The Big Green community gathered on Wednesday to celebrate the many achievements and all of the effort put forth by the fall co-curriculars and their coaches and leaders during the term.
Mr. Pfitzer welcomed the audience to the Hess Auditorium and celebrated the many performances shared by the visual and performing arts students and their teachers throughout the fall.
Then, Mr. Howe took to the stage to announce and recognize the fall athletic award winners and of course, share his fall Top-Ten. Firstly, he offered his gratitude and appreciation for all those behind the scenes supporting our teams including the Physical Plant, Dining Hall, Athletic Trainers, Health Center and of course the coaches.
Mr. Howe’s Fall 2025 Top Ten
Wasn’t this fall fun! It was filled with sunshine, laughter, and cheers. Looking back at it now I’d have to say it was one of our best Fall in years!
Our teams competed hard and represented so well the Big Green. The skills, determination, and sportsmanlike conduct seemed so routine.
I need to thank you students along with your coaches for all you have done. Learning to be good competitors counts most regardless of whether you’ve lost or won.
Let’s all pledge to repeat good habits this winter again. And now let’s move on to the Fall’s Top Ten.
Back in late August we had 3 teams start their seasons afar. Boys and girls soccer teams travelled by plane to the country of Spain while Football went to their camp by car.
Soccer received a one-of-a-kind trip while the football boys bonded and agreed this too was an experience they would not skip.
Three cheers for these teams starting off the year. The trips were a success as their seasons drew near. They come in at spot number Ten. Their coaches would all say they’d take them again.
At Nine, one of my favorite Saturdays every year is going to St. Paul’s School. The colors in New Hampshire at that time of year are so vibrant with the temps shifting to cool. We won the day with a running score of nine to three with our teams, filling the return bus rides home with fun, laughter, and screams.
In sports, everyone loves a good come from behind win. This year we saw an amazing one with a Hotchkiss team taking it on the chin. At Eight – I share this with a collective JV Volleyball team grin. With a 2 game to zero deficit and down by a ton for the 3rd time in a row, our J.V. team came together with Jess Wu and Madison Stott leading this miraculous show. Points were won, diving plays were made. Our opponents that day crumbled and they did fade. True grit that day was on display.
We’ll stay with J.V. teams as I nominate the number seven spot. Our sub-varsity won-loss this fall came in at 112-35 – numbers that say a lot! I love that Deerfield students young and old love to compete and play. This strengthens our community and makes us closer in some way. A shout out to seniors + juniors who choose to play on a sub-varsity team.
At six, let’s talk about best wins that happened this Fall. We beat Andover in Boys soccer, water polo, cross-country, volleyball, and football. A memorable day in October for captains Will, Gavin, Cooper, Alex, Owen, Bear, Harmoni, and Evelyn. More captains like Reid, Oliver, JT, Comite, and Zhang enjoyed that day with their own big win! Leadership was top-notch on our teams all season long. Its one of the reasons Deerfield teams were so strong.
At five we give special recognition to the visual and performing arts teams in Dance, Drawing, music performance, and those in the Blue Stockings crew. Your performances we viewed gave us all opportunities to see the many talents in you. I want to recognize so many, but I can only choose these few. Tyler, Zohan, Julia, Henry, Josh, Annie, Kwasi, Lynn, and Janis – you’ve contributed much to this place and you’re a big part of our community’s glue.
Coming in at four Boys Cross-Country bested many opponents with their low score. This team really came together led by Liam and Henry in every race and on any given day. They were supported by Leo, GT, Oliver, Quinn, and Gray. With an 11-1 season record and a fourth at the Championship race the future looks bright for next year’s champions of pace.
We had two Deerfield teams go the entire season without suffering one defeat. Girls JV soccer and the Quad Squad both had seasons that can now be considered elite. All season long I was chirped by players on both teams looking for a spot on this year’s Top Ten. I’m a person of my word, here it is – the number three spot, and now let’s see if you can do this again! Congrats on your seasons and thanks for making me smile. You’re teams played with heart, and I admired your style.
The two top spots go to this Fall’s Tournament teams for all they got done. Field Hockey, under their new leadership, started out going on an 11-0 run! Dr. Acton’s team did one better starting their season with a 12-0 tear. Teams they faced in September and October didn’t have a prayer. Field Hockey received a home seed for the first time in many, many years. The seeding brought some to shedding a few tears.
These New England Quarter – finals is where both team’s seasons came to their end. With these two programs winning is clearly the trend. Congratulations to you both for a great run.
To those team captains – Ilsa, Lilly, Chloe, Peyton, Harmoni and Evelyn – you’ve represented Deerfield Athletics so well and you got a lot done.
Let’s get after winter and keep up the good work perfecting these winning ways.
Be loud, be proud, be good sports, and make the most of your Deerfield Days.
FALL 2025 SUB VARSITY AWARD WINNERS
Boys JV Cross-Country
Coaches’ Award: Grey Altemeyer
Girls JV Cross-Country
Coaches’ Award: Lucy Linnenbach
JV Field Hockey
Most Valuable Player: Rose Manning
Coaches’ Award: Ellora Devitre
JV Football
Most Valuable Player: Nate Abu-Gyebi
Girls’ JV Soccer
Most Valuable Player: Sophie Frost
Most Valuable Player: Katherine Sheehan
Girls Thirds Soccer
Most Valuable Player: Gabby Aguilar
Most Improved Player: Sophie Pless
Boys JV Soccer
Most Improved Player: Julius Rhaus
Coaches’ Award: John Rousou
Boys Jr. A Soccer
Most Improved Player: Leos Jollon
Most Valuable Player: Cole Higgins
Boys Jr. B Soccer
Most Valuable Player: Jack Keller
Most Valuable Player: Desmond Drake
JV Volleyball
Most Improved Player: Jessica Wu
Most Valuable Player: Selin Aksoy
Thirds Volleyball
Most Valuable Player: Liz Cederholm
JV Water Polo
Coaches’ Award: Wes Thomas
Fall 2025 Varsity Awards
Boys Cross-Country:
The Moreau C. Hunt Trophy: Liam Walker
Peter C. Brush Award: Oliver Peruzzi
Girls Cross-Country:
The Moreau C. Hunt Trophy: Jane Bannon
Peter C. Brush Award: Teagan Farley
Field Hockey:
The Deerfield Field Hockey Cup: Peyton Wierl
Varsity Football:
Thomas Williams Ashley Memorial Award: Will F. Machnik
The Frank Dahowski Award: Gavin L. Jeffries
Boys Varsity Soccer
The Holbrook Ellis Cup: Alexander Salvo
Girls Varsity Soccer
The Marjorie Ellis Cup: Magda A. Curylo
Girls Varsity Volleyball
The Coaches’ Award: Harmoni Dobbins and Evelyn Kunde
Boys Varsity Water Polo
Coach Scandling Award: Gwan Dong Lee
Fall Awards School Meeting Photo Album