By Sameer Kini
Sports Editor

It has been quite the year for Westford Academy athletics. The successes and achievements of both individual athletes and entire teams have surely not gone unnoticed. Since the beginning of the fall season, student-athletes have clearly been striving for the best, and it is reflected in their results. This trend started earlier in the year and continued throughout all the seasons. WA and its athletes have broken numerous records,had many dramatic wins, and many succeeded in postseason play.

The fall season created a strong foundation that left WA sports with a bright outlook for the rest of the year. Two teams took down DCL titles, and many teams qualified for tournament play and were section finalists. Prominent teams such as girls’ soccer, volleyball, cheerleading and boys’ cross country all made the MIAA Section Finals, an impressive accomplishment for the teams. Other teams that qualified for the MIAA Tournaments were boys’ soccer, field hockey, and golf. In addition to these solid performances, two teams went above and beyond to earn the title of DCL champions. The seemingly underdog golf team took the DCL title, as did cheerleading with their high-flying ability.

The mood set by the teams from the fall continued to the winter season, where the Grey Ghosts experienced another windfall of both individual and team successes. An astonishing number of records were broken by WA athletes this winter, spanning from records in indoor track to those in the swimming pool. The swim team happened to set seventeen new school records, and the team even set a new state record. Another state record was broken in indoor track when Emily Raczelowski hurled a shot put nearly 37 feet, while in the process of becoming state shot put champion. Not only were records broken, but many teams continued the Academy’s winning ways.

Starting with the swim team, the girls team finished 2nd in the MIAA Division 1 State Meet as well as the DCL. Moving to wrestling, the team finished 2nd in the DCL and sent several wrestlers, including senior heavyweight Mike Mizzoni, to the State Championship meet. Turning towards the slopes, the boys’ alpine ski team won their league for the second straight year, and the girls finished fifth in the state championship race, as did the boys. Most teams also qualified for postseason play, including boys’ and girls’ basketball, indoor track, girls’ ice hockey, wrestling, boys’ and girls’ swimming, boys’ and girls’ alpine skiing, as well as gymnastics. Another notable achievement from the winter season was not accomplished by an athlete, but by a coach. Ed Scollan, coach of the boys’ basketball team, won his 300th game of his career this year, which truly is no small feat. Hats off to Coach Scollan on his great achievement. The winter season was truly one to remember for WA.

Scollan commemorating his 300th victory

As the spring season closes, WA has quite a bit to be proud of. Many teams qualified for postseason play and state records were broken. Teams such as the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams, boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams, boys’ baseball team, and the track team all qualified for postseason play, a significant accomplishment for all those involved. There was also a historic achievement for junior Brendan Sullivan, who broke the state pole vault record with a vault of over 15 feet, 7 inches. Overall, the spring was incredibly successful for WA.

With all said and done, Grey Ghosts had an amazing year in the world of sports. With many seniors leaving, all teams will need to rebuild for next year, but hopefully the success experienced this year will continue and even flourish into more victories next year. Every student athlete should be satisfied for piecing together such a memorable year which will not be forgotten.