The winter season has started for most of our teams at Williston, and already we are seeing some great wins and tough losses. The first games of a season are important for setting the tone for a team and coming to the realizations of what will and will not work for the season ahead. Here are some first varsity game results!

On the court, the Boys Varsity Basketball team had their first game of the winter season away at Gunnery School, where they won 87-51. Captain Stephen Goldsmith ’15 says that the team hopes to “keep winning, working hard and having fun.”

Girls Varsity Basketball played its first home game against St. Marks School. Captain Dina Dahdul ’15 reports, “Our team chemistry was great, the best I’ve seen it and I’ve been on the team since I was in 8th grade. It was cool to see the whole team come together.”

The team won the game, beating the St. Marks girls 43-15. Dahdul notes, “It made me feel very positive about the rest of the season. I knew it was going to be a good one and right now we are 4-0.”

In the rink, the Girls Varsity Hockey team had their first game away, beating Millbrook Academy on their home rink 5-0. Captain Maddy Jerolman ’15 says, “We have a lot to look forward to this season! We have a great group of girls and a lot of talent on the team!”

Head coach Christa Talbot-Syfu adds, “I am really excited about the group that we have this year, they are hardworking and talented. We are excited about the two tournaments that we participate in over the holidays to play against some of New England’s best.”

The Boys Varsity Hockey team faced their first opponents on their home ice, gaining a good win against Canterbury School, 5-2. Captain Rourke Ferguson ‘15 mentioned his highlight of the game, saying, “The line of Tyler Scrogins ’15, Jared Karas ’15 and Nick Schofield ‘17 were on the ice for 4 out of our 5 goals against Canterbury.”

Head coach Derek Cunha reports, “The boys are working extremely hard day in and day out and they have a full understanding of our team philosophy to be ‘better every day’.”

On the mat, the Varsity Wrestling team has had two meets already this season, one that took place before Thanksgiving break and one immediately following. Head coach Matthew Kanelong says, “There were 10 schools at the Tabor Invitational Tournament (before break), and then we faced the quad meet at Hopkins School (after break).”

Although no scores were kept for the invitational, Mr. Kanelong noted individual achievements by Hunter Adams ’17 winning his weight class and Sam Atkins ’15 placing 3rd. Three wrestlers, Hunter Adams ’17, Bina Sweet ’17, and Oscar DeFrancis ’20 went undefeated that day. At the tournament the team lost to Suffield but beat Hopkins and Hyde.

Mr. Kanelong says, “The highlight of the day at Hopkins was when first-year wrestler [and seventh-grader] Oscar DeFrancis pinned his Hopkins opponent to secure the victory against Hopkins.”

On the slopes, the Williston Ski team has yet to have any races although girls captain Jen Carellas ’15 says, “Considering how our practices are going we should have a strong team.”

Boys captain Anthony Aquadro ’15 notes, “We have a good team and we have high expectations for ourselves. I am looking forward to spending more time with my team and hopefully being successful with this season.”

In the pool, the Boys and the Girls Varsity Swim teams are off to a 2-1 start. For the first meet, the team was away at NMH where the girls won 93-77 and the boys won 88-73, making it a very successful first meet for the Williston swimmers.

Girls Varsity captain Emily Grussing ‘15 says, “One thing I’ve appreciated is the cohesiveness of our team this season. There seems to be no divide between boys and girls, seniors and seventh graders, nor fast and slow. Everyone just wants to be there, support each other, and swim fast.”

Head coach, Mr. David Koritkoski notes, “The highlight of the season thus far has been the positive attitude and team spirit the group has demonstrated. I expect to see them continue to swim fast and work hard as we progress through the season. I’m proud of the group I have in the water right now.”

On the squash court, the Girls Varsity Squash team had their first game against Hopkins at home and they came out of their matches against the school with a loss of 0-10.

Head coach Peter Gunn says, “The big challenge will be to see when we begin to play teams that are in our class starting in January and leading into February, how much progress we’ve made in growing as a team compared to where we were last year.” Mr. Gunn continues, “A lot of what I’m looking forward to seeing isn’t going to show up in wins and losses and points, but it’s going to be the continued development.”

Boys Varsity Squash, unfortunately, lost their first game 0-7 against St. Marks at home. Head coach Ryan Tyree reports his highlight of the game, saying, “How much work there is to be done and the realization that we lost on inexperience, not skill. Working with each kid to build their strengths and develop their weaknesses, bus rides and fun team times.”

The winter teams all seem to be off to a positive start, so be sure to come out and support all your winter Wildcats this season!