Williston has a long history of sending student-athletes to Division 1 programs, and this year is no exception, with competitors heading to D1 colleges such as UMass, BC, University of Pennsylvania, Yale, and Brown. Others will take their talents to D3 colleges like the NESCACS.

Andre Washington, a three-year senior from Staten Island, New York, is studying remotely right now in order to get ready for Long Island University’s basketball camp, which starts in May.

“I know staying home I have all the resources needed in order to get my mind and body prepared for college basketball,” Andre said. “I would definitely love to be at school with my friends and enjoy my senior year with them.”

Although he admits he misses Williston and his friends, he said he’s already seen himself maturing as a student as college gets closer.

“I’m taking more pride in my school work and staying off social media less, and handling my responsibilities,” he said. “So right now, I’m fully focused on my dreams and going as far as I can go.”

While Andre will head to Long Island University, senior Zak Gmerek, a two-year senior from Rochester, New York, will put off college for a few years and instead play Juniors hockey. To get read for the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), Zac said he’ll be “skating six days a week, working out four days a week and playing at a bunch of camps. I am solely ready to get better and to strengthen my skills and hockey ability to play at the next level.”

Mark Conroy, Director of Athletics, is happy to send many athletes to continue playing sports at the next level.

“The fact that we send between 25-35% of our graduates off to play in college reflects incredibly well on the quality of our program,” he said. “This is a testament to all the opportunities that are available to a college aspiring athlete at Williston – outstanding coaching, college level strength training program, excellent competition within NEPSAC and, of course, the dedication of our athletes.”

Conroy encourages student athletes to take advantage of the summer to improve their physical strength.

“I would strongly recommend that any athlete aspiring to be the best he can be should use the opportunity of summer to make improvements,” he said. “First and foremost, make sure that you are in a position to work on your strength and conditioning.”

He calls it a “gift” for athletes to be able to spend their summer working on themselves.