GOOD Morning Wilton features Wilton High School sports photos taken by Gretchen McMahon Photography, who shot all images unless otherwise noted. The WHS Athletic Department has provided results and updates, including write-ups from coaches, teams and boosters. Scores and results are also compiled from CIAC and FCIAC when available. Additional materials of interest can be submitted to GMW for consideration submitted via email.
[Editor’s Note: This update was originally published Friday, Jan. 21; additional scores have been added or updated.]
Message from the Athletic Director
Hello Warrior Nation! It is hard to believe we are nearing the midway point of the Winter season. Some teams are on the verge of qualifying for the state tournaments, and the individual sports such as indoor track, wrestling and gymnastics already have members of their teams who have qualified. Our skiers are still going strong despite having a race canceled last week because of weather. Yes, that’s right even though you need snow to ski, occasionally they have a snow day as well.
As we continue to monitor the “numbers” related to COVID, we are optimistic that student fans will be able to return soon to help support our athletes. We ask you to be patient as we continue to navigate through this pandemic. As soon as we have new information we will be happy to pass that information on. [Editor’s note: after this update was published, WHS revised the fan policy and now allows spectators to attend indoor competitions, up to 50% capacity. Tickets can be purchased online; students can attend for free.]
If your child does in fact test positive for COVID-19, there are new protocols that need to be followed before your child can “return to play” as far as athletes are concerned. Wilton is a member of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC); we follow the Winter Sports Guidance set by the CIAC. Using the guidelines set by the CIAC, the Connecticut Department of Public Health, as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), our athletic trainers have developed the following form that has also been approved by [Wilton Public Schools medical advisor] Dr. [Christine] Macken at Doctors Pediatric in Wilton. This form must be completed by a medical professional (physician, physician’s assistant or advanced nurse practitioner), prior to starting the return to play protocol. Based on the information provided by the medical professional, our athletic trainers will be able to assess which stage of the “Return to Play Protocol” they should start at.
Go Warriors!
Girls Basketball
Monday evening, Jan. 24, Wilton hosted Staples for its Coaches vs. Cancer game. Fans can still support the team through its fundraising efforts on GoFundMe.
The Girls varsity basketball team was on a three-game winning streak after wins over New Canaan (34-31), New Fairfield (44-37) and Brien McMahon (66-24). With its starting lineup now fully returned, the Warriors grabbed some important victories over the long-weekend.
On Friday, Jan. 14, the Warriors trekked over to New Canaan to take on the Rams in a FCIAC battle. The first half was a war of attrition as the Warriors trailed by one at the half. A strong second half surge led by Ashleigh Masterson (19 points) saw the Warriors vault into the lead. In the waning moments, Catherine Dineen sealed the win with a clutch free-throw and Wilton held on for a three-point victory, 34-31.
Saturday, Jan. 15 saw another road-game victory, this time against the Rebels of New Fairfield. With less than 24 hours between games, the Warriors would have to gather their energy, go deeper into their bench, and play some tough basketball to emerge victorious. Wilton led from start to finish as the sharp-shooting of Leah Martins (18 points) led the way. Mia Sommers chipped in with 11 and Brooke Bohacs hit a three in the final second of third quarter to give the Warriors an insurmountable lead. The fourth quarter saw some great foul shooting from Masterson and Katie Umphred as the Warriors protected their lead until the finish line, ultimately winning 44-37.
On Monday, Jan. 17, against Brien McMahon the Warriors again went deep into their bench as 13 players found their way into the scoring column. Wilton was led again by Masterson (13 points), and Olivia Rossi (8 points) and Bohacs (7 points) as the balanced scoring allowed the Warriors to lead wire to wire. In the third quarter, Wilton scored on 10 consecutive possessions as the team coasted to a 66-24 victory.
This week, after a home loss against Staples on Monday, Jan. 24 (29-41), Wilton traveled to Stamford on Tuesday, Jan 25. to take on the Black Knights, winning 57-45. The team is looking forward to the return of senior Ellie Copley and beginning the second half of their schedule, with seven of the final 10 games at home.
Girls junior varsity posted a 2-1 record with victories over New Canaan and Brien McMahon while suffering a narrow defeat to New Fairfield. Against New Canaan on Friday, Jan. 14, Maddy Dineen led the way with 12 points and Georgia Russnok chipped in with 6. Against New Fairfield, in a defensive battle, Maddy Dineen again led all scorers with 9 and Mary Scally added 5. A Scally trey-ball in the waning moments of the game rimmed out as the Warriors fell to the Rebels by two points.
