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.
David Truoiolo ’30- Boys Varsity Cross Country
David ran a great race at Saturday’s Shaler Invitational. He posted a personal best time on his home course and helped the team secure fourth place behind three division 1 teams. David has been working hard all season and displays true grit as he has been battling through some nagging injuries. The coaches appreciate David’s work ethic and his positive attitude. The Wildcats are excited to see David finish the season on a positive note.
Zach Kirouac ’30 – Boys JV Cross Country
Zach has been working hard all season and ran a great race in Saturday’s Shaler Invitational, running a personal best time. Zach is a quiet, steady presence on our team and his great work ethic and calm demeanor set a positive example for his teammates. The coaches are extremely pleased with his progress, and we are excited to see what he can accomplish in the future.
Grace Cooney ’30- Girls Varsity Cross Country
Grace arrived on the first day of practice ready to make a significant impact on the team. After training hard all summer, she was prepared to hit the ground running and as a 9th grader, has consistently finished in the top two all season, scoring valuable points for the team. Grace genuinely enjoys the process and thrives on challenging workouts, always ready to push herself. Cross country is a uniquely demanding sport, testing athletes physically and mentally beyond what most other sports ask of them. At the recent Shaler Invitational, Grace showcased the value of mental toughness before, during, and after the race, enjoying the moment and tapping into the mental strategies that make this sport so special. Her combination of mental and physical strength was on full display this weekend as she propelled the team to a 4th-place finish among 11 teams. Her team can’t wait to see how Grace continues to pair mental toughness with physical strength as they head into the final weeks of the season!
Luca Belanger ’28- Varsity Football
Luca had a monster game for the Wildcats in their 50-21 win over their rival, Suffield Academy. He finished the game with 7 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and 1.5 Sacks. He also had one of the biggest plays of the game when on the first possession he recovered a fumble and took it back for a Touchdown! Luca’s coaches and teammates will continue to look towards him for his strong play and team first mentality as they work through the remainder of the season.
River Grady ’27- Varsity Field Hockey
This week, River was a key piece of the team’s victory over rival Suffield. She commanded the defense with confidence through strong communication and positivity. Many times, the entire field could hear River giving directions and taking control of coverage in the circle. River made key saves, denying countless shots from Suffield on their 21 offensive corners. This season, River has also taken on a mentoring role as a 4-year player and team leader. She is always there to provide laughs to her teammates and make sure everyone feels included. Her coaches have been so proud of all that River brings to the group on and off the field!
Audrey Capshaw ’27- JV Field Hockey
In her senior year, Audrey has been a leader on the team, and a stand-out member of defense. She brings passion and energy to every game, firing up her teammates by being aggressive to the ball and taking strong free hits that shift the momentum back to the Cats. During team huddles, Audrey gives helpful feedback without being negative, encouraging her teammates to bring their best selves to the field and sidelines. In a recent game against Suffield, Audrey set an energized and assertive tone from the get-go, reminding her fellow Cats that they had what it took to hold their own against their rivals. Audrey has been a difference-maker on the field all season, and her coaches and teammates look forward to more strong play in the final games.
Jacob Lee ’27- Boys Varsity Soccer
Senior Jacob Lee has been a pillar of stability throughout the fall season. The Wildcat midfielder has logged more minutes than any other player on the roster, and he has had to play in multiple key positions due to the number of injuries the team has sustained. Jacob led his team to two memorable wins over local rivals WMA and Suffield last week, putting the Wildcats back in contention for postseason play. Jacob is back in action this Saturday when Williston hosts local rivals Deerfield.
Matt Jacques ’30- Boys JVA Soccer
Matt has been an integral part of the team’s success all season. He brings a great combination of relentless defense and technical skill, allowing him to win the ball, beat defenders, swing the ball, and help build the attack. When given an opportunity in front of goal, he has the confidence and power to finish, as he demonstrated with the game-securing goal in the final minutes against Suffield. In a thrilling, tightly contested game where the Cats held just a 1-0 lead, he played with tremendous energy and put away a long-range shot to give the team some breathing room and help secure the win. Matt knows how to compete, brings great intensity to the field, and balances that competitiveness with a genuine ability to have fun. He has been a consistent and valuable contributor to the team all season!
Yahaya Fuseini ’28- Boys JVB Soccer
Yahaya has been an essential member of the JV B soccer team this season. He is a natural player with a great instinct for the game. He works tirelessly during both practices and games, and he consistently asks for feedback, accepts it graciously, and always responds with a smile. Yahaya is respectful, gets along well with all his teammates, and has become a symbol of the team’s success this year. Last week, he scored crucial goals that helped secure victories against Deerfield and Suffield. His work ethic, positive attitude, and contributions on the field have made him an outstanding member of the team. His teammates and coaches look forward to seeing him continue to grow as a player.
Addison Perich ’27- Girls Varsity Soccer
Addison is a senior leader who consistently leads by example. She may be quiet, but her work ethic, positivity and willingness to do whatever the team needs never goes unnoticed. She is always working, always encouraging those around her, and never hesitates to step up whenever she is needed. More recently, she has taken on a role in the backline, playing both center back and outside back. She does a great job reading the game, stepping up to win battles, and making smart decisions defensively. She is someone her coaches can count on, and her willingness to put the team first is what makes her such an important part of the group!
Cali Keenan ’27- Varsity Volleyball
As a co-captain and starting outside hitter for the team, Cali brings enthusiasm, energy, and leadership day in and day out. She plays an integral role in the sustained comradeship of the players through the fall season. On the court, Cali has raised her game to another level. While always bringing an aggressive, yet calculated mindset to her front row attacks, her backrow defense has been spectacular. Her sprawling digs have personified the team’s mantra of “no ball hits the ground” and have sparked numerous rallies that otherwise would have been points lost. Her mindset and attitude are a welcome sight as the team approaches the end of the fall season.
Yar Cuevas-Rijo ’30- Thirds Volleyball
Yar may be new to the thirds volleyball team this year, but she has quickly made a tremendous impact both on and off the court. Her strong foundation of skills has earned her a starting spot, and she has become a critical part of the team. Her powerful, difficult-to-receive serve is a consistent strength, and she brings great effort and energy to every game and practice. Beyond her skills, Yar is a wonderful teammate whose infectious laugh and smile bring positivity to everyone around her. She is always supportive of her teammates and brings a joy to the game that makes her team better.
Noah van Leenen ’28 – Boys Varsity Water Polo
Noah joined Williston this year with a strong background in water polo. He has been an amazing asset to our young, developing team. Noah is always ready to teach the fundamentals to new players, demonstrate skills, or talk strategy. Noah has been a brick wall as our deep-end goalie. He has made save after save against every team, keeping us close in games. When playing in the field, he has adapted to a less familiar role proving his team first mentality. Noah has been a true leader within this group, and his coaches and teammates appreciate all that he has contributed this season.