The joy of
teamwork
Spring Sports 2025
- Upper School
- Middle School
Upper School
BOYS VARSITY TENNIS
The Boys Varsity Tennis Team made significant progress forward, notching wins in many matches this season. Despite some inclement weather, the boys brought their A-game to practice each day and made their time on the courts count. Co-Captains Robert Jendrejack and William Herzog proved to be adept leaders once again this year, consistently supporting the team and locking down the top two singles positions. We will miss our valuable seniors in 2026, but look forward to getting back to work with a very strong group of returning players!
FROM THE CAPTAIN
Robert J. '25 —
First, I would like to thank both Coach Max and Coach Haggerty for all of the work they have done this season. Next, I would like to thank the players for all of their effort throughout our practices. Finally, I would like to thank the Watkinson community for supporting us by showing up to our games.
boys varsity TENNIS
most valuable player
William H. ’26
William competed hard at the number one singles spot this year, earning a number of impressive victories over very solid players. His work ethic in practice is unmatched, and his consistent effort while playing elevates those around him.
boys varsity tennis
aaron dornan memorial coaches award
Charles T. ’25
Charles is a total all-rounder. Singles, doubles, baseline, net. You name it, he can do it. Charles had a wonderful season this year competing at the top doubles spot. His drive and focus will be missed next year!
Stefan B. ’28
Stefan proved to be a wonderful addition to the team this year. In addition to being a skillful and scrappy player, Stefan brings a level of energy and flair to the team that makes every day exciting!
boys varsity TENNIS
MCDONALD SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Robert J. ’25
Robert is the ultimate sportsman. Whether it is staying after his match to support his teammates, applauding his opponent for a great shot, or offering gameday tactics in the team huddle, Robert does it all. He will be greatly missed next year!
boys varsity tennis
most IMPROVED player
Sam L. ’26
Sam put in a lot of work this offseason and it certainly paid off. His serve has become one of the best on the team and is a real weapon in doubles. After practice, Sam consistently stays late to hone his technique and further improve his game.
GIRLS VARSITY TENNIS
This was a talented squad that dominated singles play, earning a 6-2 record that somehow was not enough to qualify for the postseason. Our girls beat the eventual league champions, Westover, by a score of 5-2, and if given the chance to play them again in the final, this season would have ended with a championship trophy for Watkinson. This season ended in disappointment, but what matters most is that girls had fun and pushed one another to be the best version of themselves.
FROM THE CAPTAINS
Julia S. '25 — To Coach Kroch and Coach Herzog, thank you for making the past few years exceptional. To my teammates, thank you for all your dedication, passion, and sportsmanship—I couldn’t have asked for a better group to spend my last season with. Despite our rocky start, we became the #1 seed in the league for the first time in 7 years—the last time being my 6th grade season. Thank you for the memories, the parallels, and the love I’ll be taking with me.
Amani K. '25 — This tennis season is one to remember for my senior year. Coach Kroch and Herzog are the best coaches I've ever had in my years of tennis and I wish them all the best next season with the next round of players. To my team, thank you for making my last season the best, the fun, the stops for food, the entertaining plays during matches, thank you all!! To my fellow captains, good luck in college, and to our junior captain, have fun next year.
Pia S. '25 — This season has been surreal for me and a few other teammates that I have played with for years, as it is our senior season. Thank you, Coach Herzog and Coach Kroch, for this year's tennis journey! Or should I say Rebecca, or David, etc. I will never forget the matching bucket hats that this dynamic duo wears, or the iconic all-blue tracksuit Rebecca wears, and definitely not our “Vector, oh ya” synchronized imitation (Despicable Me villain, look it up). This season was challenging and rewarding all at once, always remember to play your best, like it's a new game. “Love all”!
Amanda K. '26 — This season was my first as a captain, and I couldn’t have asked for a better team to lead. It was incredible to witness the team transform from timid players into intelligent and confident individuals. Our remarkable progress would not have been possible without the guidance of our coaches, Mr. Kroch, Mr. Herzog, and of course, Coach Max. Throughout the season, we’ve become a family, and I am incredibly grateful to consider these girls my sisters. Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity!
