Varsity Awards Dessert Night recognizes winter student-athletes

The Thayer Academy Athletics Department held its Varsity Awards Dessert Night March 27 in the CFA to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of its winter sports programs and the varsity student-athletes, coaches, and staff who made those accomplishments possible. 

“Sometimes I believe I have the world’s best job,” Athletic Director Bobbi Moran told varsity student-athletes and their families from the Academy’s wrestling, swimming, ski, hockey, and basketball programs. “Other days, I’m simply grateful for the lessons sports have taught me about relationships and resilience.” 

Although a night of celebration, Moran acknowledged the tremendous loss felt this winter from the passing of Mike Babul, head coach of the boys varsity basketball team. Babul suffered a sudden heart attack Dec. 30, 2024, due to undetected and untreated critical heart disease.

“Mike’s larger-than-life presence, his excitement for practice and games, and his love for coaching at Thayer touched us all,” said Moran. She praised the team’s tremendous show of strength despite their grief. She also noted the support provided by interim head coach Rick “Fez” Fesik, assistant coaches Myles Walsh and Jason Lombard, and the broader Thayer community. 

“Thank you all,” she said. 

Moran called the winter sports season a truly memorable one and pointed to several special moments: when wrestlers Drew St. Pierre ‘26, Ryan Lally ‘26, and Quinn Ognibene ‘26 rallied to compete in the championships despite illness; when fellow wrestler Zinaya West ‘27 showed remarkable grit in the NEPSAC all-girls wrestling tournament; when the swim team — led by captains Annadelle Agbonjiazoe ‘25, Alex Rukstalis ‘25, Trevor Smith ‘25, and Vidyuth Sathish ‘26 — overcame challenges and enjoyed a great NEPSAC Championships experience; when the ski team represented Thayer with such pride during the New Englands; when the boys varsity hockey team played in the quarterfinals of the NEPSAC tournament; when the girls varsity hockey team reached the NEPSAC semifinals; and when the girls varsity basketball team secured a spot in the NEPSAC tournament despite a challenging Class A schedule.

Before gathering in the O’Toole Lobby for refreshments, families sat in Hale Theater as coaches shared season highlights and recognized various award winners. All senior varsity student-athletes received Thayer cardigan sweaters as Thayer is reintroducing its “varsity sweater” tradition from decades past. Seniors who played fall sports have already received their sweaters, and seniors who play spring sports will receive them as well. The idea is to expand the program so that all letter winners receive sweaters next year. 

The night’s award winners included: 

WRESTLING 
Most Improved: John Sullivan ‘26
Coaches Award: (Captain) Ryan Lally ‘26
MVP: (Captain) Drew St. Pierre ‘26 
All-ISL: (Captain) Drew St. Pierre ‘26
ISL Honorable Mention: (Captain) Ryan Lally ‘26 and (Captain) Quinn Ognibene ‘26 

SWIMMING 
Girls MVP: Amelia Castillo ‘27
Boys MVP: (Captain) Trevor Smith ‘25
Girls Coaches Award: (Captain) Alex Rukstalis ‘25 
Boys Coaches Award: Aaron Baker ‘28 

SKIING 
Coaches Award: (Captain) Simone Tempel ‘25 
MVP: Tatiana Calvillo ‘28
NEPSAC Honorable Mention: Tatiana Calvillo ‘28 and Henry Doan ‘30

BOYS HOCKEY
CO-MVP: (Captain) Tommy Anderson ‘25 
CO-MVP: Matt McDonald ‘26
Coaches Award: Blake Stuzynski ‘25
ALL-ISL: (Captain) Tommy Anderson ‘25; (Captain) Mason Shea ‘25; Matt McDonald ‘26
ISL Honorable Mention: Kevin Delay ‘25; Michael Federico ‘27; Ty Hymovitz ‘27
NEPSAC Honorable Mention: (Captain) Tommy Anderson; Matt McDonald ‘26 

GIRLS HOCKEY
MVP: (Captain) Morgan McGathey ‘25 (Editor’s Note: This is the fourth time McGathey has won this award) 
Coaches Awards: (Captain) Kate Sullivan ‘25; (Captain) Veronica Taylor ‘25; and (Captain) Wren Abboud ‘25 
ISL MVP: (Captain) Morgan McGathey ‘25 (Editor’s Note: McGathey won this same award in 2024) 
All-ISL: (Captain) Morgan McGathey ‘25; (Captain) Kate Sullivan ‘25; (Captain) Wren Abboud ‘25; and (Captain) Abby DeAnzeris ‘26 
ISL Honorable Mention: (Captain) Veronica Taylor ‘25 
All-NEPSAC: (Captain) Morgan McGathey ‘25; (Captain) Kate Sullivan ‘25 
NEPSAC Honorable Mention: (Captain) Wren Abboud ‘25; (Captain) Abby DeAnzeris ‘26 

In addition, McGathey was recently named the winner of the John Carlton Memorial Trophy. This award is given annually by the Boston Bruins to the most outstanding female and male student athlete in Massachusetts high school or junior hockey. It is awarded to students who excel in hockey and in off-ice endeavors, including academics and extracurriculars. McGathey will be recognized at the Boston Garden on April 10.

BOYS BASKETBALL
MVP: (Captain) Jamari Antoine ‘25 
Coaches Awards: (Captain) Marquis White ‘25 and Brayden Buckley ‘28 
All-ISL: Michael McNamara ‘27 
ISL Honorable Mention: (Captain) Jamari Antoine ‘25 and (Captain) Marquis White ‘25 
NEPSAC Honorable Mention: Michael McNamara ‘27 
Team Spirit Award: Niko Giannaros ‘26 

In addition, White was recognized for scoring 1,000 points during his high school career, and the entire team earned the ISL Team Sportsmanship Award. 

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Most Improved Player: Emily Guilfoyle ‘25
Coaches Award: Ava Palma ‘25 
All-ISL: (Captain) Elle Grant ‘25 and (Captain) Jasmine James ‘25 
ISL Honorable Mention: (Captain) Cassidy Mullin ‘26 
All-NEPSAC: (Captain) Elle Grant ‘25
NEPSAC Honorable Mention: (Captain) Jasmine James ‘25 
NEPSGBA Class A All-Stars: (Captain) Elle Grant ‘25; (Captain) Jasmine James ‘25; and (Captain) Cassidy Mullin ‘26 

In addition, Grant was recognized for scoring 1,000 points during her high school career.