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.
Finn Mailoux ’28 – Boys Varsity Cross Country
Finn ran a great race on Saturday at Westminster’s Richard Miller Invitational. Despite the hot conditions and the hilly course, Finn persevered and showed great determination to help the boys team secure first place. Finn has been working hard since the start of the season and is a great teammate to the other members of the team.
Sloan Gajda ’27 – Boys JV Cross Country
Sloan ran a superb race on Saturday at the Westminster School’s Richard Miller Invitational. Sloan came in second in the JV race on a hot day and a challenging course. His gutsy performance was a great lesson for the younger boys on the team. The coaches really appreciate Sloan’s positive attitude and great work ethic. We look forward to watching him continue to improve as the season progresses.
Addie Eakin ’27 – Girls Varsity Cross Country
This week, we’re proud to spotlight Addie Eakin, a true leader on and off the course.
From day one, Addie has brought unmatched positive energy to every practice and meet. Whether it’s showing up with a smile, encouraging teammates during tough workouts, or leading by example, she sets the tone for what it means to be a dedicated and uplifting teammate. This week at the Richard Miller XC Invite hosted by The Westminster School, Addie’s drive and leadership were on full display. Addie finished 3rd overall with a time of 24:29, setting up a team win! We are looking forward to Addie’s work ethic, positive energy, and leadership as she continues to motivate her teammates throughout the season!
Maddie Wilson ’29 – Girls JV Cross Country
This week, we’re excited to recognize Maddie Wilson, who has been making steady progress and turning heads with her determination this season. Since joining the team, Maddie has shown what it means to embrace a challenge. New to Cross Country running, she’s pushed herself out of her comfort zone week after week — and it shows. Her times have improved consistently. This was on showcase at the Richard Miller XC Invite hosted by The Westminster School where Maddie finished 2nd in the Junior Varsity race with a time of 26:45. Her quiet determination, willingness to learn, and positive attitude have made her a valuable part of the team. We can’t wait to see how she continues to grow this season!
Alexa O’Neill ’28 – Varsity Field Hockey
Alexa has had an immediate impact on the defensive core of our team. Losing every starting player from last season was going to be a difficult challenge to overcome, but Alexa has made the transition so much easier. She is not afraid to be a threat all over the field. Alexa challenges the opposing team with speed and poise while finding ways to get involved in the offense. She always knows where to place the ball and consistently makes the right play. In practice and in games, Alexa continually seeks opportunities to improve by regularly asking questions and identifying ways to refine her skills. As a team, we appreciate hearing her voice and learning from the perspective she provides. This week, Alexa shut down her opponents from Hotchkiss and Millbrook with ease. We cannot wait to see the success Alexa finds in the rest of the season!
Crew Colon ’26 – Varsity Football
Crew Colon had a monster day for the Wildcats on Saturday in their 34-7 win over a very strong Exeter team. Crew was almost perfect in the air going 9-12 passing and two of his three incompletions were drops. In total he threw for 173 yards and 4 Touchdowns. On the ground, Crew rushed 4 times for 57 yards and a TD.
Tristan Kokoszka ’26 – Boys Varsity Soccer
Senior Co-Captain Tristan Kokoszka led the Boys Varsity Soccer team to two impressive wins last week over Pomfret and Vermont Academy. He created many dangerous chances against a stingy Pomfret side that was content to defend in numbers and counter against the Wildcats’ flowing passing style. Tristan and his teammates were able to break through their defense twice midway through the first half, with Kokoszka finishing a penalty kick to make it 2-0. Tristan added a third goal just after half time to secure a 3-0 lead as the team cruised to victory in their first home match of the season. Vermont Academy proved to be a very challenging opponent for Tristan and his teammates, but they were able to grind out a 1-0 win on the road. Tristan received a cross from Nico Garcia in the box before burying the finish at the far post midway through the second half. He and his teammates were able to see out the remainder of the game to secure the win. Tristan’s leadership will be put to the test again this week as he leads his teammates against Westminster and Millbrook.
Robby Ghazey-Bates ’29 – Boys JV A Soccer
Robby Ghazey-Bates had an excellent week, with a 2-0 shutout against an always tough Loomis Chaffee squad and another win last Saturday against Pomfret. His stellar positional play and ability to snuff out semi-breakaways in the first half of the recent game allowed the team to step it up in the second half and secure a relatively comfortable win against a well-coached team. He has proven to be fearless in key moments during games, while also having a strong set of hands, and has been a key part of the promising start the team has had. He has a bright future in goal and will almost certainly be crucial to the future success of the team.
Brett Gagne ’27 – Boys JV B Soccer
Brett Gagne brings a lot of experience to the JVB team in his third year. He has been an important part of the squad, playing well in several positions during the first few games. With his energy and speed, Brett has been key in transitioning the team from defense to offense. He consistently demonstrates good skills and abilities, both in practice and especially in games, where he always gives 100%. His teammates trust his vision of the game, which makes him not only a great asset to the team but also a constant challenge for opposing defenses. Brett played a key role in last week’s win against Suffield, and we look forward to a great season with him.
Daniel Sayre ’30 – Boys Junior Soccer
Daniel has been establishing himself as a true team leader throughout the season. His positive attitude at practice sets a great example, and his competitive spirit during games drives the team forward. Though defense hasn’t been his primary role in the past, Daniel has embraced the challenge with maturity and enthusiasm. He’s learning the position quickly and contributing meaningfully to our defensive efforts. His adaptability and willingness to grow are helping the team become stronger and more competitive every day.
Jayla Peets Butterfield ’27 – Girls Varsity Soccer
Jayla’s effort, leadership, and grit have been vital for our team’s success. Stepping up in a big way this season, she has embraced tough defensive assignments, including standout man-marking performances this week against Hotchkiss. Time and again, Jayla showed composure and strength, consistently stepping in to win crucial balls and setting the tone for our back line. Keep up the great work, Jayla!
Emily Buttrick ’30 – Girls JV Volleyball
Although Emily is one of our younger players on the JV volleyball team, she brings a quiet confidence to the sport. Her relentless work ethic has shined since day one of practice, and one can always expect her to be working during breaks and between practice sets all in an effort to be her best. During our game against Stoneleigh-Burnham School, Emily’s composure and skills on the court helped secure a win. Emily’s impact has been significant to the team’s success, and we are excited to see her continue to grow as a player.
Wynne Fitzgerald ’31- Girls 3rds Volleyball
Wynne played a key role in our victory last Wednesday against Kingswood Oxford. She is a true embodiment of a team player, both on and off the court. In practice, Wynne consistently gives her full effort, always approaches drills with positivity, and encourages her teammates with a smile. Her focus and determination show in games, where she bounces back quickly from mistakes and works even harder to make the next play. We’re grateful for her contributions and are excited to see how she and the rest of the team continue to grow this season!
Teppei Morita ’26- Boys Varsity Water Polo
Teppei Morita has stepped into a prominent role with the water polo team over the past week. In big matches this past weekend with Andover and Greenwich Teppei was tasked with taking on the center forward player for the opposing team. This is a critical role as the primary defender in front of the goal. Teppei was outstanding in both games neutralizing this strong offensive player with a combination of superior leg strength and smart body positioning. Teppei’s ability to shut down the opponents top scorer will be essential as the team moves into crucial matches in the upcoming weeks.
