Sports
Stellar All-Round Student-Athlete: Margaret Smith
Senior rebounded from early-season shoulder injury to help lead Warriors girls basketball to the state tournament for the first time since 2005.
Whiz Kid: Margaret Smith
Whiz Kid’s Age: 17
Whiz Kid’s School: Wilton High School
Find out what's happening in Wiltonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Whiz Kid’s Accomplishment: Senior guard, forward and center on Wilton girls basketball team who finished her final year strong.
Whiz Kid’s Key to Awesomeness: The 5-foot-11 senior rebounded after missing the first four games of the season due to a shoulder injury to help lead the Warriors to the state tournament for the first time since 2005.
Find out what's happening in Wiltonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Wilton finished the season at 12-10 (10-8 in the FCIAC) following a 61-39 loss to Torrington last Thursday in the second round of the CIAC Class L tourney. However, the Warriors recovered from a 3-7 start to qualify for postseason play.
While a 45-40 loss to Ridgefield on Feb. 16 knocked the Warriors out of the FCIAC playoffs, a 35-28 victory over Darien in the first round of the states should give Wilton some optimism heading into next season.
Of course, Smith won't be around as she is taking her basketball talents to New York’s Hamilton College next fall. She also sent recruitng material to Bowdoin, Bates, Braemar, Gettysburg and Haverford, but Hamilton stood apart from the rest of the pack.
“I just fell in love with Hamilton,” Smith said. Hamilton's coach, Melissia Patterson, also showed exceptional interest, compared to her counterparts at the other schools.
After applying, Smith’s application was spotted and it was suggested she send her recruiting info to the women's basketball team, which competes at the NCAA Division III level.
And she's not going to Hamilton, noted for its strong academics, just to play basketball, nor could she be accused of "mailing in" her final few months at Wilton. Her second-semester load includes four advanced placement courses: chemistry, physics, calculus and English.
“She’s an outstanding student,” Wilton coach Jaclyn Woitkowski said. “She’s just a great role model. She’s coachable."
Smith is also involved in a peer tutoring program at Wilton High School. Other activities include Our Lady of Fatima Youth Group and the National Honor Society.
“I want to be as good as I possibly can be,” Smith said.
