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WMA Awards

Athletes of the Month

April 2025

Female student in track pose

Jala Witherspoon ’27

Track & Field

During the month of April, Jala was a top scorer for her track team. She has won every single event she has been in. She not only races the 100 and the 200, but she also excelled at the long jump and anchors our fast 4x100. Jala puts in the work inside and outside of practice, always taking extra time to lift and work on blocks. She broke two school records in May that were very competitive and not easy to surpass in the 100 and 200!

Female lacrosse player holding stick

Ally Orquiola ’25

Lacrosse

Ally led the Titans to an 8-0 season start in April, and has made an impact in every area of the game. Defensively, Ally consistently leads the team in ground balls, and is a tenacious defender, stopping drives and checking the ball out of opponents sticks regularly. Offensively, Ally has been nothing short of superb. She has scored 31 goals in April, including a thrilling game winner in double overtime against Ethel Walker. Ally is also a true team player, as she has added 10 assists to her stat line over the month. Ally is a stellar captain; she leads by example, always working her hardest to improve and always supporting her teammates. Her work ethic, talent, leadership and desire have helped the Titans to get off to such a fine start to the season.

Other nominees

Rebecca Kakule ’25 - Rugby
Romy Allen-Schubert ’27 - Tennis

Male rugby player jumping to catch ball

TJ Jaravaza ’25

Rugby

In the Titans’ first three matches of the season (3-0), TJ put on an offensive display that may be unrivaled in Titan rugby history. He scored three tries in the home opener against Worcester Burncoat, including a 70-yard run through the backfield of our opponents without one would-be tackler laying a hand on him. He followed his debut with a five-try match against West Hartford and then scored another five tries against Algonquin High School. It was not just TJ's pace and running ability with the ball in hand; he also contributed with his solid tackling and his very high rugby IQ on the field.

Male lacrosse player holding stick

Robbie McAllister ’25

Lacrosse

Robbie had a great month of April. During this time, and against very challenging opponents, Robbie ended up scoring 13 goals and adding seven assists. At the end of the month, he was leading the team in total points. As one of our team captains, Robbie has been an amazing leader to every one of his teammates, especially to the younger guys on the squad!

Other nominees

Maxine LaBelle-Lavallee ’26 - Baseball
Daniel Hong ’26 - Tennis
Freddy Shubrick ’27 – Track & Field
Tuy Nguyen ’26 - Golf

Past winners: Athletes of the Month

February 2025

Female basketball player pointing at camera

Hannah Grudzien ’25

Basketball

Female student smiling

Vivi Venkat ’25

Riflery

Male student posing in ski mask

Pietro Avanza ’25

Skiing

Male basketball player posing

Ryan Kranz ’25

Prep Basketball

January 2025

Female student smiling

Eliza Leach ’25

Wrestling

Female student smiling

Katie Hutcheson ’26

Winter Track

 

Male student playing basketball

Chinedu Okpara ’26

Prep Basketball

Male student playing basketball

AJ Torres ’25

Varsity Basketball

 

December 2024

Female student smiling

Adrianna Chechile ’26

Winter Track

Female student smiling

Caterina Ravosa ’26

Basketball

Male student smiling

Sam Fleming ’26

Prep Basketball

Tanner Goodwin ’25

Hockey

November 2024

Female field hockey player smiling

Elle Poonsornsiri ’25
Field Hockey

Male soccer student smiling

Brant Stoltz ’26
Soccer

October 2024

Female volleyball player portrait

Selah Prignano ’26
Volleyball

Male student holding football

Robbie McAllister ’25
Football

September 2024

Female soccer player portrait

Ally Orquiola ’25
Girls Soccer

Male cross country runner posing

Jefferey Zeng ’28
Cross Country

Athletes of the Week

May 5 - 10

Female athlete smiling

Katherine Healy ’25

Rugby

Katherine enjoyed a tremendous week for Girls Rugby in both practice and in Friday's match against Southington High School. She set the tone early in our Senior Night match with high physicality and effort. She was never shy about going in on a tackle or contesting a ruck. She outworked her opposite number in the scrums, leading to quality opportunities for the team. Katherine ensured that our opponents did not cross the gain line in open play and set pieces. 

