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The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch
William Murphy

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor

William is thrilled to participate with The Pitch for his second year as a Sports Editor. In his free time, William likes to watch movies and play sports.

All content by William Murphy
Senior J.D Peppelman swims butterfly in the meet against Whitman. WJ boys had a few strong individual performances but were missing key swimmers. "When we have our full team back, we'll win," junior Owen Friedman said. (Courtesy Tom Murphy)

WJ Swim and Dive split results against Vikings

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
Dec 13, 2024
Math teacher Tricia Cooper helps junior Caroline Lasko on a precalculus assingment during lunch. Cooper is consistently available for extra help from students as she tries to leave no student behind. “I think she has such a way to connect with students,” Math teacher Terri Bullock said.

Cooper set to retire after 30 years

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
Dec 13, 2024
Junior Alessandro Marenco gets into the runner's starting stance as the sun sets over the track. Marenco was one of the four boy sprinters who earned a spot in Nike Nationals in Eugene, Oregon last year. (Courtesy Ariel Stone)

Winter Sports Previews

Dec 5, 2024
Junior WR Corey Dooren checks with the referee that he is on the line of scrimmage. Dooren helped step up throughout the Wildcat's season and will continue to step up as he matures into a senior next year.

Panthers pounce Wildcats, ending football season

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
Nov 20, 2024
Junior quarterback Jake Forburger takes the snap from junior center Andrew Corrado during the game against Laurel. Forburger consistently drove the ball down the field, contributing to a 40-13 win.

Wildcats trample Spartans in playoffs

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
Nov 15, 2024
A student tiredly walks down a hallway after a school day. Many students feel drained after a day of school, but is WJ the problem?

Is the school the problem? The case for WJ

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
Nov 15, 2024
Junior Wilson Faucette cycles in a race as a part of the USA Cyclocross series. Faucette has had an impressive season and will be competing in nationals in December. (Courtesy Wilson Faucette)

Pedal to the medal: Faucette, Gentry cycle around Bethesda

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
Nov 15, 2024
Captain Patrick Murphy skates past a defender on a race to the puck. Murphy's defense was a huge contributor in the 1-9 win against Blair.

Icecats breakaway to 4-0 after win against Blair

Seth Stein, Online Sports Editor
Nov 15, 2024
Junior Tauren Sirleaf celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown. Although the Wildcats were able to get on the board, it wasn't enough as the Warriors trampled the Cats 47-19. "We didn't come out with the right attitude the whole game, " senior Lloyd Erim said. "Obviously Sherwood is a good team but we believe we're also a good team."

Photo Gallery: Football senior night

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
Oct 30, 2024
Senior WR Joshua Koenick runs with the ball in the homecoming game against Wheaton. Koenick was a major playmaker in the absence of wide receivers Devin Markert and Ryan Gardner as the Wildcats took down the Knights. (Courtesy Spencer Robinson)

Wildcats come home with win against Wheaton

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
Oct 24, 2024
Senior Jonathon Fisher lunges at a fumble in the first quarter of a game vs. Richard Montgomery. The play ended up being a major momentum shifter as the Cats' offense went on to score from the recovery.

Wildcat football runs into 2-2 season

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
Oct 4, 2024
Junior Daniel Gershon gives a pep talk to Dylan Byrd during the B-CC game last year. Gershon and Byrd were great teammates last season but the star running back recently transferred to Whitman, and will be facing off against Gershon in the Thursday night game.

WJ football set to face former teammate

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
Sep 19, 2024

Barons hold Cats in final minutes

William Murphy and Aviva Katz
Sep 10, 2024
The Wildcats make a statement entrance as they prepare to take on Richard Montgomery. WJ would go on to win the game 53-22.

Fall Sports Previews

Sep 6, 2024
The Oreos have been a classic cookie for generations but which one is the best one? Out of all the different fillings, is there one that stands alone? (Courtesy nicoleleec via Wikimedia Commons)

How much stuf is too much stuff?

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
Jun 12, 2024
Students sit in rows for very extensive hours as they take exams. This is a common scene all across the US, however in MCPS this sight cannot be found. (Courtesy Pexels)

Point/Counterpoint: Should there be final exams?

William Murphy and Ian Alves
Jun 10, 2024
Tipping culture has inflated out of control

Tipping culture has inflated out of control

William Murphy, Print Sports Editor
May 24, 2024
Junior Elsa Santighian cradles the ball down the field as Kristina Einberg attempts to retrieve the ball. The Cats had a tough loss of 11-7 to the Whitman Vikings.

Vikings pounce on Cats in regional finals

Lily Tapparo, Senior Sports Editor
May 21, 2024
LIVE: Boys' lacrosse takes on Churchill HS in regional semifinal

LIVE: Boys’ lacrosse takes on Churchill HS in regional semifinal

Seyun Park, Joshua Singer and William Murphy
May 10, 2024
Dune: Part Two features an impressive cast including Timothee Chalomet, Zendaya, Austin Butler and Christopher Walken. Dune: Part Two is the second half of the movie series based off the bestselling book Dune. (Courtesy IMBD)

Denis Villenueve concocts a thrilling rollercoaster of a movie in Dune: Part Two

William Murphy, Photography Editor
Apr 24, 2024
Donta Scott jumps for the opening tip-off from Maryland vs. Minnesota in College Park, Maryland. Scott averaged 11 points for the Terps this year but that wasn't enough as the Terps fell to a 16-17 record. (Courtesy Patrick Rouin via Wikimedia Commons)

Maryland Basketball travels into a disappointing season

William Murphy, Photography Editor
Mar 21, 2024
Senior Sidney Scale promposes during the spring pep rally to his girlfriend after the male pops performance. "I was really surprised and kind of like nervous but it ended up being really good so I'm grateful," senior Maria Goergen Alvarez said.

Promposals spark excitements

Maayan Keren and Michal Shmaya
Mar 15, 2024
Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin R. Smith poses in full uniform as a member of the US Army. Smith previously was stationed in Hawaii before moving to Bethesda where he now lives with his wife and daughter, Jael who attends WJ.

The life of a Military child at WJ

William Murphy, Photography Editor
Mar 8, 2024
Sophmore Dylan Byrd rushes the ball on a friday night against BCC. With NIL, athletes like Byrd would be able to profit off their success.

Point/Counterpoint: Should high school athletes get NIL deals?

William Murphy and Ian Alves
Feb 29, 2024
Senior Guard Isaiah Nickelson shoots the game-sealing free throw in the Wildcats' win over Whitman.

Boys’ basketball slips past Whitman

Mateus Bouquet, Print Sports Editor
Feb 20, 2024
Sophomore Gianna Granados shows sophomore Stephanie Ramirez her poster while handing her a sticker. “I chose this topic because vaping is something very common among teenagers and we should not do it," Granados said.

Photo Gallery: The health fair

Maayan Keren, Staff Writer
Feb 1, 2024
Sophomore Ethan Pletter works out at Washington Sports Club. This was one of the last times he used this machine as the gym closed on January 31.

Washington Sports Club closes after 20 years

William Murphy, Photography Editor
Jan 30, 2024
Sophomore Meher Singh draws a henna hand design as a part of the fundraiser. Along with hand designs, the clubs also put on a bake sale to raise the most money possible.

Clubs band together for Gaza refugee fundraiser

William Murphy, Photography Editor
Dec 19, 2023
Freshmen watch in the distance as the juniors and seniors face off on the 50-yard line in the annual tug-of-war. The seniors overpowered the juniors on-route to winning the whole tournament.

Fall pep rally kicks off fall sports

William Murphy, Photography Editor
Sep 27, 2023
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