Dear Alumni, Parents, and Eph Fans,
As we have come to expect, spring comes slowly to Williamstown! We are happy to be spotting crocuses and daffodils and shedding our winter coats. The occasional warm day makes it a lovely time to be in the Berkshires as we all emerge from hibernation.
The return to campus in January brought with it an unfortunate wave of the omicron variant but the Ephs kept moving forward with some great finishes to winter seasons. Highlights included the NESCAC championship for the men’s swim team where Jamie Lovette was named the Swimmer of the Meet and the Year, and Kobe Tray was named the Diver of the Meet and the Year. Both Swim Coach Steve Kuster and Dive Coach Devon O’Nalty received NESCAC Coach of the Year Honors. On the women’s side, Amanda Wager was named NESCAC Swimmer of the Year and Molly Craig was awarded the Career High Point Swimmer. Both swimming and diving placed 4th at the NCAA Championship and numerous swimmers and divers (men | women) earned all-NESCAC Honors.
Men’s basketball got off to the strong start, dealt with COVID interruptions, and ultimately finished as the runner-up in the NESCAC on their way to a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the NCAA Championships. Nate Karran was named to the NESCAC All-Conference First Team, and Coach Kevin App was named D3HOOPS.COM Region I Coach of the Year.
A remarkable 179 Eph winter athletes were named to the NESCAC All-Academic Team. Impressively, 99 of them also earned All-NESCAC accolades and 50 were named to both the All-Sportsmanship and All-Academic Teams. Other NESCAC honorees include Maggie Meehan named to the All-Conference Second Team for women’s basketball and Evan Ruschil named to All-Conference Second Team for men’s ice hockey. In men’s squash Will Evans and Udai Pai were named to the All-Conference First Team while Wyatt Khosrowshahi was named to the All-Conference Second Team. Haley Jefferson was named to the All-Conference First Team and Theresa Kay to the All-Conference Second Team in women’s squash.
In perhaps the most notable performance of the winter season, senior Aidan Ryan added his name to the exclusive list of those who have run a sub-4 minute mile! During the regular season, Ryan set an NCAA DIII record in both the mile (3:56.86) and the 3000m (7:54.48) and was named the USTFCCCA National NCAA DIII Indoor Male Athlete of the Year. He was vital to the best finish ever for men’s indoor track and field when the team placed 3rd at the NCAA Indoor Championship. With his win in the mile Ryan set a meet record; he finished as runner-up in the 3000m; and he anchored the distance medley relay to a second-place finish.
Teams were excited to return to spring break travel which had been paused since 2019. With some COVID restrictions in place, athletes enjoyed their training with teammates in the sunshine and warmer temperatures.
Since break, teams have adjusted schedules occasionally and we are now approaching the postseason. I must acknowledge and thank our remarkable training, equipment, facilities, and athletic staff who have supported the regular spring season play, while also meeting the needs of fall sport teams who were allowed a limited spring practice season by NESCAC this year.
This spring marks the 50th anniversary of Title IX which coincides with the start of celebrations for the 50th anniversary of coeducation at Williams. You’ll find stories about women’s athletics among many other recollections on the co-education anniversary website. As a two-sport high school athlete, a college soccer and lacrosse player, a former coach, a parent of two female athletes and a woman who has built a fulfilling career in athletics, I cannot understate the importance of Title IX.
Go Ephs,
Lisa Melendy
Director of Athletics
