The COVID-19 pandemic put an unexpected and early end to the 2020 spring seasons. As a result, traditional Senior Days were also canceled for spring sports. Please join us in recognizing and honoring our senior student-athletes through the tribute written by their coach below.
Mathew Holmes-Hackerd is from Woburn, Massachusetts with a dual major in biology and chemistry. Mat's parents are Lester Hackerd and Sarah Holmes-Hackerd. Mat has been an MIAA Academic Honor Roll award winner each of his four years at K, and also was awarded the Henry and Inez Brown Award his senior year. He was part of our 2016-17 National Academic Championship team, and will be pursuing a graduate degree in biological oceanography at the University of Connecticut.
As a senior Mat served as a co-captain and has become an integral leader of our team. Mat received our Most Improved Player Award twice during his career, as he improved his average nearly eight strokes while at K. He was instrumental in helping the team to finish third in the conference this past fall.
Mat is most proud that he re-engineered his entire golf swing during his time at K so he could be a key contributor to the team's scores. He will remember the trips to Pinehurst and the relationships that he developed with his teammates. He cherishes fostering a culture of friendship and community with his fellow competitors.
We will miss Mat and wish him great success at Connecticut!
Will Mierz is from Muskegon with a major in political science. Wil is the son of John and Mary Beth Mierz. Wil is a hard worker that has really spread his wings while at K, and was a member of our 2016-17 National Academic Championship Team.
Wil's story is one of perseverance. He was a member of the team his freshman and sophomore years, but did not have the success on the course he had hoped to have. He opted not to play his junior year to focus on his studies. The strategy paid off with significant improvement in the classroom both his junior and senior years.
Wil rejoined the team his senior year and came on strong with personal bests at our home MIAA Jamboree at KCC (77), and the MIAA Fall Finish at Forest Akers which included a final round and career-best 75. He improved his average by five strokes and was the recipient of our Most Improved Player award. He will remember the spring break trips to Pinehurst and the team's family atmosphere. He is a grinder on the course that never gives up, and always put the team first.
We will miss Wil and wish him great success in the next phase of his life!