It's safe to say Gianna Mitchell '17 is back.

Against a long-time archrival, in just her fourth game back from major knee surgery, Gianna showed why the Boston College women's soccer team recruited her so hard at such a young age, pumping in four goals in an 8-2 home win against Deerfield Academy Nov. 11.

"I played my game more than I have since I came back," said Gianna, who missed the first 10 games of the season. "My ball movement was pretty good and my movement off the ball was good. And I finished."

"Gianna had a wonderful game," Coach Don Nicholson '79 added. "It's been great to see her progress back from her ACL injury. It's been a couple games of rapid development and added responsibilities on her. Against Deerfield, she put it all together, especially offensively. She kept Deerfield on their heels throughout the second half and had her best game of the season, highlighted by a head ball on a corner kick by Katie (Cronin '17). She's had an outstanding recovery and now we're back on track and very excited."

Katie recorded three goals and three assists, and Annika Bruce '17 added a goal and assist. WMA (4-9-1 overall) is 1-2-1 since Gianna returned to the lineup, with the Titans concluding their season Nov. 14 with its Senior Day against Suffield Academy at 1:30 p.m.

"Before the game started, Katie and I looked at each other and said, 'This is going to be a win today.' We combined for seven goals," Gianna said.

"We moved the ball really well. Our progression from the defensive to the offensive third was really good. We played as a team and that's how we got the win."

Click here to read a story on Wilbraham & Monson Academy's Maodo Lo '12 being named to the watch list for the Lou Henson Award, which goes to the top mid-major player in Division I college basketball. Maodo plays for Columbia.

Wilbraham & Monson Academy's Spencer Marocchini '16 has known for four months where he was going to attend college and play lacrosse at the next level.

On Nov. 13, with the stroke of a blue pen, which matched the color of his shirt, he made it official.

Spencer signed his National Letter of Intent to enroll at Assumption College, where he hopes to be a key member of a Division II program on the rise.

"(Assumption) Coach Keith Loftus is turning the program around and doing a great job there," said Spencer, whose brother, Nick, also attends Assumption. "I loved the facilities and it was the type of environment I wanted to be in for the next four years."

"I'm really excited for him," Coach Mike MacDonald said. "Spencer and his family have been through the process of recruiting. Sometimes that can be a grueling process. They've been extremely patient and they've communicated with me well. Assumption's the right fit for Spencer. It's going to challenge him academically and athletically. We're excited for him. I'm more excited we have one more year with him and we're going to make the most of the situation."

Spencer has had a brilliant three-year career at WMA, with one season to go. He's already reached the 100-goal mark for his career, and he's twice been selected to the All-League First Team. Most of Spencer's teammates from lacrosse and soccer were at the signing.

"It was a great feeling having everyone here: family friends, coaches, teammates," said Spencer, who earned the WMA Lacrosse Coaches Award in 2015. "It was a great environment. I'm very fortunate to attend this school because without WMA and Coach Mac, I wouldn't be going to Assumption."

Coach MacDonald and Spencer share a healthy player-coach bond. The two have been part of the WMA community for the same amount of time.

"Spencer and I have a unique relationship," Coach MacDonald explained. "He's a student of the game. He's done everything I've asked to improve as a player. He's going to be fighting for one of those two top All-American spots in our league and I'm going to do everything I can for him to get it.

"Spencer's the type of kid who you don't worry about his attitude at practice because he comes every day with a great work ethic, ready to go. His leadership skills have developed over the years. He's been on some good teams and bad teams. I'm expecting him to be the leader and quarterback of the team this year."

Click here to see video of the signing.

Click here to see photos of the signing.

The future is bright for the young Girls' Soccer team at Wilbraham & Monson Academy.

Katie Cronin '17, Annika Bruce '17 and Val MacEachern '17 – three juniors – were named to the Women's Western New England Prep School Soccer Coaches Association All-League team, as selected by opposing coaches in the league.

Katie and Annika made the first team, while Val was named to the honorable mention list. For being picked to the first team, Katie and Annika were invited to compete in the league all-star large school game Nov. 15 at Loomis Chaffee School.

