Wellesley Athlete of the Week is made possible with sponsorship support from Deland, Gibson Insurance.
The family-owned and operated business has carried on this Wellesley tradition for over 30 years.

 
Sport/position: Volleyball (right-side)

When & how you got involved in volleyball: I got involved at around 13 years old at a mini club event in Wellesley. I then played on the Wellesley Middle School team and started playing club, and have been involved in playing travel club since age 14.

What you love most about volleyball: What I love most about volleyball is that it is a true team sport. You need to work with others in all aspects of the game, and you all improve together.

Pre-match routine: I listen to Drake and Tate Mcrae and eat a bagel.

Top goal for this season: This season, I want to go as far as possible during playoffs. Last year we made it to the Elite 8 and I would love to make it to the Final Four this year.

Thoughts about this year’s team: This year we have a strong team, and although one of our starters suffered an injury at the beginning of the season, I am super proud of all the underclassmen who have stepped up to fill her shoes.

An accomplishment that you’re especially proud of:  I am proud that I am committed to play volleyball at Tufts University next year. I knew I wanted to play high level college volleyball at a strong academic school and I was able to improve my play, spend a lot of time talking to coaches, and found a great fit for me.

A funny or inspiring story related to your involvement with this team:  My favorite memory related to Raiders volleyball is beating Shrewsbury last year in the playoffs. We were ranked much below them and they were ranked number three. We beat them in 4 sets and it is a game that I will always remember.

Interests outside of volleyball:  I am an intensive this year at the WHS Child Study Lab, and love to cook and spend time with my friends.

What other sports do you play, if any? I was a competitive gymnast for 7 years before I started playing volleyball and I don’t play any other sports now.

Coaches Lexi De La Cruz and Carlos Mercado on Lucy Kulka: “Lucinda is our starting senior right side and one of our captains. She has been a great leader for us both on and off the court and has really stepped up this season. She is currently leading our team in both kills and blocks and has been one of our biggest weapons all year. She is also one of the best right sides in the league. More than just what she does statistically, Lucinda is someone her teammates look up to and someone we can always count on in big moments. She works hard, competes every point, and brings a lot of energy to the team.”

(Athletes of the Week are nominated by their coaches.)
 
Past Athlete of the Week profiles
 

Wellesley Athlete of the Week is made possible with sponsorship support from Deland, Gibson Insurance. The family-owned and operated business has carried on this Wellesley tradition for over 30 years.

Aarav Lavu

Sport/position: Golf, captain

When & how you got involved in golf: Around 6 years old.

What you love most about golf: I love how no matter how good you are, golf can always humble you.

Top goal for this season: Win a state championship and the individual state title.

Thoughts about this year’s team: We are a strong team as we are currently 8-1. We have strong playoff aspirations.

An accomplishment that you’re especially proud of: I made it to the semifinals of the Massachusetts Junior Amateur in 2025.

A funny or inspiring story related to your involvement with this team: Back in my freshman year, there was a tournament in which only our top 4 players were invited to play. I got a call the night before at 11:00 pm from one of the other players, and he basically told me to be ready in the morning, and the bus would leave at 9:00. Basically, at the last possible moment, I got invited to play because one of our other guys was unable to play.

Interests outside of golf: Basketball, chess, math.

What other sports do you play, if any? I don’t play any other sports competitively, just basketball and football casually with friends.

Coach Ken Bateman on Aarav Lavu: Aarav was named as a captain for his leadership on and off the course. All of the players on the team look to him to emulate his play and look to him for guidance on and off the course. He has been a solid contributor since his freshman year, and has shown great sportsmanship over those years.

 
(Athletes of the Week are nominated by their coaches.)
 
Past Athlete of the Week profiles
 

Wellesley Athlete of the Week is made possible with sponsorship support from Deland, Gibson Insurance. The family-owned and operated business has carried on this Wellesley tradition for over 30 years.

Cameron Lynch

Sport/position: Baseball/catcher

When & how you got involved in baseball: I started playing baseball because of my dad, who played in college and got me into the sport from the time I could pick up a bat. While both of my brothers played lacrosse, baseball always felt like my sport in the family. From a young age, I loved playing up a grade in Little League with my brothers’ friends, which is where I really fell in love with organized baseball.

