.  Ashley always had the level of enthusiasm that I am constantly trying to match, and she was always positive and accepting of challenging practices and events.  If I had to choose when I felt like I could be good in swimming, I’d have to say it was when I qualified for Junior Nationals.  I never really thought of myself as something special in the sport, and I still don’t, but I do try to get faster and to get to that next level.

What do you think about when you swim?

In the pool I mostly think about how I am swimming, and how I can improve my stroke.  In races, I focus on getting to the next wall as soon as possible, and I think about how long I’ve been on that lap.  In long distance races, I try to focus on not kicking too much so that I will have enough energy for the rest of the race.  I try to focus on my own race and not on anyone else around me, ahead or behind.  I focus on pacing myself instead of beating the people around me so that I can go for times that I want, instead of just getting by with a win in the race.

Who has inspired you to be at your best?

My biggest inspiration from Williston would have to be the first captain I had when I came to campus.  His name was Mathew Friar.  Matt was a great swimmer and water polo player.  He was great with all the guys on both teams and very inviting of everyone.  He was the captain of the swim team as a junior, and I tried to remember to emulate his actions.  My sister, Ashley, was also a big inspiration that I had in my time at Williston.  Seeing her as a captain, and a leader to everyone, inspired me to want to be like her and inspire others in this sport.  Her enthusiasm towards challenges has been a huge inspiration for me.

What have been your keys to success?

There are many ways to achieve success.  I find that the team you’re on is the most important. You have to respect your coach to listen to him, and they have to respect you as well. The people on the team are just as important, if not more, because you have to have good positivity around you if you are going to do well in any difficult sport.  You cannot be around any doubt or negativity.  You have to have a positive mindset about swimming to succeed in it so you can get faster, stronger, and better.  Some swimmers say that they have “plateaued” or think that they can’t get any faster, but I do not think that is real; you can always get stronger, always get smarter, and always get better.  Swimming is very physical but a large part of the sport is mental; you have to know how many breaths to take and when to take them, how to do a stroke, and you can always learn to do better.

What are your goals for swimming?

My next goal would have to be to reach 20.59 in the 50 Freestyle in order to qualify for the Senior National Meet.  This is one of the biggest meets in the country, and at the moment I am about .4 seconds away from making that qualifying time.  I would also like to get the Williston team records in the 50 and 100 Free, and I am close to getting the 100 Fly, 200 Free, 500 Free and 200 IM as well.  I have broken most of these times before, but not in a Williston meet so those times did not count towards the records.  I would love to break these records, but I also want to  help the rest of the team improve in any-way that I can, like help teach a stroke, work on dives and flip turns, or even just cheer for a teammate while they are racing.

How has Williston helped you grow as a student-athlete?

Williston has helped me grow academically and athletically through the support I get from my peers, teachers, and coaches.  I learned the importance of working hard to achieve my goals and improve myself. Williston has taught me to help myself and to help others, and it has given me the opportunity to develop the perfect balance of time management for sports, academics and personal life.

Delaney Belinskas ‘16

Delaney has had a great season for the girls’ varsity hockey team. On Wednesday she scored 4 goals in the Wildcats 8-0 win over NMH. Delaney was also a big contributor on Saturday as well as she added 2 assists in the win over Loomis.  Her second assist of the day contributed to the eventual game-winning goal, and the assist was also her 100th point of her career, a huge milestone. Delaney has become the fifth player in the history of the girls’ hockey program to reach this benchmark.  Delaney is a fierce competitor and has been a huge contributor to the Wildcat’s success this season.

Phillip Lee ‘16

Phillip has played well for the boys’ varsity squash team this season. On Wednesday he grabbed the only win against a tough Pomfret squad 3-0. Again on Saturday Phillip played well against Loomis. He went to a tie-breaking 5th set with his opponent, then tie-break within the set, he had a match ball at 11-10, but finally succumbed 11-13 after a tough fought battle. Phillip has been a great leader for the Wildcats as he works hard day in and day out to improve his skills.

Megan Ward ‘21

Megan has had a large impact on the girls’ jv hockey team this year. She is the leading point-getter for the Wildcats with 11 goals and 8 assists in 10 games.  Megan had 4 goals and an assist in the 9-4 victory over Loomis this past Saturday, and scored a hat trick in the 5-2 win over Pomfret.  She works really hard to better her skills and is a big asset to the team.

