On Wednesday, upon returning from spring break, the Big Green community gathered to celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of all of our winter 2024-2025 co-curriculars.
Mrs. Hynds, Director of Visual and Performing Arts, kicked off the meeting by sharing a slideshow and offering a summary of the many winter Visual and Performing Arts showcases, performances, works and exhibits. What amazing achievements to celebrate and recognize!
Then, the microphone was handed to Mr. Howe, Director of Athletics and Co-Curricular Programs, who began by recognizing this winter’s sub-varsity award winners. This was followed by Mr. Howe’s famous Top-10 and he concluded by awarding the varsity award winners.
To close out the meeting, a special standing ovation was shared by the audience in recognition of Coach Silipo’s retirement. In honor of his coaching legacy in squash, the Boys Squash award was named the Mike Silipo Squash Cup. The citation for this new award reads: Awarded to that member of the varsity wrestling team who in the opinion of the team and coaches was outstanding in leadership, sportsmanship, and ability. The first recipients of the award were Christian Capella ’25 and Hart Robertson ’26.
Many congratulations to all of our winter co-curriculars, teams, coaches, supervisors and support! GO BIG GREEN
School Meeting Awards Photo Album
Mr. Howe’s Top-10
This winter season saw great success with our teams – overall it was a banner year. From our sub-varsity teams on up you all deserve a cheer as we beat most teams from far and from near.
We skated, we raced, we pinned, lapped, and outshot. When teams came to Deerfield they left disappointed more often than not!
Before I reveal the list I want to again recognize our good friend. A coach for the ages leaving behind a most positive mentorship trend. Mike Silipo, a class act and elite Deerfield coach right through to the end.
Here comes TEN: The big Green made its mark on New England this winter in an entirely new way. The Robotics team made their first appearance at the Massachusetts State Championships and showed all how good we can play.
This group proved to be hearty and a most competitive gang. They were led by the veterans like Rector, Zhang, and Yang. This team produced a robot that would take the top prize. Their success at the states should come as no surprise.
Every once in a while something happens in sports that makes us swell with joy and pride. This happened late February on the squash courts- the story with you I now confide.
Opening round of girls squash New England’s and the match with Tabor tied at three. The final match of the day was tied at two and things were as tense as could be.
Down by 7 points Kate Chorske got after winning it all – sending Tabor to a most ungracious fall. At number NINE, with a big crowd there for support, it’s moments like these that make the best school memories.
At Spot number EIGHT there is one team I promised to fit in if I could. With their 11-0 record their response to me was “you should”! Boys JV squash, led by masters Unkles, Berman, and Knight, got down to business and their season turned out alright.
I went to the winter play Eurydice and saw talent so consistent and strong. I knew prior I’d see good acting from the likes of Lily and Aviel but was blown away by Gershom and Tyler Long! The chorus of stones added much to the show getting them to spot number SEVEN, thanks to the efforts of Bright, Adriana, Zara, Ellora, Lottie and Reagan Warren.
There is a saying in sports, specifically when it comes to wrestling, that in my mind always sticks. You don’t play wrestling – you wrestle – and for grit and toughness this group lines up at SIX. My hat goes off to seniors Paez, Tang, Branch, Peirce, O’Connor, Blaya, and Salomon-Fernandez for sustaining a positive team brand. Six of you qualified for the New England championship meet for your last Deerfield wrestling stand.
Boys basketball worked as hard as any team this winter demonstrating a deep team commitment and drive. We saw phenomenal play that last week – their team goals stayed alive. PJ, Tate, Cole, and Tommy were just some of those leaders that gets this team to spot number 5. Joining them at FIVE are four other seniors on this year’s girls basketball team. Ellie, Allegra, McKenzie, and Cori kept their younger teammates excited and never let them lose steam. The lessons learned in a season that might fall short happened so positively thanks to this group I’m pleased to report.
At FOUR boys squash muscled their way to a dual match record of 12-2. This was a deep and talented racquet sport crew. We say farewell to the team’s best talent, a player from Tuxedo Park. Christian Capella has been one of the very best ever to come through Deerfield and for 4 years gave this team their spark. Next year’s group looks to be pretty good and will follow their next leader Hart. The team has depth and should find their way back close to the top of the New England squash chart.
Lots of exciting news this season from the boys & girls swimming and diving teams I see. They’ve earned some recognition and will get their place at THREE. Let’s start with Diving – Alex Chutkow takes 2nd in New England’s with Gage Calhoun placing in third. We’ve got a good diving program in case you haven’t heard.
Sophia Gao is the top 100-yard breast stroker at the New England Meet. While Giulio Migliarina scored points for Big Green moving those talented aqua hands, arms, and feet. Both teams were 6-3 and won all the meets they should. Good culture, improved times, fun with training; it’s a program that’s good.
Leaders like Smit, Kelly, Kong, and Guilio will soon leave this place. Let’s see next year who steps in and takes up that space.
Boy’s hockey comes in at number TWO with a season that will never be forgot. Their 22 wins and an outright and first-ever Housatonic League crown shows this team won an awful lot. From Jan. 22nd until the 8th day in March in their Elite Division semi-final game loss, this team didn’t lose and created the most special team chemistry sauce.
