The Girls Varsity Tennis team may have only had 11 players, but what they lacked in depth, they made up for with spirit. This was a rebuilding year for our young squad, with 8 of the 11 players on our ladder in 9th and 10th grade. But the girls never got down on themselves or each other. They worked hard to improve their skills, they supported each other, and they had a great time while doing so. We may not have had a sparkling record, but Coach Kroch and Coach Herzog could not have been more proud of this group. Because what matters most is that girls had fun and pushed one another to be the best versions of themselves. Years from now, nobody will remember the victories and losses. But they’ll remember how much fun they had. That’s what truly makes a winning team.

FROM THE CAPTAINS

Amanda K. ’26 and Sophia B. ’27

Our girls varsity tennis season was filled with growth, teamwork, and determination. We are so grateful for Coach Kroch and Coach Herzog for their constant support, encouragement, and dedication throughout the season. They pushed us to improve both as tennis players and to grow as teammates, always keeping the season positive and fun. From exciting matches to practices that brought us closer together, this season created memories the whole team will never forget. Staying strong through both wins and losses, the team stuck together and fostered a spirit of community that made each day even more enjoyable. Thank you so much, coaches!

The Boys Varsity Tennis Team took another step forward this year, proving that they can be competitive at each spot in the lineup. We improved significantly throughout the course of the season and increased our number of individual matches won compared to 2025! Three-time captain William Herzog was a wonderful, calm leader in both practice and match settings. Both of our seniors, Sam Lyons and William Herzog, represented the team’s culture well and will be missed next year. We look forward to starting the 2027 season with a strong, athletic group of returning players!

With a 9-5 record and a 5th-place finish in the Connecticut Division I playoffs, this is one of Watkinson Ultimate’s best seasons in the last decade. We had contributions from all portions of our roster, with 9th-graders and new and returning players stepping into significant roles as the season developed. That influx of energy combined with the fruits of years of dedication on the part of our graduating seniors. Aria, Ja Seng Ra, Kat, Kelsey, Dylan, Henry, and Aviv: from the winter Sundays at Vale to the spring afternoons in the gym, on the road, and on our home turf, thanks for all you’ve done for the Thunder Rams!

FROM THE CAPTAINS

Dylan G. ’26

This team has been so amazing to be a part of this year, and the least I could do is thank my teammates and coaches for such a great season. Our spirit throughout the season and our ability to work together through the tough matches was awesome to see, and we all tried our absolute best no matter the conditions of the game. Also, thank you to my coaches for believing in my handling abilities and helping me grow into the ultimate player I am today, and I could not be where I am as a player without my teammates’ help on the way.

Aviv T. ’26

What an absolute privilege it has been to play ultimate frisbee at Watkinson. To be surrounded by a  team culture that is positive, hard working, silly, and uplifting. To be led by coaches who are kind and dedicated, and who truly love the team that we all create. Cheers to another great year of knowing what the longest river in Africa is, finding windows, and bringing the thunder! Thank you Watkinson Ultimate, for absolutely everything.  

Kelsey W. ’26

In the NEPSUL tournament that we play in every year, the Spirit Award is the same size as the Tournament Champion award because, in ultimate, spirit is just as important. But for Watkinson Ultimate, I like to think spirit is even more important. That’s not to say we don’t love to win, but at the end of the day, we’re always going to have a good time.

Our team wouldn’t be the way it is without our coaches constantly reminding us how important it is to have fun and encouraging us to create cheers and new inside jokes as a team. Thank you for another amazing year — Watkinson Ultimate will definitely be missed.

This season, the track team grew to an all-time high of 30 members and competed in almost every event. Watkinson sent 7 athletes to the New England Championships, and they competed with determination in a competitive field of athletes. As a team throughout the season, they supported one another and learned from each other – all while having a blast! Congratulations on a great season!

FROM THE CAPTAINS

Jayme V H. ’26

This season has been amazing, full of growth, teamwork, laughter, and hard work. It has been a pleasure to train with this team, and I’ve had so much fun while also being challenged by our coaches and the intensity of competition. I am incredibly proud of the progress everyone has made, but more importantly, everyone should be proud of themselves – whether they were trying something completely new or pushing themselves to improve from last season. I hope that next year everyone returns, and that those trying track for the first time come in with the same open mind and strong work ethic that made this year’s team so special. 

Kyle H-B. ’27

Throughout the history of the Watkinson track team, the team has not had more than 20 people commonly, but this year we have had the biggest team that Watkinson has ever had with 30 people. This track team has brought a lot of dedication, determination, and humor. Coach T, Coach Roberts, and Coach Roach offered so much for this team and have helped everyone drop their time and get new personal bests. They did this by pushing us through hard workouts and coaching us to have the right mindset. Being a part of this team means a lot to me – it has made me more disciplined and given me an experience to compete in a sport that I have not competed in before coming to this school. Thank you so much Coach T, Coach Roberts, Coach Roach and the whole track team for making this season so memorable and enjoyable.

Desteni D. ’27

This season I was given the honor of leading the Varsity Track Team as a Head Captain. Every track season I view our team as a family, and this season was one of our biggest families yet. I am so grateful to be a part of this team to have seen it  grow from about 6 athletes to over 30. This season was hard, but we all persevered with the extreme weather and last-minute scheduling changes. We all came out and competed to the best of our abilities. I would like to give a huge thank you to our coaches, Coach Tomlinson, Coach, Roberts, and Coach Roach for guiding us this season and giving us the space to grow as athletes. It is always a pleasure being a part of this team, and I can’t wait for the next, “no, I got my money. It’s my money.”

 Riverfront Recapture is having its most successful rowing season in program history. No matter the weather, Riverfront athletes have trained five days a week. They earned impressive results at Saratoga Springs, where five boats won medals, including a historic gold in the Men’s Coxed 4+, the first in club history. At Northeast Regionals, every Riverfront boat advanced to the semifinals, with two boats making it to finals and qualifying for US Rowing Nationals in Sarasota, Florida, for the first time ever. It has been the fastest season ever for Watkinson rowers at Riverfront.