Robby Hill ’19

Robby has been a big part of the boys’ third basketball team’s success this season. He has been the Wildcats starting point guard the whole season, helping to lead the team to a 7-4 record so far. On Wednesday Robby contributed strong floor leadership and 8 points in the victory over Eaglebrook.  His consistency of effort and work ethic has led to great improvement throughout the season.

Sydney Belinskas ’14 has had an outstanding season in net for the Trinity Bantams Women’s Ice Hockey Team.  She recently posted two shutouts in two days against Colby College, earning her the New England Small College Athletic Conference Player of the Week Award.

Belinskas made 29 saves in a 2-0 win and 17 stops in a 6-0 blanking of the Mules the next day. She has not allowed a goal in her last 246-plus minutes of play, giving her four straight shutouts. The series sweep of Colby helped Trinity move ahead of them in the NESCAC standings.

“It’s not surprising that Sydney is playing strong down the final stretch here,” said Williston Girls Ice Hockey coach Christa Talbot-Syfu about her ex-goaltender. “I have no doubt she will continue to be a difference maker as the stakes get higher.”

Trinity currently sits mid-table as the playoffs quickly approach in early March.  The Bantams are defending NESCAC Conference Champions.

Sydney was able to carve out some time from her busy schedule to speak to Williston about her keys to success on and off of the ice and to acknowledge the people from our community that made a difference in her life.

What have been the keys to your success during your current shutout streak?

I actually had no clue I was on a shutout streak.  The biggest key to my success these past games has been keeping my mind clear.  I don’t think about what I am doing, I just do it.  Because if I think about the shot coming at me there are two outcomes: one, I save it, or two, I’m going to get scored on.  Keeping my mind clear doesn’t even give negativity the chance to affect me.  There is no room for doubt. I know I just have to focus on keeping the puck from crossing that red line and will do everything and anything to win that inch.  I can train and practice all I want, but mental preparation has been my number one priority this season.

Is there a particular moment that you remember from your time at Williston?

I would have to say playing Winchendon my sophomore year.  We had to play them three times in a row to move on to the semifinals.  It was nerve wracking – playing a team three times in a row is tough – but we played an amazing game and pulled out a win.  We moved on to play Lawrence Academy in the semifinals at Berkshire.  We worked every second of that game, but we ended up losing in overtime. It was the moment I learned I truly loved the game.  I was ready for next season.  The fight, hard work, determination, and the will to win that game made me realize why I stayed with the sport for so long and how I never want to stop playing.

Was there someone at Willison who inspired you to be at your best?

Coach Talbot was most definitely my biggest inspiration at Williston.  Of course while at Williston I was unaware of all the little things she said or had us do would impact my future self.  As a coach she never took a day off.  She always believed in us.  We could be losing terribly, but she always pushed us to play at our best.  Her intensity and positivity brought me confidence on and off the ice.  I would never have become the person I am today without her.  I would not have become the hockey player I am today without her saying, “Fight and battle for every inch!”

How did Williston prepare you for Trinity College, both academically and athletically?

Study hall every night from 8 pm to 10 pm is the sole reason I actually complete the abundance of homework I have in college.  I was taught excellent time management at Williston.  I was also taught to not be scared to ask for extra help, so now in college I have no fear asking a professor for help to better understand the material.  Williston’s academic atmosphere was also very acceptable.  I never was nervous that a classmate would laugh at my simple question.  I learned that any question is a good question.  My senior English classes prepared me for my future college essay writing.  This year I have written at least ten personal essays, one fifteen page anthropology research paper one the, “Druid Identities with Stonehenge,” three lab reports, two essays in Spanish, and numerous detailed paragraphs.  I found my love to write in high school, and I could never have done so without being taught construction, fluidity, and how to show not tell.

