Congratulations to our final fall 2025 Doors of the Week!
Boys Cross-Country: Thijs Wittink ’27 and Liam Walker ’27
The Door of the Week for boys XC this week is shared between Thijs Wittink and Liam Walker, who each were the lead runners for their respective squads at the championship race. As much as the team ethos depends upon pressure from below, we always need someone to be the tip of the spear. Each of these runners courageously took that front position and led the way for their teammates.
Boys Junior A Soccer: Joaquim Cavalcante ’26
A returner to Thirds, Joaquim was the beating heart of this team. No one cared more about supporting his teammates, fostering a culture of respect, and representing Deerfield well than Joaquim. Humble about his skills on the pitch, he made striking improvements since last season and became a reliable, speedy, and occasionally dangerous member of our defense. Watching him score his first goal at Deerfield was a season highlight for all of us, and we will miss him and his calm, earnest, and deeply wise leadership in the years ahead.
Girls Cross-Country: Gardiner Dietrich ’27
This week Girls Cross-Country coaches nominate Gardiner Dietrich as Door of the Week! Gardiner is new to the team this year and are we thrilled that she discovered Cross Country this fall! After recovering from a recurring ankle injury, Gardiner really kicked it into gear this fall on GXC! She got increasingly faster as the season went on, and she managed to find herself on the JV roster for our New England competition last weekend at Taft! As the exciting race went on, DA supporters noticed that Gardiner just continued to pass girl by girl by girl as she made her way around the challenging and hilly course. Gardiner looked strong, relaxed, and focused as she ran with all her might! Gardiner ended up being DA’s first JV runner to cross the finish line, and we could not be prouder of how the season culminated for Gardiner – and for our JV squad! She was instrumental in our defeat of Choate at NE’s and we are grateful to her! In addition to this awesome performance on a difficult course, Gardiner has been so fun to get to know and work with this fall (and that sentiment comes from both coaches and teammates!). We look forward to seeing what Gardiner will do in her senior fall on DAGXC!
Girls Varsity Soccer: Keira Austen ’26, Eleanor duPont ’26, Griffin Mariani ’26 and Jarron Crosbie ‘26
The final fall DOTWs for girls varsity soccer go our great captains and managers – Keira Austen ’26, Eleanor duPont ’26, Griffin Mariani ’26 and Jarron Crosbie ’26. As managers, Griffin and Jarron were helpful supporting the team’s equipment and DJ needs on a daily basis. Additionally, they provided a fun game day atmosphere with walk-out music and goal scoring hype along with running the clock. We appreciated their enthusiasm, fun factor and willingness to jump in where needed on the day.
As senior captains, Keira and Eleanor always led by their example of hard work and care for others. Both were sidelined by injury for part of the season, but this did not deter their spirit and or passion for the team. Each day they were reliable, steady, supportive, caring, positive and competitive. Many thanks to them both for all the many contributions they have made and the legacy that they have left with the Deerfield girls varsity soccer program!
Varsity Football: Bear Adams ’27, Will Machnik ’26, Gavin Jeffries ’26, Michael McColgan ’26, Mia Estudillo-Newman ’26, Brandon Smith ’26, Lyla Ortiz ’26
The football team’s final DOTW for the Choate game is a given to our amazing captains and managers. These leaders were so much fun to coach and work with at practice every day. Bear Adams, Will Machnik, Gavin Jeffries and Michael McColgan provided amazing leadership throughout the season and we cannot thank them enough for their efforts on and off of the field. Our managers Lyla Ortiz, Mia Estudillo-Newman and Brandon Smith supported our team and we appreciated their voice efforts for the team. We are so lucky to have so many great students in our program.
Varsity Field Hockey: Vivian Monopoli ’26 and Lalwani Surpitski ’26
The final Doors of the Week for the varsity field hockey team are seniors Vivian Monopoli and Lalwani Surpitski. Players who showed consistent dedication to self-improvement and unwavering support of their teammates, these seniors helped the field hockey team in meaningful ways throughout the season. Key players on the midfield and defensive lines, respectively, Vivian and Lalwani embodied the spirit of never giving up and putting their teammates’ needs before their own. Fierce competitors with impressive field hockey skills, their high level of sportsmanship and selflessness were the defining features of their game. We congratulate Vivian and Lalwani on an incredible final season of DAVFH and thank them for their leadership.