What you love most about baseball: The mental aspect. More than almost any other sport, baseball is a mental game.

Pre-game routine: I listen to reggae music, take a few swings, stretch out, and think through the first few of batters with the pitcher.

Top goal for this season: Win Wellesley’s first ever Baseball State Championship. We have the pitching, hitting, and coaching to do it; we just need to stay confident.

Thoughts about this year’s team: I think we’re a really close group. We have a ton of senior leadership that will benefit us a lot in the playoffs. We all struggled with expectations at the start of the year, but as the season progressed we started to settle down and play our game.

An accomplishment that you’re especially proud of:  I’m most proud of the culture change our baseball team has gone through over the past few years. We went from struggling to even make the tournament to becoming one of the best teams in the state, and making the elite 8, mostly with the same group of players. The difference came from a huge shift in our approach, discipline, and overall mindset.

A funny or inspiring story related to your involvement with this team: Last year, before one of our home playoff games, the entire team went to the field to clear off all the water so we could actually play. The job itself was pretty tedious, but it ended up being one of the best team moments as a team I’ve had.

Interests outside of baseball: I spend a lot of time hanging out with friends, exploring Wellesley and Boston, and going to Narragansett during the summer. In school, I’m especially interested in economics and government.

What other sports do you play, if any? Golf and hockey

Coach Ted Novio on Cameron Lynch: Cam is a 3-year starter for the Wellesley Raiders Baseball Team and is a Captain on this year’s squad.  Being the catcher, you are the field general and being a strong leader is a necessity. Cam embodies that trait in every way.  I trust him to make the calls on bunts and he has called every pitch for the past three years.  Offensively, he leads the team in total hits and is 2nd in batting average. The program is going to miss him in a big way next year as he brings his academic talent to Harvard University.
 

Abby Brown

 

 
Sport/position: Softball/First Base, Pitcher, Outfield

When & how you got involved in softball: I started playing softball around second grade, and I have loved it ever since. I loved having my dad as my coach when I was younger, and he has helped me grow into the player I am, always offering to throw in the backyard or catch for me at the tunnels. I also got to know a lot of people through softball, from both school and club, and I am so grateful for the friendships that I have made on the field.

What you love most about softball: I really love how much of a team sport softball is—even though you feel separated when at your own position, the energy and trust that you have with your teammates allows you to build off of each other’s successes.

Pre-game routine: It is good luck for me to put my hair in two braids that end in a bun! I also like to eat two clementines and chocolate rice cakes as a pre-game snack. 

Top goal for this season: My goal this season was to grow more confident on the mound because it had been a while since I had thrown to live batters, as I was injured last year. I have learned to trust my spin pitches, especially my drop ball, and I aim to carry this confidence as we go into playoffs.

Thoughts about this year’s team: I think this year has been pretty special for all of us, especially with the large amount of seniors on the team. We have grown up playing together, and we understand how to be the best teammates, and friends, for each other. The whole team is really close, and I am going to miss playing with everyone so much!

An accomplishment that you’re especially proud of: This year I hit my first out of the park home run, and I am proud that it was a line drive!

A funny or inspiring story related to your involvement with this team: There is an inside joke that has stuck with our team the last couple of years where if you hit or throw a ball outside of our field into the pond or the woods you lose a million dollars. At least once a practice you can hear all of us yell out “minus a million!” when a ball flies out, and then we wonder why our buckets are never full.

Interests outside of softball: I love spending time outside walking or playing games like hacky sack and spike ball, and I also really enjoy making art! I am in Drawing and Painting Intensive in school (shout-out to Mr. Reddy), and I like working with different mediums, but my favorite medium will always be pastels.

Coach Emily Hunt on Abby Brown: Abby Brown is an incredible leader for Wellesley softball. Whether diving for a ball in the OF or picking balls out of the dirt at first base, Abby’s defensive play has always been impressive. Abby overcame a couple of nagging, painful injuries (back and elbow) to finally be able to pitch during her senior season and we are so happy she did! Abby’s spin and speed coming from the left side has been a great addition to the pitching staff and she has helped us win many games with her pitching and defense.  She is a power hitter in the middle of our lineup who can drop down a bunt or place a ball in the gap when we need it most. Abby plays with an intensity and focus that is second to none and inspiration for her teammates and coaches. Abby plays with a love of the game and high expectations for herself and her teammates.

