Athletics

Playing
the game

Leaders. Champions. Changers.

our League affiliations

Walker’s athletic teams compete in the Founders League, a league of highly selective college preparatory schools, and nationally recognized as one of the most competitive and respected leagues in the country. As a member of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC), Walker’s athletics program supports the NEPSAC Code of Ethics.

Our Philosophy on Athletics

Athletics are an integral part of our girls’ experience. When young women train and compete, they rise to meet new challenges, step into leadership roles, and emerge physically and intellectually stronger — as individuals and as team members. Each girl competes with a passion and determination, and with pride in the Walker’s name. In every aspect of their life at Walker’s, students are empowered to lead with confidence, courage, conviction, and integrity.

Athletics News

Athletics

Our Mission

 

Walker’s athletics program is an extension of the classroom — facilitating growth through both triumph and defeat while fostering skill-development, resilience, leadership, and accountability.

Varsity Field hockey

Mimi Duran has over 30 years of coaching experience, both in independent and public schools, and began her tenure at Walker’s in fall 2007.

Varsity Soccer

Coach Colin R. Griggs was at the helm when Walker's won their first NEPSAC tournament game en route to the semifinals.

Varsity Basketball

Coach John Monagan has led the Varsity team to the NEPSAC Class C tournament five times.

Varsity Lacrosse

Coach Jill Mountford's approach centers around a team-first mentality by using creativity, skill development, trust, and a lacrosse IQ.

Varsity Volleyball

As a professional athlete, Coach Brett Benzio knows first hand the value of a hard work ethic as she has experience on and off the court.

Cross Country

Coach Semk encourages every runner to set and achieve their goals, fostering a strong ethic of teamwork, and develop healthy habits.

Swimming and Diving

Coach Karim Mabrouk is an experienced swim coach with a passion for developing athletes both in and out of the water.

Skiing

Coach Brendan O’Dwyer helped to coach the Varsity Tennis team to the NEPSAC tournament in the 2017-2018 season.

Varsity Golf

Coach Bethany Davis played golf at the collegiate level where she played under the direction of LPGA Teaching Professional Laura Brown.

Scores and Schedules

Recent Scores

Cross Country (Varsity)

vs. New England Championship


Game Summary
win: 3-5

Soccer (Varsity)

vs. Kingswood Oxford School


Game Summary

Soccer (JV)

vs. Kingswood Oxford School


Field Hockey (JV)

vs. Rumsey Hall School


win: 3-2

Soccer (Varsity)

vs. Williston Northampton School


Game Summary

Soccer (JV)

vs. Williston Northampton School


win: 1-0

Field Hockey (Varsity)

vs. Kingswood Oxford School


Game Summary
win

Volleyball (Varsity)

vs. The MacDuffie School


win: 3-0

Field Hockey (Varsity)

vs. Wilbraham & Monson Academy


Game Summary

Cross Country (Varsity)

vs. Founders League Championship


Game Summary

Volleyball (JV)

vs. The Williston Northampton School


loss: 0-3

Volleyball (Varsity)

vs. The Williston Northampton School


Game Summary
win: 1-0

Soccer (Varsity)

vs. The Taft School


Game Summary
loss: 1-3

Soccer (JV)

vs. The Taft School


Game Summary

Field Hockey (JV)

vs. Renbrook School CANCELLED


loss: 0-5

Field Hockey (Varsity)

vs. The Frederick Gunn School


Game Summary
loss: 0-4

Soccer (Varsity)

vs. Worcester Academy


Game Summary
win: 3-1

Soccer (JV)

vs. Miss Hall's School


Game Summary

Soccer (Middle School)

vs. The Master's School


win: 3-2

Volleyball (Varsity)

vs. Westminster School


Game Summary

Upcoming Games


Soccer (Varsity)

vs. Brooks School

home


Basketball (Varsity)

vs. Deerfield Academy (scrimmage)

home


Basketball (Varsity)

vs. The Hotchkiss School

home


Basketball (JV)

vs. The Hotchkiss School

home


Basketball (Varsity)

vs. Mt. Saint Charles

away


Squash

vs. Kingswood Oxford School

home


Basketball (JV)

vs. Canterbury School

home


Basketball (Varsity)

vs. Canterbury School

home


Basketball (Varsity)