"Katie and Annika did a great job, playing against some of the top competition in New England," Coach Don Nicholson said. "Annika and Katie both played forward and midfield, and Annika scored a goal. They both had a great afternoon and represented Wilbraham & Monson Academy very well."

Annika's shot from the top of the box toward the left side went off the goalie's hands and into the net late in the first half, helping Annika's and Katie's team to a 2-0 victory.

"It was awesome to play against top competitors from teams you played against," Annika said. "It was great to see them in that kind of situation."

It was the first league all-star game for Katie and Annika.

"It was a really good experience to get to know and play with players normally we're competing against in our regular seasons," said Katie, who played in the match after scoring twice in a 2-1 triumph against Suffield in WMA's 2015 finale. "It was an honor for both of us to be selected by opposing coaches from the league."

The only two seniors on the Wilbraham & Monson Academy Field Hockey team have played with each other since they arrived at the Academy, and it was only fitting they spent their final high school game of their impressive careers on the field with each other.

Sydney Liptak '16 and Megan Wells '16, a pair of four-year starters and captains, played in the Western New England Prep School Field Hockey Coaches Association All-Star Game Nov. 15 at Suffield Academy.

Sydney, possibly the best field hockey player in WMA history, started at left back, while Megan started in goal. Their team won, 4-2.

"Megan and Sydney had a fantastic showing during the All-Star game," Coach Liz Fontaine said. "They were both impact players for their team. Syd made some fantastic passing plays, including back passes and quick one-touch passes up the field. During the second half, Meg made a flurry of saves to keep her team ahead. She made dives, splits and strong clears. During one save, Meg dove and Syd backed her up by pushing attackers out of the wall and cleared the ball. The all-star game was a terrific end to their WMA careers."

Remarkably, Sydney was playing in the all-star game for the fourth time. It was the second appearance for Megan. Both plan to play Division III field hockey in college.

"The all-star game was a lot of fun all four years," Sydney said. "My first few years, I was nervous because I was one of the young ones and the other girls were so good. But the last two years I've been able to come in with confidence and have a lot of fun with it."

"Playing in the all-star game was a great opportunity," Megan added. "I got to play with kids at a high level. And it was great to represent WMA and have Syd there with me."

What is #GivingTuesday?

We have Black Friday. We have Cyber Monday. Now, there's #GivingTuesday! On Tuesday, Dec. 1, join a Global Celebration of Giving.

Since 2012, #GivingTuesday has brought people from around the world together for one common purpose. Last year alone, more than $45 million was donated to 15,000 nonprofits around the globe. That's just in one day!

3 things you can do right now

1. Mark your calendar for Dec. 1
2. Visit our website and social media often for updates
3. Spread the word by sharing with friends and family

Together, we all can make a difference in the lives of WMA's future leaders.

On Tuesday, Dec. 1

1. Decide on an amount you are comfortable with ($5, $10, $15, $20, $50 or more) - no amount is too small!
2. Visit wma.us/givingtuesday to make your donation
3. Share your good deed on social media, via email, or at the coffee shop - to inspire others to give also

Join the global movement that is #GivingTuesday!

The Wilbraham & Monson Academy Girls' Soccer program sent this year's seniors out the best way possible – with a win against its archrival.

Katie Cronin '17 scored in each half as the Titans beat Suffield Academy 2-1 Nov. 14 on Senior Day at the Academy.

"It was a great match, with back and forth action throughout the game, although WMA was determined to have a strong outing on their home turf," Coach Don Nicholson explained. "We played well and controlled large aspects of the game. We built a 2-0 lead and won in the end, 2-1. It was a great win for our team and a great way to send off our seniors, Nichole Czuber '16 and Payton Grande '16."

WMA, which graduated seven seniors from last year's New England Class B finalist team, finished the season 5-9-1. However, helped largely with the return of Gianna Mitchell '17 and the team's work ethic, the team finished 2015 on a 2-0-1 run, with a come-from-behind 2-2 tie against Class A Greenwich, 8-2 pounding vs. Class A Deerfield Academy and the triumph against Suffield.

"Coach Nic has been telling us since our losing streak earlier in the season that we were building up to something good with all of our hard work. I think it started in the Greenwich game when we were losing 2-0 and we came back in the last three minutes to tie 2-2," Katie said. "He said that was a transition period because all of our hard work, and I think everything came together and paid off for us."

