How is it almost time for school and yellow buses and pumpkin spice drinks? Fine, still some time left but let’s just assume there are some elementary school parents somewhere who are anxiously awaiting the supply lists of colored binders, dividers and wide-ruled spiral notebooks. Don’t even pretend that is not you, Woodland and Country parents, I see you and know you’re also worried if your kids are in the same classrooms as their besties. For us high school parents, the stresses are different, but you don’t really want to know. Trust me, you don’t.

In any case, Happy International (Wild)cat Day! The Owl took advantage of the widely-celebrated holiday to see what was up over at the Wildcat Den, aka Weston High School and the fall sports headquarters of the world run by Mike McGrath, Athletic Director. Yes, he’s already working hard on fall schedules and set-ups and Gator maintenance–all important backstage moving parts to make the Weston Wildcat universe simply meow-valous. No? Fine. Apologies for that.

When asked how he was feeling about the Fall 2022 season, Mike answered “I cannot wait for the Fall season to begin. We had an incredible Spring and actually an incredible 2021/22 year athletically with 4 State Championships and a number of league titles. However, each year is new and within each year there are many great moments to celebrate and I expect this year to be no different.”

Captain’s practices are in full swing for all fall sports and if your rising freshman or new student doesn’t know about them, make sure to send a note over to the listed coach and s/he/they will get you in touch with the appropriate captains. Captain’s practices are run by each team’s captains and are a way for the team to get together and know each other’s strengths before tryout week. By MIAA rules, coaches are not allowed to be involved in the captain’s practices.

Pre-season Tryouts start the week of August 22 (except Football which starts August 19).

Football – Coach Jim Wilcon (coachwil22@icloud.com)

Friday, 8/19  9:00am-3:00pm WHS Gym (meetings, strength & conditioning & practice) Players will need to bring a lunch.

Saturday, 8/20 Camp Caribou – report to WHS by 8:00am for bus (Saturday – Wednesday at Camp Caribou)

Girls Soccer – John Power (jpower11@me.com)

Monday, 8/22 8:00am-10:00am – Proctor & Field 3 / 4pm-6pm – Proctor & Field 1

Tuesday, 8/23 8:00am-10:00am – Proctor & Field 3 / 4pm-6pm – Proctor & Field 1

Wednesday, 8/24 8:00am-10:00am – Proctor & Field 3 / 4pm Scrimmage vs. Stoneham – V Proctor/JV Field 1

Boys Soccer – Coach Andrey Asparouhov (aasparouhov@yahoo.com)

Monday, 8/22 2:00pm-4:00pm – Proctor

Tuesday, 8/23 10:00am-11:30am – Proctor & Field 3 / 2pm-3:30pm – Proctor & Field 3

Wednesday, 8/24 10:00am-11:30am – Proctor & Field 3 / 2pm-3:30pm – Field 1/Field 3

Girls Volleyball – Coach Eileen Leblanc (eileen.leblanc@gmail.com)

Monday, 8/22 9:00am-11:30am – HS Gym

Tuesday, 8/23 9:00am-11:30am – HS Gym

Wednesday, 8/24 9:00am-11:30am – HS Gym

Note: All practices thereafter until school begins will be from 9am-11am in the high school gymnasium.

Cross Country – Coach John Monz (monzj@weston.org)

Monday 8/22 – Friday, 8/26 – 9:00am at Burchard Park

Field Hockey – Coach Gianna Kaski (giannakaski@gmail.com)

Tuesday 8/23: 4:00pm-6:00pm (Field 1)

Wednesday, 8/24: 8:00am-10:30am (Field 1)

Thursday, 8/25: 8:00am-10:30am (Field 1)

Friday, 8/26: 8:00am-10:30am (Field 1)

Golf – Coach Mary O’Brien (obrienm@weston.org)

Tryout Cost: $175 per player. Players may bring the green’s fees in cash in an envelope with the player’s name on the outside of the envelope or you may Venmo Coach O’Brien at: westongolfcoach with the player’s name in the “What is it for” line.

Monday, 8/22 – Team meeting at HS Media Ctr. 10am. Collect green’s fees, medical clearance, tryout expectations, dress code & Rules of Golf review.

Tuesday, 8/23 – Wayland CC. First tee time at 10:30am, players should arrive by 10am for check in and warm up.

Wednesday, 8/24 -Butter Brook GC, Carlisle. First tee time at 9am, players should arrive by 8:30am for check in, there is a driving range for warm-up.

Thursday, 8/25 – Stow Acres North Course. First tee time at 10am, players should arrive by 9:30am for check in, there is a driving range for warm-up.

Monday, 8/29 – Stow Acres South Course. First tee time at 10am, players should arrive by 9:30am for check in, there is a driving range. for warm-up.

Crew – Coach Mike Baker (rowingmike@gmail.com)

~Novice Boys & Girls

Monday, 8/22 – Saturday, 8/27 – 3:45pm-6:15pm at Lake Cochituate

~Varsity Boys & Girls

Monday, 8/22 – Saturday, 8/27 – 9:00am-11:30am at Lake Cochituate

Go ‘cats!