GIRLS varsity TENNIS
most valuable player
Julia S. ’25
This player was an absolute rock, mentally and physically, and played a critical role in our team's success. Congratulations on an incredible career, Julia, we will miss you next year.
GIRLS VARSITY TENNIS
COACHES AWARD
Amani K. ’25 and Amanda K. ’26
This award goes to a pair of sisters who we could always count on, both as players and captains. This season would not have been the same without Amanda and Amani's talent and leadership. Congratulations, girls!
GIRLS VARSITY TENNIS
MCDONALD SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Sophia B. ’27
Sophia is a fierce competitor, but she plays the game with respect, honor, and kindness. Sophia, we are so proud of you and cannot wait to see what’s next in your tennis career!
GIRLS varsity TENNIS
most improved player
Paris W. '28
It has been such a thrill to watch Paris find her joy and confidence on the court, and in the process, to become a dominant force at 1st doubles. Congratulations, Paris, the future is bright!
VARSITY TRACK
This season, the track team grew to an all-time high of 30 members and competed in almost every event, despite not having a track to practice on and less-than-ideal weather. Watkinson proved that these factors don’t determine success; ten athletes qualified for New England’s, and 12 Watkinson school records were broken throughout the season. As a team, they supported one another and learned from each other - all while having a blast! Congratulations on a great season!
FROM THE CAPTAINS
Desteni D. '27 — Being a four-year track athlete at Watkinson, I have seen our team grow from a small group of eight to a family of thirty. I am so beyond grateful and honored to have led our team this year as a captain. Our coaches are a key part of our family, and I am extremely grateful for all that they have done for us this season. Through the hardship, unexpected, and triumph we faced as a team this year, our coaches were by our side through it all. I would like to thank Coach Tomlinson and Coach Roberts for their consistent encouragement and guidance throughout the season. I would also like to thank Coach Chris and Dr.Wagner for their beneficial contributions to our team this year. I am so proud of this family, and so very thankful for our coaches. I am so excited to see the success the future holds for the Varsity Track Team.
varsity TRACK
most valuable player
Noah W. ’25
Noah is a talented and versatile athlete who shows up to meets to win. Skilled at both running and field events, this season he took on the challenge of becoming a hurdler. He watched and learned, and his first race earned him a spot to compete at New Englands. However, he is most valuable to the team as a mentor and leader. His supportive guidance as a captain has been invaluable. Thank you, Noah, for your hard work and commitment to the team.
Jayme V. ’26
We hit the jackpot when Jayme joined the team this season. New to the sport, she embraced everything about track; she watched videos, listened to the guidance of her coaches and teammates, and pushed herself to the limit. She enthusiastically tried the hurdles in practice and days later, ran a time that qualified her for New Englands. Thank you, Jayme, for your inspiration and spirit!
VARSITY TRACK
COACHES AWARD
Hannah P. ’27
Hannah is the one who never complains, works hard, and is an inspiration to her coaches and teammates alike. She takes the lead when necessary and approaches competitions with quiet confidence and determination. Fiercely competitive, she pushes herself in every practice and every race, and is now the current Watkinson record holder in the 800m distance. We can’t wait to see what Hannah will accomplish in the years to come!
VARSITY TRACK
MCDONALD SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Ari R. ’27
Ari brings a smile, words of support, and love for her team to every practice. Her kindness and coachable spirit, always open to feedback, set an example for the rest of the team. She exemplifies true sportsmanship by offering encouragement and respect not just to her teammates but also to her competitors. Ari always sets a high standard of behavior and performance, demonstrating that true excellence lies in the combination of both talent and character.
