Evelyn Ryan

Wachusett females have proved their athletic success with impressive wins season after season. The teams thrive and spark individual achievements for players.
“We have a committed group of hard working female student athletes that are very dedicated to their chosen sports. We are fortunate to experience a great deal of success in our women’s sports programs,” said Athletic Director Jennifer Lynch.
The girls varsity basketball team has made it to the final four in the past two seasons, and won the Central Mass tournament in the 2022 season. They competed with an undefeated record of 23 and 0, only losing in the semi final game in 2023.
“We’ve made it to the playoffs for the past three years and I have high hopes for this season,” said senior captain Mary Gibbons. “We’re aiming to win the state championship,” said Gibbons.
Gibbons has committed to play basketball at the Naval Academy. She has been named the Mid Watch MVP all three years of her high school career, and has been the top scorer and player of the year for Central Mass.
She recognizes the success of herself, along with her teammates. “Everyone puts in one hundred percent effort in practice. We all have the same goal with a in it to win it mindset, which pays off and shows on the court,” said Gibbons.
The girls lacrosse team has found individual success.
Senior captain Meghan Jones has committed to Iona to continue playing lacrosse. Both Jones and senior, Rileigh Leary, have received the USA All Academic award this year.
Senior captain Kaitlyn Head, Leary and Jones all reached their 100 goal mark last season, which has never been done.
Head explains how their teammates support each other better than anyone else.
“Everyone on the team cheers each other on. We’re all very supportive to each other on the field and bench,” said Head.
The field hockey team made it to the Elite Eight in 2021, only losing in the championship. The girls made a comeback advancing it to the final four last year and winning the Central Mass tournament in 2022.
Senior Julia Kirton, starting goalie since 2021, said player friendships have benefited how the athletes play on the field.
“As a goalie it’s really nice and more enjoyable being close to my defense line. It helps us always be on the same page since it’s easy to communicate with them,” said Kirton. “Being close has made every good moment and win more meaningful, since I’m doing it with the girls I’ve become good friends with.”
The field hockey roster contains three girls who have committed to continue to play field hockey in college. Senior captain Ella Perry committed to Endicott College.
“[Coach] Kerry [Berry] did a lot for me recruiting wise and helped me build up my confidence to make me the player I am today,” said Perry.
Senior captains Kaleigh and Lindsey Mcgurl have committed to UMass Lowell to further their athletic and academic careers.
Along with the other teams, the girls cross country team has continued to see success. The girls push to keep their streak going, since they have made it to state qualifiers every year since 2020. They won districts in 2021 and came in second place in 2022. The team won leagues in 2021 and came in second in 2022.
Both the girls and boys cross country teams won the Crowley Cup two years in a row at the Amherst Invite for best overall boys and girls scoring in 2022 and 2023.
Junior Elisa Narain has shaved two minutes off her running time just this season.
“This year we are all mentally in it and in good spirits to work hard and succeed,” said Narain.
Narain said that the team runs together in a pack, which the girls said has affected their practices.
“We do everything as a team and train in groups. This helps us when we go to meets because we are already used to running all at the same pace,” said Narain.
Senior captain Marlise Morini refers to her team as family and looks at it as her team’s biggest strength.
“We spend so much time together that we can tell exactly what we all need in a race environment. With just a change in stride or breath we know when someone on the team needs a hand,” said Morini.
The softball team has seen many accomplishments as well; they’ve won the Central Mass tournament in both 2021 and 2023.
“New talent increases every year. Freshman always seem hungry to play and win, which makes all the girls compete better,” said senior captain Isabella Giaquinto.
She also notices that having a close relationship with her teammates benefits how they play.
“Our communication is really strong and we always push each other to do our best. We play as a team, which means if we win, we win together and if we lose, we lose together,” said Giaquinto.
Junior Kendall Grady agreed.
“We always lift each other up. It’s a big reason why we always make it to playoffs,” said Grady.
She hands credit to their coach who she says stands as an important figure on the team.
“He constantly shows us how selfless he is and how bad he wants us to succeed. It makes me want to keep playing and continue loving the sport I grew up playing,” said Grady.
JV coach, varsity assistant coach and Physical Education teacher Kathryn Putnam explained how much she appreciates being a part of the team.
“I love the game and the girls who represent the program. I would do anything to give back to the program that I played for in high school,” Putnam said.
Lynch said the school prides itself on competing against the best of the best.
“It’s important for our younger student athletes to understand our expectations and tradition, and to hopefully create their own history during their athletic tenure at Wachusett,” said Lynch.