2026 Winter Athletics Banquet and Season Recap

Last month, on March 9, students, families, coaches, and Winsor administrators gathered in Carolyn McClintock Peter Hall for the annual Winter Athletics Banquet to celebrate another season of accomplishments on the courts, on the rink, and in the water. The banquet honored this year’s basketball, ice hockey, squash, and swimming teams with remarks from their coaches, as well as from Interim Director of Athletics Katrina Hable.

Coach Hable opened by expressing her gratitude for the coaching staff, facilities staff, and Winsor parents for their hard work, coordination, dedication, and support in making these formative experiences possible for these student athletes. 

She then turned to reflections on the past season. “When I think back on this winter season, what stands out most is the dedication and perseverance shown across all of our teams,” Coach Hable said. “From the earliest practices to the final competitions, our student-athletes demonstrated an incredible commitment to their teams and to one another. Many teams delivered some of their strongest performances late in the season, a reflection of the focus, effort, and determination that carried through the entire winter.”

As Coach Hable prepared to pass the mic on to the teams’ individual coaches, she praised the leadership of Winsor team captains, and she made sure to acknowledge the many varieties of success and victory that matter in sports: “Tonight, you will hear about big victories, championships, tournament appearances, records, and individual honors. Those accomplishments are certainly worth recognizing and celebrating. But just as meaningful are the personal moments that happen along the way—a first basket, a personal best, a breakthrough swim, or the moment when preparation and confidence come together in competition. Those moments are part of what makes athletics so special, and they deserve to be celebrated as well.”

Read on to learn what each coach had to say about their teams.

Varsity Basketball

Our team embraced the idea that “Together” is more than a theme—it became our standard. New leaders stepped forward, roles expanded, and the chemistry within the group continued to grow. While we may not have been the tallest team, we defined ourselves through toughness, resilience, and relentless competitiveness. A defining moment came in our overtime win against NCDS [Newton Country Day School], where a 10–0 closing run demonstrated what is possible when a team trusts one another and plays with confidence. From that point forward, we battled for every possession, embodying a mindset that was united, fearless, and relentless. Throughout the season, we proved our ability to compete and grow, laying a strong foundation for what lies ahead. As we look forward, we know that championship seasons are built in the offseason—in the weight room, in empty gyms, and through the daily commitment to improvement. Every lift, every skill session, and every repetition strengthens not only the individual but the entire team. With the foundation in place and the standard set higher, the future of the program continues to build with purpose and determination.

JV Basketball

Our JV basketball team demonstrated resilience, growth, and determination while competing with one of the youngest rosters in the league. Made up of seven eighth graders and one ninth grader, the team faced opponents up to five years older yet embraced the challenge and finished the season with a strong 6–8 record. Each victory reflected a true team effort, as players steadily improved their shooting fundamentals, basketball IQ, and overall understanding of the game. Despite the intimidation of competing against older athletes, the team approached every practice and game with confidence, focus, and a sense of fun that strengthened their bond as teammates. Their commitment and growth this season have laid an excellent foundation for future success, and we look forward to seeing their continued development as they progress toward the varsity program.

Varsity Ice Hockey

Our varsity ice hockey team built on a strong returning group of fourteen players while welcoming two new teammates to the program. The team jumped into a competitive schedule early, earning notable wins against Dana Hall and Dexter Southfield Varsity B while battling closely with new opponents Sacred Heart and Rye Country Day. Under the guidance of our dedicated coaches, the team showed a fighting spirit in every game, improving individual skills while building strong bonds as teammates. From hard work at practice to card games and snacks in the back of the bus during snowy travel, the season was filled with memorable moments and a supportive team culture. We congratulate the team on a fantastic season and look forward to building on this momentum next year.

Varsity Squash

Our varsity squash team embraced the challenge of rebuilding after graduating five players from last year’s squad. Senior captains Amanda He ’26 and Sonia Daizadeh ’26 stepped into leadership roles with energy and responsibility, guiding a close-knit team that included players from every class, Class II through Class VIII. As the season progressed, the team’s chemistry and confidence grew, leading to another remarkable achievement—capturing the program’s 16th consecutive EIL [Eastern Independent League] Championship.

The team also competed on the national stage at the US High School Championships, where they battled strong opponents despite a blizzard-shortened tournament, finishing 11th–12th in Division II and earning a national ranking of 27th–28th out of 95 teams. At the NEPSAC tournament, they competed in the B Division and finished 7th overall. Throughout a season of growth, challenge, and resilience, the team supported one another and competed with determination, culminating in a memorable final-day victory over the Winsor faculty team. Congratulations to this outstanding group on a wonderful season—the future of Winsor squash is bright!

