Sabrina Shao ‘19 – Girls Varsity Water Polo
Sabrina has had a great season for the girls varsity water polo team. This past week, she was instrumental in the team’s big victories over tough opponents from Deerfield and Hopkins. Her ability to see the pool has led to some strong offense as she is able to make crucial passes to get her teammates involved, causing the entire team to be more effective. Additionally, her decision-making ability has made her into a top-notch defender. Sabrina has been a great leader in and out of the pool for the Wildcats this season and the team will continue to rely on her as they head into the final stretch of the season.
Noah Brooks ’20- Boys Varsity Lacrosse
Noah has been a critical part of the Wildcats success this season. He showed up in a big way last week against two challenging opponents from Suffield and Canterbury. On Wednesday at Suffield, he was critical in the team’s 14-7 win. Scoring 2 goals and adding 2 assists. He got the offense rolling in a must win contest for the Cats. On senior night under the lights against Canterbury, he continued his offensive onslaught by scoring 3 more goals and adding another assist. Noah’s performance was crucial in the teams 17-5 win, capping off a three game win streak. Noah has worked hard in the off season to hone his skills on the field and his efforts have paid off in a big way. Noah provides a positive example for his teammates as he proves that hard work does indeed pay dividends!
Praghya Athavan Raja ‘22-Girls Varsity Tennis
Praghya had a strong week as she went 3-0 for girls’ varsity tennis in close matches against Pomfret and NMH. Praghya used her strong serve, dominant forehand, and great shot selection to dominate her capable opponents. At Pomfret, Praghya started her match well and pulled away from her opponent in a dominant performance. At NMH, she partnered well with Julia Farnham to win at #1 doubles before blanking her opponent 10-0 at #2 singles. Praghya is playing her best tennis of the spring as the Wildcats look to finish up their season against Loomis, Kingswood, and Berkshire. Just a freshman, Praghya has a bright future ahead of her and the team looks forward to seeing her continued growth on the court.
Cam Mariani ’19-Boys Varsity Golf
Cam has had a great season on the links for the boys’ varsity golf team. Golf is not Cam’s main sport, but he is a dedicated athlete, who demonstrates his commitment to the team through his humble and positive outlook and his gritty determination to never give up on a round. As a result, Cam has been one of our strongest and most consistent golfers this season. Since golf is both a team and individual sport, players sometimes don’t realize how their conduct can positively or negatively impact the team. Cam understands the responsibility associated with being a varsity athlete, and he serves as an excellent role model for his teammates through his integrity, determination, and positive outlook. The team will continue to rely on Cam as they head into the final stretch of the season and into the Kingswood Tournament.
Rachel Burke ‘19– Girls Varsity Lacrosse
Rachel has demonstrated outstanding leadership as a captain and an overall positive attitude for the girls’ varsity lacrosse team. Her strong play has been a huge part of the team’s success this season. She had a fantastic week on the field as she scored three goals while dishing out one assist in Wednesday’s 16-9 win over NMH. Unfinished, she again performed at a high capacity on Saturday against Choate, adding four goals and two assists in an exciting 14-4 win. She has fought through some adversity seamlessly over the past two weeks, working hard to make a full comeback while encouraging her teammates and helping her team in any capacity. She returned this week to a full-time role and her impact offered a big boost for the Cats. The team will continue to look towards Rachel as they head into the final stretch of the season.
Abood Abuissa ’19-Boys Varsity Track and Field
Abood has been a big part of the Wildcats success this season. He continued his strong season as he began his week against Kingswood-Oxford and Wilbraham and Munson by winning the 110m high hurdles and the 300 intermediary hurdles. The 110HH was his first race, which he won in a new personal best of 15.6s. This is the #3 time in Williston school history. Later that day, Abood won the 300m hurdles in 43.5s, another personal best, and the #4 time in school history. On Saturday against Westminster and Hopkins, Abood would repeat his dual wins, this time running another 15.6 to tie his personal best, and then lowering his 300m time to 42.9s. Abood continues to get quicker each race, and his fitness and form are both rounding into shape just in time for the NEPSAC championship. The team will look to Abood for his leadership on and off the track as they head into the final stretch of the season.