 
(Athletes of the Week are nominated by their coaches.)
 
Past Athlete of the Week profiles
 

Wellesley Athlete of the Week is made possible with sponsorship support from Deland, Gibson Insurance. The family-owned and operated business has carried on this Wellesley tradition for over 30 years.

Tara Battaglino

 

 
Sport: Lacrosse, Midfield

When & how you got involved in lacrosse: I started lacrosse from about the time I could walk. I always followed my older brother (John) and everything he did so playing lacrosse was a given. I would always chase him outside to play catch and 1v1. I got into organized lacrosse as soon as the town offered it, when I was around 8 years old.

What you love most about lacrosse: I love the competition and the feeling of being on a team.

Pre-match routine: I listen to 80s music, stretch out, heat, and chat/hang out with my teammates to keep myself chill.

Top goal for this season: To win states.

Thoughts about this year’s team: I love our team. We are young but showing so much improvement since the start of the year. We have a great culture this year and I have loved getting to know all of the underclassman and playing with them.

An accomplishment that you’re especially proud of: I am very proud to have gotten the #7 award this year. I feel lucky to be seen as a strong leader and player on the team that the underclassmen can look to for help with plays, stick work, or just an ice cream to feel supported by an older player.

A funny or inspiring story related to your involvement with this team: This is less of a story but something that inspires me each day on the field is our loss to Westford last year in the playoffs. We worked so hard all season and our run was cut shorter than we thought it would be. This inspires me to try and be a better player each day to support and lead our team as we go into playoffs.

Interests outside of lacrosse: Writing, reading, music, coaching, volunteer work, working out.

What other sports do you play, if any? Indoor track

Coach Steve Balter on Tara Battaglino: “Tara is one of the best athletes in the history of Wellesley High School girls lacrosse. She has eclipsed the all-time lacrosse goals record formerly held by Blake Dietrick (2011) and is within reach of the all-time points record (511) also held by Dietrick. Her unique combination of size (6’2″), speed and hands makes her stand out on the field in all aspects, from defense and draw, to the offensive end. As a senior captain, she leads with inclusiveness and helps to set a strong culture for the team. An all-around superstar who is heading to Brown to continue her playing career at the collegiate level.”
 

Weston Helmer

 

Sport: Lacrosse, Defense/Long-Stick Midfielder (LSM)

When & how you got involved in lacrosse: I first picked up a lacrosse stick in first grade while living in Cohasset, playing with my older neighbor. We would play wall ball and shoot in the backyard with all the neighborhood kids, which helped me develop an early interest in the sport. After moving to Wellesley in third grade, I officially began playing lacrosse for the town and have continued ever since.

What you love most about lacrosse: I love that you need a wide array of skill sets to be a good player. I think it makes the game more interesting because different abilities, such as speed, shooting, physicality, and passing, all impact the game in unique ways. The combination of those different skill sets is what makes the sport so exciting to me.

Pre-match routine: I always stop at Mobil and get myself a body armor to hydrate before the game.

Top goal for this season: I would love to make a deep playoff run this year. Coach Wainwright and Coach Brenhiser bring a lot of playoff experience, and I am really excited for the opportunity to learn from them and compete alongside the team during my senior season.

Thoughts about this year’s team: We started the season with a very young and inexperienced team. However, as we have gotten closer to the end of the season, the improvement has been remarkable. The growth this team has shown is a huge credit to both the players and our coaches, and I believe everything is starting to come together at the right time as we head into the playoffs.

An accomplishment that you’re especially proud of: Winning our playoff game on the road at Wachusett last year was a great accomplishment and a memorable experience for our team. I am also especially proud of being named a team captain this year, which was a real honor and something that means a lot to me

A funny or inspiring story related to your involvement with this team: My freshman year I got mono and ended up missing most of the season. When I came back for the final few weeks, the upperclassmen were really supportive, although they also made sure to give me a hard time about getting mono. Even with the setback, it ended up being a great experience, and I still look back on that season and all the memories from my freshman year very positively.

Interests outside of lacrosse: I enjoy hanging out with my friends, golfing in the summer, and playing Hacky Sack. My favorite subject in school is AP economics.

