By Aidan Chariton

Staff Writer

Playing on a varsity team for 12 seasons, selected as captain for five seasons (two of them being during junior year), winning two state championships — all of these prestigious accomplishments are rarely achieved by a single person. However, one Walpole High School athlete can claim all of them as her own: senior Melanie Weber. At the start of her high school career, Weber immediately showed that she was not just an average athlete, as she made the varsity field hockey team as a freshman. Making a varsity team is impressive in itself, but making the WHS varsity field hockey team is exceptionally impressive, since the program is nationally ranked. “At first it was scary,” said Weber. “That was my first season and I was playing alongside some Division I players, but once we got into the season it was a lot of fun.” In her four years as a field hockey player at WHS, Weber contributed to two state championship wins — one in 2013 and one in 2016. Additionally, the Boston Globe awarded the Field Hockey Player of the Year Award to Weber for her performance in the 2016 season. “She is a fantastic player who improved on her skills over the last 4 years,” said former WHS head field hockey coach Marianne Murphy. “She always gave 110% both in practice and games, [and] she is definitely one of my top 10 players.” After she is done with high school, Weber will attend Northeastern University where she will continue to play field hockey at the Division 1 level. “I hope to make a lot of friendships” said Weber. “My goal [in field hockey] is just to become the best possible player that I can be.” Following the field hockey season, Weber spent her winter seasons playing on WHS’ varsity girls basketball team. In the 2016-2017 season Weber lead the Rebels to the Sweet Sixteen of the Division 2 State Tournament, in which they — the 11 seed — upset sixth seed O’Bryant and third seed Falmouth. “For my money, Mel was the best perimeter defender in our league…[and]
she is the best conditioned athlete I have ever worked with,” said WHS Girls Basketball head coach David Wall. “Mel did a great job as a captain for us. She is an incredibly hard worker and that type of leadership sets a great example.” As the snow began to melt and the flowers began to grow due to the arrival of spring, Weber began her third and final high school sport: lacrosse. During her junior year, Weber was a key player in the team’s journey to the state championship, where the team placed second after a loss to Norwell “Making it to the D2 Lacrosse State Finals was a huge highlight [in my career]. That was an incredible ride,” said Weber. Only three seniors graduated from last year’s varsity girls lacrosse team, leaving them with high expectations for Weber’s senior year. Thus far, the girls have been dominating, as their record
currently stands at 18-2, and they believe that they can return to the State Championship under the leadership of Weber. “Mel is truly one of the best athletes I have coached, regardless of the sport, the level, or the gender. [She has been] a goal scorer, a force on the circle with regards to draw controls, and a shutdown defender,” said WHS girls lacrosse head coach Mike Tosone. “I feel extremely lucky to have had Mel, and Walpole High School lacrosse has been equally as fortunate. I am going to miss the heck out of her.” Weber believes that sports have had a
massive impact on how she developed as a person, and her life as a whole. “Sports have been a huge part of my life since I was little. I love working and being in a competitive environment while also getting the chance to socialize with my friends” said Weber. “Sports have taught me lessons that you can’t learn anywhere else such as teamwork, facing adversity, and pushing yourself as hard as you can.” Numerous extremely gifted athletes have come through Walpole High School, some of who went on to play at the most elite division one colleges and
then in professional leagues. Todd Collins, Chris Costello, Nicole Wolfe, Sean McDermott, Ryan Izzo, and Johnny Adams are just a few of WHS’ greatest athletes ever. After 4 years of hard work and countless accomplishments, Melanie Weber has cemented her place in this group of top notch WHS athletes.