Varsity Basketball

Coaches: Chris Ouellette and Sam Skott
 

Most Improved - Margarette H. ’24

This award goes to the player who has demonstrated the most growth this season and over her time on the Emma Willard basketball team. She has always been an excellent team player who puts the team first and will step up to fill whatever role needed. Over the course of the season, that role got bigger and bigger for her as she ended the season with a couple of double digit scoring games. Last season this player saw more limited minutes, while she played every single minute of the game against some of our toughest opponents this year. She stepped up to defend tough players when needed, occasionally even brought the ball up as the point guard, and most significantly, caught fire from the three point line late in the year. We really felt this player’s absence when she wasn’t able to be on the court with us, making her growth all the more apparent. For her improvement over her last two seasons, we are proud to present this award to Margarette H. ’24.
 

Unsung Hero - Prairie G. ’23

The Unsung Hero award is intended to acknowledge the contributions of a player who both on and off the court had a quiet, yet dramatic impact on the performance of the team. While their stats may not appropriately reflect their influence on the game, their contributions were always recognized by their coaches and teammates. This player is incredibly smart in her execution on the court, always playing solid help defense, understanding the right place for a trap, and looking to make the extra pass to an open teammate. Maybe even more impressive, this player is never worried about her own performance, and is always worried about making sure her teammates are supported. You are just as likely to find this player explaining the premise of a drill to a younger teammate as you are to find her lending a listening ear or comforting shoulder to someone who made a mistake or is just having a bad day. For these reasons and many more, we are happy to present the Unsung Hero award to Prairie G. ’23.
 

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Winter Crew

Coach: Julie Matthews
 

Rising Star - Jane K. ’26

A new rower for the winter season, Jane was able to improve her 2k erg score by 45 seconds over the course of the season. She showed dedication and natural talent and we are excited to have her for another season in the spring!
 

Most Improved - Isla B. ’26

Isla B. ’26 received the Most Improved award for really learning to push herself over the winter season.  She took a full minute off her 2k time, but most importantly, she learned to absolutely push herself to the wall. The sky is the limit for Isla now, as a rower.
 

“Top Bananas” - Anna K. ’25 and Izzy S. ’24

We celebrated two of our most committed rowers with a playful “Top Banana” award. Anna K. ’25 and Izzy S. ’24 came to every single competition of the season (they were the only two that did) and had an overall amazing attitude and performance.

 

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Indoor Track and Field

Coaches: Tony Holston and John Riley

Coach’s Award - Throws - Sol H. ’24

One of this year’s coach’s awards goes to an athlete whose accomplishments as a leader and competitor, both on and off the track, have contributed considerably to the unprecedented success of the throwing indoor squad this season. They are the glue that holds the group together and a calming, reliable presence when times on the field become stressful or difficult. A consummate team player, this athlete is always cheering on the team both for field and running during meets. Team contributions aside, they have also had an exceptionally rich season as an individual, with an 8ft improvement in the weight throw of 25-5 feet at the League Championship Meet and 21-3 personal best in the shot improving over 3ft from last year’s mark. This athlete is incredibly intelligent and very conscientious of the throwers training, always brainstorming the next step in terms of a workout or meet preparation. We are very proud to give this year’s indoor track coach’s award to Sol H. ’24.

Coach’s Award - Mids/Longs - Isabelle B. ’23

I have rarely coached an athlete as passionate and enthusiastic about her sport as Isabelle B. ’23. She truly loves to run. I often joke with Isabelle about the time she had to be spoken to about running outdoors when it was near sub zero weather. This is indicative, however, of the commitment she brings to the team every single day. She is an exemplary athlete, always putting forth her absolute best effort. She consistently leads practice from the front of the pack, even to the point of having to turn around and run back to her teammates during our long runs off campus. There is never any hint of a complaint during our harder interval workouts, and even in the off season it is common to see Isabelle on campus running. During meets Isabelle is flexible and adaptable to any situation. She has become a mainstay on our varsity 4x8 team, always pushing hard to score the team some points and better her own times. Even when it comes to the longer, more daunting events, she will without question step in and compete. I am looking forward to seeing her personal best times continue to drop throughout the spring and her continuing to serve as the exemplary athlete she is.

Most Improved - Jumps - Vernette B. ’24

Anyone can show up and participate…that’s easy. But not everyone can advance, develop, and upgrade their skills; it takes a special kind of person to do this. If someone has received a most improved award as an athlete, chances are they are also successful in other facets of life. The hard work and dedication you put into the sport is what this award symbolizes. It considers the work you have done to become a better athlete throughout the season. The meaning of the Most Improved Playeraward makes it one of the highest achievements a player can get. This athlete this season improved their long jump by over 2 feet from 10’1” to 12’2”. She improved her triple jump over 2 feet from 24’2” to 26’5”. She recorded a personal record in every meet she participated in this season. Most importantly, this athlete had the greatest technical improvement in the jumps this season. It is my pleasure to present the most improved award for indoor track and field to Vernette B. ’24.
 

Most Improved - Sprints - Anyla L. ’25

In the sport of track and field, it is not unusual for a team leader to also experience a sharp improvement in performance. The habits of discipline, focus, and persistence provide a model for teammates to follow. They also aid in the individual's athletic development. In improving herself, a team leader shows the way for others. Anyla worked hard all season, and this hard work was rewarded by lowering her personal record in the 300m from 56.6 seconds to 48.6 seconds, and running ever-faster legs of the 4x200m relay. It is fitting that her determination to improve in track aided both her own achievements and those of the team as a whole. Excellent work, Anyla.

 

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Ski Racing

Coach: Ben McAndrew

Most Improved - Lyra M. ’25

Alpine ski racing is a tough sport, with such little time spent on the playing field in proportion to the travel time, and lift-riding time. Skiing on icy race courses, and learning certain nuances of alpine skiing (like how to ski a gate combination) can be challenging and at times overwhelming. There is one skier this year who showed significant improvement this year, mastering race courses, and making consistent improvements to her skiing. This year, the Alpine Skiing Most Improved award goes to Lyra M. ’25, who was also new to ski racing.

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Kudos to all of our winter athletes on a great season!