What other sports do you play, if any? Football

Coach Dave Wainwright on Weston Helmer:  “Weston has been a driving force behind our recent success. Every game, Weston takes on the assignment of marking the opponent’s top offensive threat, and he embraces that challenge with discipline and confidence. He has become the anchor of our defensive unit, setting our standard, elevating the players around him, and constantly finding ways to improve our team shape and communication. Weston’s impact doesn’t just show up in matchups; it shows up in how our entire defense has grown under his leadership.”
 
(Athletes of the Week are nominated by their coaches.)
 
Past Athlete of the Week profiles
 

Wellesley Athlete of the Week is made possible with sponsorship support from Deland, Gibson Insurance. The family-owned and operated business has carried on this Wellesley tradition for over 30 years.

Athlete of the Week: Sienna Lief

 

 Photo credit: Aly Lief

Sport: Track & Field short sprinter and jumper

When & how you got involved in track & field: I started running track and field during the outdoor season of my freshman year. I used to play soccer for fun and was always told I should try running track, and planned on trying it in middle school, but crashed ski racing and couldn’t run. I also had lots of friends who were on the high school track team who encouraged me to join.

What you love most about track & field: I love our team and all the people I get to meet and interact with. I’ve built a lot of really strong friendships because of this team and we always have a really fun time at practice and meets. I also love the outlet that track gives me, it’s like a break from the rest of life.

Pre-meet routine: I always have a Trubar and Scandinavian Swimmers before meets.

Top goal for this season: This season my biggest goal is to medal in all of my events at divisional and place well at states.

Thoughts about this year’s team: I think the team has had a really strong season so far. We have beat a lot of division 1 teams, even though we are division 2. I think we also have a lot of girls on the team who are running well and getting faster each meet.

An accomplishment that you’re especially proud of: I’m really proud of how my indoor season finished this year because I spent most of my sophomore year outdoor season injured, so it was really rewarding to see the progress I’ve made since then. The indoor season I got faster with each race and scored well for the team at divisionals.

A funny or inspiring story related to your involvement with this team: We have early practices on Saturday mornings, which can be hard to wake up for sometimes, but we try to have pancake breakfasts afterwards which are a lot of fun.

Interests outside of track & field:  Outside of track I really enjoy ski racing, baking, and mountain biking. I also volunteer at Newton Wellesley Hospital, teach at Temple Beth Elohim, and run the high school’s Jewish Student Union.

What other sports do you play, if any? I also ski race

Coach John Griffith on Sienna: “Sienna has had a tremendous season.  She is a multi, which means she is good at many events both jumping and running. Sienna put in all the work in the off season to make her junior year so successful. Sienna is a very focused intense competitor.  She has that refuse to lose attitude and actually hasn’t lost a league race all season. I am happy she is only a junior and I expect big things from her in the future”
 
 

Athlete of the Week: Alex Bonnette

Sport:  Track & field, 1- and 2-mile

When & how you got involved in track & field: In ninth grade, I watched my brother compete with the cross country team at states, which first sparked my interest in the sport. That curiosity grew throughout indoor track season where I was running hurdles at the time. By outdoor season, I decided to go to the distance team. It was probably the best decision I ever made.

What you love most about track & field: There is always a time or a goal to be working towards.

Pre-meet routine: I always eat an Avocado Special from Linden and I really like listening to house music or Bob Marley, just anything upbeat feel good music.

Top goal for this season: Going into championship season, I want to prove that I’m one of the top competitors in this division. I know with all the training I have done I can compete with the other top guys. For a time I know I can run sub-9:20 in the two mile.

Thoughts about this year’s team: The outdoor season has been amazing, I always love outdoor because everything becomes nicer and running becomes more enjoyable compared to running in the winter. Also I think the atmosphere has been great with the combination of the girls and boys distance team.

An accomplishment that you’re especially proud of: I’m really proud of this outdoor season as a whole, especially coming off a rough indoor season and an injury. Those things motivated me through the earlier parts of the season and served as a constant reminder to keep pushing. Seeing how far my fitness has come since February makes it all the more rewarding.

A funny or inspiring story related to your involvement with this team: In freshman year I was walking down the Brook Path and a bunch of the seniors ran by me and said “this isn’t the walking team” and it was something that just stuck with me.