vs. Loomis Chaffee School

away


Swimming and Diving

vs. Kent School

away


Squash

vs. Kent School

home


Basketball (JV)

vs. Loomis Chaffee School

away


Basketball (Middle School)

vs. Rumsey Hall School

away


Basketball (Middle School)

vs. The Frederick Gunn School

home


Basketball (Varsity)

vs. King School

away


Basketball (JV)

vs. The Frederick Gunn School (varsity team)

home


Squash

vs. The Williston Northampton School

away


Basketball (Varsity)

vs. Varsity Basketball Holiday Tournament

home


Basketball (Varsity)

vs. Cushing Academy

home


Basketball (Varsity)

vs. Portsmouth Abbey School

home


Basketball (Varsity)

vs. Holderness School

home


Basketball (Middle School)

vs. The Master's School

home


Basketball (Varsity)

vs. Westminster Academy

home


Swimming and Diving

vs. School of the Holy Child

home


Swimming and Diving

vs. Winsor School

home


Squash

vs. Westminster School

away


Basketball (Varsity)

vs. Kimball Union Academy

away


Basketball (JV)

vs. Westminster School

home


Basketball (Varsity)

vs. Kent School

home


Basketball (JV)

vs. Kent School

home


Basketball (Middle School)

vs. Indian Mountain School

away


Basketball (Varsity)

vs. Pomfret School

home


Squash

vs. Miss Porter's School

home


Squash

vs. The Hotchkiss School

home


Basketball (Middle School)

vs. Wilbraham & Monson Academy

home


Swimming and Diving

vs. Canterbury School

away


Basketball (Varsity)

vs. Greenwich Country Day School

home


Basketball (Varsity)

vs. Suffield Academy

away


Swimming and Diving

vs. Wilbraham & Monson Academy

home


Swimming and Diving

vs. Albany Academy

home

Aquatic Center
Centennial Center Gym
Squash pavilion
Dance Studio
Field and Courts
Team Room
Fitness Center
Health Center

Aquatic Center

Walker’s Aquatic Center is home to an eight-lane, 25-yard pool. The pool depth and gutter system make it one of the fastest pools in New England.

Double gymnasium

Walker’s double gymnasium hosts basketball and volleyball games, as well as community events such as pep rallies and celebrations.

Squash Pavilion

Walker’s squash pavilion features four courts and The Harriet Blees Dewey ’60, P’86 Squash Gallery.

Dance Studios

Walker’s state-of-the-art dance suite in the Centennial Center includes two dance studios with sprung floors, ample natural light, and sweeping views of Talcott Mountain.

Fields and Courts

Walker’s athletic fields and courts include three natural grass soccer fields, two softball fields, two synthetic fields for field hockey and lacrosse, and seven tennis courts.

Team Room

Inspired by a collegiate style, Walker’s locker rooms are the hub for team camaraderie.

Fitness Center

Available to all Walker’s students and faculty, the fitness center has modern cross training equipment and sweeping views of Talcott Mountain.

Health Center

The Joyce K. McIntyre Health Center is named in honor of Joyce McIntyre, B.S., R.N., C.N.C., who has been helping to heal and nurture Walker’s girls since 1984. The Health Center has four overnight rooms, two treatment rooms, health classroom, and a kitchen.

From Our Athletes

Scholar-Athletes

Maintaining a balance between athletics and academics is key to success. As a scholar-athlete, I’ve learned time management and other valuable skills that will continue to help me in life.

Maci Schlesinger '26

EWAC

EWAC has greatly impacted my leadership on and off the court — I have learned different ways to implement the information I learn in our meetings and translate it back into my teams.

Violet Tran '26

College Athletes

Walker's prepared me very well for college, especially being an athlete. Walker's taught me to maintain a balance of academics and sports.

Mariah Dunn '19ECSU

Mariah Dunn playing basketball
BSN gear

Get Your Gear

For current athletes and Walker’s fans alike, grab your Walker’s wear here.