Female student smiling

Finley Monroe '28 

Lacrosse

Finley had an outstanding week in two huge wins over Millbrook and Frederick Gunn. A defensive stalwart, Finley closed down the critical scoring area to both drivers and cutters, repeatedly frustrating the attacking team. More importantly, Finley was the catalyst for moving the ball from the defensive to the offensive end, as she was responsible for fielding clears by the goalie, carrying the ball up the field and distributing it to our attack players, a crucial role that she performed flawlessly. Finley is focused, skilled and incredibly tough, and plays with a maturity far beyond her years. All season, she has been a critical component of the undefeated girls lacrosse team.

Male golfer taking swing

Tuy Nguyen ’26

Golf

Tuy has been a steady contributor all season for the Golf team, showing consistent play in both matches and practices. What has stood out most is his willingness to take coaching notes and immediately apply them to improve his game. He shows up every day with the desire to get better and has made noticeable progress from week to week. Tuy's focus, work ethic and reliability make him a key part of our lineup and a great example for his teammates.

Male student posing

Will Abplanalp ’25

Lacrosse

Will experienced an outstanding week for the Boys Varsity Lacrosse team. During a very competitive game with Federick Gunn, Will won 88% of his faceoff draws. He also scored two goals and used his leadership to help the Titans stay in a tough battle with one of our top lacrosse rivals. 