Interests outside of track & field: I like fishing and more recently I have been playing a lot of Hacky Sack. I also play the Saxophone.

Coach Larry Corda on Alex Bonnette: “After a challenging indoor track season, with setbacks from both sickness and injury, Alex could have been deterred and thrown in the towel, but instead, he focused on what he could control – his training. Both inside and outside of practice, Alex has put in the work. He has literally and figuratively put in the extra miles, doing extra repetitions during team workouts and even completing a grueling 4*Mile workout solo at sub-5min pace with only 75s rest between reps. This advanced training has given Alex the ability and confidence to run back-to-back personal bests in the 2-mile, first running 9:44 by himself at our only home meet of the outdoor track season and then running 9:35 in a competitive field at the Weston Twilight invitational, a top-10 all-time Wellesley high school time. Beyond his individual accomplishments on the track, Alex has also gone above and beyond as a leader and captain this outdoor season, helping to bring together the boys and girls distance programs for the first time. Alex will be competing at both the Bay State and Divisional Championship meets the next two weeks where he will continue to raise a very high bar.”
 

(Athletes of the Week are nominated by their coaches.)
 
Past Athlete of the Week profiles
 

Wellesley Athlete of the Week is made possible with sponsorship support from Deland, Gibson Insurance. The family-owned and operated business has carried on this Wellesley tradition for over 30 years.

 .

Athlete of the Week: Charlotte McDonough

 .

 .
Sport: Tennis, singles

When & how you got involved in tennis: I started playing tennis for fun during the COVID pandemic, so when I was around 12 years old. I didn’t start playing for the high school team until my sophomore year, but I’ve really enjoyed getting more into it since.

What you love most about tennis: I really love the girls on the team, there’s always a lot of laughter and it makes practices and matches something to look forward to. With tennis, I really like how competitive it is, both physically and mentally. Also being outside is a nice part of it too, especially when the weather is good.

Pre-match routine: I always like to have a snack, normally a clementine and some type of pretzels or Chex Mix.

Top goal for this season: My goal for this year is to go as far as we can and try to win states, but I also just want to have fun and enjoy it as much as possible for my senior season.

Thoughts about this year’s team: This year’s team has been so much fun to be a part of. We lost a few players from last year, so it’s been really great seeing how everyone’s been able to step up into different roles. I also really love how supportive everyone is on the team, it makes every match super memorable.

An accomplishment that you’re especially proud of: This year was my first time playing singles after previously only playing doubles for the team. I was a little nervous at first, but I’m proud of how I’ve improved at singles over the course of the season and how my confidence has grown.

A funny or inspiring story related to your involvement with this team: One of my favorite team traditions is doing hot yoga together. It’s always a fun way to bond with the team since everyone is kind of struggling in awkward poses at the same time.

Interests outside of tennis: I like hanging out with friends, watching movies, playing hockey, and playing the tuba. In school, my favorite subjects are probably biology and anatomy.

What other sports do you play, if any? Hockey

Coach Rob Miller on Charlotte McDonough: Charlotte has had a great start to the season. Currently her record at third singles is 7-1. Against Natick she won the deciding match to eke out a 3-2 team win. Though her only loss at third singles came against Needham, she avenged the loss last week by the same girl she lost to the first time. Off the court Charlotte is one of the most well liked teammates. She represents the Girls Tennis Team well and I am very proud of her.

 .

Athletes of the Week: Deniz Eryilmaz and Deren Bayulgen

 .

When & how you got involved in tennis: 

Deniz: My first experience with tennis was joining a group lesson at the Wellesley Rec Center with Coach Sabin. That was in 6th grade, I have played ever since.

Deren: I started playing when I was 8. I started taking tennis more seriously when I moved to Wellesley through tournaments and joining the school team.

What you love most about tennis:

Deniz: The thing I love about tennis is the mix of athleticism and technique. Being strong and having good cardio is one thing, but combining that with technique and strategy is on a different level.

Deren: My teammates, how supportive my coaches are, and being able to play my favorite sport.

Pre-match routine: 

Deniz: I keep my warm ups minimal and try to go into the match with a clean slate and mental game. If I warm up for an extended period of time, and lose confidence with a certain shot, I avoid hitting that shot and lose momentum.

