To every Section XI student-athlete across Suffolk County, thank you for the unforgettable memories, incredible achievements, and the pride you’ve brought to your schools and communities.

It has been an honor to play a part in your journey. As you take the next step, chase your dreams, embrace every opportunity, and never forget where you came from.

Congratulations, graduates. The future is yours. We’ll be cheering you on every step of the way!

Keira Kenny is a Section XI student media team member. 

It is no secret across Long Island that Ward Melville boasts some of the most competitive and successful athletic programs in Suffolk County. The 2025-26 school year was no exception. With more than 25 varsity programs competing across the fall, winter and spring seasons, Ward Melville athletes continued to showcase excellence, dedication and a commitment to championship-level competition.

Fall Success Sets the Tone

The fall season featured 11 athletic programs, many of which enjoyed remarkable success.

The boys and girls cross country teams each posted undefeated 5-0 records and captured league championships. The boys team went on to win the Suffolk County Championship, finish as runner-up at the New York State Championships and qualify for the Nike Northeast Regional Championships. The girls team earned a division title and advanced to the State Federation Qualifiers, highlighted by Isabella Horn’s appearance at the New York State Championships.

Game Day Cheerleading continued its winning tradition, finishing 4-2 while capturing league and Suffolk County championships before placing third at the New York State Championships.

Field hockey delivered one of the school’s strongest campaigns, compiling a 17-2 record while winning the Division IV title, Suffolk County Championship and advancing to the Long Island Championship game.

The football team enjoyed one of its finest seasons in recent memory, posting a 10-2 record, winning the Suffolk County Championship and earning a trip to the Long Island Championship.

On the soccer field, the boys team finished 10-6-1 and qualified for the postseason, while the girls team posted a 14-4 record, won its league title and advanced to the Suffolk County semifinals.

The girls swimming and diving team finished 6-1 and sent two seniors to the New York State Championships. Girls tennis posted a 12-4 record and finished second in league competition.

Both volleyball programs enjoyed successful seasons. The boys team finished 10-6, while the girls compiled a 16-4 record. Both squads advanced to the Suffolk County semifinals.

Winter Programs Continue the Momentum

As fall championships gave way to winter competition, Ward Melville’s athletes continued to excel despite the challenges of overlapping seasons and postseason play.

The boys basketball team finished 13-8, placing third in its league and reaching the Suffolk County quarterfinals. The girls basketball team posted an impressive 18-4 record, captured a league championship and advanced to the Suffolk County semifinals.

Wrestling finished 11-6 and placed third in league competition, while three Patriots earned spots at the New York State Championships.

Competitive Cheerleading enjoyed a historic season. The team captured a UCA Regional Championship, placed second nationally in Small Coed Game Day and fifth nationally in Small Coed Traditional. The squad also won league, Suffolk County and New York State championships.

The boys swimming and diving team finished 7-1, earned league championship honors, placed third at the Suffolk County Championships and qualified five athletes for the New York State Championships.

Both fencing teams produced outstanding seasons. The girls finished 12-1, winning both league and Suffolk County championships. The boys posted a 10-3 record, finished second in league competition and advanced to the Suffolk County Championship finals.

Winter track and field also enjoyed tremendous success. The boys team placed third in league competition and qualified three athletes for the New York State Indoor Track and Field Championships. The girls team sent multiple athletes to the state championships and earned the opportunity to compete at the prestigious Millrose Games.

Spring Athletes Finish Strong

As the school year entered its final stretch, Ward Melville’s spring programs continued to uphold the district’s standard of excellence.

The badminton teams were among the county’s best. The girls finished 10-5 and captured the Suffolk County Championship, while the boys posted a dominant 14-1 record.

Baseball finished 11-9 and advanced to the third round of the playoffs. The season was highlighted by head coach Lou Petrucci earning his 300th career victory.

Softball compiled a 17-4 record, advanced to the fifth round of the playoffs and produced three All-County selections.

In just its fourth year as a varsity program, girls flag football continued its growth, finishing 6-4 and earning a postseason berth.

Girls golf completed a perfect 12-0 season in league play. Senior Ella Girard capped the year with a Top-10 finish at the Suffolk County Girls Golf Championships.

The lacrosse programs once again ranked among Suffolk County’s elite. The boys team went 11-3 in league play and advanced to the Suffolk County semifinals. The girls team posted a 13-1 league record and won its first two playoff games before reaching the Suffolk County Championship game.

Boys tennis finished 10-3, while both track and field programs enjoyed strong campaigns. The boys team went 5-1 and the girls finished 4-2, with both teams producing impressive performances at invitational meets throughout the season.

A Tradition of Excellence

The accomplishments of Ward Melville’s student-athletes during the 2025-26 school year reflect the dedication, hard work and pride that define the district’s athletic programs. While many standout seniors will graduate and move on to new opportunities, their impact will continue to inspire future generations of Patriots.

With a culture built on commitment, teamwork and excellence, Ward Melville Athletics remains one of Long Island’s premier athletic programs and is well positioned to continue its tradition of success for years to come.

A new symbol of school pride now stands proudly at Walt Whitman High School’s Wildcat Stadium.

The recently installed Wildcat statue serves as a powerful tribute to the generations of students, athletes, educators and community members who have helped shape the school’s legacy. Positioned prominently at the stadium entrance, the statue reflects the spirit, determination and excellence that have defined the Wildcat community for decades.

As the plaque beneath the statue reads, it is “a tribute to the countless individuals who have pushed boundaries, broken records, and faced challenges laid before them. Its presence serves as a reminder that the fierce heart of a Wildcat lives on in every graduate.”

The project was made possible through the generosity and support of dedicated donors who recognized the importance of creating a lasting symbol for current and future Wildcats. Their contributions helped bring the vision to life and ensured that the tradition and pride associated with the Wildcat name will continue to inspire generations to come.

School officials expressed their gratitude to everyone who supported the effort, noting that the statue represents far more than a mascot. It stands as a reminder of the achievements, resilience and enduring connections shared by all who have walked the halls as Wildcats.

Whether students are competing on the field, performing on stage, excelling in the classroom or pursuing their dreams beyond graduation, the monument serves as a daily reminder of the values and traditions that unite the Wildcat family.

As the saying goes, “Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat.”