WESTON, Mass. — At final recap, the Weston High School (WHS) fall sports campaign turned out to be the most impressive in a long time. While the Golf Team lost their state championship in a tiebreaker, many other teams also earned bragging rights in the MIAA State Tournament/Championships. The Championships were played under the new state-wide playoff system instigated this fall, allowing high schools from across the state to compete in postseason play.

Both Girls’ and Boys’ Cross Country were among the top teams competing in the November 13th IIIA Divisional Championships. Playing in Westfield, Massachusetts, the boys’ team secured a 5th place finish, which qualified them for the following week’s Division III state meet at the Wrentham Development Center. The girls’ team’s time resulted in an IIIA Championship with an extremely low 37-point score (the lower the points scored, the higher the finish).  Julie Hohenberg, Olivia Jackson, and Alessandra Gavris finished third, fourth, & fifth places, respectively, punching their ticket to the state championship meet.  Unfortunately, the Mount Greylock team narrowly surpassed Weston for the state championship. As impressive D3 State Runner-ups, this resilient Weston team will be back again next year.

Three other Weston teams deserve a look in postseason play. Field Hockey was awarded a 22 seed and traveled to 11-seeded Dighton Rehoboth (DR) High School. The Cats did not disappoint in the first-round tournament game despite the fact they had never played DR, and their home turf was an unfamiliar grass surface. After a close first half, Weston held the slim 1-0 lead.  DR came out firing in the second half and quickly tied the game at one apiece.  With a winner required in state tournaments, Weston and DR were forced into overtime (OT), where both teams lacked experience.  A scoreless first overtime led to another OT, and the home team capitalized on the opportunity propelling DR to the next round.

Girls Volleyball secured a 12 seed in Division IV, which many in the volleyball community noticed. Playing in one of the best leagues in the state, the Cats held their own.  They were rewarded with a high seed that led to the home-court showdown against St. Mary’s of Lynn, which Weston took with a 3-0 victory.  The Cats then drew Advanced Math and Science Academy (AMSA) as their “Sweet 16” round opponent. Traveling to Marlborough and playing a top team at the Fore Kicks facility is no easy task. Sightlines and atmosphere are very different at a public facility. After a close first set with the Cats down by a few points, the second set was all Weston. Unfortunately, the season ended that afternoon as AMSA came back to secure the victory and advance to the “Elite 8.”  Next year’s prospects for Weston Girls Volleyball are strong with a roster of outstanding players.

Girls Soccer finished the regular season as the Foley Division Champions. The senior-led team had tremendous contributions from the underclassmen throughout the season. With a 16 seed position, the Cats began their tournament at home, competing against the talented Bishop Stang team.  Bishop Tang, who came into the game with ten wins, was also a league champion. However, Weston came prepared, solidifying a 3-0 win.  The competition became stiffer when Weston drew number-one seed Norwell High School, who went into the game on a 14-game win streak without a goal scored on them in their last nine contests.  Both teams battled back and forth for most of the first 40 minutes of play on the Norwell turf. A late first-half tally sent Norwell to the half with a slim 1-0 lead. A charged Weston team dominated in the beginning of the second half, yet Norwell came back strong with another goal. The game ended 2-0 Norwell, but the Norwell coaches, players, and fans gave well-deserved praise to the Weston team, which had given them their toughest competition.   Norwell did win the Division III State Championship a week later.

Thanksgiving football marks the end of the fall sports season. There was apprehension, uncertainty, and excitement as Weston headed into the Thursday Thanksgiving morning game against archrival Wayland High School in the 86th meeting between the two schools. There is nothing like it unless you live in the United States Northeast. Weston, a Division VI school, and Wayland, a Division IV school, were prepared for battle as early morning music filled the air while each team ran through its pre-game work. Weston has not beaten Wayland on Thanksgiving morning in some time. That all said, when young men put the pads on for the final time each season on “Turkey Day,” there is something in the air that evens the playing field.  As the game began, Weston found themselves moving the ball at will against the powerful and talented Wayland defense.  Quick passes paved the way for a Weston first-quarter lead of 7-0.  However, Wayland capitalized on their second-quarter opportunities and headed into halftime with a 12-7 advantage. Throughout the second half, Weston made many big plays on both sides of the ball.  However, Wayland would find the endzone three more times and eventually top the Cats 34-7. Weston should be proud; our undermanned and undersized team two divisions below Wayland, played a hard and gritty game.

Final fall tidbits

Among the many athletic accomplishments on the fields this Fall, Weston also conducted their National Letter of Intent Signing Day on November 10th. Three Weston student-athletes have committed to continue their athletic careers at Division I schools next year. Julie Hohenberg (XC/Track) will take her talents to Boston College. Theo Bodet will swim next year at UC Santa Barbara, and Charlotte Martinkus will dive for the Tigers of Princeton. Congratulations to all!

The Weston winter sports season has just begun, and, like the fall, athletic participation is very high.  The middle school offers Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball, while at WHS, students can join Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball, Girls’ and Boys’ Swim/Dive, Girls’ and Boys’ Alpine Skiing, Girls’ and Boys’ Nordic Skiing, Girls’ and Boys’ Indoor Track, Girls’ and Boys’ Ice Hockey, and Wrestling.  We are looking forward to a great season ahead of us for the Cats!

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