Anaya Akpalu ’21- Girls Varsity Track
Anaya has been a big point scorer for the Wildcats this season. She continued her strong performances this week against Kingswood-Oxford and Wilbraham and Monson, as she won the pole vault, shot put, and javelin, earning her team 24 points in the process. Her day started with a winning jump in the pole vault of 7’0”. Next, she won the shot put with a throw of 27’7.5” – her best of the season to date. Anaya finished the day by winning the javelin, throwing it 78’0”, which was just shy of her personal best on the season. On Saturday against Westminster and Hopkins, Anaya placed second in the javelin, but yet again won the pole vault. This time, she jumped 8’0” – a new personal best and putting her in a tie for 4th best vault in Williston school history. Anaya is thriving in the pole vault and javelin and looks to help lead her team at the final regular season meet and into New England’s.
Jerry Landman ’22- Varsity Baseball
Jerry has been a great addition to the varsity baseball team this season and without a doubt has been a big part of the team’s success. He showed up in a big way two weeks ago, as the freshman threw a no-hitter in a 6-0 win vs Pomfret. This past week he followed his strong performance on the mound with yet another, as he tossed a 4 hitter in a 2-1 win against WMA on Saturday. On the season Jerry is 3-0 with a 1.77 ERA. Jerry is a competitor, through and through, who always puts his team in a position to win games. As a freshman he has had a very impressive first season at Williston and the team will continue to lean on him down the final stretch of the season.
Nikki Foster ’20-Girls Varsity Golf
Nikki has been a consistent point scorer for the girls varsity golf team this season. She played well at Tumble Brook Country Club on Wednesday to earn a match point against Choate, 4 & 3. Nikki has made steady improvement over the season, especially with her drives and second shots. Nikki narrowly lost her second match of the week, 2 up, at her home course, Southampton CC. Nikki leads by example everyday through her positive attitude and willingness to improve her craft.
Alex Hall-Witt ‘23-Boys Varsity Ultimate
Alex has been one of the most consistent players all season for the Wildcats. He has developed great field vision and has found a knack for making critical throws. At the four-game tournament on Saturday, Alex was involved in 18 of the 30 goals, either throwing or catching. He also played every single point on the day. Alex’s consistent performances have been a big part of the team’s success this season and despite being only an 8th grader, he has become a strong leader of the team.
Anita Hua ’22- Girls Varsity Ultimate
Anita has played with 100% focus, spirit, and intensity 100% of the time. Her positivity and push to grow as a player and teammate have helped propel the team since the season started. This last weekend she played most of the points in the team’s 4 games at the Greenfield Tournament, being a key element in the team going 2-2 on the day. She provided a staggering number of receptions and she accumulated 6 assists on the day, without a doubt creating a large part of the offense for the team. Anita is a huge factor on the field and will only continue to improve as she brings a strong work ethic every day.
Irina Malladi ’21 – Girls JV Golf
Irina has had a great season for the Wildcats. This past week she won both of her matches against WMA and then against Miss Halls. She was the medalist in both of those matches and capped off the week by shooting a solid 49 against WMA. Irina has worked hard to hone her craft and this hard work has paid dividends, providing an excellent example for her teammates.
Noel Livingston ’20 – Girls JV Tennis
Noel’s contribution to the girl’s JV tennis program goes well beyond her tennis skills. Her leadership and support have been guiding the team during this years’ season. Noel is always thinking one step ahead on how she can help practices and games run smoother. As one of the captains this year, she has organized bonding events, practices and even our gear! Not to mention, she plays our first singles spot, a sometimes-thankless job since the competition is so tough and intense! Noel has even stepped up to the challenge in playing in varsity games, where she is able to display her truly strong net play in doubles matches. The team will continue to look to Noel for encouragement and guidance as they head into the final two weeks.
Julia Borden ’22- Girls JV Lacrosse
Julia has played an important role for the Wildcats this season. As the team’s biggest “offense workhorse” she has been crucial in the team’s success. She brings an intensity to the game that is unmatched as her off-ball movement and hard cuts to lose defenders have allowed her to be the driving force behind the team’s offensive prowess. Julia is highly coachable, constantly listening to the coaches and making immediate adjustments to her play. Her coachability, positive attitude and work ethic have caused her to become an impactful role model for her teammates.