The Swellesley Report

Since 2005: More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

Sports

Wellesley High girls lacrosse reverses result vs. Newton North

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2026 5-7 WHS Varsity Girls LAX vs Newto
Photos by Darren Bovie

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The Wellesley High School girls’ lacrosse team on Thursday, May 7 avenged an 11-9 loss the week before to Newton North by winning 6-3 at home under the lights.

Senior Tara Battaglino, set to play next season at Brown University, scored all six goals in the win, which raised the Raiders’ record to 9-3 for the season. Wellesley led 2-1 at the half, then 4-2 after three quarters.

The Raiders, eighth in the MIAA Division I rankings, have a couple of non-league games up next on its schedule, including at home on Saturday, May 9 at 1pm.

Thank you to Darren Bovie for sharing these photos from the Wellesley-Newton North game.

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2026 5-7 WHS Varsity Girls LAX vs Newto
Photos by Darren Bovie

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2026 5-7 WHS Varsity Girls LAX vs Newto

2026 5-7 WHS Varsity Girls LAX vs Newto

2026 5-7 WHS Varsity Girls LAX vs Newto

2026 5-7 WHS Varsity Girls LAX vs Newto

2026 5-7 WHS Varsity Girls LAX vs Newto

2026 5-7 WHS Varsity Girls LAX vs Newto

2026 5-7 WHS Varsity Girls LAX vs Newto

     

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Sports

Wellesley Athletes of the Week: Tennis players Charlotte McDonough, Deniz Eryilmaz, and Deren Bayulgen

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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.

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Athlete of the Week: Charlotte McDonough

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Charlotte McDonough
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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.

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Athletes of the Week: Deniz Eryilmaz and Deren Bayulgen

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Deniz Eryilmaz
Deniz Eryilmaz

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Deren Bayulgen playing tennis
Deren Bayulgen

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Sport: Tennis, 1st doubles

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.
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(Athletes of the Week are nominated by their coaches.)
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Past Athlete of the Week profiles
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Wellesley Symphony Orchestra, 2026

Miles for Mental Health event at Wellesley High track on May 10

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A run/walk fundraiser dubbed Miles for Mental Health is slated to take place at the Wellesley High School track on May 10 from 10am-noon.

Organizer Eloise Crissman, a junior at Wellesley High, says the event will support bryt, an organization that helps students transition back to school after a mental health-related absence. Wellesley High School implemented bryt in 2006, and since then 800 students have received support through the Bridge program.

Every mile helps bryt expand its resources to schools that need them most. Sign up for Miles for Mental Health online. Suggested donation is $15.

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Sports

Wellesley High baseball season in full swing

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2026 4-27 WHS Mens Varsity Baseball vs Walpole 1
All photos by Darren Bovie

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More than halfway through its season, the Wellesley High School baseball team is among the top teams in the Bay State Conference, though would love to go on a run during its final eight games.

The team is coming off back-to-back shutouts—a 3-0 win over Needham and a 14-0 loss to Bishop Feehan and its star pitcher Brody Bumila, who surrendered his first hit of the season to Wellesley’s Will Zalosh before returning to his stingy ways on the mound.

Here are photos from the Raiders’ April 27 home game at Sprague field against Walpole, a 6-3 loss. Thank you to Darren Bovie for sharing.

See something? Send something: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

2026 4-27 WHS Mens Varsity Baseball vs Walpole 1

2026 4-27 WHS Mens Varsity Baseball vs Walpole 1

2026 4-27 WHS Mens Varsity Baseball vs Walpole 1

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Hunnewell Fun Fair 2026
Mass Cultural Council
Sports

Wellesley High names longtime football team staff member Jim Everhart as new head coach

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Wellesley High School has named Jim Everhart as its new head football coach, succeeding Jesse Davis, who announced at the start of the year that he’d be stepping down after 14 years leading the Raiders.

Everhart has been a member of the WHS football coaching staff for the past 19 years—he has coached on both the offensive and defensive sides, and served as offensive coordinator for the Raiders from 2018-2023. Everhart was a longtime baseball assistant coach at WHS starting in the spring of 2007, then joined the indoor track coaching staff and more recently the outdoor track staff.

wellesley celebrates football win over walpole“We had many candidates apply,” says John Brown, Wellesley Public Schools athletic director. “We went through a full interview process and Jim came through that process as the best candidate to lead our football program.”

Everhart says he is most excited about continuing to work with the student-athletes in Wellesley’s program, and alongside the staff. “I’m fortunate to have all the coaches back from last season to help support the student-athletes and the program,” he says.

During his time with the Wellesley football program, Everhart has coached at every level from the 9th grade team to the junior varsity and varsity programs. He’s had plenty of leadership opportunities, but has never been a head coach.

“Having that background allows me to understand how to coach and teach first-year football players to four-year starters,” says Everhart, who played high school football himself in Pennsylvania and later played baseball in college. “I have been fortunate to coach other sports at Wellesley High School including baseball and track and field. I’ve learned a great deal about how to coach from many great coaches that have helped shape my coaching style. I’m going to be myself in this role while at the same time bring valuable experience that I’ve learned from other sports and other great coaches.”

Among Everhart’s challenges, he says, will be “living up to the standard that Wellesley football alumni expect and continue the great tradition of Wellesley High School football that was created before me from coaches like Coach Andy Levin, Coach Bill Tracey, and Coach Jesse Davis…”

Another challenge is playing in a tough conference, the Bay State League, says Everhart, whose day job is as a wellness teacher at Needham’s Eliot Elementary School.

