All about the Wildcats

Xavier Thibault: A Natural Leader On and Off the Field

By Sports Information Director Matt Liebowitz

It’s hard to miss Xavier Thibault. Even on the football field, where identities can blend into a huddle of helmets and pads, Xavier, at 6’5” and 240 pounds, stands out high above the rest.

“His effort is relentless and infectious to everyone on the field,” said Jacob Rivers, Williston’s Co-Defensive Coordinator. “When you see a guy like that giving 100 percent on every play, you know what’s expected of you and that anything less is unacceptable.”

Aside from a stint in 7th grade when he was “short and skinny and couldn’t tackle,” Xavier quickly grew into a formidable force at at defensive end, a position he’s played since beginning his football career in 4th grade in his hometown of Quebec City, Canada. Continue reading

Athletes of the Week

Poojaa Prakash Babu ’21- Girls Varsity Cross Country

Poojaa was a major factor in the Wildcats win over Miss Porter’s School on Saturday. She continues to improve as an important member of our top varsity group.  Against Miss Porter’s, she broke into Williston’s top five for the first time this season, achieving a personal 5K record of 24:31 on our very challenging home course.  She started the season as the teams 14th finisher against Kent, and since then she has placed 9th, 6th, 6th, and now 5th for the team.  She chopped an incredible 5:03 from the first home race to the second, the most dramatic improvement on the team.  Poojaa trains hard every day and she can be counted on every Saturday to compete with intensity and determination. Continue reading

Athletes of the Week

Fiona Bundy ’18 – Girls Varsity Soccer



Fiona has been a key to the Wildcats success this season. This week alone, she was responsible for making key plays and stepping in to win many 50-50 balls on the defensive side.  She was a big reason the Wildcats earned two shutouts. Fiona leads by example as she is a tireless worker on and off the field and constantly trying to make herself and her teammates better. Continue reading

Marielle McEnaney ’18 Shines on Soccer Squad

By Victoria Zingarelli ’18, Staff Writer

The newest face on the girls’ varsity soccer team, Marielle McEnaney, has been lighting up the field. Marielle, an 18-year-old post graduate, has only been at Williston for three weeks, and has had a positive impact on her fellow athletes and students.

Marielle decided to do a PG year because she got injured while she was a junior at Nausea Regional High School in Orleans, Cape Cod. She wanted another year to get stronger so she could play in college.

“I want to play soccer at the collegiate level and be successful there,” Marielle said.

Her teammates and coach have the highest praise for her play.

“She has really great speed which makes her a great outside midfielder since she is able to beat people up and down the side line,” Madison Fulcher-Melendy ’18, one of the two captains of Girls Varsity Soccer, said. “She is also really great in the air which has proven to be an asset all over the field.” Continue reading

Alum Profile: Mike Dereus ’16 is a “Shining Light” On and Off the Field at Georgetown

Michael Dereus ’15 at Williston as he signed to play football for Georgetown

By Matt Liebowitz

In a sport where so many of his plays could end up on highlight reels, Michael Dereus’ selflessness, his resistance to reflect on his talent and accomplishments, can seem almost comical.

Dereus, a sophomore wide receiver at Georgetown, was named Patriot League Rookie of the Year his freshman year on the Hoyas. He said he was “unsure” but he “may have been in contention” for a larger, nationwide rookie award, but admitted, “I don’t really remember.”

“Awards are nice,” Dereus, 20, said, “but I just worry about getting better as a person and on the football team.”

This spirit of generosity is something Dereus said he grew up with, and something he carried from a childhood in Hyde Park, Massachusetts, to Another Course to College (ACC), his charter high school, and eventually to Williston, where he entered as a junior, and from where he graduated in 2016. Continue reading

Athletes of the Week

Elijah Hutchinson ‘18 – Varsity Football

Elijah has been a big part of the Wildcats’ successes so far this season. He had a great game Saturday night at Taft as he contributed in all three phases of the game. Defensively he was a responsible for only allowing Taft to pass for 47 yards, basically shutting down their passing game. Offensively he had a catch at wide receiver and also had two rushes for 15 yards at running back. On special teams he continued to be a contributor on kickoff, kickoff return, punt, and punt return. Elijah has stepped up huge this season and helps lead his team through his hard work off the field and his determined play on the field. Continue reading

Basketball Standout Returns to Williston

Ed. note: This story originally ran in The Willistonain. It was written by Staff Writer Oskar Lee ’18.

In a rare move, Duncan LeXander, rising basketball star, turned down a college scholarship and returned to Williston as a postgraduate.

Duncan signed his letter of intent to play at Presbyterian in South Carolina on November 16, 2016. In May he graduated from Williston. On June 29, 2017, he announced on Twitter that he had de-committed from Presbyterian.

“After careful consideration, and talking with my family, coaches, and those closest to me, I have decided to de-commit and ask my release from Presbyterian College,” he wrote. He went on to thank everyone for their understanding and ended by thanking former Presbyterian Coach Gregg Nibert for recruiting him. Coach Nibert resigned on April 12th after 28 seasons.

Duncan then played for his summer league team. Team Magic Elite, in Memphis for two-and-a-half months in tournaments throughout the United States such as Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Kansas City. Continue reading

Young and Hungry: Boys Cross Country Ready to Run

Cross-country’s Bryan Soder ’18, Rob Champigny ’18, and Oliver Lawrence ’18

Ed. note: This post originally ran in The Willistonian and was written by Staff Writer Mark Woort-Menker ’18.

The boys cross-country season has begun and there is a lot of hope for a good season.

Even though there is a rebuilding stage on the team due to most of the seniors graduating last year, there is a lot of excitement for what’s to come.

Their top runners are Nick Sinofsky, Oscar DeFrancis, and Nat Markey, who are all sophomores.

The team’s record last year in their division was 4-0, which included wins against Kent, Taft, and Avon. They are coached by Williston alum Christa Talbot Syfu ’98, who is in her sixth season.

This year should be a big year for young runners, Talbot Syfu explained.

“We graduated our top three runners,” Talbot Syfu said. “Which means the opportunity for a lot of young runners and new students.” Continue reading

Athletes of the Week

Madison Fulcher-Melendy ’18 – Girls Varsity Soccer

Madison has had a fantastic start to the season for the Wildcats. She scored 2 goals and had one assist against Williams College JV on Wednesday, and continued her great play in the big win over Kingswood-Oxford on Saturday. She created many dangerous opportunities on offense and played outstanding defense helping to stop a dangerous KO team. Madison has been a great leader on and off the field for the Wildcats this season leading by example.  She consistently works to make her teammates as well as herself better in every aspect of the game. Continue reading

Athletes of the Week

Tom Lawry ’19 – Boys Varsity Water Polo

Tom led the young water polo team in an opening season double header. He showed great heart and determination, playing the majority of both games, leading the team in scoring with 3 goals, and serving as a positive role model for the new players. His sustained effort while in the pool, and “never quit” attitude against strong opposition were great examples of what Williston water polo exemplifies. Continue reading