Boys hockey

The Wayland/Watertown boys varsity hockey team finished with a record of eight wins, 13 losses and one tie and made it to the second round of playoffs after defeating No. 20 Pembroke High School in a double overtime game.

“The atmosphere was great,” senior captain Luke Galizio said. “We had both towns come out and support, wearing the white out [psych] and it was a great game to play in for everyone.”

Despite being defeated by No. 5 Triton Regional High School in the second round, according to Galizio, players on the team still feel they had a good season and bonded together.

“[There was really] a sense of family,” Galizio said.

Although multiple sports teams collaborate with other towns, boys hockey is the only Wayland sport to join with Watertown.

“The two towns really came together as one where we were spending time together outside of practice and games,” Galizio said.

The Wayland players were proud of their win against Weston High School in the Post Road Cup.

“That’s very important for us and it was great to have that win my senior year,” Galizio said.

Girls hockey

A co-team with Weston, the girls varsity hockey team ended the season ranked No. 29 with a record of six wins, 13 losses and two ties. In spite of the 2-1 loss to No. 4 Algonquin in the first round of playoffs, the team is proud to have made the tournament for the first time in three years.

“I’m really proud that we made it to playoffs, and there were definitely some doubts that we would but in the end we did,” senior captain Tilly Myles said. “It was a really great game.”

Myles has found a community on the hockey team, connecting with girls from both towns.

“I’ve met some of my best friends that I wouldn’t have known otherwise,” Myles said.

Alpine ski

The team sent two upperclassmen to the state championship at Berkshire East: junior Penelope Jaques and senior Finley Knapp.

“Most years there aren’t very many people, so this year [it made us stronger] to have more people,” Jaques said.

Even with a short six-week season, the team feels that they really came together and grew as a team.

“The team energy was super fun this year and I feel like we bonded a lot,” Knapp said. “I’m really excited to see how this team can grow next year because I’ve loved to be a part of it for the past four years.”

Nordic ski

The boys varsity Nordic ski team placed second in the Mass Bay West league out of seven schools, while the girls varsity team finished sixth. The team raced at the Weston Ski Track every Tuesday. The state championship meet took place on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at Prospect Mountain in Woodford, Vermont.

“We had practices everyday and we really just focused on our speed,” sophomore Sawyer Miles said. “We were such a positive team and everyone had fun and was looking forward to it and trying their best.”

Swim and dive

At the close of an undefeated season, WHS’ swim and dive team also placed first at DCL Championships, second at sectionals and won states.

“I would say our dedication [made us successful],” freshman Sam Katz said.

“We had constant seven days a week practices and we had some especially hard sets at least once a week,” Katz said.

Although the swim and dive teams compete separately, they work together to be successful.

“Some of the divers helped out in events whenever we needed them to swim and watching them was always fun,” Katz said.

A freshman on the dive team, Izzy Irwin, broke two freshman records this season: the 11-dive record and the 6-dive record.

“I didn’t expect it so I was really proud of myself for being able to break a record I’ve been working towards since seventh grade,” Irwin said.

Boys basketball

Finishing this year’s season with a record of 6-14, the boys varsity basketball team is glad to have beaten their record from last season according to senior captain Ido Geffen.

“We were 4-16 last year and 6-14 this year so I’m glad it was better,” Geffen said. “It was fun to be with the guys and get to know [the freshmen].”

According to Geffen, the team feels that their chemistry made for a strong season.

“We were all really connected,” Geffen said. “The team bond was really there.”

Girls basketball

The girls varsity basketball team was ranked no. 60 in MIAA Division II with a record of 4-16.

“I feel like we became a lot stronger,” freshman Grace DiStefano said. “We didn’t win that many games but that didn’t show who we were as a team, we connected really well and overall I would say we had a good season.”

According to Distefano, an especially important win to the team was against Boston-Latin.

“We had been on losing streak so we really needed it and everyone was so happy and we played so much better from then on,” Distefano said. “The bench was always cheering each other on and we didn’t get down on each other.”

Assistant coach Mary Murphy hopes to continue the positive energy to next season and see the team grow together.

“Although we may not have had the most successful season on paper, it was amazing to see the girls grow so much individually, but also learn how to work together and improve the team as a whole,” Murphy said.“I’m very happy I was able to coach the girls and be with them this season.”

Wrestling

Ending the winter season undefeated with 20 wins, the wrestling team went on to win the sectional tournament and place seventh at states.

“I would say the work that the entire team committed to in the off-season was where we found our most success this year,” senior captain Cole Chase said. “Everybody put in hard work, [during the]season too.

Multiple members of the wrestling team wrestle for MetroWest United, a club team, where they can train during the off-season.

“Our team just worked harder than everybody else and that was what made us so successful,” Chase said.

According to Chase, the team’s proudest achievement was their win against Lincoln-Sudbury in the yearly Christmas Eve match for the Warrior Cup.

“The match means a lot to me because I have watched it ever since I was little [and] I always wanted to be a part of it,” Chase said. “It also feels good that during my four years of high school we won it every time.”

Indoor track

The indoor track and field team sent multiple athletes to state-wide meets.

“I think we did a lot better than last year,” sophomore Mia Farley said. “We had a lot of stronger runners and our runners from last year definitely improved a lot, especially Cyriaque and Sazie.”

During his first season, freshman Cyriaque Shaff made nationals.

“It was a great feeling but also a really intimidating one cause I know improving further is only going to get harder and harder,” Shaff said.

The team also was able to bond and connect in and out of practice.

“We had so much practice time together and just built great friendships with each other,” junior Ryan McCormack said.

Gymnastics

This year was the first year that WHS had a gymnastics team, which they formed with a co-op with Weston High School.

Freshman Sawyer Whitcher was awarded DCL All Star.

“It’s pretty cool to think that other coaches that I’ve never met thought that I deserved this award,” Whitcher said. “It’s crazy how much having a positive attitude and being there for your teammates can help your team.”

Despite their losing record, players on the team feel that they had a successful season.

“Even though we didn’t win anything, I would say that we all improved and each person hit their own personal goals,” senior Amy Kotzampaltiris said.

The team attributes much of their success to their coach, Julia Schieffer.

“[She] really put a lot of work into the team and helped us a lot,” Kotzampaltiris said. “Even if we weren’t comfortable doing something she would give us the encouragement we needed.”