The Swellesley Report

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

Sports

Wellesley Athlete of the Week: Cheerleading’s Angela Tsai

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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.

 

Angela Tsai

 
Angela Tsai
 
Sport/position: Cheerleading (flyer)

When & how you got involved in cheer: I have been interested in cheer for a while now, and this year is my first year that I am trying this sport. I am glad I got to join the team as a freshmen.

What you love most about Cheer: I got to meet different people and it’s very fun to support the football games.

Pre-game routine: Our team does a shake out and it may seem silly, but it’s a great way for us to get our jitters out.

Top goal for this season: I want to become comfortable being in the air and to challenge myself by learning different stunts.

Thoughts about this year’s team: I am really enjoying getting to know the sport and I definitely admire all the hard work and effort it takes.

An accomplishment that you’re especially proud of: I am proud of my effort at every game. Every game/week we have to learn a new routine for Halftime, and it takes lots of practice in and out of the studio. I am proud to have performed all the routines with spirit and energy.

A funny or inspiring story related to your involvement with this team: I am very scared of heights and being a flyer you have to not be scared or doubt yourself when being held up high. During this season, I have learned to slowly conquer my fear of heights and to try my best. Cheer really helped me to face this fear because of the supportive coaches and teammates that I have around me.

Interests outside of cheer: I do competitive dance and I love listening to music during my free time.

Coach Odessa Sanchez on Angela Tsai: One of Varsity Raider Cheer’s newest recruits, freshman Angela Tsai (2030) has made an impressive impact since tryouts. With a proven talent for dance, strong work ethic, and eagerness to learn, Angela’s laser focus and determination have quickly made her a top performer and true “one to watch” at practices and halftime shows. Angela has made a strong debut as a flyer and point for routines. Angela brings the qualities coaches value: consistent attendance, prompt arrival, a serious attitude during instruction, and a willingness to work hard. She balances that dedication with a fun, positive personality that makes her a wonderful teammate and a delight to coach. We’re excited to watch Angela continue to grow—and thrilled that Wellesley Raider Cheer gets three more years with this gem of an athlete!
 

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

 
Past Athlete of the Week profiles
 

 
Deland, Gibson, Wellesley

     

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Sports

Scenes from Wellesley High football’s balmy night game

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Wellesley v Weymouth football lights night game

The Wellesley High School football team had its chances throughout the first half vs. Weymouth under the lights on Friday at Hunnewell Field to score first, and perhaps set the stage for its first win of the season. But the Raiders—despite a highlight reel 40-plus yard pass from senior quarterback Andrew Daniel to receiver Emmett Foley before the end of the first quarter and strong efforts by two-way players like Owen Keating throughout the night—couldn’t break through, and suffered a 35-0 loss.

Wellesley v Weymouth football lights night game

Weymouth’s aggressive defense snuffed out an early second quarter touchdown pass attempt in the end zone—their #14 picked off the pass from Wellesley’s #14—and from there the Wildcats’ multi-pronged running game proved relentless. Weymouth ran a short one in to go up 7-0 at halftime. So at that point, the game was well within Wellesley’s reach.

But then Weymouth kept rolling throughout the second half, with a two-point conversion on their second TD to go up 15-0. After running in another touchdown following an interception, Weymouth (3-1 on the season) took a  23-0 lead, and even attempted a subsequent onside kick to try to put things out of reach. The Wellesley team kept its wits about and recovered that kick, but Weymouth stayed in control for the reminder of the game, scoring two more touchdowns.

A big crowd on this balmy October night did their best, along with the spirited cheer squad and pep band, to inspire the Raiders.

Many players and fans donned pink—I could have sworn Chappell Roan was in the house—in support of the Ellie Fund and breast cancer awareness.

Wellesley v Weymouth football lights night game Wellesley v Weymouth football lights night game

The Raiders (0-4) will try again next week to score their first victory of the season as they face off vs. Framingham High on Thursday night.

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Sports

Wellesley Athlete of the Week: Girls’ volleyball’s Lucy Kulka

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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.

 

Lucy Kulka

 

Lucy Kulka
Lucy Kulka (photo by Lisa Neighbors)

 
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
 

 
Deland, Gibson, Wellesley

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Sports

Wellesley Athlete of the Week: Boys golf’s Aarav Lavu

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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.

 

Aarav Lavu

 
Aarav Lavu, boys golf

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
 

 
Deland, Gibson, Wellesley

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Wellesley High boys golf off to hot start; Top players head to Cape tourney

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Tyler Mock, boys golf, Nehoiden Wellesley High
Wellesley High’s Tyler Mock readies to putt on hole 1

 
The Wellesley High School boys’ golf team’s hot start to the season continued Monday at Nehoiden as the Raiders topped Framingham High School by a score of 228-266. Wellesley has won by solid margins in all five of its matches this season other than vs. Natick, when the Raiders edged the Redhawks 202-205.