It took one trip to a specific campus for Wilbraham & Monson Academy's Jalen Paul '16 to know he found his home for the next four years.

Just a few days after visiting Franklin Pierce University, Jalen signed his National Letter of Intent Nov. 11 to attend and play lacrosse for the Division II program.

"I connected with the coach," said Jalen, referring to Rick Senatore. "I felt like I was home. At that moment, I decided this is where I want to be and spend the next four years, academically and playing lacrosse. I'm glad and excited and I'm looking forward to the future."

"This has been a process for him," Coach Mike MacDonald said. "It can be a grueling process for all kids, but he was patient and did a good job communicating with me and his family."

Jalen, who features a strong shot and exceptional athletic ability, had a productive first year on the lacrosse field for the Titans.

"When Jalen's on the field, he's usually the best athlete on the field," Coach MacDonald said. "His stick skills are still developing and he's still learning the game, but sometimes you can't teach that athletic ability. Jalen has that naturally. We're looking for Jalen to learn the game a little more this year and to be a key contributor to the success of our season."

Jalen signed his NLI with most of his Titans teammates in attendance.

With 24 minutes remaining in the season, the Wilbraham & Monson Academy Football team wasn't about to let something special slip by.

The Titans scored four unanswered touchdowns in the second half to beat The Gunnery 56-19 Nov. 14 and secure a winning record for the Academy.

WMA beat Pomfret, St. Thomas More and Gunnery to close out 2015 and give the team a 5-3 mark.

"It's great to have a winning record," Coach Jeff Vartabedian said. "We've been at .500 the last two years. We've been building toward this. It was great to come out and win our last three games and finish with a winning record. Of our three losses, two of them came to teams going to bowl games, and the other was in contention for a bowl game. Now we have to work into getting into bowl contention, but it was a great year.

"It was a fun group of guys. They guys clicked. They enjoyed being around each other and worked hard. We stayed healthy, for the most part. It was a fun and exciting group to be around and coach."

As it has been so many times this season, the offense was fun and exciting against Gunnery, especially in the second half behind three touchdown runs from Caelan Etti '17 (8 yards, 47 and 50) and Tony Barbieri '17 (9 yards).

"It was a tight first half," Coach Vartabedian said. "They had a fast start – pulling out all the stops and making some big plays. But we were pretty-much able to answer every time with a touchdown and we had the lead at halftime, but it was only by a touchdown.

"And then in the second half, our guys dominated. Our defense kept them out of any scoring opportunities and our offense kept clicking. It was great to have the offense run the ball the way we did in the second half – that was the best we've run the ball all year. Caelan and Tony had some great runs. It was good to control the second half and a great way for us to finish, especially for the seniors and postgraduates."

In the first half, quarterback Jack Faulstick '16 connected on touchdown passes with Steve Puzzo '16 (19), Jaelon Blandburg '16 (11) and Craig Green '16 (20). Caelan also scored on a 20-yard run.

Jack had an exceptional game, completing 14 of 18 passes for 246 yards and four touchdowns. Caelan rushed eight times for 134 yards, and Jaelon caught six passes for 67 yards. The team rushed for a season-high 251 yards.

Defensively, WMA forced four turnovers. Alex Claudio '17, Craig and Jaelon all had interceptions, and Dylan Dupont '16 forced a fumble, which was recovered by Steve. Alex finished with a team-high eight tackles.

The Wilbraham & Monson Academy Boys' Basketball team has 28 all-out battles this season, and those battles are about to start.

The Titans open their 2015-16 campaign Nov. 22 against the Canarias Basketball Academy of Spain at the National Prep Tip-Off at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Conn., at 6:30 p.m.

"My motto for my two years, in explaining to the players how the season will go, is that it's a grind, so they need to embrace the grind," Coach Mike Mannix said. "We play 28 games, and you just have to be ready every game. It's a heck of a schedule. But it's fun."

