All about the Wildcats

Athletes of the Week

 

Soma Mizobuchi ’17- Boys Varsity Soccer

soma

Soma has been an engine in the midfield for the boys varsity soccer team this season. He has covered more ground than any other player on the team. He has been involved in breaking up the opponents’ attacks and he has been able to burst forward, getting himself in dangerous scoring positons. Against Salisbury this past Wednesday, Soma opened the scoring for the Wildcats.  Soma had another great game for the Wildcats against Deerfield on Saturday, where he helped create many dangerous scoring opportunities and played for the entire 90 minutes against a very physical opponent. Soma continues to set high standards every day in practice and pushes his teammates to be at their best. Continue reading

Athletes of the Week

Noah Clack ’18 – Varsity Football

noah

Noah had a great performance this past Saturday against local rival Wilbraham & Monson Academy.   Noah had a particularly strong day on defense leading the team with 11 tackles, including 4 solo.  Noah’s tough, physical presence were apparent throughout the game.  Noah has been a strong leader all season for the Wildcats.   His dedication and hard work are contagious! Continue reading

Athletes of the Week

Molly Zawacki ’17 – Girls Varsity Soccer

m-zawacki

As a co-captain of the girls varsity soccer team, Molly has shown great leadership this season. Last week, her leadership qualities were ever apparent in a week of two ties against very strong opponents in Cushing and Westminster. Arguably, she played her strongest game of the season against Westminster on Saturday night. Her effort was pivotal in shutting down Westminster’s top player.   She also did a terrific job of keeping the focus and energy of the team high.  Molly’s strong steady leadership has been critical to the team’s successful season. Continue reading

Athletes of The Week

 

David Fitch ’17 – Varsity Boys Water Polo

20691

David has had a great start to the season for the boys varsity water polo team this fall. This past week he led the team at both ends of the pool. On Saturday, against Suffield Academy, David scored 5 goals and racked up 4 assists on the offensive end of the pool. Defensively, he added 4 steals and 3 field blocks. David has shown great leadership in and out of the pool it is clear he takes pride in aiding the development of the younger players on the squad. David will continue to be a big part of the Wildcats success this season. Continue reading

Athlete of the Week 10/4/16

Matt Channell ’17- Varsity Football

matt-channell

Matt Channell has stepped up in a big way for the Wildcats varsity football team this season. On Saturday during the 42-41 victory against Taft, Matt accrued 20 rushing attempts for 81 Yards. One of those rush attempts was a huge 46 yard run in the 4th quarter that brought the Wildcats within scoring distance.  In addition to this, he also scored the game tying touchdown in overtime which set up the extra point to win the game. Matt possess a strong work ethic and a tremendous selfless attitude, always putting the team above himself. He leads by example every time he steps onto the field and is a great role model for the younger kids on the team, proving that hard work pays off. Continue reading

Beaton Brings Family History to Role as Head Football Coach

coaching-pic
Coach B, ready for a high five

By Matt Liebowitz

So much of what makes Coach Tommy Beaton tick, and what makes his players follow his lead, is evident in a quiet moment amidst chaos: Coach B standing in the gym during a school-wide event, his infant daughter asleep, her head in the crook of his elbow. Around him, students shuffle, scream, dance, but Coach B remains still. His daughter stays asleep.

As Williston Northampton’s new Head Football Coach, Tommy Beaton projects a steadfast, quiet confidence; he’s commanding, but not in the scream-in-your-face way many top-tier coaches are portrayed in movies. This reserved power is what makes Coach B so effective.

“You know your guys get it when you don’t have to say ‘hustle,’ they just hustle,” Beaton said. Continue reading

Athlete of Week- 9/28/16

Austin Ryan ’17

ryan

Austin made a huge contribution on both sides of the ball to help the Wildcats rally from a 28-7 deficit on Saturday at Kent. Offensively, Austin finished with eight catches for 102 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, his six solo tackles and five assisted tackles lead the team as he was all over the field from his safety position. Austin showed tremendous physical and mental toughness in leading the team to this big comeback. Continue reading

At Williston, Sportsmanship is Key

At a recent assembly, Athletic Director Mark Conroy discussed the code of ethics that all Williston teammates (and spectators!) must adhere to. Williston abides by the rules established by NEPSAC, the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council, an association of nearly 170 independent schools throughout New England.

“Fair or unfair, a school’s good name or reputation is often times derived from its athletic program because athletics are played on SUCH a public stage,” he said. Williston will compete in over 600 games during the year traveling throughout the northeast and hosting schools from all corners of New England and beyond. “Because of this,” he said, “I believe that our students have both a privilege and a responsibility to represent our school with the highest ideals of sportsmanship when our they pull on that blue and green jersey every Wednesday and Saturday afternoon.” Continue reading

Athletes of the Week, September 23

Jacob Goodman ’19

Jacob has started off the year strong for the boys varsity soccer team. On Saturday, he scored two clutch goals in a 5-3 win over Canterbury to lead the Wildcats to a win in their season opener. In his first start of his varsity career, Jacob created numerous dangerous scoring opportunities on counter-attacks against a physical and talented Canterbury defense. His tireless work rate put Canterbury’s defense under pressure throughout the game. Continue reading

Two Williston Lacrosse Players Earn All-American Honors

Two student-athletes in Williston’s lacrosse program earned All-American honors earlier this year. Coaches in the New England Secondary School Lacrosse Association recognized Nick Garofano ’16 of Boys Varsity Lacrosse, and Meg Szawlowski ’16 of Girls Varsity Lacrosse as top players in their respective leagues.

Nick Garofano '16
Nick Garofano ’16

Garofano of Yorktown Heights, N.Y., who will continue his lacrosse career at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point next year, is Williston’s all-time assist leader (88), and second in school history in goals (111) and points (199). A captain of the 2016 lacrosse team, Garofano led the team with 34 goals and 19 assists in just 16 games. In addition to being an All-American, Garofano was named to the Western New England Division II All-League team. Garofano also finished his career on Williston’s football team as one of the most accomplished athletes in school history. As a running back, he holds the record for single-season rushing yards (1,123) and career rushing yards (2,214). This past spring, Garofano’s achievements were recognized when he was given the Dr. Frank L. Boyden Award at the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame scholar-athlete dinner. The award is given to the top prep school scholar-athlete in western Massachusetts. Continue reading