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.
Noah Lehane ’28- Boys Varsity Cross Country
Noah has been running well since the start of the season and is one of the top runners on the team this year. He finished second in this past weekend’s meet against Westminster and Kingswood-Oxford, helping the boys’ team secure two victories in the process. He ran a personal best time on the Wildcat’s home course. Noah works hard in practice and sets a positive example for his teammates. His coaches and teammates are excited to watch him continue to improve this season.
Owen Butler ’31 -Boys JV Cross Country
Owen logged the miles over the summer, and his running has improved significantly as a result. He works hard in practice and attacks every workout with a positive attitude and a desire to get better. Owen ran a great race last weekend against Westminster and Kingswood-Oxford on a hot fall afternoon. His coaches are really excited about Owen’s future as a member of the xc team.
Marie Schneider ’28- Girls Varsity Cross Country
Marie, a newcomer to the girls varsity cross country team is already making her mark! Since her first practice, Marie has impressed her coaches with her hard work and positive attitude. Her calm presence matched with a fierce competitive spirit, paid off at this week’s meet: she cut a full minute from her previous race time, finishing in 23:59. Her remarkable improvement helped the team earn valuable points and secure a win over Westminster, Kingswood-Oxford, and Ethel Walker. Her teammates and coaches can’t wait to see what she does next!
Riley Stocker ’27- Varsity Field Hockey
Riley is the epitome of Williston field hockey. She is a leader in every sense of the word. She leads with her actions and her words. It has been great to see how she inspires her teammates and lifts all those around her. In her second year as captain, Riley has comfortably navigated moments of success and moments of challenge. This week, Riley was a gamechanger in both games, showcasing her scoring ability and defensive prowess. Riley has greatly improved her stick skills and was able to generate offense on many occasions by finding her teammates and making awesome leading passes, resulting in scoring opportunities. Her coaches cannot wait to see all the continued success that Riley will have this season, and there is no doubt she will inspire her teammates to work as hard as she does.
Emma Hwang ’27-Girls JV Field Hockey
Emma Hwang is not only a defensive force on JV Field Hockey, but is also a leader, setting a positive example on the field every day. In the team’s first two games of the season, Emma anchored the defense as the sweeper. In the Cats’ most recent game against Berkshire, Emma was a fearless fly during multiple corners. During a rush on the offense, the ball ricocheted off Emma’s foot, triggering another corner. Undaunted by the potential injury to her toe, Emma lined up again and successfully deflected Berkshire’s repeated attempts on goal. Emma is a consistently positive presence during practices and games alike, encouraging her teammates and helping to foster a supportive team culture. Emma’s coaches and teammates look forward to more strong play from her during the remainder of the season.
Alec Conklin ’27- Boys Varsity Soccer
As a senior, Alec knows what it takes to compete at the highest level for the boys varsity soccer team. Alec enters his third season with Varsity this fall, after playing for teams who reached the NEPSAC finals in the past two years. Despite battling an ankle injury, Alec has dug deep to give his best effort for the Wildcats over the past few weeks. He stepped up his leadership in games and in practice when all three captains were unable to play due to injury. He led warmups and cool downs, and he was the standout voice of the team in practices and games. Alec’s love for the program, his work rate, and his intense competitive spirit makes him a worthy opponent. The intangibles he provides the team on the field not only allow his teammates to focus on goalscoring opportunities, but they also demonstrate the best possible mindset for the team to continue their success from the past few years. Alec and his teammates will need to tap into their intense competitive spirit this week when they host Choate and Loomis.
Minjun Park ’30 – Boys JVA Soccer
Minjun has shown what hard work looks like, both in practice and on game day. His tenaciousness has earned the approval of his coaches and the respect of his teammates. After a particularly good week of practice and effort in a recent game, he earned the captaincy for our recent game against Millbrook. Starting for the first time, He made the most of the opportunity. He scored the first goal of the game, setting the tone for the team, and igniting the offense en route to 6-1 victory. His speed lets him beat defenders to the ball, and his desire keeps him chasing it until the final whistle. Just as important, his attitude makes the team feel connected, even when the going gets tough. The Wildcats are lucky to have him!
Nathan Pok ’27- Varsity Football
Nathan Pok played his best game of his Williston career in a 24-20 win over a talented Loomis team. Playing both corner and safety for the Wildcats, he finished the day with four tackles and 3 PBUs. Nathan also had a tremendous day on special teams as he is on the Punt, Punt Block, Kickoff, and Kickoff Return team. Nathan’s Teammates will continue to look towards him for his strong contributions and leadership by example as they work through the remainder of the season.
Yvette Jimah ’30- Thirds Volleyball
Yvette has emerged as a steady and dependable leader for the thirds volleyball team. Voted co-captain by her peers alongside Khloe Perrier, Yvette leads through her consistency, positive energy, and focus. She is often one of the first to arrive at practice, putting in extra time to develop her skills, and has become the team’s most reliable server. Her growth as a player is matched by her ability to keep her teammates focused and on task. Yvette’s steady presence and character have earned the respect and trust of her teammates, making her an invaluable part of the team!
Wes Gibbons ’28 – Boys Varsity Water Polo
Wes has been a critical part of the water polo team this season, contributing in every possible way. He leads the team in scoring, including 7 and 8 goals in a single day against Andover and GCDS. He is always ready to swim and leads the offense with ejections drawn. He regularly matches up with other team’s top players. Wes has become a true leader during practice. He takes his role as captain seriously helping run practice and motivate the younger players. Wes has helped the team grow and will continue to be an valuable leader for the Wildcats.