WMA's trip to the National Prep Tip-Off is just one of many college coach-filled tournaments on the team's schedule. Others include:

• Dec. 5 - Hoop Mountain Showcase in Rhode Island
• Dec. 12 - Thoroughbred Classic in Lexington, Ky.
• Dec. 16-17 - BasketBull Holiday Classic at Holyoke Community College
• Jan. 17 - HoopHall Classic at Springfield College
• Feb. 4-5 – National Prep School Invitational at Rhode Island College

"We're also playing the UPenn junior varsity team at the University of Pennsylvania," Coach Mannix said. "And the trip to Kentucky says a lot – that we're recognized on a national level. "There are only eight teams invited to the event. There are teams from Canada, Texas, California, Florida, I believe from Virginia. We're the only team from New England going to this."

For the most part, those tournaments don't include games against opponents from the AA Conference – a conference that sent approximately 20 players to Division I college basketball programs last season alone.

"The team that beat us in a semifinal last year, Tilton Academy, had four guys graduate and go on to play Division I," Mannix noted.

WMA has its share of Division I talent. Along with University of Kentucky-bound Wenyen Gabriel '16, the majority of the roster is getting looks from Division I schools.

"So many of our guys see they're in position to play in college at a high level," Coach Mannix explained. "What says a lot about our team is the work we've put in away from the court – so many of them are being recruited by selective academic institutions. This fall we had Harvard, Brown, Holy Cross and a handful of NESCAC schools, and a lot of calls from Ivy League schools. That's been nice to see and rewarding for the guys to see that their hard work in the classroom doesn't go unnoticed.

The career of arguably the best field hockey player in the program's history at Wilbraham & Monson Academy has come to an end.

"My four years at WMA has been unbelievable," Sydney Liptak '16 said. "Everyone has been so willing to help me. I'm thankful to have worked with Coach (Liz) Fontaine and the athletic staff, and I'm thankful for working with all the girls on the team. I couldn't be happier."

Sydney was named the team's MVP at the WMA Athletic Awards Ceremony Nov. 17. It was the second time she's earned the honor.

"I remember meeting Sydney in my classroom during a WMA Fall Open House," Coach Fontaine explained. "I had seen her play in a recreation league game and knew she would be a game-changer for our program.

"Sydney has been a game-changer for us over the last four years. This year she was our leading goal scorer and center back. I can't wait to see where your future takes her."

Sydney, who has been recruited by colleges of all levels, had the ability to dominate a game, and she did so multiple times during her senior year, especially in games played on turf. For the fourth consecutive year, she was selected to play in the league's all-star game.

"Getting the Most Valuable Player Award this year was different than getting it my sophomore year," Sydney explained. "Being a senior captain, I had more responsibility and I looked at the season differently. I'm honored to be named MVP my senior year."

Wilbraham & Monson Academy's Megan Wells '16 missed most of the 2014 field hockey season with a broken foot.

That setback, though, only pushed Megan to be even more prepared for 2015.

"I wanted to have the best season I could have, and I wanted the team to have the best season in school history," she said.

Both worked out, as Megan earned the team's Coaches Award and the team posted a school record for wins.

"Meg is a coach's dream," Coach Liz Fontaine said. "She followed the workout packet, asked for critical feedback, followed through on the feedback, and somehow dragged her teammates along to do extra core and conditioning exercises.

"Meg missed almost all of last season due to injury, but you would never have known it based on her play this season. She was a force to be reckoned with in goal. She defeated many of our top opponents and earned three shutouts."

Megan's best performance came in a 19-save showing against the Canterbury School, which earned the #2 ranking in New England Class C this season.

"Coach Fontaine coming here five years ago shaped the program and I have full confidence the program will continue to improve and continue to send people to collegiate field hockey," said Megan, who plans to play Division III college field hockey.

"It was a big honor to receive the Coaches Award because I tried really hard to do the best I could and to be a role model for the last four years on varsity field hockey."

The moment he took to the football field this year for a scrimmage, Wilbraham & Monson Academy's Dylan Dupont '16 knew he was a different player from a year ago.

And Dylan wasn't just a different player – he was suddenly an MVP-type player.

Dylan was named Lineman Most Valuable Player at the Athletic Awards Ceremony Nov. 17 at the Academy.

"I wasn't really expecting it. It's a weird feeling," Dylan described. "You always feel there's someone who did a little more than you or who deserves it a little more than you, and it's hard to be happy with it. But I guess I should just be happy with it. There are other kids on the team who could have won it, too. I'm thankful the coaches chose me."

