With the end of the fall season of sports here at YHS, this
school is saying goodbye to some great athletes, and even better people. Many seasons have ended, but for those still in the playoffs, those seniors are trying to make the best out of their last fall season as a Wildcat. As a form of tribute to these seniors, this article will acknowledge all, and interview some on their time competing for York.
Boys Cross Country
The Boys XC team had four seniors, Kit Anthony, Benjamin Eager, Aidan Ring, and Hans Bakke. These boys have had impressive careers at YHS making it to the state meet multiple times, as well as winning many races and meets with their teams over the years. Aidan Ring, one of their top runners reflects on his time running in blue; “Being a part of sports has provided me a place where I made friends with people I would not have met otherwise. Sports have also made me happier and healthier.” When asked what he will miss about high school sports, he says that he would miss seeing his friends every day, and the consistency of working with a group towards a common goal. Good luck to these boys in their future endeavors!
Girls Cross Country
The Girls XC team also only had one senior, captain Audrey Drennan. Audrey has been a key figure who has helped lead the girls to many successes. When asked what being a part of athletics at YHS has meant to her, she says that since “cross country is such a small team, we’re pretty much a family. I’ve been a part of the team for four years and it’s been a lot of work but it’s been fun,” and for what she’ll miss, she says “I think I’ll miss the friends I’ve made, and the team(s). Also I’ll miss being able to jump in the ocean after practice, team dinners, ice buckets, and the sense of community” You might miss this team Audrey, but they will miss you more!
Field Hockey
Field Hockey is saying goodbye to 7 seniors, Natalie Dickson, Chloe Whitbread, Captains Lindsay Rivers, Emma Joyce, and Sophia Luchette. They also had two senior managers Lily Clark and Ruth Matthews. These girls have been a part of the field hockey program for quite a few years, and through ups and downs, they have been important players in the successes of the field hockey. When interviewed, Lindsay Rivers says, “Athletics have given me friends and a group of kids that are in the same position as me. They have taught me about balance and that certain things come before others. I have most importantly learned about how crucial it is to balance sports, school, and social.” She also notes that “I will miss most the quality time I have had with my friends, bus rides and team dinners. I have friends that I see more in certain seasons and I will most definitely miss them on the bus and at team dinners.” Thank you seniors for all that you have done for the program!
Golf
There were only two seniors that were members of the York golf team, Ryan Cummins and TJ Reagan. Both of these boys have been leading golfers for the Wildcats, each competing at the state meet this year. Interviewed was Ryan Cummins and he says that being a part of athletics at YHS has been a good way for him to connect with people and make friends. He will miss playing sports with kids he has grown up with. He will also miss the feeling of dress up game days at school and the excitement that comes from that.
Girls Soccer
The girls soccer team is graduating 7 seniors, Arty Krebs, Aubrey Marcotte, CJ Rubin, Emerson Diehl, as well as captains Veda Kiper-Phelps, Chloe DeLuca and Ava Fontaine. With some new to the sport, and some playing since they could walk, they most definitely had a memorable senior season. They lost to Wells in the playoffs, in a game that went to penalty kicks. One of the captains, Chloe DeLuca was interviewed on her time playing for York Girls Soccer. She states that “Being a part of athletics at YHS means I am a part of something bigger than myself. I am a part of a family of girls that do nothing but lift me up and make me laugh! Through the worst times and the best times of the season we were all there to guide each other and be there for one another and I am so proud to call myself a member of the York Girls Soccer team!…I will miss my teammates the most. They are the ones who have pushed me to be the best version of myself and have always supported me no matter what! I take pride in being a part of a team and I will miss that feeling. I will miss my loving soccer family, as I met some of my best friends through the years!” Good luck to Chloe and the other senior stars for girls soccer!
Boys Soccer
The boys soccer team will be saying goodbye to a big class of 11 seniors. Cole Bridges, Elliot Prince, Marcus Hamel, Brad Carr, committed to play baseball at Gordon College, Jack Joyce, committed to play baseball at Endicott, Quinn Walenta, committed to play lacrosse at Connecticut College, Lukas Bouchard, committed to play basketball at St. Joseph’s College, Ty Haseltine, Liam Pulsifer, and Jacob Donnell. These boys have had an impressive season where they made it to the semifinal game where they lost to Yarmouth. Jack Joyce, a captain was interviewed and this is what he has to say: “Being a part of YHS athletics has meant everything to me in high school. It allowed me to create new friends in different grades throughout my high school years. It has allowed for a lot of fun while playing the sport but also outside of the sport. Team dinners, team activities, and bus rides have all been very memorable because of athletics at YHS. Lastly, competing with my friends for a full season against opposing towns sparks a lot of joy in competitiveness that is fun to be around.” He also says that “What I will miss about sports at YHS is the close friend groups created and the competitive spirit. Throughout the season, teammates become very close as I spend the majority of my time with them. Being able to compete with them and also to have me and other friends cheer me on in the student section creates a very fun environment to be around. On top of that, I will miss the team dinners and the funny memories that each one carries.” Good luck to the boys who will play sports in college, and thank you to all of these guys who have helped build the york soccer program!
Volleyball
York volleyball has 8 seniors, Gwen Parisi, Maclain Zuk, Hannah Cleary, Hannah Moroney, Mady James, Lauren Chagnon, who is committed to Western New England University for volleyball, and captain Brooke Roe. These girls had an amazing season, only losing 2 games in the season, and making it to the state championship, where they fell short to Washington Academy. Hannah Cleary, reflects on this loss and her time being a part of YHS athletics: “It’s really been about the people. Winning is fun and all but there’s nothing better than being with a team you’d kill to have another season, game, or practice with. YHS athletics has really brought me closer to people I would never even thought I’d be friends with. It means so much that I get to share even a part of my life and high school career with the girls I’ve met over the past 4 years.” And for what she will miss the most, she says, “The teams. Being able to look forward to going to a practice isn’t something most people can say. The feeling of practice isn’t practice, but an excuse to hang out with your friends is something I will miss. It doesn’t feel like work or an inconvenience, but more like an opportunity to build connections with other people, and already knowing you have one thing in common is something I’ll forever miss. The bus rides from away games, singing and playing music, the laughs we shared, the tears we held each other through. It is something I wish I could go back and realize that it would all be gone before I knew it. I’m going to miss the girls and teams who became a temporary family to me.” Great season girls and congratulations on being state runner ups!
Football
6 seniors will end their time competing as a Wildcat this season, Captain Michael Hanlon, Lucas Ketchum, Kai Nelsen, captain JJ Luchette, Trey Fogg, and Captain Peter Martin. The boys had a great season and got to host a playoff game. They will be playing in the semifinal game later this week. Peter Martin, and he says, “Being a part of athletics at YHS has meant that I have a group of people and I’m closely connected with. Often I feel that it’s only half about the sport that we’re playing and also half about the people that I’m spending the time with.” Additionally, he says that “The biggest thing I’ll miss about high school sports specifically is huddling up after games, after a win, everybody feels a huge sense of accomplishment.”
