Winter sports: Players to watch
The indoor track team is sprinting into action this winter and will need to maintain their high standards after losing key class of 2025 runners, Rafa Meltzer and Megan Raue. However, one runner who has flown under the radar over the past three years is distance runner senior Sophia Barrett, who will look to emerge and improve on her sub-13 minute 2-mile.
“Running in circles in the cold and snow outside is really grueling, but I learned a lot of perseverance and dedication from having to keep going,” Barrett said. “A lot of people hate indoor track, so making it more fun and more enjoyable would be great. This is mainly a rebuilding year to bring everyone up to standards and make a lot more people faster.”
The Bocce team is super excited to start their winter season, and among those anxious to get the season underway is junior Mithran Rangaraj. Entering his third season on the team, Rangaraj is excited to compete alongside his teammates. Rangaraj’s enthusiasm for the sport represents what Bocce is all about: having fun while allowing everyone to compete.
“I would like for the team to win this year. I like the team because they’re really good at Bocce. Bocce is fun and it is a great game to play,” Rangaraj said.
Senior captain Daniel Gershon has become one of the driving forces and key leaders of the Walter Johnson wrestling team. Gershon sets the tone in every match by stepping in with confidence and overpowering his opponents with strong takedown maneuvers, which begin with precise positioning. As a reigning county champion who competes in the 285+ weight class, Gershon will be a challenging opponent, but also a steady presence for his teammates this season.
“I’m fired up to bring energy and hard work every single day in the wrestling room, and show it on the mat. And be super kind to all my teammates and be inclusive and create a very welcoming space,” Gershon said.
Coming off one of the best seasons in WJ swimming history, junior Luc Dionne is a name to turn heads in the pool. The University of Virginia commit was a key contributor in winning the state title for the Cats last winter and broke numerous records en route to being named second team All-Met. Dionne has only gotten better and will look to break even more records this year as he cements his case for a top swimmer in the DMV. He will be following in the footsteps of former first team All-Met senior Noah Potter in the quest to capture back-to-back state titles.
Senior captain Henry Horwell has become the steady heartbeat of the Icecats so far this season. Horwell runs the first shift in every game, setting the tempo with his physical presence and controlled puck movement. Logging some of the heaviest minutes on the roster, Horwell is an anchor on all sides of the rink, using his speed through the neutral zone to create opportunities towards the net.
“He’s a great guy on and off the ice. He’s a great linemate and is one of those players who makes you play better,” sophomore Finn Carr said.
Heading into basketball season, senior Will Kreisle stands out as a key player to the team’s identity and success. Last year Kreisle averaged eight points, three rebounds and three assists per game, while shooting an impressive 81% from the free throw line. Kreisle is committed to his leadership role, aiming to hold himself and teammates accountable both on and off the court.
“Will sets that tone for us; he works hard every day. He’s the type of senior who pushes the whole team forward,” head varsity basketball coach Chase Rieder said.
Bringing a much-needed positive attitude towards a team looking to improve, Kreisle is excited to help create a new, winning era for the program.
Senior point guard Norah Youssef will guide the girls’ basketball team’s offense in her fourth and final season as one of its most experienced, reliable and important athletes and leaders. Youssef is looking past college offers and outside noise to focus on the team’s task at hand: going further than the team’s exit in the second round of playoffs last year.
“[Norah] is really good at making me feel better when I am not playing well and reminding me that it is okay if I mess up,” senior Emilia Starzyk said. “I’m looking forward to working together.”
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