The coaches noticed early in the season Dylan had transformed himself from a teenager playing football to a dominant player. Behind his off-season conditioning, he rarely came off the field, starting at left tackle and defensive tackle.

"I was really impressed early in the season to see the improvement he had made," Coach Jeff Vartabedian said. "Come mid-year, it became an expectation that he was going to keep playing at that level, and he did. He fought through some injuries, but didn't come out and wouldn't come out. It was satisfying to see that hard work pay off for him because he worked his butt off. He set a great example for the younger guys."

Dylan worked out nearly every day since the spring. On his weight training days he lifted twice, and ran sprints and went on long runs on the other days. He also attended four football camps.

"I've always loved football," Dylan said. "It's been a part of me since I was little. I started playing when I was in South Carolina, and it was really intense there. It's how I think about myself."

For most of the months, weeks and days leading up to the 2015 Wilbraham & Monson Academy Football season, James Halloran '16 thought he was going to be forced to watch from the sidelines while he recovered from knee surgery.

Then, to his surprise, he received good news – he was cleared to play for the start of the season. From there, James didn't take a single day for granted.

James' dedication was rewarded at the Athletic Awards Ceremony Nov. 17 when the coaching staff granted the senior captain the team's 12^th Player Award.

"I was nervous before I was cleared because initially I was told I wouldn't be able to see my doctor until October, so I was thinking half the season was going to be gone," James said. "But once I got cleared, starting that week and getting the starting position, I wasn't nervous, but rather I was just ready to play. Being around the team for three weeks and not being able to play fired me up."

"Once he got cleared, he never missed a beat and left it all on the field, offensively and defensively," Coach Jeff Vartabedian said. "He had a great year as a senior and left a legacy here as one of the guys who helped build the team and get us going."

James, a four-year member of Titan Football, said he was most proud of the team finishing over .500 (5-3) for the first time in his career.

"It was amazing," he said. "It was always upsetting to be part of a team that wasn't doing as well as we wanted. But at the same time, it was motivating and we grew as a team because we wanted to get to that point. To go .500 was a different feeling and the best thing that could have happened to me my senior year."

James excelled at center and inside middle linebacker, where he averaged 6-7 tackles a game. He's being recruited by Division II and III programs.

"He had a dynamite year for us as a captain," Coach Vartabedian said. "He's one of our three four-year players. He's been with us a long time. He's extremely unselfish on the offensive line, playing everything from guard and some tackle to eventually center. He really solidified our offensive line for the second half of the year."

Wilbraham & Monson Academy's Daniel Qin-Dong '17 is a natural leader, so it's really no surprise his priority entering the 2015 Boys' Cross Country season was to help his teammates.

"Overall my season went well," said Daniel, who was named the team's Most Valuable Player at the Athletic Awards Ceremony Nov. 17. "In terms of personal goals, I achieved most of them and I intend to go further with them.

"However, my biggest goal . . . I knew it was going to be a new team, and a young team, and I wanted us to get more experience, get into the right work ethic, and get everyone to love the sport. I wanted the team to have equally as close a bond as we did last year, and I think we exceeded those expectations."

The Titans didn't win too many races this season. By the end of the schedule, though, they were running well and running as a unit. Thanks in part to Daniel, the 2016 season is already looking promising.

"He worked hard," Coach Dan Moran said. "He's a leader. He's a great individual and helped pull the team together. He taught people the ropes and we were lucky to have him."

Daniel placed second on the team most of the season, and even crossed first a few times. He now finds himself on the same page as some of the runners he's admired at the Academy.

It would be more appropriate to call this season's Coaches Award winner for Wilbraham & Monson Academy's Cross Country team the "You've Come A Long Way" Award.

As a sophomore, Wilasinee "Bee" Daloonpet '16 disliked running so much she would make excuses to try and get out of practices and meets.

"I was the slowest person on the team and my time didn't get any better," Bee said. "And I walked a lot during the meets. I hated running."

Bee's running experience got a little better as a junior before it took a big turn at the end of the season when she was named captain for her senior year. It was an unexpected role she embraced.

"Bee helped to bring the team together both on and off of the field," Coach Marissa Axtell said. "She set a positive example everyday when she got to practice and consistently pushed herself to her limit."