Williston prepared me for athletic success as well.  Through strength training I was able to continue my love of lifting.  I also played three sports: field hockey, ice hockey, and softball.  I loved all three.  I learned to appreciate every sport by attending different games.  I also believe the continuous competitive edge I had playing sports the whole school year helped me preform better in the classroom.  There was always a constant drive in my head to be successful.  That got me up in the morning and motivated me to do well academically.  I miss field hockey and softball.  Don’t get me wrong I love hockey, but softball at Williston gave me the meaning of “team.”  There are no breaks to really get into a sulking mood.  You have to be on the fence cheering for your teammate when your team is up to bat.  Everyone always has your back.  If there was a ground ball someone was running behind you just in case it got past you.  If you couldn’t get the ball all the way from the outfield to home you had a cut-off.  If you were going to steal a base your teammate up to bat would sacrifice a strike and show a bunt just to get you farther on the bases.  Being loud on the field, seeing people sacrifice for a teammate, and the joy softball brought me definitely translated to my college hockey career.  I only play one sport now… It’s very weird to me, but I’ve come to learn that if I want to succeed, I need to incorporate everything I have learned from every sport that I played at Williston into hockey to make it an experience of a lifetime.

Devin DeVerry ‘17

Devin has had a very productive season for the boys’ varsity ski team so far this season. Last weekend Devin placed first in slalom and tenth place giant slalom at NEPSAC Class B Championships. Currently Devin is placed 3rd of 52 skiers overall in MISL league. Devin is a huge part of the Wildcat’s success this season. He works hard and is a great example for the younger athletes on the squad.

Caroline Borden ‘16

Caroline has had a great season for the girls’ varsity squash team. On Saturday, Caroline battled back from behind to earn a win for the Wildcats against Ethel Walker. Her victory shows how persistence, enthusiasm and hard work pay off. For two seasons Caroline has taken on the best player that every opposing team brings. She has been a terrific captain for the Wildcats.

Harrison Winrow ’18

Harrison has been an extremely hard worker all season for the varsity wrestling team. This weekend Harrison had 4 of the team’s 9 wins, and while unseeded, managed to place fourth. He became Williston’s first ever winner of the Class A Tournament Most-Falls-in-Least-Time Award by pinning 4 of his opponents in a combined time of 3 minutes and 42 seconds. All of his success came as a result of Harrison stepping in for an injured teammate, at a higher weight class. Harrison’s grit and determination provided a great example for the entire team.

Meg Rickard ‘16

Meg is enjoying an outstanding season for the girls’ varsity hockey team. On Wednesday, she scored the game winner against Choate in overtime. Again on Saturday Meg stepped up, as she contributed an assist on the game winning goal against Kimball Union. Meg has competed hard for the Wildcats and is a big part of the team’s success as she leads the team with 23 points on the season.

Owen Shelffo ‘21

Owen has had a great season for the boys’ 4ths basketball team. In Saturday’s game against WMA, Owen had a game changing double-double with 28 points and 15 rebounds. His contributions to the team allowed the mighty 4ths to make a strong second half comeback against a well-rounded WMA team. His team play and positive energy creates many opportunities for his teammates.

Gabrielle Thomas ’15 has quickly made a name for herself in the collegiate world of track and field.  She has already set Harvard and Ivy League records in the 200m and has recorded the fastest 200m time in the country for a freshman.

The foundation for much of her success this season came from her natural talent, her close relationship with her mom, and her experience at the Williston Northampton School.  Despite her busy schedule, Gabby was able to take time to answer important questions about her life on and off of the track.

When did you realize that you had talent for running?

I played soccer since I was about 5 or 6, so I discovered my talent for running on the soccer field. I was always the fastest when it came to sprinting down the field, so when my mom made me try out for the track team in 7th grade, I really enjoyed it. I’ve been “the fast girl” since as long as I can remember, but in 7th grade I discovered my talent for track and field. Then, in 10th grade, I decided to devote myself to track when I realized that I could go places with it.

What have been your keys for success over the past few years, both at Williston and at Harvard?

At Williston, I always had a goal that I was working for, so I would’ve considered that the most important key to success. Whether it was academic or athletic, I was always setting a goal for myself to achieve, and when I got it, I would set an even higher goal, so that has always been a really important factor in succeeding. At Harvard, that’s still true, however I’ve learned that the biggest key to success is maintaining a growth mindset. That’s something that I’m still working on. That means understanding that there is a lot of room for improvement, on and off the track. That’s what has allowed me to get through all of the training and to continue improving.