In a resounding victory against Brien McMahon, many players found their way into the scoring column but the team was again led by Maddy Dineen (10 points), Mary Kate Doyle (10 points), and Scally (7 points).
The girls freshman team was 6-0 on the season after defeating New Canaan on Saturday morning, Jan. 15, and New Fairfield on Monday afternoon, Jan. 17. Saturday’s game against the Rams saw a defensive masterpiece as the team emerged with a resounding 31-6 victory as New Canaan only tallied a single field goal in the second half. Kaitlyn Zizzadoro led all scorers with 9 points, Cosette Lepore and Abbey Byrnes had 6 points each and Julia Nanon and Abby Phelan chipped in with 5 points each as the short-handed Warriors (only six players) led from start to finish.
On Monday, Jan. 17, the Warriors got out to a 9-0 start against New Fairfield and never looked back. Lepore was a menace on the defensive end with countless steals and also led the team in scoring with 13 points; Zizzadoro added 12, Nanos had 6, Phelan had 4 and Byrnes and Addison Von Loeser contributed a bucket each. The team also welcomed back Riley Casey and she added 6 in the 45-28 win over the Rebels.
Boys Basketball
The Wilton boys basketball team won its sixth game in a row on Friday, Jan. 14 with a come-from-behind victory over the New Canaan Rams by the score of 63-40. The Rams came out hot hitting eight first-half 3-pointers to take a 32-27 lead at halftime. The Warriors’ stifling defense held the Rams to 8 total points in the second half of the game to preserve the victory. The Warriors were led by senior captain Kevin Hyzy with 14 points. Junior Tommy McKiernan had a very good all-around game with 12 points, 5 assists, 5 steals and 3 rebounds. Max Andrews had a career high with 10 points. Craig Hyzy also chipped in with 10 points respectively. With the victory the Warriors moved to 3-0 in league play and 6-0 overall.
On Saturday, Jan. 15, the Warriors dropped their first game of the season with a hard fought game against Daniel Hand, the no. 15 ranked team in the state. The Warriors led early by 8 but the Hand Tigers kept battling back to eventually come away with a 69-66 victory. Wilton had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer but Kevin Hyzy’s 30-foot shot went in and out. Playing on back-to-back nights, the Warriors got tired late in the game. Hand took advantage, hitting 10 three-pointers in the game and making 16-18 free throws to hold onto victory. The Warriors were led by senior captain Parker Woodring who scored a game high 22 points. Woodring also had 11 rebounds to go with his scoring. Kevin Hyzy scored 14 points in the loss. Senior captain Zarius Eusebe also chipped in with 10 points. With the loss the Warriors dropped their record to 3-0 in conference and 6-1 overall.
On Monday, Jan. 17, Wilton looked to bounce back from the tough Saturday loss. They took on FCIAC rival Brien McMahon. The Senators played a very good all around game but the Warriors came away with a 59-52 victory. The Warriors led by 4 at halftime (30-26). The Senators kept the game close with their hot outside shooting. Wilton put the game away in the fourth quarter by running their sets and hitting their free throws (12-14 for the game) to ice the victory. Wilton was led by Eusebe who scored a career high 14 points; he also had 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists. Woodring registered another double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Kevin Hyzy chipped in with 10 points and 8 rebounds. Tommy McKiernan also chipped in with 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists. With the win Wilton upped its record to 4-0 in conference and 7-1 overall.
Friday, Jan. 21 vs. Stamford: W (64-47)
Monday, Jan. 24 vs. Staples: W (50-47)
The freshman boys basketball team lost a close game to the New Canaan Rams by a score of 52-58. They made a great comeback to close the gap to 2 points with one minute to go after being down 16 points. Liam McKiernan led the way with 19 points and Stef Cross had 14 points. Grady Kaliski chipped in with 10 points.
The Warriors bound back against Brien McMahon to even their record at 2-2 on the season with a 45-34 win. Cross was the leading scorer in a great team effort with 19 points. Henry Soojian had 6 points off the bench and 10 rebounds to seal the victory.
Gymnastics
The Warriors gymnastics team had a meet free schedule for a few days leading up to a week with three meets in six days beginning with Staples on Thursday, Jan. 20. Then it was off to Trumbull/St. Joseph/Foran on Saturday night, Jan. 22 (123.55) and home for the first home meet of the season on Tuesday, Jan. 25 against Stamford and Westhill, (127.4).