Past winners: Athletes of the Week

Female athlete smiling

Lily Meier '26 

Track & Field

Girl posing with a rugby ball

Costanza Valenzuela Lastra ’26

Rugby

Female athlete smiling

Katie Hutcheson '26 

Girls Lacrosse

Female golfer smiling

Jingyi "Angie" Huang ’28

Golf

Female student pointing at camera

Emma Landry '25 

Tennis

Female athlete smiling

Natalia Cedeno-Villegas ’25

Lacrosse

Female rugby player smiling

Mariana Mujica ’25

Girls Rugby

Portrait of female student

Hannah Grudzien '25 

Track & Field

Female athlete posing with lacrosse stick

Ashley Birkenshaw '25 

Lacrosse

Female athlete posing with a tennis racket

Jessie Wang ’29

Girls Tennis

Female student smiling

Renee Schmalb Amorim ’25

Swimming

Female student smiling

Vivi Venkat ’25

Riflery

Female students smiling

Selah Prignano ’26

Basketball

Female athlete smiling

Khloe Thomas ’28

Swimming

Female student smiling

Callie Klepacki ’27

Winter Track

Female student smiling

Han Ngoc Le ’25

Riflery

Female student smiling

Sophia Nguyen ’26

Winter Track

Female basketball player pointing at camera

Hannah Grudzien ’25

Basketball

Female swimmer smiling

Dakotah Thomas ’26

Swimming

Female skier smiling

Shuhan "Zoe" Li  ’27

Skiing

Female student smiling

Yuka Okuma ’25

Riflery

Female student smiling

Rebecca Kakule ’25

Wrestling

Female student smiling

Lily Meier ’26

Winter Track

Female student smiling

Iyanna Hodge ’27

Basketball

Female student in wrestling pose

Eliza Leach ’25

Wrestling

Female student smiling

Julia Choi ’26

Riflery

Male athlete sitting under hurdle

Gabe Cruz ’25

Track & Field

Female baseball player holding bat

Roman Barrett ’25

Baseball

Baseball player posing

Maxime LaBelle-Lavallee ’26

Baseball

Male athlete smiling

Mark Tobias ’25

Track & Field

Male athlete looking at camera

Jiwoong "Daniel" Hong ’26

Boys Tennis

Male athlete jumping to catch a ball

TJ Jaravaza ’25

Track & Field

Boys lacrosse player in action

Nick Betancourt  ’26

Boys Lacrosse

Boys tennis player smiling

Francisco Minoves Allona ’27

Boys Tennis

Male rugby player waving

Yougun Yang  ’25

Rugby

Baseball player celebrating

Trey Kuzmeski  ’25

Baseball

Male student posing

Brodie St. Laurent  ’28

Hockey

Male student smiling

Ben Presz  ’25

Swimming

Male basketball player yelling

Christian Martin ’26

Prep Basketball

Male student posing

Gabe Hall  ’26

Skiing

Male student posing

John Crocker ’25

Wrestling

Male student smiling

Francesco Negri  ’25

Skiing

Boys basketball player dribbling

Chinedu Okpara ’25

Prep Basketball

Emerson Baril ’27

Hockey

Male swimmer staring at camera

Eoin Cavanaugh ’27

Swimming

Male track athlete flexing muscles

Gavin Woolridge ’26

Winter Track

Male student playing basketball

Alex Torres ’25

Basketball

Male student posing in ski mask

Pietro Avanza ’25

Skiing

Male student posing

Yejun Lee ’27

Riflery

Male student posing

Nick Betancourt ’26

Wrestling

Male student smiling

TJ Jaravaza ’25

Winter Track

Male student playing basketball

Trey Kuzmeski ’25

Varsity Basketball

Commencement Awards

Dr. George E. Rogers Scholar Athlete Award

In 1966, the Monson Academy faculty established the George E. Rogers Award to honor a member of the graduating class for scholarship and participation and sportsmanship in athletics. The members of the faculty have recognized the following students as having those qualities indicated in the award.

  • 2024 - Evan Reeves
  • 2023 - Ava Aguiar
  • 2022 - Kyle Filipowski
  • 2021 - Khalil Kamara
  • 2020 - John Adams
  • 2019 - Ania Axas
  • 2018 - Wenjun Chang
  • 2017 - Emma Kindblom
  • 2016 - Julian Alexis
  • 2015 - Margaret Harrington
  • 2014 - Jackson FrenchRobitaille
  • 2013 - Phillip Antonacci
  • 2012 - Michael Mendes
  • 2011 - Jeremy Gilfor
  • 2010 – Adrianne T. Hanson
  • 2009 – Russell Dinkins
  • 2008 – Brigid M. Jurgens
  • 2007 – Matthew D. Pentkowski
  • 2006 – Olivia C. Clement
  • 2005 – Alexander Ely
  • 2004 – Stacie Brzoska
  • 2003 – Anthony Choquette
  • 2002 – Kathryne Scyocurka
  • 2001 – Jennifer Reid

Phil Shaw Award

Phil Shaw joined the Wilbraham faculty in 1934 and served well as a teacher, Chairman of the Science Department, varsity soccer and track coach, and Athletic Director until his retirement in 1969. His portrait hangs in an honored place in our Athletic Center Board Room. Mr. Shaw dedicated his life to developing character in young people. He believed in healthy competition and a high degree of sportsmanship. This award is presented by the faculty to the male and female students in the junior or senior class who have shown hard work, perseverance, unselfishness, and a spirit of cooperation in athletics.