Records were set; games won, points score, points against stats, but amazing team leadership happened by 9 seniors through months of team chats. This was a true definition of team that was so fun to watch – so congrats!
Coming in at the TOP spot – you guessed it – girls hockey. At 21-6-1 their season was record-setting and hardly ever rocky. Winners of the Large School Division New England Championship, this team, like the boys, had an unbelievable winter term trip.
The scary part about this team is that they graduate only four. But these players leave big shoes to fill as we say goodbye to Carvel, Tamul, Corrieri, and Campbell Krottee – a proven leadership core. The team’s defense and overall team play peaked at just the right time. Anything less that winning the Championship would have felt like a crime.
That’s all for this winter, a remarkable season for Big Green. Now on to the spring – let’s make this the best term this school has ever seen.
SUB-VARSITY AWARDS
Boys JV Basketball
Most Valuable Player: Will Machnik
Coaches Award: MacGregor Hynds
Girls JV Basketball
Most Valuable Player: Izzy Ramirez
Most Improved Player: Winnie Underwood
Boys Thirds Basketball
Most Improved Player: Gianluca Simonelli
Most Valuable Player: Tim Harrick and Jesse Gachago
Girls Thirds Basketball
Coaches’ Award: Jessica Luiru
Most Valuable Player: Kaylin Alvarez
Boys JV Hockey
Most Improved Player: Johan Wilkerson
Girls JV Hockey
Most Improved Player: Esther Lee
Most valuable Player: Haley Abraham
Boys JV Squash
Most Improved Player: Jason Xiang
Girls JV Squash
Coaches Award: Emi Takegami
Boys Thirds Squash
Most Improved Player: Francesco Palomo
Most Improved Player: Jasper Gruhl
Girls Thirds Squash
Coaches Award: Ella Moriarty
Most Valuable Player: Nina Chen
JV Swimming
Most Improved Swimmer: Clark Hess
Most Valuable Player: Melody Zhao
VARSITY AWARDS
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Hustle and Heart Award: McKenzie Goltermann
The Keller-Birrell Award: Cori Scagel
For that player who manifests the spirit of Robin Keller and Katie Birrell, Class of 1992. They led by example and played with intensity, courage, and passion.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Deerfield Basketball Trophy (MVP): Tommy McMahon
Most Improved Player (MIP): Teddy Cyr
GIRLS HOCKEY
Most Valuable Player: Campbell Krotee
The 7th Player Award: Allie Corrieri & Julia Tamul
BOYS HOCKEY
The Deerfield Hockey Cup: Justin Tavares
To that senior who in the opinion of the players and coaches contributed most to the spirit and excellence of Deerfield hockey.
The 7th Player Award: Ryan Diffley
GIRLS SKIING
The Philip H. Ball Jr. Ski Trophy: Haley Hickman
To that member of the Deerfield Ski Team who has a genuine concern for the ski program’s success and who has similarly shown a loyalty to the concept of team skiing.
Best Skier/Brooke Gonzales ‘97 Cup: Rowan Skinner
BOYS SKIING
The Doug Parker Jr. Trophy: Walker Naughton
To that Deerfield Skier who has exemplified the qualities of Doug Parker, a skier who developed collegiate ability through his dedication to the sport, a dedication derived not for fame but rather from a personal search to find his maximum ability. To Doug Parker success did not necessarily mean good results; it meant skiing the best he could.
The J. Scott Kelnberger ’79 Most Valuable Skier Award: Andrew Lewis
Given to a member of the boys’ ski team who is the most valuable member of the team, whose unselfish competitiveness best exemplifies the winning spirit of the team while honoring Scott’s great spirit, love of Deerfield, and his inherent goodness towards people.
GIRLS SWIMMING
Most Valuable Swimmer: Olivia Smit
The Coaches’ Award: Elizabeth Kelly
BOYS SWIMMING
Noel J. Stace Challenge Cup: Leon Kong & Beacon Atornphatai
To that senior who has come up through the swimming system who has demonstrated ability, leadership, improvement and devotion to the sport.
John A. Pigeon Award: Giulio Migliarina
To be given to that senior who in the opinion of the coaches is the outstanding swimmer on the basis of his contribution to the sport.
GIRLS SQUASH
The Karinne Heise Cup: Kate Chorske
In Honor of Karinne Heise – head girls varsity squash coach, 1989-2019. Given annually to a member of the girls varsity squash team who best exemplifies the skills, dedication to the sport, and team-first leadership which were so important to Coach Heise.
SQUASH – Boys
Mike Silipo Cup: Christian Capella & Hart Robertson
In honor of Mike Silipo, Boys Squash Head Coach, 1996-2025. Given annually to the player who best leads the team in skill, dedication and character.
WRESTLING
Deerfield Academy Wrestling Trophy: David Peirce
Awarded to that member of the varsity wrestling team who in the opinion of the team and coaches was outstanding in leadership, sportsmanship, and ability.