Graphic by Maddy Childs ’26/The Choate News
In the increasingly digitized world, Choate winter sports teams are making a splash on social media. From practice videos to game announcements and player profiles, these accounts showcase the hard work and success of Choate athletes.
Girls’ Varsity Basketball, composed of 10 skilled and dedicated athletes, not only dominates on the court but also on their Instagram account, managed by four-year varsity player and Co-Captain Norah Saluja ’23.
Since taking over the account in her junior year, Saluja has been passionate about highlighting the hard work and dedication of the Girls’ Basketball Team.
“Especially for girls’ sports, there’s not a lot of attention or publicity. I think [social media] just brings attention and makes [the team] feel like it’s an important thing on campus,” she said.
Through her advocacy for girls’ basketball, Saluja hopes to create a more supportive, empowering atmosphere for her team and all of women’s sports.
Varsity Swimming and Diving has also been active on Instagram. First-year student managers Sophia Kim ’24, Paula Garcia-Moreno ’25, and Camila Granda ’25 have taken the reins of the team’s Instagram account to showcase the team’s energetic and fun-loving nature.
Kim explained that the team’s social media helps to build excitement and anticipation for upcoming meets while also providing a glimpse into the team’s dynamic and supportive community. Granda continued, noting that the Instagram account allows “prospective students to see how our team works, what type of practices we have, and the team environment.”
Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Squash also foster close-knit communities both on and off the court. Led by Zach Starr ’24, John Henderson ’23, Rachel Miller ’23, and Elena Zhang ’24, the account features alluring game day edits and special events, such as accomplishments and tournaments.
Starr explained that the account serves not only as a reminder to support the team but also as a way for the student athletes to look back on their experiences with pride. “We’re friends first, then teammates,” Starr added, underscoring the importance of building lasting relationships within the team.
Girls’ Varsity Hockey, known affectionately as the “Lady Boars,” entered the season as a strong and cohesive team, having already secured wins against Greenwich, Lawrence, and Pomfret. In her second season with the team, Coach Laura DiCarlo manages the team’s Instagram account with Tariq El Mammann ’24.
This year’s team welcomed nine new players and focused on building a strong camaraderie through bonding events such as dinner at Assistant Coach James Stanley’s home. By fostering a genuine connection both on and off the ice, the team hopes to translate chemistry into athletic success as well as a platform for college recruiters to discover the talents of the Choate student-athletes.
Finally, Choate’s co-ed Wrestling Instagram account, managed by experienced three-year managers Raye Osayimwese-Sisson ’23 and Harper Knight ’23, is a window into the team’s dedication, passion, and school spirit.
Knight noted, “Our team was really able to expand this year, and we have a lot more girls this year as well too.” The team is determined to become one of the best girls’ wrestling programs in New England, and the team’ s diversity and dedication are evident in each and every match.
The team’s bond is strong and unbreakable: Osayimwese-Sisson referred to the players and coaches as a “family.” “They’re all really passionate about wrestling, so it’s just really wonderful to see how much spirit there is,” she said.
The team also engages in bonding activities, such as eating out at restaurants after long tournament days, where each player is given the opportunity to share reflections on their performance.
Choate Wrestling is a dedicated program that encourages personal growth through diverse experiences. The team’ s Instagram helps showcase their hard work and helps to build a strong bond among the players and coaches.