VARSITY TRACK
most improved player
Jordy C. '29
Dedication and hard work make Jordy the rightful recipient of the Most Improved award. Her race times improved steadily throughout the season in both the 1500m and 3000m distances. Equally as impressive is Jordy’s commitment and work ethic; she listens, observes, learns, and then pushes herself to achieve her personal goals and is the biggest cheerleader for her teammates. We look forward to watching Jordy continue to grow as an athlete throughout her high school career. Congratulations, Jordy!
varsity ULTIMATE
Watkinson Ultimate reached some new heights this season, recording a 10-4 record and finishing 6th in Division I of the Connecticut state playoffs. Along the way, this year’s squad also went 4-0 to win the North Branford Invite in what can only be described as sub-optimal conditions–ideally, you shouldn’t see snow on the ground when leaving the house for an April frisbee tournament! Due to a rainy March and April, it took a while for us to practice outside, but the time we spent in the gym helped us hone the quick, decisive handler movement that would open up deep looks when we finally got to play on a full field. Through it all, many individual players showed tremendous improvement, and some of our season highlights were testaments to the team’s tenacity and spirit. From some marathon points in the mud, to our senior night game (in which all seven of our seniors recorded a goal or an assist!), this group stuck together, played hard and had fun. As a coach, I can’t ask for much more!
FROM THE CAPTAINS
Owen R. '25 — This was a comeback season for me, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of teammates and coaches to support me in that journey. The team made great leaps this year, going on an eight game winning streak to end the regular season which is a testament to our effort and work ethic. I want to thank our coaches for pushing us to always keep our energy that high, and for making things work when we couldn’t use the field. Again, thanks for an awesome season everyone, it was truly a pleasure.
Aviv T. '26 — There’s something truly special about playing Watkinson ultimate, and this year was no exception. Every day I come out to play knowing everyone’s going to give their all, and have so much fun doing it, and that’s all any captain could ask for. I think it’s safe to say we made plenty of gravel and sunshine. Shout out to our awesome coaches, athletics department, and team, for making this season so special. Thunder rams for life, until next year!
Yehya A. '25 — We crushed it this season. After a couple losses at the beginning, we went on to win the rest of our main season games, qualifying for D1 states, where we kept up that intensity the whole way through. None of that would have been possible without our coaches. They’ve helped us every step of the way, from working on our throws to bigger-picture strategies. Thank you coaches, and let’s go Thunder-rams! Let’s keep grinding at NEPSUL!
VARSITY ULTIMATE
most valuable player
Aviv T. ’26
Teams are reflections of their leaders, and we are so glad that Aviv is one of this team’s leaders. Aviv has been indispensable this season, whether making plays on defense or running the offense as a primary handler. He leads the team in Ds, with 68, and in assists, with 49, but beyond those eye-popping numbers, our squad benefited from Aviv’s love of the sport and the standard he has helped set for how we approach practice, games, and all things Watkinson Ultimate. Embracing the grind and having fun while doing it is no easy task, but Aviv has done just that, and our team has followed that lead along the way. Fantastic work this season, Aviv–congratulations!
VARSITY ULTIMATE
coaches AWARD
Avram S. ‘25 —
Avram has played every role on the field in his time as a Watkinson Ultimate player, on both the offensive and defensive sides of the disk. However, where Avram really began to set himself apart was as a cutter. Being fast and able to jump high are two pretty key ingredients to finding success on the ultimate field. While Avram certainly can do both of those things at a high level, his increased game IQ helped him use those attributes efficiently all season. Playing during both the summer and winter seasons helped him work on all aspects of his game, and his ability to space out our offense was a key piece to our success this year. Congratulations, Avram!
Connor M. '25
— Death, taxes, and Connor making the right cut and working to create space on the ultimate field. These are the only guarantees in life. Connor is not one to seek out glory or fame, but his contributions to our team this year are certainly worthy of some. In a season full of rain, wind, being stuck in the gym, and the occasional nice day outside, Connor was our rock. He is always ready to jump in at any moment, and whether you need textbook defense or intelligent offense, Connor’s your guy. His movement on the field is truly non-stop, which helps every piece of our offense move seamlessly. Congratulations, Connor!