  • 2024 - Abigail Dorunda; Brett Bucktooth
  • 2023 - Madeleine Hong; Keigo Koyasu
  • 2022 - Cara Murphy; Deven Austin
  • 2021 - Rhaymi Porter; Conor Murphy
  • 2020 - Xin "Julie" Xiong; Will Crocker
  • 2019 - Alana Perkins; Idan Tretout
  • 2018 - Kayla Mokwuah; Andrew Nagle
  • 2017 - Katelyn Cronin; Alexander Claudio
  • 2016 - Sydney Liptak; Wenyen Gabriel
  • 2015 - Molly Socha; Evan Roy
  • 2014 - Megan Pehoviak; Olexandr "Sasha" Oliinyk
  • 2013 - Carly Cronin; Joe Thibault
  • 2012 - Marissa McDermott; Ryan McLarney
  • 2011 - Chloe Snyder; Derrick Barnagian
  • 2010 – Michaela A. Rollings; Adam J. Ginsberg
  • 2009 – Chelby J. Wakefield; Aaron P. Haas
  • 2008 – Rosalyn C. Chesky; Joseph T. Salomone
  • 2007 – Kristin M. Coderre; Gregory J. Balicki
  • 2006 – Laura E. Coderre; Jacob R. Eddy, David J. Kreps
  • 2005 – Katelyn Stolpinski; Benjamin Primo
  • 2004 – Marisa Barone; Colin Cook
  • 2003 – Stacie Brzoska; Jeffrey Adams
  • 2002 – Angelique Kelley; Sherod Harris
  • 2001 – Lauren Pinkston; Charles Bridge

Trustees Cup

The annual Trustees Cup is the most coveted athletic team award at the Academy. The award takes into account a team’s success on the field, grade point average, team spirit and community service.

  • 2023-24 - Girls Cross Country
  • 2022-23 - Girls Basketball
  • 2021-22 - Girls Track & Field
  • 2020-21 - None chosen (COVID-19)
  • 2019-20 - Boys Basketball
  • 2018-19 - Boys Track & Field
  • 2017-18 - Riflery
  • 2016-17 - Girls Basketball
  • 2015-16 - Softball
  • 2014-15 - Baseball
  • 2013-14 - Softball
  • 2012-13 - Boys Lacrosse
  • 2011-12 - Girls Swimming
  • 2010-11 - Girls Volleyball
  • 2009-10 - Girls Lacrosse
  • 2008-09 - Girls Soccer

Hall of Fame

Harold 'Bud' Porter '44W

Harold Bud Porter photo

Harold Bud Porter '44W was honored for his remarkable athletic ability. At Wilbraham Academy, he was a five-sport athlete, playing both baseball and track in the spring. More than once he trotted across the field from his baseball game, changed his footwear, and ran a heat in a track meet. Bud had a 75-year association with the Academy, having entered the Winchester School as a fifth grader.

Capt. Timothy Jessup '87 USMC

Tim Jessup '87

The late Captain Timothy Jessup '87 USMC was the heart and soul of the Varsity Water Polo team during his tenure at the Academy. Coach Steve Gray '70W credited Tim's energy and magnetic personality for the longevity of the water polo program, which celebrated its 35th season in 2019.

Philip H. Shaw Sr.

Phil Shaw Sr. photo

Former coach and faculty member Philip H. Shaw Sr. of Wilbraham Academy was posthumously inducted into the WMA Athletic Hall of Fame during inaugural ceremonies held on campus. Philip H. Shaw Jr. '57W gave an eloquent induction speech to honor his father of his coaching prowess in football, soccer and track as well as his time as Athletic Director at Wilbraham

Track & Field 1989

WMA 1989 track team photo

The 1989 Track & Field Team were New England Champions. Coach Jeff Siekierski remembered the runners, jumpers, sprinters and throwers as all having the four elements of team success: passion, work, knowledge and a common goal.

Philip J. Cardone

Phil Cardone photo

Phillip J. Cardone, former coach and faculty member of both Monson Academy and WMA, was honored for his many legendary contributions to the football, wrestling, and lacrosse programs before a large gathering of alumni, family, and friends. Andrew Bazarian '86 gave the induction speech, which pointed out the many ways that Coach Cardone formed the characters of the young men and women he taught. Phil remained a fixture around campus as a volunteer landscaper, keeping WMA beautiful before his passing in Jan. 2019.

Monson Football 1966

Monson Football team 1966

The Monson Academy Football Team, coached by WMA Hall of Fame coach Phil Cardone and Ed Baker, was undefeated in 1966. Coach Baker remembered the transformation of the players from a "ragtag group that were not a pretty sight" into a team of self-confident athletes who completed a season that "changed them forever."