JV1 Squash

Our JV squash team demonstrated exceptional depth, determination, and competitive excellence. The team went undefeated, earning 11 team match victories and finishing the season ranked #1 in NEPSAC among 52 JV teams. Over the course of the season, the team competed in 67 individual matches and won an impressive 59 of them, with six players finishing the season undefeated. The team’s resilience and strength were especially evident in hard-fought 4–3 victories over two of our biggest rivals, Phillips Academy and Noble and Greenough. Beyond the results, the athletes distinguished themselves through hard work, accountability, and a strong commitment to one another. We are incredibly proud of this remarkable group and the standard of excellence they set for Winsor squash.

JV2 Squash

Our JV2 squash team built its success on hard work, resilience, and steady improvement. From the first practices to the final matches, the players showed a strong commitment to developing their skills and supporting one another, finishing the season with an impressive 10–3 record. The team earned decisive wins over EIL opponents, battled through close matches, and competed confidently against several co-ed teams. A defining strength throughout the season was the depth of the roster, with strong performances across the entire ladder. Just as important was the team’s spirit—teammates cheering one another on, celebrating progress, and growing together through each match. Special thanks to co-captains Isabella Nguyen ’28, Lilac Nguyen ’28, and Eleanor Musto ’29 for their steady leadership throughout a season defined by effort, unity, and heart.

Varsity Swimming

Our Varsity Swimming team delivered another outstanding performance, finishing with a strong 6–3 record while competing against a challenging schedule. Despite being one of the youngest teams in the league—with an average age of just 14—the athletes showed remarkable growth, setting countless personal best times throughout the season. At the EIL Championship meet, the team earned an impressive second-place finish with 448 points. Charley Perkins ’28 captured victories in the 200 IM and 100 Breaststroke, while Sophia Cukras ’26 won the 50-yard freestyle and also placed among the top finishers in the 100 Butterfly. Additional standout performances included a top-three finish in the 200 Medley Relay by Charlotte Holmes ’26, Charley Perkins, Sophia Cukras, and Elena Toscani ’27; a strong 500 freestyle swim from Charly Thai ’30, who dropped over 10 seconds; and a top-three finish from the 400 freestyle relay team of Amanda Chen ’30, Charly Thai, Sophia Cukras, and Charley Perkins.

At the NEPSAC championships, held in Stamford, CT, the team placed third with a score of 226. The team had 16 top 16 finishes in the preliminary events and countless best times. In the finals, In the 200 Medley Relay, Charlotte Holmes, Charley Perkins, Charly Thai, and Sophia Cukras broke the school record with a time of 1:55.61. Sophomore Charley Perkins had a record breaking swim in the 200 Individual Medley, placing second with a time of 2:05.36. Later in the meet she went on to win the 100 Breaststroke, breaking her own school record and the NEPSAC Division 2 record in the process. The 400 freestyle relay team of Adeline Vantzelfde, Charley Thai, Sophia Cukras, and Charley Perkins finished a historic second place with a time of 3:51.16. This young and talented group showed tremendous promise and continued to build a strong foundation for the future of Winsor swimming.

Congratulations to the Winsor Varsity Swim team on a record-breaking season!

JV Swimming

Our JV swim team demonstrated strong dedication, growth, and team spirit throughout the winter. The team of 22 swimmers, made up of both new and returning athletes, brought a strong work ethic and commitment to improvement at every practice, resulting in dozens of personal best times over the course of the season. The team earned two impressive wins over Dana Hall and Worcester Academy while continuing to develop their skills and confidence in the pool. With a strong emphasis on community, encouragement, and joy in the sport, the swimmers built a positive and supportive team environment that celebrated both individual progress and collective success.

Honors

This past winter, several Winsor student-athletes were recognized for their outstanding performances with All-League and Honorable Mention honors, and squash coach Szilvi Szombati was named EIL Coach of the Year. Below is a list of those athletes and their recognitions.

Varsity Basketball

Emily Yakoobian ’28, EIL All League

Olivia Todd ’28, EIL Honorable Mention

Emily Yakoobian ’28, All NEPSAC

Varsity Ice Hockey

Ani Andersen ’29, EIL All League, NEPSAC Honorable Mention

Meryl Sutich ’27, EIL Honorable Mention

Varsity Squash

Sonia Daizadeh ’26, EIL All League

Amanda He ’26, EIL Honorable Mention

Margot Jennings ’30, EIL All League, All NEPSAC All

Eileen Lee ’28, EIL All League, NEPSAC Honorable Mention

Jiwon Lee ’27, EIL Honorable Mention, NEPSAC Honorable Mention

Varsity Swimming

Sophia Cukras ’26, EIL All League, All NEPSAC

Charley Perkins ’28, EIL All League, All NEPSAC

Charly Thai ’30, EIL Honorable Mention, All NEPSAC

Elena Toscani ’27, EIL Honorable Mention

Adeline Vantzelfde ’30, All NEPSAC

EIL Coach of the Year: Szilvi Szombati