VARSITY ULTIMATE
mcdonald sportsmanship award
Owen R. ’25
In Ultimate, sportsmanship is known as “Spirit of the Game,” and Owen truly embodies this ethos of respect, fair play, and joy for the sport. Having “good spirit” is mostly talked about as something that happens between teams who are competing, and that is certainly true of Owen, but we can extend this to interactions with his own teammates as well. Our team has shown remarkable resilience during some marathon points this season. With his hustle, words of encouragement and tenacious defense, Owen has led the way on that front, always staying positive and working hard to pick up his teammates. Congratulations, Owen, on this well-deserved award!
VARSITY ULTIMATE
most improved player
Kelsey W. '26
Kelsey is a second year ultimate player and while we saw some great things from her last year, her skill really skyrocketed this year. Her growth has been exponential since starting to play indoor over the winter with the team as she quickly became a starter at the beginning of our outdoor season. She constantly worked on her throws and asked questions about how to improve and did a great job incorporating feedback from coaches into her game. She learned to have patience and rarely made a mistake with the disk. We are so lucky to have Kelsey on our team and we really look forward to seeing what she can do in her senior year. Congratulations Kelsey, keep up the fantastic effort and you will become a great ultimate frisbee player!
VARSITY rowing
This spring season, while we were not flooded out as much as last spring, was still challenging with the wind in the afternoons from the vastly changing temperature swings. The athletes held there own and rose above the rough conditions to help make sure each practice was productive. Our first race in Saratoga showed some real promising results with the varsity boys finishing the closest to the leaders as they ever have. The next race was stormed out and we are headed to Lowell MA for our Regional Championships this weekend.
VARSITY ROWING
most valuable player
Caleb G. ’27
Caleb continues to grow both as an athlete but also a team member. He is always looking for ways he can help out his fellow teammates and takes the lead when around younger/less experienced athletes in terms of boat rigging and trailer loading. Caleb plays an important role in the dynamics of the team and still, always puts the team first.
VARSITY ROWING
most improved player
Maxwell M. ’27
Maxwell has come a long way this year in his athlete development, working hard to improve his technique and fitness, but also as a team player. Maxwell is a supportive and encouraging teammate and is starting to show himself as a leader.
Middle School
MS ULTIMATE
The 2025 middle school ultimate frisbee season was full of ups and downs. We were rarely able to practice outside to start the season, which really made it hard to learn and prepare us for games. We saw some great effort from a few kids on the team and they were really able to improve a lot. While our games didn’t really go our way due to some tough opponents, I believe we had fun out there and there were many great moments to look back on, including a four goal performance from Andrew Barczak in our game versus IDS. Congratulations to those willing to play in games this year!
MS ULTIMATE
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Paul Z. ’29
Paul was our most consistent and best player that we had on the middle school ultimate frisbee team this year. Paul is now our two time MVP because of the passion he shows and the effort he puts in. He is a leader to the students who are new to the sport and always pushes himself to his limit for the team. He basically played every point of every game this year with a competitive and positive attitude. Paul is on track to become a great ultimate frisbee player and we are looking forward to seeing what he can do! Congratulations Paul!
MS ULTIMATE
COACHES AwarD
Jack P. '30
Jack came into practice with an eagerness to learn and willingness to participate every day. He is one of the hardest workers on the team who always wants to improve and practice his throws. His effort on the field is second to none, which is all we can ask for as coaches. He is always hustling back to play defense and then sprinting to the other side of the field to score goals. I believe he would play every point in a game if he had the chance. Congratulations Jack! We hope you stick to ultimate for the years to come!
MS ULTIMATE
McDonald Sportsmanship Award
Daniel C. '30
Daniel was one of our returning players this season and we were lucky to have him as our team was fairly new to ultimate this season. Daniel always has a positive attitude and would do his best to keep his head up when things weren’t going his way. Spirit is a big part of ultimate and Daniel does a great job exemplifying spirit and sportsmanship on the field with both our team and our opponents. Daniel has been a valuable member of our team and we are looking forward to having him return next season. Congratulations Daniel!