“I’m excited to continue the coaching journey,” Everhart says. ” look forward to getting to work with the talented athletes in Wellesley, the hard working and enthusiastic families and community involved with the football program, and the coaching staff at Wellesley.”

 

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Sports

Wellesley Athlete of the Week: Girls’ golf’s Ruby Savarese

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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

 

girls golf champ
Coach Ken Bateman, golfers Ayla Sansone, Sanah Goenka, Denise Pan, Alika Lavu, Jenna Saini, Ruby Savarese (2025 championship photo by Peyton Doyle)

 

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

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Sports

Wellesley middle & high school runners to compete at pre-Boston Marathon races

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BAA logoA handful of Wellesley Public Schools student-athletes have been selected to run on Saturday, April 18 in the BAA Middle School 1k and BAA Invitational Scholastic Mile races on the streets around the Boston Marathon finish line.

Boys 1k race

Fleet Taylor, Wellesley Middle School 8th grader. Personal best Mile 5:44. Fishing is his hidden talent, and the mile is his favorite distance to run.

Girls 1k race (event record is 3:14.05 by Abigail Beggans of Wellesley in 2022)

Cora Gibby, Wellesley Middle School 6th grader. Personal best mile is 6:31: She achieved her PB this year at the Harvard Friends and Family kids meet. The 5K is her favorite distance to run.

Maren Tamburelli, Wellesley Middle School 7th grader. She also skis and swims.

Boys Invitational Mile

Sami Juma, Wellesley High School senior. Mile personal best is 4:27.91 . He ran a 15:45 5K (his favorite distance to run), at the Bay State Invitational. He also plays the piano and enjoys 12x400m workouts.

Alex Bonnette, Wellesley High School senior. Mile personal best is 4:32. ompeted at the Bay State cross country championships in 2025. His favorite workout is the 6×800, and his hidden talent is playing the saxophone

Girls Invitational Mile

Eloise Crissman, Wellesley High School junior. Mile personal best is 5:48.10. Eloise’s hidden talent is that she can do a headstand. She also completed a half marathon last spring.

Courtney Edmonds, Wellesley High School senior. Mile personal best is 6:00.4. Courtney’s hidden talent is that she can hold a plank for 11 minutes. She achieved her personal best in the mile during her junior season.

The schedule:

11:00 AM    Girls Middle School 1K Race Start

11:10 AM    Boys Middle School 1K Race Start

11:25 AM    Girls Scholastic Mile Race Start

11:35 AM    Boys Scholastic Mile Race Start

The youth races will be followed by professional runner 1-mile races.

More: Boston Marathon 2026—Wellesley guide

Theatre

Wellesley High drama students advance to state finals with ‘Fire in the Hole’

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For months, Wellesley High School’s black box theater became a 1920s Appalachian coal-mining town. In the play “Fire in the Hole,” union organizers are hanged, families suffer tragic losses, and the mining company controls nearly every aspect of life. This 30-minute one-act by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Robert Schenkkan is Wellesley High’s entry in this year’s Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild (METG) competition, a statewide festival judged over multiple rounds.

Wellesley did advance, moving through the preliminary round at Wellesley High on Feb. 28 and into the semi-finals on March 14, performing alongside programs that had succeeded at their own preliminary sites weeks earlier.

METG works differently from a standard school production. METG companies prepare a single judged performance rather than multiple shows. This puts extra pressure on students and rehearsals, as there’s little room for mistakes. Director Skylar Grossman, who also oversaw last fall’s production of “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” has been working with the company since early winter, with a cast of more than 50 students.

The subject matter added its own layer of difficulty. “Fire in the Hole” is drawn from Schenkkan’s “The Kentucky Cycle,” which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1992 and was nominated for three Tony Awards. The story follows Mary Ann Rowen, a mother who has lost four sons in the mines. When union organizer Abe Steinman arrives, she must confront betrayal and the challenge of leading her community.

The script is dense with period detail and moral weight, and compressing it into a 30-minute stage production while keeping the emotional logic is the kind of work that asks a great deal from young performers.

Behind the scenes, the technical crew faced their own set of demands, building a period world from the ground up with costumes, set pieces, and sound that had to be read clearly in a single unrepeated performance. Students working in tech and production carried responsibilities that extended well beyond a typical school show, considering creative and logistical sides of the production simultaneously.

This year, Wellesley also hosted the preliminary round for the first time since 2019. Alongside preparing their own entry, students organized and ran a competition site for five other schools. The hosting crew was drawn entirely from students across all four grade levels, none of whom had done it before. Grossman reflected on what that required: “This preliminary round was a standout for WHS… Even with the snow-day setbacks, hosting a successful site and moving on from the preliminary round is a massive feat.”

The weather-related issues he mentioned were significant. A benefit performance scheduled for Feb. 27 was cancelled when a storm closed the school, which meant that when the company finally performed “Fire in the Hole” in front of an audience, that audience included the competition judges. A rescheduled free performance was held on March 13 at Wellesley High, followed by a question-and-answer session with cast and crew, giving the community a chance to see the production after the competitive season had already begun.

The semi-finals, held March 14, brought together programs from preliminary sites across the state, each having already demonstrated enough in their first showing to keep going. For Wellesley, getting there meant navigating a storm cancellation, a hosted competition, and a subject matter that required the cast to inhabit a world and a set of stakes very different from their own.

Despite challenges, Wellesley High’s Dramatic Arts Company excelled and is advancing to the METG finals to be held March 26-28 at John Hancock Hall in Boston.

Interested in sponsoring student interns at Swellesley? Let us know: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com