What are your goals for track?

I’m trying to learn as much as I can and improve as much as I can. When I go out and compete, I focus on executing my race, and the rest follows. Hopefully, however, this season my 200m sprint will qualify for Olympic trials. Qualifying time is a 23.20, and I ran a 23.37 my last meet at BU. Also, our 4×4 team is trying to go nationals this season. As for long term goals, I have no idea at the moment! I just want to focus on getting better and being the best athlete that I can be. We’ll see where that gets me.

How do you deal with success and setbacks on the track?

There are definitely a lot of setbacks on the track, but having a growth mindset, like I mentioned earlier, is what gets me through them. My coach has really forced that idea into my head. There are going to be a lot of times when I can’t get something right in my jumping form, or when I run a bad race, but it’s important to remember that it is all a part of a process. The road to success isn’t smooth and easy, it’s crazy and comes with a lot of failure. Reminding myself of the feeling that comes with success gets me through. When I get a PR (personal record) in any of my events, it is the most rewarding feeling. I also have an amazing support system behind me that helps me deal with any setbacks. My mom, teammates, friends, my current and old coach, are all really great.

Is there a particular moment at Williston that you will always remember (either athletic or academic)?

This sounds cliche, but I will always remember New Englands my sophomore year. That was the first time I had really set a goal for myself and got it. At the time, it was to set the school record in the 100m dash. I remember looking over at my time and running over to my mom, who was really excited for me. In that moment I knew I wanted to run track. Since then, I’ve had the confidence to feel like I could do anything that I set my mind to do.

Was there someone at Williston who inspired you to be at your best on the track and/or in the classroom?

There are a number of people who motivated me in different ways at Williston. There are so many members of the community who care and want you to do well, so that’s definitely a big part of any of my successes. The person who has always inspired me the most is my mom. She’s the hardest working person that I know and has had the biggest influence on me. She’s always been incredibly supportive of me, but always pushes me the most.

How has Williston helped you prepare for Harvard?

One thing that I learned from Williston that has really saved my life at Harvard is time management skills. Williston always forced me to learn to manage my time well with classes and sports, and that’s key in college, especially for an athlete. Williston has also taught me that it’s good to challenge myself, so I feel good about taking classes that interest me but seem really scary at first.

What could current Williston students learn from your experience at our school?

I’d say that current students should definitely use Williston’s supportive community to push yourself and take risks. The odds of anybody finding a place like Williston after high school are slim–it’s full of people who are dedicated to helping you succeed. If I never took risks, I never would’ve found out that I liked track or taken challenging classes that helped me get into my dream school.

Sophie Carellas ‘18

Sophie has been an important part of the girls’ varsity ski team’s success this season. Sophie placed first last weekend in MISL race #3, 3.78 seconds ahead of the second place racer, which is an eternity in a ski race. Sophie is preparing for New England’s, which take place next week in New Hampshire.

Mike Siebold ‘16

Mike has been a strong addition to the blue line for the boys’ varsity hockey team this year. He leads all defensemen with 10 points a goal and 9 assists thus far. Mike can be found playing in all situations while leading the power play and killing penalties. Mike leads by example at all times and his mixture of physicality and control has been a catalyst for the Wildcats this season.

Rylee Leonard ‘16

Rylee has been a strong force for the girls’ varsity basketball team this season. She has been a big part of the Wildcats recent three game winning streak. Against Westminster Rylee put up 7 pts, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds. Against Wilbraham & Monson she had 4 points, 3 assists, and 1 rebound, and in the game against Stoneleigh Burnham she recorded 10 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds, and zero turnovers. Rylee works tremendously hard and is a great role model for the younger players on the team.

Bina Sweet ’17

Bina is enjoying a solid season for the varsity wrestling team. Last week, he again went undefeated, while wrestling up a weight class to help the team. He uses his tools to help inspire and motivate his teammates to work harder and achieve more than they think they can. Bina is a model of good sportsmanship, and he has been a big part of the team’s success so far this season.

Sophia Schafer ‘18

Sophia has been playing very well for the girls’ jv hockey team this season. In the Wildcats four games in January, she has scored a pair of hat tricks and been one of the squad’s anchors on defense. She has helped lead the team to a 5-2-1 record.