"Being a captain, I couldn't complain nearly as much," Bee said. "Sophomore and junior year I would constantly complain. I hated running. But this year I had to keep the team positive. Even if we were doing a hard practice, I had to pretend to enjoy it so my teammates would enjoy it with me."

Bee's times have improved over the last two years. She wasn't one of the top runners on the team, but she certainly wasn't coming in last anymore, and her appreciation for the sport grew as she got better.

"I enjoy running," Bee said. "Part of it is I'm not last and I'm a lot faster. I enjoy meets and look forward to them.

"I didn't think I was going to win the Coaches Award because I think there are better runners on the team. But I'm happy the coaches saw the characteristics of winning the Coaches Award in me."

Click here to watch a video of Kentucky coach John Calipari talking about Wilbraham & Monson Academy's Wenyen Gabriel '16.

Peter Caine '16 loves water polo.

"It's a great sport and everyone should watch a game," Peter said. "Not a lot of people know about it and I think it deserves more attention."

Peter's efforts during the Wilbraham & Monson Academy Water Polo season merited attention, earning him the Coaches Award for 2015.

"Peter's work ethic has raised the standard for the younger team members to live up to," Coach Steve Gray said. "He brought leadership, experience and dedication to every aspect of the game. He was tireless and relentless in his pursuit of both team and personal success. He was a force on defense, usually taking on the opposition's most skilled player. He'll be missed next year."

A three-year senior captain, Peter was one of the few players on the Titans this season with water polo experience. Along with his defensive prowess, he finished with 18 goals.

"I worked out during summer for water polo and wrestling," Peter explained. "We had some high hopes for the Water Polo team and we accomplished most of our goals. We had some tough workouts. We wanted to win a lot of games."

Peter joined his brother, Michael, as a Coaches Award winner for WMA Water Polo. Michael earned the honor as a senior in 2013.

Xuanji "Jack" Chen '16 didn't have too much running experience before he joined the Wilbraham & Monson Academy Boys' Cross Country team last season as a junior.

"I went to school in California. I ran in physical education class," Jack explained.

When he arrived at the Academy, though, he joined the Cross Country team and grew into a runner, and eventually, a leader, so much so he was named the Coaches Award winner for 2015.

"He came in this year and worked really hard," said Coach Dan Moran of his captain. "He was our number three runner throughout the entire season, but what impressed me was as a second-year runner, his approach and his enthusiasm day in and day out really helped drive the program forward."

"I was just doing what I could do," said Jack, who ran daily in a park during the summer in China. "I was happy to win the award. I'm honored to know Coach Moran thought I was working that hard. I was happy to help lead the team. I felt helpful to lead such a young team."

Jack ran third for the Titans all season after routinely placing eighth or ninth during 2014.

Jack Faulstick's future will include college football, that's for sure.

But what Jack wanted for the present was something he'd never accomplished as a high school quarterback – a winning record.

With the help of Jack's efforts, the Wilbraham & Monson Academy Football team enjoyed its first winning season since 2007, going 5-3 behind a three-game winning streak to close the season.

"It was our first winning record since '07, and also my first winning record as a high school quarterback," said Jack, who earned the team's Coaches Award. "I had five years of high school and I've never been with a team that was so cohesive and together. But overall, the season was a great success. We had an explosive offense, and a fast and tenacious defense. We went out and killed an ant with a sledgehammer every day."

Jack brought a great attitude to practice every day, which made the two-time captain an easy choice for the team's Coaches Award.

"The Coaches Award is a great honor," Jack said. "It's an award on leadership and coach-ability. I pride myself on those two aspects of my game, more than my athletic ability. I was incredibly honored to receive the award."

"He's been a tremendous leader for our team," Coach Jeff Vartabedian added. "Jack was an outstanding captain for us this season. His energy and enthusiasm is infectious. He makes practice fun; he makes games fun. And he had a dynamite senior year. He had some receivers he could throw to. He made us tough to defend. He made plays. He fought through some injuries but had a great year. He made us a fun and exciting team to watch."

Jack and the offense were exciting to watch. He threw for 1,667 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also ran for 135 yards and a pair of scores.