Winning the big game against fierce rivals. Pushing yourself to finish the race. Sinking that goal into the net. Teamwork, discipline, grit, and inspiration. The Pitch asked some Class of 2023 seniors about some of the highlights of their time as Wildcat athletes.
Julia Lebron, girls’ varsity soccer
Q: What was your favorite memory from soccer?
A: The overtime win against Wootton.
Q: What will you miss the most?
A: I’ll miss being able to play soccer with the great, talented group of girls we have.
Q: Are you planning on continuing soccer in college?
A: Yeah, I’m committed to playing in England with Macclesfield FC and studying over there.
Q: How do you feel as your season is coming to an end?
A: I’m super excited for playoffs to start and continue our road to states, but schoolwork is starting to catch up, and I’m ready for my schedule to clear up once we finish.
Q: Any advice for next year’s athletes?
A: Don’t let the pressure of peers and coaches get to your head. Just put 100% effort whenever you’re on the field and enjoy the season because it goes by super quick!
Daniel Jones, varsity football
Q: What was your favorite memory from football?
A: Catching a pick in the playoffs last year against BCC.
Q: What will you miss the most?
A: The energy of a Friday night game.
Q: Are you planning on continuing Football in college?
A: Yes, [I] haven’t decided where yet.
Q: How do you feel as your season is coming to an end?
A: It hasn’t gone how I wanted it too personally, but I can’t complain about the success the team is having.
Q: Any advice for next year’s athletes?
A: Try to enjoy it and take advantage of everything sports have to offer because a split second in a single play could change your life in the long term both positively and negatively.
Olivia McCloskey, varsity field hockey
Q: What was your favorite memory from Field Hockey?
A: My favorite memory from field hockey was beating BCC my junior year.
Q: What will you miss the most?
A: I will miss my teammates and coaches the most. They never fail to put a smile on my face.
Q: Are you planning on continuing soccer in college?
A: I am not continuing field hockey in college.
Q: How do you feel as your season is coming to an end?
A: I’m definitely sad that the season is coming to an end, but at the same time I am grateful for all the time I’ve had on this team.
Q: Any advice for next year’s athletes?
A: Some advice would be to work hard and ask questions.
Leo MacDonald, boys varsity soccer
Q: What was your favorite memory from Soccer?
A: Beating Sherwood in overtime my Junior year – also, our bus ride back from Delaware my junior year.
Q: Are you planning on playing in college?
A: I plan on playing for a professional academy in Uruguay after the high school season ends.
Q: What will you miss the most?
A: I will definitely miss seeing my friends and family in the stands every game. I will also miss a lot of the friends I made over the years while playing.
Q: What advice do you have for next year’s athletes?
A: Never be complacent and enjoy your time playing because it goes by fast.
![Girls' varsity lacrosse head coach Christina FItzpatrick has made a significant impact during her two-year tenure. Fitzpatrick has not only been the head coach, but a friend to many players. “One of the things that stands out about [Fitzpatrick is] she expects a lot, but she always has this silly, fun side. You have to have that balance of getting athletes to do stuff for you, but because they want to, and girls want to impress her and they want to work hard for her. At the same time we could have the girls running 300 Thursday and everyone will just be cracking jokes. It’s that work hard, play hard mentality,” Herdman said.](https://www.wjpitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_5353.jpg)