We caught the start of Monday’s match at windy hole one, a par 5, just off Dover Road. A jacket-wearing grandfather of a player on Framingham said he was already pining to head back to the warmth of Naples, Fla.
Adrian Daigle led the way for Wellesley vs. Framingham, shooting three under for a 33 on the day. The match is scored by taking the six lowest rounds of the ten golfers who played and adding them up.

Wellesley beat Framingham by a score of 228-266. The match is scored by taking the 6 lowest scores of the 10 golfers who play and adding them up. The player who played the best on Monday was Adrian Daigle. He shot 33 for the day, which is three under par on the historic 9-hole course. “He has been our best player this year, and has our best scoring average,” said Ken Bateman, the team’s coach and a science teacher at Wellesley High.

The team is busy this week, with an away match Tuesday vs. Weymouth High (which Wellesley already beat at home), and another home match at Nehoiden on Thursday against Brookline High.

Also, Daigle, along with fellow seniors Aarav Lavu, Teddy Uller, and Taylor Pan, will compete on Sunday, Sept. 20, at Cape Cod National Golf Club in Brewster at the 10th Annual High School Invitational. Some of the area’s top high school teams and players will be there. St. John’s Prep will attempt to defend its
team title vs. Wellesley and seven other schools.

whs boys golf

We welcome your sports photos and info: The more eyes and ears we have out there, the better: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

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Incoming: Teams rooms set to arrive at Wellesley High track and field this week

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The new modular team rooms structure is set to be delivered this week to the Wellesley High School track and field complex, with project completion expected by late fall. Team room users at the 28′ by 59′ modular building will include the high school football team in the fall and the  softball and girls’ lacrosse teams in the spring (this will free up locker room space in the high school building for others).

Annual Town Meeting originally voted to fund the teams rooms in 2018 but the project was delayed for various reasons, with costs for the project escalating as the years went by. The School Committee had a roughly $1.8m funding request from Special Town Meeting approved last fall as part of what was estimated to be a $2.2m project, funded in part through private donors.

The Hunnewell Field building, which includes lockers, meeting space, storage, and bathrooms, will be situated near the State Street parking lot on Natural Resources Commission land. That lot will be off limits Aug. 26-29 during installation.

Arrival of the team rooms building follows the introduction of lights, a new sound system, and the concession and bathroom facilities as part of a broad reimagining of the sports complex used by Wellesley High sports programs and others.

Need something new to donate to now that the team rooms are on their way? Please consider a tax-deductible donation to support the Swellesley Report‘s work

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2026 Wellesley Turkey Trot registration opens

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Registration has opened for the 2026 Wellesley Turkey Trot, scheduled for Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 26. Sign up before Oct. 1 to get the lowest price.

The 5k race, which starts and ends in Linden Square and hits Wellesley Square and Wellesley College in between, is managed by the Wellesley Turkey Trot Foundation, which supports local charities and organizations with proceeds from the event.

The day also includes the Hannah Randolph Fun Run, a 1 mile race for kids 10 and under. This is limited to 300 participants and takes place in the parking near CVS.

Wellesley Turkey Trot

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Wellesley sports news: Thorbjornsen wins first PGA title; Injured Vasil shows White Sox wizardry; Jay Driver pitching for Double A RubberDucks

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The latest Wellesley, Mass.-related sports news:

Thorbjornsen wins first PGA title

Congrats to Michael Thorbjornsen, the Wellesley High grad who this weekend won his first PGA golf tourney, the Rocket Classic in Detroit, with a strong finish in the fourth round. He nailed a 25-foot putt to go 7 under for the day and 18 under for the tournament, good for a 2-shot win on a wet and windy Sunday.

Injured Vasil shows White Sox wizardry

Wellesley Little League alum Mike Vasil, who had a fantastic rookie season pitching for the Chicago White Sox last year, hasn’t been able to play this season due to an arm injury and subsequent surgery. But Vasil has made his presence felt throughout this first-from-worst season in Chicago, with the White Sox leading the American League Central Division to this point.

Vasil has gone viral for waving a magic wand, given to him by a teammate in April, at games. Vasil has dressed up as Harry Potter in the dugout. He’s even been credited for putting spells on players that have led to homers.

And now, the White Sox are giving away 20,000 wands on Sept. 4 in hopes that Vasil and the Sox can keep up their magical season.

 

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Jay Driver pitching for Double A RubberDucks

Meanwhile, another Wellesley Little League alum, Jay Driver, continues his professional baseball career, pitching now for the Akron RubberDucks. Driver, a 2023 draft selection of the Cleveland Guardians, has worked his way up from the lower levels of the minor leagues to Double A, often one step from the majors.

Driver, a stellar right-handed pitcher for Wellesley High School and then Harvard University, is having a solid season for the RubberDucks. posting a 6-2 record and 4.44 earned run average so far.

Here’s a recent pregame interview with Driver, who discusses his development as a pitcher.

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