Home of the Generals

Home of the Generals

Robert Beers, Jr. '52 Bob came to Wooster School in 1948 as part of the great class of 1952. His athletic record is one of the most outstanding in the school s history. Bob earned eleven varsity letters; four in baseball, three in football, two in basketball, and two in wrestling. He captained the 1951 football team and was undefeated as a wrestler in the 1951 1952 season. He won second place in his weight division at the New England Championships in 1952. Bob also was the Senior Prefect. He went on to Columbia University and finished second in the School of Industrial Engineering in 1957.

John Cheeseman '57 Student, Athlete, Teacher, Headmaster, Bon Vivant. While a student, "Cheese" was a standout on the varsity football, basketball, and baseball teams. At Wooster for only two years, John was Most Valuable Player for the basketball squad in both of those years and captained the team in 1957. Under handed foul shots were a must because the games were played in the barn. He also won varsity letters in football and baseball each year. Famously, John scored two touchdowns clinching a 14-12 victory over archrival South Kent School. On the baseball field, he almost lost a finger sliding into a Trinity Pawling opponent who later would be his roommate at Princeton; small world. John attributes his toughness, focus, and sensitivity to the common good to his experiences in sports and at Wooster School.

Mel Ware '63 Mel was a force to be reckoned with on the football field, basketball court, the wrestling mats and on the track. Off the field he was a gentle giant. Mel was captain of the football team and high scorer and captain of the track team. He holds the school record in the broad jump. In 1963 he was the varsity heavyweight wrestler, ranking fifth in the state. Mel was the Most Valuable Player on the football team in 1961 and team captain in 1962. He was captain and Most Valuable Player for two years on the basketball team. He went on to Goddard College and served in Vietnam. Mel passed away in 2001.

Bill Rittenhouse '67 Perhaps one of the most gifted athletes in Wooster School history, Bill is the only student to win the Ray Sparks Trophy for Most Valuable Wrestler in the Connecticut state tournament. He also received Most Valuable Player for the 1967 wrestling team. In addition, Bill was the captain and Most Valuable Player of the 1966 varsity football team, and captain of the baseball team. After Wooster School, he was an all star athlete at Tufts University and served as a Marine in Vietnam.

Desiree Richardson '81 Before ESPN, before the WNBA, before cradle to college sports for girls, there was Desiree! Known as "Dez," she was an athlete, a scholar and a leader with great talent, generosity, and humility. Although new to soccer, Dez was a natural being selected to the HVAL All Star Team and Co-Captain. She was also an outstanding basketball player on Coach Costello s teams. As captain, she led the 1980-1981 undefeated girls basketball team. Dez was awarded the Most Valuable Player in soccer and basketball in 1979 and 1980 and Outstanding Athlete Award in 1981. Dez was the first African American female at Wooster School to become Senior Prefect in 1980 1981.

Cathy Darrow '89 "Cat" was an outstanding athlete while at Wooster who won multiple Most Valuable Player awards in soccer, basketball, and tennis. She was selected for All League, All State, and All New England Teams in soccer. She scored a school record 128 goals in her Wooster career. She was a standout on the 1988-1989 undefeated girls basketball team. She was ranked #1 on the 1989 tennis team. Cat went on to play Rugby at Boston College and was a member of the National Championship and U.S. Women s National teams. She earned a Master s degree in Teaching from Tufts University, and PhD in Teaching and Learning from Vanderbilt University. Cat acknowledges that Wooster School helped her to understand hard work, to have a sense of community and to empathize with others.

Geoff Malyszka '95 Geoff was a three sport athlete in soccer, basketball, and baseball. A winner of the Outstanding Athlete Award, he earned four Most Valuable Player awards, two in soccer, and one each in basketball and baseball. He played on the Championship and New England Tournament teams. Known as "Boot," he was a most determined athlete. His timing was perfect, whether playing sweeper on the soccer pitch, grabbing a rebound on the basketball court, or making a great play at first base on the baseball diamond.

McKenzie Corby '98 McKenzie was a three-sport athlete. She received five Most Valuable Player awards, one in lacrosse and four in basketball. She was a six time HVAL All Star and five time New England All Star. McKenzie played on three undefeated and six Championship teams. It was on the hardwood of a basketball court McKenzie displayed her dominance and she was a force to be reckoned with at both ends of the court. Despite the fact that every opposing coach's game plan centered around limiting her touches and shutting her down, McKenzie, game after game and season after season, would not relent. As a result, McKenzie became Wooster's first female player to reach the 1,000th point plateau, doing so in her junior year. She went on to set the Wooster School career scoring record with 1,450 points.

Lisette Mercado '98 Lisette was a stellar all-around athlete and a true standout on both the basketball court and soccer field. She won five Most Valuable Player awards, was a seven time HVAL and a four time New England All Star. She won the Outstanding Athlete Award, played on two undefeated and five championship teams. Lisette was the point guard on the basketball team and had great ball handling skills with tremendous court vision. She was also the cornerstone of the soccer team and controlled the tempo of every game. In addition to her athletic prowess, she was an incredible ambassador for Wooster's athletic program, helping to create team environments which garnered six sportsmanship awards. Lisette's integrity on and off the field, and court, were noticed by many and it was no surprise that she was selected to be the Senior Prefect.

Sid Rowell - Coach Sid Rowell was the man of the "Eighties." He coached at Wooster for twelve years and amassed a record that was remarkable. He coached varsity girls soccer, boys basketball, and varsity baseball. He is number four on the all time Wooster School coaching list for most New England Tournament wins in girls soccer. His soccer teams were an impressive 50-3-4. Sid is also number two on the all time Wooster School coaching list for most league championship teams; four in soccer, three in basketball, and two in baseball. While at Wooster School, Sid served as Assistant Headmaster. He currently is Head of School at Gill St. Bernard s School in New Jersey.

1967 Undefeated Varsity Football

1968 Undefeated Varsity Football

1997-98 Undefeated Varsity Girls Basketball

1998-99 Undefeated Varsity Girls Basketball