Willa Merton ’23 is a four-year Senior, captain of the Varsity Field Hockey team, and member of the Girls JV Ice Hockey team.
Teammate Nola Lai ’25 said, “Willa is one of the most genuine people I have ever met. She cares very deeply about the team and tries to create a nurturing environment that makes everyone feel very welcome.”
What have been some meaningful moments playing for Hotchkiss?
Practice is the one place where I can get away from everything going on at school. If I have a bad day, am feeling stressed out, or anything is bothering me, it all immediately disappears when I get to practice. It’s a really unique and special feeling on Downing field with the team.
What are your goals for the season?
To create a team environment where everyone feels heard and confident. As a captain and a Senior, I want to foster positive reinforcement within the team and hold each other accountable to be at our best. Most importantly, I want everyone’s voice to be heard and encourage others to play their hardest.
What has been your favorite memory with the team?
Our team has a tradition called Banana Bread Fridays, or BBF. Last Friday, our whole team was sitting together on the turf after practice and laughing as we were all eating banana bread. This team feels like a family to me and close moments like this only increase that feeling.
What advice do you have for younger athletes?
Always, always ask questions. I promise you will improve much faster when you ask your teammates for advice.
What will you miss most about the team?
I will miss the connections I have made with my teammates most when I graduate. I know that I will always be a part of the team and will come back to visit as much as I can.
What is it like being a Senior and captain on the team?
Being a Senior on the team can be intimidating for me. I miss having older people to look up to sometimes, but then I remember that everyone on the team has my back, no matter what grade they are in. I want to create a team environment that is super-inclusive and encouraging of everyone. My role as captain is such a huge responsibility, but I look up to everyone on the team and always feel their support. This is a competitive team, and sometimes we hold ourselves to high expectations, but the best thing that our team does is constantly instilling confidence in each other as athletes and people.
