9 minute read
Titans Victorious
All-American Will Hardy ’22
League champions for the first time since 1989.
boyS lacroSSe
Titan program continues to raise standard of success
COVID-19 may have slowed things down a year or two, but it’s time for the Wilbraham & Monson Academy Boys Lacrosse team to hoist a banner in Greenhalgh Gymnasium.
The Titans enjoyed possibly the best season in lacrosse history at the Academy, and with that came many rewards.
After leading WMA to its first league title since 1989 and finishing with a 12–1 record, Coach Mike MacDonald was named Coach of the Year for the Western New England Secondary School Lacrosse Association Division II.
“It’s been a long road,” Coach MacDonald said. “We’ve always been trying to put up that banner. The year COVID-19 hit we had a really good team, and last year we had a strong team but were only playing teams from Massachusetts. But this was a special group. They put it all together and understood the hard work of the alumni from the past. Because of their dedication, they have established themselves as one of the best teams in school history.”
Postgraduate Will Hardy ’22 earned all 12 votes from the coaches en route to being tagged the league’s All-American. Will, who will play at Division I Jacksonville University, also earned All-American status in his senior year at Tully (New York) High School.
Also, nine WMA players earned all-league status. Making the First Team were Richie Joseph ’22, J.J. Fox ’23, Jake Klepacki ’23, Luke Robinson ’23, Evan Spillane ’23 and Brendan Herbert ’22, while Jack Ansart ’22, Hudson Perham ’22 and Cam Cosenzi ’22 were selected to the Honorable Mention list.
SkiinG
Ben Morin ’24 finishes third at New England Ski Championships
Whether it’s the Olympic Games or something else, a podium is a podium, and it’s a great feeling to stand on one.
Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Ben Morin ’24 earned a spot on the podium at the New England Prep School Athletic Council Ski Championships at Wachusett Mountain in Westminster, Massachusetts in February. He took third in the slalom race.
Ben stood in sixth after his first run of 46.15 seconds, but skied more aggressively (45.08) on his second run to earn himself a medal.
“Ben skied the first run a bit conservatively and was not overwhelmed by his time that had him in sixth place,” Coach and father Greg Morin said. “Watching the competition, he knew he could do better. For his second run he went into attack mode. He skied the second run aggressively and looked very good. His comment after the run was that he had skied really fast.”
baSketball
Matt Filipowski ’22 reaches 1,000-career point milestone
Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Matt Filipowski ’22 enjoyed a special moment in November 2021 when he officially committed to attend and play basketball at Harvard University.
Matt enjoyed another special moment three months later when he recorded the 1,000th point of his career during an intense 64–61 win at Cushing Academy.
In true 7-footer fashion, Matt reached the milestone on a basket in the paint and a subsequent free throw after being fouled.
“I was aware I was getting close, but didn’t know at the time that I was close enough for that game,” Matt said. “It wasn’t until after that my mom told me I had gotten it and then later in the locker room after the game did Coach (Mike) Mannix tell me and the team. I wasn’t nervous though. Scoring is something I do consistently for the team so it was only a matter of time.”
Matt averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Titans.
ruGby
Gianna Courtney ’22 makes history with Rugby signing
After her first Wilbraham & Monson Academy Girls Rugby practice during her freshman year, Gianna Courtney ’22 went home wet and muddy.
She loved it, and that love for rugby eventually put Gianna on a list of one.
Gianna became the first student at WMA to sign a National Letter of Intent to play collegiate rugby, committing to Sacred Heart University in April during a ceremony at the Athletic Center.
“I never thought I would even sign to play a sport, especially rugby since it was a sport I never expected to play,” Gianna said. “It’s cool, especially since I’m one of the first females at the school to sign.
“I was always physical in basketball. I was always getting called for fouls. It was nice to be physical on the field and not get called for a foul. I fit with the sport.”
Sacred Heart of Fairfield, Connecticut, plays a Division I schedule in the fall and spring seasons.
GirlS lacroSSe
The Wilbraham & Monson Academy Girls Lacrosse team closed its season on a great note, beating Miss Hall’s School 16–3 to finish with a winning record. Led by Payton Klepacki ’22, the Titans completed their schedule 6–5.
“It was truly one of the most memorable seasons in so many ways,” former Coach Christa Robinson said. “We learned the importance of team culture by emphasizing the ‘21 Ways to Be a Great Teammate’ (from the book ‘The Hard Hat’). We worked hard at being over .500 this season and celebrated a few big wins against Ethel Walker and Cheshire Academy.”
