Athletes of the Week

 

 

Introducing our Athletes of the Week program! Each week, Williston coaches nominate one student-athlete from their team who stood out by demonstrating our core values of purpose, passion, and integrity. These athletes show exceptional dedication, leadership, and sportsmanship, both on and off the field, embodying what it means to be a Williston Wildcat. Read below for more information on each of the Athletes of the Week.

 

Brody Richardson ’26– Boys Varsity Cross Country

Brody has been running well all season, always competing for one of the top spots in every competition.  However, Saturday’s Shaler Invitational saw Brody break the existing school record for the fastest time by a Williston runner on the team’s home course.  Brody ran a blazing 16:58, breaking the old record by 10 seconds. Brody came in second place to a nationally ranked runner from Loomis Chaffee School.  Brody is peaking at the perfect time and his coaches and teammates are excited to see what he will accomplish at the NEPSAC Division 2 championship meet in two weeks.

 

Macus Wu ’28 – Boys JV Cross Country

Macus has been a positive addition to the boys cross country program since the very first day of practice.  He brings a great attitude and a fun sense of humor to both practices and meets.  Macus has been steadily improving throughout the season and had his best race of the season this past weekend at the Shaler Invitational.  Macus has moved steadily up the leaderboard for the JV team and has earned himself a spot to compete in the JV race at the NEPSAC championship meet.  The coaches are really pleased with his progress and see great potential for Macus in the years to come.

 

Audrey Dowsett ’29- Girls Cross Country

In her first year on the girls cross country team, Audrey has emerged as an impressive competitor, showcasing her strength and determination. Audrey digs in at every practice, and her quiet presence reflects her unwavering will to succeed. At the recent Shaler Invitational, she achieved a personal record, shaving an incredible three minutes off her previous time. Her relentless dedication to training not only enhances her own performance but also motivates her teammates, fostering a positive team spirit. Her coaches are excited to see how the rest of the season unfolds for Audrey!

 

Gemma Polino 25 – Varsity Field Hockey

Gemma has been a steady defender for the girls varsity field hockey team all fall. Her reliability on the left side of the field has created numerous turnovers for the other team and created quick transition for the Wildcat’s offense. Gemma sees the field and knows where she is going with the ball as she is running on to intercept it. As someone who has been on the team for 4 years, her leadership and calmness through her play allows her teammates to feel supported and confident. A particular highlight for Gemma this week was helping lead the team to a 3-0 victory over rival Suffield with her strong play. Her coaches and teammates will continue to rely on her for her strong play and leadership through example as they work through the remainder of the season.

 

Sylvia Lynch ’27- JV Field Hockey

In her very first season playing field hockey, Sylvia has proven herself to be a dynamic and productive player for her team. In the team’s 2-1 win over Westminster, Sylvia scored the first goal, setting the victory in motion. In a thrilling tie against rival Suffield on Friday, Sylvia scored the only goal. In both cases, she positioned herself on the post at the exact right time to redirect a pass into the corner of the goal. In addition to her contributions during games, Sylvia brings consistent positive energy and a can-do attitude to the field every day for practice. Her coaches and teammates look forward to seeing what Sylvia can accomplish in the remaining weeks of the season.

 

Max Depatie ’25- Varsity Football

Max did it all for the Wildcats Saturday night in their huge 43-21 win over rival Suffield Academy. Defensively, he had 7 tackles, 2 of which were TFLs, and 1 that was a sack. He also added 4 QB hurries. In addition to his defensive contributions, Max is also a contributor on special teams and the offense. Offensively he led the way blocking on many big runs, giving the Wildcats the edge. The team looks forward to his continued contributions as they work through the remainder of the season.

 

Ryan Doll 27- JV Football

Ryan stepped up in a big way against Suffield on Wednesday from his middle linebacker position, recording 11 tackles, including 2 TFL.  The sophomore, who leads Williston in tackles, played a huge part in a first half goal line stand by the Wildcats.  After a fumble gave the visiting team a very short field, OLB Ryan Wood (’28) made a great tackle for loss to deny an outside run.  But, a subsequent Suffield completion got those yards right back, setting up 3rd and goal from the two. Doll rose to this challenge, however, and kept the Tigers out of the end zone. He made two consecutive tackles on inside runs, including an impressive solo tackle for a 2-yard loss on 4th and goal from the one.  Doll, who also plays center and fullback, leads the JV squad in both tackles and fumble recoveries. He brings intensity and focus to every practice and game and is a great leader for this young team.

 

Danek McKelligan 25- Boys Varsity Soccer

Danek has played a pivotal role in the development of the boys varsity soccer team this fall. The Mexico native has displayed a team-first mentality throughout the season. Danek contributed important goals and assists in big games early on this fall as a winger and forward.  As the season progressed, he began to show his qualities as a defender, and he has been very supportive of the move to the back line. Danek’s best performance came against Suffield this past weekend, where he successfully marked one of their dynamic wingers out of the game despite being hampered by some personal adversity. Danek leads by example through his bravery and toughness, and he will play a pivotal role in the team’s playoff run over the next few weeks. The team travels to Salisbury this Wednesday before hosting Deerfield this Saturday.

 

Lateef Aiyeyemi ’26- Boys JVA Soccer

Lateef has been a central cog in the Wildcats offense all year long, both in terms of scoring goals and pressing the opponents into mistakes. He has made a dramatic improvement from last year, and it shows in every game. He is a nightmare to play against because of his speed and tenacity, and willingness to challenge every ball. Whatever success the team will have in the last stretch of games will certainly depend in no small part on Lateef’s efforts.

 

Toby Peterson ’25 – Boys JVB Soccer

Toby’s commitment to the boys JVB soccer team has been excellent, and he is always ready to contribute to the team in many ways. Toby always does what is asked of him in practice and games in a very unselfish way; he always puts the team first. Toby has been playing very well on defense lately and has been an important piece of the team’s success this season. His coaches and teammates look forward to his continued growth and success in the upcoming matches, and he will be missed a lot next year as he finishes his senior campaign.

 

Jayme Cerasuolo 26- Girls Varsity Soccer

Jayme has been a dynamic force this season, scoring 9 goals, including 2 in Saturday’s match. Her remarkable speed and urgency on the field creates constant pressure on opposing defenses. Coupled with a strong work ethic, Jayme excels at delivering precise through balls, making her a key playmaker. On defense, she is a versatile asset whose contributions are vital to the team’s success. The team and coaches are looking forward to Jayme continuing her force for the rest of the season and are thrilled to have her as part of the squad for another year!

 

Annika Song 26- Varsity Volleyball

Annika showed genuine leadership as a player and a captain. She had multiple aces, kills and saves. Annika demonstrated resilience in playing the entire game. She kept up the energy of other players and proved that even after being voted “captain” you must earn the title each day, at each practice and at each game – she certainly did this. Annika led the varsity volleyball team to a 3-0 win against rival Suffield, a team the Wildcats have not beaten in some time. Her coaches are so proud of Annika and they look forward to her continued contributions this season.