WMA Awards
Athletes of the Month
April 2025
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!
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
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.
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
Hannah Grudzien ’25
Basketball
Vivi Venkat ’25
Riflery
Pietro Avanza ’25
Skiing
Ryan Kranz ’25
Prep Basketball
January 2025
Eliza Leach ’25
Wrestling
Katie Hutcheson ’26
Winter Track
Chinedu Okpara ’26
Prep Basketball
AJ Torres ’25
Varsity Basketball
December 2024
Adrianna Chechile ’26
Winter Track
Caterina Ravosa ’26
Basketball
Sam Fleming ’26
Prep Basketball
Tanner Goodwin ’25
Hockey
November 2024
Elle Poonsornsiri ’25
Field Hockey
Brant Stoltz ’26
Soccer
October 2024
Selah Prignano ’26
Volleyball
Robbie McAllister ’25
Football
September 2024
Ally Orquiola ’25
Girls Soccer
Jefferey Zeng ’28
Cross Country
Athletes of the Week
May 5 - 10
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.
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.
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.
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
Lily Meier '26
Track & Field
Costanza Valenzuela Lastra ’26
Rugby
Katie Hutcheson '26
Girls Lacrosse
Jingyi "Angie" Huang ’28
Golf
Emma Landry '25
Tennis
Natalia Cedeno-Villegas ’25
Lacrosse
Mariana Mujica ’25
Girls Rugby
Hannah Grudzien '25
Track & Field
Ashley Birkenshaw '25
Lacrosse
Jessie Wang ’29
Girls Tennis
Renee Schmalb Amorim ’25
Swimming
Vivi Venkat ’25
Riflery
Selah Prignano ’26
Basketball
Khloe Thomas ’28
Swimming
Callie Klepacki ’27
Winter Track
Han Ngoc Le ’25
Riflery
Sophia Nguyen ’26
Winter Track
Hannah Grudzien ’25
Basketball
Dakotah Thomas ’26
Swimming
Shuhan "Zoe" Li ’27
Skiing
Yuka Okuma ’25
Riflery
Rebecca Kakule ’25
Wrestling
Lily Meier ’26
Winter Track
Iyanna Hodge ’27
Basketball
Eliza Leach ’25
Wrestling
Julia Choi ’26
Riflery
Gabe Cruz ’25
Track & Field
Roman Barrett ’25
Baseball
Maxime LaBelle-Lavallee ’26
Baseball
Mark Tobias ’25
Track & Field
Jiwoong "Daniel" Hong ’26
Boys Tennis
TJ Jaravaza ’25
Track & Field
Nick Betancourt ’26
Boys Lacrosse
Francisco Minoves Allona ’27
Boys Tennis
Yougun Yang ’25
Rugby
Trey Kuzmeski ’25
Baseball
Brodie St. Laurent ’28
Hockey
Ben Presz ’25
Swimming
Christian Martin ’26
Prep Basketball
Gabe Hall ’26
Skiing
John Crocker ’25
Wrestling
Francesco Negri ’25
Skiing
Chinedu Okpara ’25
Prep Basketball
Emerson Baril ’27
Hockey
Eoin Cavanaugh ’27
Swimming
Gavin Woolridge ’26
Winter Track
Alex Torres ’25
Basketball
Pietro Avanza ’25
Skiing
Yejun Lee ’27
Riflery
Nick Betancourt ’26
Wrestling
TJ Jaravaza ’25
Winter Track
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 '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
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.
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
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
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
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."