Deren: I don’t have a pregame ritual but I warmup with my team

Top goal for this season: 

Deniz: My top goal would be to sweep Brookline for the second time this season and to beat Newton-North during the night match this year.

Deren: To win the individual tournament starting Memorial Day weekend.

Thoughts about this year’s team: 

Deniz: Going into the season, I had very little confidence with the state of the team. We lost a couple of good players last year and it seems as if all of our opponents have gotten better. However, the team has improved since the beginning of the season and we have proven ourselves against good teams with a record of 9-3 so far.

Deren: We didn’t start off great but we’ve improved a lot over the course of the season and have been winning more matches.

An accomplishment that you’re especially proud of: 

Deniz: Beating Lexington’s first doubles team last year was definitely a highlight of my tennis career at Wellesley. Additionally, beating Needham’s, BC High’s and Brookline’s first doubles teams this year cemented me as one of the best doubles players in the division.

Deren: I’m proud of winning 8 of 11 matches this year.

A funny or inspiring story related to your involvement with this team: 

Deniz: Watching a BC High mom yell at our first singles because of how bad her son was getting outplayed even while he was cheating.

Deren: A funny moment for me was when I forgot that I only had one ball in my pocket and went up to serve with just one ball during a tiebreak.

Interests outside of tennis:

Deniz: I love hanging out with my friends and going to new places. I am an avid poker player and play often with my friends. I also love to work on and drive cars

Deren: I like watching and playing football with my friends.

What other sports do you play, if any? 

Deniz: I play a lot of golf in my free time and I do distance running.

Deren: Nordic Skiing in the winter

Coach Mike Sabin on Deniz Eryilmaz and Deren Bayulgen:  Our 1st doubles team has been playing better and better as we go deeper into the season.  At the beginning of the season our doubles positions were definitely not a strength of our lineup.  Deniz and Deren have worked hard and have started getting more positive results. This has, in turn, led to us getting some important wins over good teams, most recently Needham. They lost to Needham in early April when we lost all 5 matches, but last week helped lead us to a big win with their comeback win at 1 doubles. We are looking for their continued improved play to help us finish the season strong and go deeper into post-season play.
 .
(Athletes of the Week are nominated by their coaches.)
 .
Past Athlete of the Week profiles
 .

Wellesley Athlete of the Week is made possible with sponsorship support from Deland, Gibson Insurance. The family-owned and operated business has carried on this Wellesley tradition for over 30 years.

Athlete of the Week: Ruby Savarese

Sport: Golf (captain, 11th grade)

When & how you got involved in golf: My father introduced me to golf ever since I was 7 years old. Ever since, I’ve been involved in many junior golf programs including Nehoiden and Kohr golf. Now, I have been working with my coach Burgess Houston for about 3 years.

What you love most about golf: My favorite aspect of this sport is my golf team. My team is so fun to be around and we are all genuinely rooting for each other. High school golf helped me gain even more appreciation for the sport.

Pre-match routine: I always eat a protein bar or a piece of bread before. My mother makes sure of that.

Top goal for this season: My goal for this season is to help the golf team get to States and give our team a good shot at winning it.

Thoughts about this year’s team: The team this year is wonderful. The girls are so, so fun to be around, and I love sharing new moments together. Skill wise, I think we got a promising team and a good shot at winning this year.

An accomplishment that you’re especially proud of: Last year, I was out for majority of the season because I got a stress fracture in my back. However, I was able to make it back for sectionals and states and I am so happy I got the chance to help my team win.

A funny or inspiring story related to your involvement with this team: We share a lot of funny moments on the golf team. My favorite one is when we had a team “dunch” last year after practice. We all squished into a booth at Chipotle. It was so fun, and we talked about music, golf, and pop culture.

Interests outside of golf: I like to play guitar, read, play basketball, draw, and do metals work. My favorite subject has always been English.

What other sports do you play, if any? I used to play basketball.

Coach Ken Bateman on Ruby Savarese: “Ruby was named captain by her teammates, and she is a leader on and off the course. She is invaluable as a captain because she is able to bring everyone together and make them feel like they are part of a team. She encourages her teammates at practice and during matches to play the best they can, and if they do not, she is there to remind them that they did the best they could.  At the same time, she consistently leads our team in scoring on the course.”

(Athletes of the Week are nominated by their coaches.)

Past Athlete of the Week profiles