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Meet the Staff

Brett Benzio

Assistant Head of School for Athletics, Co-Curriculars, and Equestrian

Brett Benzio

860-408-4290

B.S., Tulane University
MBA, Lynn University

Brett Benzio hails from sunny South Florida where she was a multi-sport athlete in high school. In her four years at Jensen Beach High School, Brett was a state champion in basketball and volleyball – winning the State Tournament MVP in volleyball and Player of the Year in both basketball and volleyball as a senior. JBHS inducted Brett into their hall of fame in 2013. Brett chose to pursue basketball in college and was a four-year starter at Tulane University. During her time in New Orleans, Brett solidified her impact on the program in the record books and most impressively as the second woman in school history to score at least 1,000 points and pull down at least 1,000 rebounds. After completing her collegiate career, Brett continued playing professionally for MB Slovenka in the Czech Republic and DJK Brose in Germany.

As an athletic professional, Brett has both collegiate and prep school experience. As the director of operations for the Harvard women’s basketball team, Brett was instrumental in managing the program’s travel, events, and day-to-day operations. Brett gained more collegiate experience as an assistant coach for the women’s basketball program at the University of Vermont, where she was the compliance liaison, marketing director, and academic advisor for athletes in the program. With a combined seven years of experience at the New Hampton School and Lawrence Academy, Brett has had the opportunity to familiarize herself with operations within NEPSAC.

Brett holds a BS degree from Tulane University in Management and a MBA from Lynn University in Athletic Administration and Media & Marketing Management.

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Mimi Duran

Mimi Duran P'18

Associate Athletic Director, Director of Summer Programs

Mimi Duran P'18

860-408-4294

B.S., University of Maine
B.S., University of Maine
M.S., Georgetown University

Mimi Duran brings over 30 years of coaching experience in both independent and public schools. She began her tenure at Walker’s in the fall of 2007, where she has spearheaded a highly successful field hockey program. Under her leadership, the team has won seven CISAC League Titles, six CISAC Tournament Titles, and the Class C WNEPSAC Championship Title in 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. Walker’s teams have also participated in the NEPSCA Field Hockey Tournament in the years 2007, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Duran’s achievements include receiving the Founders League Nadal Sportsmanship Award, as well as being inducted into the Connecticut Field Hockey Hall of Fame and The New Agenda Northeast Hall of Fame. She holds a Level 2 Coaching Certification from the United States Field Hockey Association (USFHA) and is a member of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA), where she serves on the Scholastic All-American Committee, the Scholastic Committee, and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Additionally, she is a member of the Connecticut Field Hockey Coaches Association and serves as a USFHA NEXUS coach.

Duran has also taken teams on international trips to compete in Europe and South America. Many of her former players have achieved All-State and Regional All-American recognition, with several going on to play and captain collegiate teams at the Division I, II, and III levels. Notably, a number of her alumnae have pursued coaching careers at both the high school and collegiate levels, earning induction into the Connecticut Field Hockey Hall of Fame as players and coaches. In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Mimi Duran serves as the Associate Athletic Director. She holds a Masters degree in Professional Sports Management from Georgetown University.

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Jillian Mountford

Jill Mountford

Assistant Athletic Director for Operations, Varsity Lacrosse Coach

Jill Mountford

860-408-4203

B.S., Bentley University

Jill Mountford joined Walker’s in the fall of 2023 as head coach of the varsity lacrosse team after graduating from Bentley University with a Bachelor in Science in Management. Coach Mountford also coaches at the club level for Nor’easter Lacrosse. She has a USA Lacrosse Gold Coaching Certification.

Coach Mountford also serves as the Assistant Athletic Director for Operations within the athletic department. She lives on campus with her dog Bentley and serves as a dorm parent and upper school advisor.

Kristin Nicolle

Head Athletic Trainer

Kristin Nicolle

860-408-4293

B.S., Keene State College
M.E., Springfield College

Kristin Nicolle has 21 years of experience as a Head Athletic Trainer in private schools. She began her career at the Madeira School in McLean, VA, where she started the athletic training program. Kristin started at Walker’s in fall 2004.

While working at Walker’s, Kristin was house faculty for two years and Dorm Director of Smith dorm for one year, a Middle School advisor, Middle School physical education teacher, assistant Middle School basketball and softball coach, Middle School Wellness teacher, and Assistant Athletic Director. Kristin continues as the Head Athletic Trainer.

Kristin has a Master of Education degree from Springfield College in Sports Injury, Prevention and Management and is a Certified Athletic Trainer through the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification. Kristin is also a licensed Athletic Trainer in the state of Connecticut.

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