Here at Deerfield, sports make their way into our everyday lives. Whether it’s hearing the howls of the fans echoing across the field, or the whistle of a ball finding its way into the net, athletics is deeply embedded into Deerfield’s culture. Despite the relevance of sports at the Academy, we rarely take the time to ask athletes how their seasons on the fields and courts have changed their lives and themselves throughout their years at Deerfield. This reflection on their growth as high-school athletes is significant, as it allows them to contemplate all of their greatest moments on the fields: everything from the importance of school spirit to taking on leadership positions within their teams. In order to dive deeper into the impact athletics have on the Deerfield community, we asked returning seniors from eight varsity teams what ‘bleeding green’ meant to them as they embarked on the final season of their high school careers.
Chris Camelio ’18
Baseball
“The number one thing I would tell a new Deerfield athlete is to cherish every moment they have bearing the Deerfield ‘D’ across their chest. It’s a true honor to represent our institution every Wednesday and Saturday for your respective season, and it is honestly essential to never lose sight of this regardless of your team or personal success that season. For me, coming in as a new junior, these two years have gone by almost too fast. I’m currently in my last athletic season at DA, where I am on the Varsity Baseball team. Every day that passes is one day less that I will be wearing the green and white uniform I’ve grown to love, and it truly is a tough reality to come to terms with.”
Young Hur ’18
Lacrosse
“As much as being an athlete at Deerfield is performance-based, it is always about being a great teammate first. Coach Philie and Coach Davis always stress the importance of ‘being a good teammate’ and looking to ‘serve others, and then yourself.’ This means to perform to the best of your athletic ability, but also, to look for any ways to help your team. I learned by being part of the swim team that the goals of the team come before those of the individuals. Swimming, a sport that revolves around competing for your best times as an individual, takes on a completely different meaning at Deerfield. You swim for your fastest times, not for yourself, but because swimming your fastest is ultimately what will score the team the most points.”
Anna Scott ’18
Crew
“I think being an athlete at Deerfield means being part of the team, and putting the team before yourself and trying to push the team to be stronger and faster and their best. You may not be the best at the sport that you do, but you’ll never quit trying, and I think at Deerfield that’s really fostered in the environment – showing up, supporting and being a leader to the underclassmen. Being a leader is so important to me because I had such great leaders when I began the sport. The first time I showed up to crew practice, I just went to watch and I sat right next to the captain at the time, Claire Collins, and she really inspired me despite the fact that I completely failed the workout that we were doing.”
Lily Louis ’18
Track and Field
“Coming from a British school in the U.K., athletics was not really a part of the curriculum. I had sports once per week, but at Deerfield I think it’s a vital aspect of being a part of a community. I really enjoyed coming in as a freshman and getting to know a bunch of different seniors and upperclassmen, based on being on a team. Then, as for track, I think it’s very particular in terms of being a sport in that there are over 50–60 of us. So it’s a humongous family, and not only is it an incredible sport, you also get to meet people from all walks of Deerfield life.”
Olivia Jones ’18
Lacrosse
“There is no greater feeling than putting on a Deerfield jersey. Whether it’s the Nike pennie that is worn every day at practice, or the uniform that comes out twice a week, playing lacrosse at Deerfield has been such an honor. When thinking back on the past three lacrosse seasons that I have had at Deerfield, there have been many memories — from funny moments at practice, to large comebacks, and to serious locker room talks. However, the moment I would cite as the best would be when Deerfield beat Exeter in overtime in the last game of our season my sophomore year. Exeter was undefeated going into the game, and we were their only loss of the season. It was such an amazing moment, and I’m so glad our seniors were able to close out their high school lacrosse careers with a thrilling win!”
Suzy Mazur ’18
Softball
“To me, being an athlete at Deerfield means that I’m able to try any sport I want and be on a team with people who love to play and compete. It also means that I’m going to be constantly pushed, both by myself and my teammates and coaches to improve and do my best. Furthermore, if I ever have questions about something, I know I have tons of people I can turn to coaches, captains, other players, athletic trainers — and I know I’ll always be supported and encouraged by my teammates and coaches. I’ve learned so much more about softball in my time here than in my six years on rec teams in elementary and middle school. So I would tell a new Deerfield athlete to not be nervous about giving a new sport a try. The coaches here are so supportive and great teachers.”
Lowell Weil ’18
Golf
“I’m incredibly honored to have had the opportunity to wear the green and white in competition. I’ve played four different sports at Deerfield, and would not trade those memorable seasons for anything. It’s great to be able to carry on the legacy of so many athletes that have fiercely competed and brought success to the Deerfield name. I have not quite come to terms that in a month or two, it will be the last time I will compete for the school that has given me so much. I often think back on my sophomore year when we beat Exeter. Exeter, the team that would later win the New England Championship, had four division one golfers on their squad. Despite our slim odds, which were made worse by the fact that we had to travel two and a half hours to New Hampshire, we rallied as a team.”
Philip Weymouth ’18
Crew
“Up until my sophomore year I played lacrosse, and then an ACL injury caused me to switch to rowing. So my favorite moment has actually been this past season, where I picked up rowing. My journey as a rower is a true testament to how great it can be to start a new sport at Deerfield. It is definetly something I would encourage all new Deerfield athletes to do, especially if the sport they want to try is crew. In the fall of my junior year I served as a novice in the fall and made the varsity in the spring, and by the end of the spring we capped off an undefeated season with a win at the New England championship. So, I think the race that culminated a long season of hard work was my best moment as a Deerfield athlete, and bringing home the win was just the icing on the cake.”