Girls Ice Hockey
The Wilton varsity girls ice hockey team had a game against Trumbull/St. Joseph on Monday, Jan. 17. The Warriors fell by a 2-6 final. Scoring for the Warriors were sophomore Sara Comisky and senior Natalie Richardson. Emily Johnson started in net and played the entire game.
On Wednesday night, Jan. 19, the Warriors fell to Greenwich, 5-9. Kate Lane and Richardson had 2 goals each and Isabel DiNanno had 1 goal. Johnson had the start in net and played the entire game. The Warriors’ next game was on Saturday, Jan. 22 when they took on the Masuk Co-op at home at the Wintergarden Rink in Ridgefield, winning 3-1.
Wednesday, Jan. 26 vs. Mercy/NWC/E.Hampton: L (5-6)
The junior varsity team also had a game on Monday, Jan. 17 at Fairfield Warde/Ludlowe, and was victorious by a 7-2 final.
Girls/Boys Indoor Track
Although the weather outside was frigid with temperatures in the single digits and a stiff north wind, there was some hot competition on the oval for members of the WHS indoor track teams.
On Sunday, Jan. 16, a trio of runners made the trek to Washington Heights, NY for the Molloy Stanner Games at the New Balance Track & Field Center at the New York Armory, all competing in the 1,000-meter run.
Emily Mrakovcic ran first, winning her heat in a personal best 3:05.30, good for sixth overall.
Two members of the boys team followed. Malcolm McCormick ran a PR 2:41.99 to place 18th, and sophomore Alex Cohen clocked a PR 2:52.19 to place 42nd.
The day before, other members of the team competed at home in the third FCIAC Qualifying Meet at the Zeoli Field House. The most notable performance came from senior Ryan Johnson, who improved his season best by more than a foot, leaping 19-5.5, almost three feet better than the next jumper.
Other strong performances were turned in by the hurdle crew of Cole Silvia (7.66), Luka Andjelkovic (8.66 PR) and Matt Whitman (8.44), who swept the first three places in the event. The girls doubled that showing, placing 1-6 with Akira Nobumoto (8.93), Anna Labant (9.13 PR), Skyler Reading (9.27 PR), Sophia Viggiano (9.41), Anna Coppola (9.99 PR) and Savona Bocchino (11.28 PR) sweeping the event.
Other individual winners were Jason Miller in the 300 (40.86), Garrett Moe (1:34.29 PR) and Mrakovcic (1:49.12 PR) in the 600, Lia Lombardi (3:33.98 PR) in the 1,000, and Vivien Latt (7-0) in the pole vault.
Relays were contested for the first time this season and the Wilton girls swept all three races, while the boys won the opening 4×225 meter relay.
The regular season concluded Saturday, Jan. 22 with the last FCIAC Qualifying Meet at Wilton, and some athletes competing in the SCC Coaches Meet at Hillhouse and the New Balance Games at the Armory.
Girls Ski
The Wilton girls ski team won its first race of the season on Thursday, Jan. 13 at Mount Southington. The reigning Class S State Champions were victorious over Hand, Weston and Darien. Wilton had strong finishes by Sophia Polito, Gabby O’Meara, Abby Kyle, Casey Vanderwall, Paige Leung and Molly Kaeyer. Despite losing three all-state skiers to graduation, Coach Howard is happy to have such a competitive team this year and looks forward to keeping the title.
Boys Ski
The Wilton boys ski team finished fourth out of 13 teams in their first race of the season on Thursday, Jan. 13 at Mount Southington. Leading the way for the boys team were Ryan Leung, Owen Theoharides, Connor Buchichio, Harry Polito, Max Mirota, Amir Sabovi and Eli Ackerman. Coach Kaulins knows they have fierce competition but knows the Warriors are ready to compete.
Boys Swim and Dive
This week the Boys Swimming and Diving team will be on the road against the New Canaan Rams. The Warriors, due to Covid, some injuries and absences, are off to a 0–2 start on the season with a difficult road ahead of them. Next week will be a busy week with Westhill on the road on Monday and home against Norwalk on Friday. The Greenwich meet, originally scheduled for Wednesday of next week, will be postponed. Congratulations go out to our loan diver Griffin Casey who qualified with ease for the State Championships in the last two meets.
Wrestling
The Warrior wrestlers lost to Fairfield Warde on Wednesday, Jan. 19. It was a good test against a great team. Although they lost, Wilton’s wrestlers have made a lot of progress and wrestled hard.
The Warriors competing in their first tournament of the year at New Milford High School on Saturday, Jan. 22, which was a good opportunity to wrestle against non FCIAC opponents.
They also faced off against New Canaan on Wednesday, Jan. 26.