Payton, who earned a scholarship to play at Division I St. Bonaventure University in Olean, New York, tallied 30 goals and 23 assists in 2022. Also, and most impressively, she concluded her high school career by surpassing the 100-point mark.
Payton was selected to the All-NEPSAC team, while Ally Orquiola ’25 (27 goals, 10 assists) landed a spot on the All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention list.
“Payton had an outstanding 2022 season,” Coach Robinson added. “As a senior captain, she committed herself to being a great teammate on and off the field. I wish her all the best at St. Bonaventure University next year and can’t wait to see her success continue in the classroom and on the field.
“Ally had an excellent season. She was a fearless competitor with incredible speed, endurance and game IQ. She has a bright future ahead and we look forward to seeing her compete as a Titan next season.”
• Payton Klepacki ’22 • Ally Orquiola ’25 • Jack Feltovic ’22 • Liam Shea-Gallagher ’24
baSeball
Baseball pair earn spots on NEPSAC All-League team
One Titan is about to start the next chapter of his baseball life, and for another it’s just a matter of time.
Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Jack Feltovic ’22 and Liam Shea-Gallagher ’24 were named to the New England Prep School Athletic Council All-League team for the Cleary Division following the 2022 season.
Jack was WMA’s go-to player, serving as the top starter on the mound and batting third in the lineup. He will play next season at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts.
“Jack was the ace of the staff since Day One. Gritty and determined, it was hard to take him out of the game once he was placed on the mound,” WMA Coach Jamie Gouin said. “He hit over .400 this season and led our team in almost every pitching category. Jack made a powerful impression on our NEPSAC opponents.”
Liam batted leadoff, and shifted defensively from centerfield to catcher to fill a void at that position.
“Liam was everything a coach could ask for in a ball player,” Coach Gouin said. “He played short, centerfield and catcher. Liam recorded multiple outfield assists, threw out runners trying to steal and assisted in numerous double plays. As a leadoff hitter he batted over .340 and led the team in stolen bases and runs scored, all as a sophomore.”
riflery
Riflery champions garner 8 spots on All-State Team
Wilbraham & Monson Academy Riflery Coach Bill Passy needed something bigger than a minivan to make it to the league’s postseason awards banquet this year.
That’s good news.
The Titans landed eight shooters on the 2022 Connecticut State Rifle and Revolver Association High School All-State Team.
The reigning and five-time state champions garnered more than half of the spots (six of 10) on the First Team: Jake Girhiny ’22, Steven Holik ’22, Wooseung “Colin” Oh ’22, Askar Bakirdinov ’24, Matthew Clark ’24 and Leopold Heiss ’24. Two members earned selections to the Second Team: Samuel Jasmin ’22 and Guo “Gawain” Yin ’23.
Recipients were honored at the league banquet, which was held in May in Orange, Connecticut.
track
Arielle Chechile ’24, Michael Dorunda ’24 shine at New England Track Championships
It’s hard enough to place in one event at the New England Prep School Track Association New England Championships, let alone two. But three…?
Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Arielle Chechile ’24 finished in the top six in three events at the Division III championship meet, which was held in May at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts.
Arielle took third in the 200-meter dash (26.93 seconds) and high jump (5 feet), and also earned sixth in the triple jump (31-113/4).
“Arielle doesn’t really get nervous; she always has a way of staying positive and pumping herself up before an event,” Coach Danielle Vartabedian said. “The entire day she kept a cool head, focused on the task at hand without getting overwhelmed by all her events, the competition and the inferno of heat, and pulled off amazing performances. I’m in awe of her mental and physical strength.”
Michael Dorunda ’24 earned his way into the WMA record books, breaking the school record in the 3,000 with a sixth-place finish of 9:47. He also cleared 8 feet to earn fourth in the pole vault.
“As soon as we arrived at the meet Michael had to start warming up,” Coach Vartabedian said. “He was relentless in his race, going out pretty fast. Coach (Reese) Laviolette had to shout to him to back off a little and he nodded, but he did not show signs of getting tired or fading in any of his laps. He stayed strong the entire race with a great sprint to the finish, shaving 12 seconds off his PR (personal record).”
Other top six performances included: Abby Dorunda ’24 (400, third, 1:00.82), Maddie Stoltz ’23 (discus, fourth, 74-9), Val Enghave ’23 (discus, fourth, 110-1) and Rouri Takahashi ’23 (200, fifth, 23.16).
• Arielle Chechile ’24 • Michael Dorunda ’24
