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.
Emmett Gould ’26 – Varsity Alpine
Emmett, a three-year captain, has demonstrated exceptional leadership thus far this season. He is a mentor to other skiers, helping to explain drills and ensuring everyone is involved. He is fearless on the slopes and has shown he is ready to start his senior year.
AJ Tanihaha ’27 – Boys JV Basketball
AJ is a tireless worker, and his shooting has kept the team competitive in the early part of the season. On Saturday, he hit three three-pointers as the wildcats battled a strong Deerfield squad. But AJ’s best attribute is his attitude and work ethic off the court. No matter the situation, AJ can always be relied upon to be encouraging and helpful on and off the court.
Luke Berrien ’30 – Boys Fourths Basketball
Luke had a great week of practice as he led by example with his hustle and commitment to the team. In the game against WMA on Saturday, Luke was a factor on both ends of the floor. He scored 8 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and had 5 steals. His effort on defense in the fourth quarter was especially important in the Wildcats’ furious comeback, though the team ultimately fell short. As one of the 8th graders on the team, Luke has shown steady leadership throughout the year.
Skyler Walker ’26 – Girls Varsity Basketball
Skyler was dominant in the Ray Brown Holiday Tournament, leading all players with 26 points and 16 rebounds per game. Though the team came up two points short in the championship game vs. St. Mark’s, Skyler’s outstanding play on both ends of the court, along with her leadership and poise put the Wildcats in a great position to play at a high level all weekend. Throughout the season, Skyler has set the tone for the team not only in games, but also with her work ethic and her efforts to welcome new players to our young team. Her leadership as a captain has been one of the big reasons for the team’s solid start to the season, and we look forward to her continued contributions in the weeks to come.
Viviana Kennedy ’28 – Girls JV Basketball
From the moment Viviana stepped onto the court at our first practice this season, she has brought energy and intensity to the team. This is her first year playing basketball, and she has fully committed herself to learning the game and competing at a high level. Viviana is quick and aggressive on the court, especially when driving the ball, and her confidence helped her knock down a three-pointer in our season opener against Kingswood Oxford. As one of the older girls on the team, Viviana has also emerged as a natural leader. She is often helping run warmups at practice and is consistently encouraging her teammates from the sidelines during games. Viviana clearly cares about the team and holds herself accountable, whether that means putting in extra effort at practice or making up time if she arrives late. Her athleticism, intensity, and team-first mindset have made her a meaningful contributor to this season.
Ryan Wood ’28 – Boys JV Hockey
Ryan has been a dedicated member of the BJV team for several years serving as a back-up to older goalies. This season, Ryan is finally in the lead role as the starting goalie. He comes to practice each day determined to compete and improve. He is a true team player who prioritizes the interests of the team and exhibits a high level of sportsmanship. In the wildcats final game before winter break, Ryan delivered a shut-out performance in our 3-0 win over Loomis despite facing many strong scoring opportunities for the Pelicans. Ryan’s role in net for the Wildcats will be especially important in our success this season.
Yasmine McKenzie ’26 – Girls Varsity Hockey
Yasmine is a veteran defensemen and has been remarkably consistent throughout the season. Her work ethic, composure, and decision-making have been standout contributions to the team from the very beginning of the year. She has continued to develop her offensive game and has made strong contributions at both ends of the ice. In the wildcats 5-1 win over Tabor, she generated several quality shots from the point, one of which was tipped by a teammate to extend the lead. Yasmine is a great role model and has demonstrated excellent, positive leadership both on and off the ice this season, and the wildcats look forward to her continued contributions as the year progresses.
Lily Anderson ’26 – Girls JV Hockey
Lily is new to the JV Hockey Team this year but is not new to the sport and that experience has shown right away. She has made an immediate impression both on and off the ice through her toughness, work ethic, and consistently positive attitude. Lily pushes herself every day, lifts up her teammates, and brings great energy to the rink. Her willingness to do the hard things and support others has made everyone around her better, and she has quickly become an important part of this team.
Vivian Quesada Gama ’27 – Girls JV Squash
Vivian is a new player to squash this season. She brings a positive attitude and is receptive to feedback, using it to continue improving. Since the beginning of the season, she has demonstrated steady growth in her overall skills, particularly in her forehand, backhand, and serves. Over the three matches played so far, she has gained confidence on the court and consistently puts forth her best effort. Vivian is a strong team player who is willing to partner with any teammate, regardless of experience level, and always approaches each situation with a positive mindset. Although squash is an individual sport, she contributes meaningfully to the team consistently. The Wildcats look forward to seeing her continued development and contributions as the season progresses.