WHS recognizes winter sports DCL All-Stars

Gabe Likerman|March 12, 2021

Credit: Kate Clifford

Senior Dahlak Amanuel defends a Weston player as he dribbles the ball up the court. Despite the circumstances, the Wayland boys basketball team was able to rise above and have great success this season. “I’m really thankful that I was able to end my career on a high note playing at a high level,” Amanuel said.

Being named a DCL All-Star is an award given to athletes to honor their tremendous success during the season. Wayland was fortunate enough to have multiple winter sport athletes be named DCL All-Stars this past winter season.

Girls basketball had two players named DCL All-Stars: juniors Haley Melvin and Sammy Johnson. Melvin was one of the captains of the girls basketball team and averaged 14 points, five rebounds and 3.5 steals per game over the course of the season. Another junior captain, Johnson, was also selected to be a DCL All-Star. Johnson is the starting center, who averaged 10 points and eight rebounds per game this season.

“It makes me very proud, these girls are very deserving of this recognition,” girls basketball coach Amanda Rukstalis said. “They are not only tremendous leaders on the court, but more importantly off the court as well.”

Boys basketball also had two DCL All-Stars, like the girls team. Senior guard Noah Lee received the award after another amazing season at Wayland. Lee, however, doesn’t take all the credit.

“I want to thank Coach Doherty for trusting me so much these past four years,” Lee said. “I’ve been very fortunate to have a coach who believes in me.”

Senior Dahlak Amanuel joins Lee on the All-Star list, representing the Wayland team once more. This was Amanuel’s third year playing at the varsity level and claims it may have been his best season yet.

“I’m really thankful that I was able to end my career on a high note playing at a high level,” Amanuel said.

Swimming and diving had a handful of DCL All-Stars in their own right. Wayland had a total of four female, and seven male DCL All-Stars, along with having yet another successful season this year. The female All-Star swimmers include Kate Clifford, Riley Kendall, Remmi Shaw and Lily Yu. The male All-Stars consisted of Armen Abrahamian, Billy Burke, Max Nelson, Calvin Neprud, Lucas Pralle, Jason Shu and Jiming Xu.

“This achievement is in my eyes, a sign that my hard work is paying off,” sophomore swimmer Billy Burke said. “There is still more work to be put in for the next seasons to come.”