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May Halftime Report - Woods Windham '23

Kim Gendron, Social Media Coordinator

As CCES Varsity Boys Soccer starts their playoff run this week, poised to defend their back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022, senior forward Woods Windham ’23 sets out to do something very few high school athletes accomplish – win three state championships in three different sports in the same year. Woods currently has five total state championship rings – one for football, two for basketball, and two for soccer – and has played an integral role in all of his teams’ successes.
 
Woods has been the starting quarterback for CCES the past two seasons, so it may come as a bit of a surprise that he did not really start playing football until right before high school. His earliest memories of any of his three sports is of soccer – watching the World Cup in 2010 and just kicking the ball around with his mom, a former collegiate soccer player. Along the way, he added in basketball and started to pursue it more seriously in middle school, often using time getting up shots in the gym as a reprieve from the stress of school.
 
When Woods came to CCES for high school, it just felt natural for him to keep playing all three sports, despite most of his peers starting to narrow down to just one, if they had not already done so. Woods says, “I don’t have any regrets pursuing all three,” and it is certainly hard to argue with his impressive resume.  
 
While the transition between the three different seasons and having to adjust to a different set of technical skills quickly could be frustrating at times, he has seen how each sport has helped him excel even more in all his athletic pursuits. Football has taught him the power of teamwork and how to react quickly to what the defense is doing. Basketball has made him appreciate the physicality of competing and how to utilize it to his advantage. And soccer has improved his agility and understanding of the precision required to succeed.
 
His three CCES coaches consider it an honor to have had a front row view of all Woods has accomplished, acknowledging the sheer commitment it takes to excel in multiple sports. Having Woods does require some give and take on their end as well – he may miss occasional practices or pre-season trainings if his other teams are deep in the playoffs. However, they all consider those accommodations well worth it to have him be a part of their programs.
 
Quin Hatfield, Varsity Football Head Coach, describes Woods as the model of an “elite student-athlete,” with his desire to compete and succeed being just as strong in the classroom as it is on the field. Hatfield says, “In my three years of coaching Woods, I can’t think of a single time I ever had to coach him on effort. He always gives you everything he has, and as a coach, that’s exactly what you want in a player.”
 
“Intelligent, mature, and respectful,” are the characteristics that come to mind for John Butler, Varsity Basketball Head Coach, when he thinks of Woods. Butler speaks highly of the way Woods “always let his game do all the talking,” with his relentlessness on the court which certainly left an impression on opposing coaches. He says, “Woods was always willing to do whatever it took to win, and our basketball program will not be the same without him.”
 
Varsity Soccer Head Coach, Anthony Esquivel, calls what Woods has been able to accomplish “simply amazing” and considers himself lucky to have been a part of it. Esquivel points out all the “what ifs” Woods has faced throughout his high school career -- questions from outsiders who wonder what might have happened if he had focused on just one sport full-time. He says of Woods: “His answer was to simply lead, win championships, and excel in all aspects of his life. He did something extremely special, and I’m proud of him.”   
 
Winning state with each of these teams is certainly at the top of his list of memories and accomplishments over the years, but Woods has also cherished the process along the way. He has enjoyed seeing his hard work pay off as he developed both as an individual player and a contributor to his teams and all the wins they have accumulated over the years. He also credits his athletic experiences with helping him grow as a person – in confidence and as a leader.
 
With graduation quickly approaching in just a few weeks, there will be a lot of change for Woods. He will be soon be moving several hundred miles north to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA. He is currently undecided about his major, but imagines it will be something computer science or engineering related. Woods acknowledges the positive influence that many of his teachers at CCES have had – Mrs. Dr. Vick, Mrs. Joseph, Mr. Lipp, and Mr. Halvorson to name a few. Whether they have provided encouraging feedback, explained complex concepts in challenging areas of study, or been a steady presence at various games, he is greatly appreciative for all they have done to support him, both academically and athletically.
 
Reed Halvorson, US Theatre Teacher, has had Woods in a couple of classes and says that so much of who Woods is has contributed to his success both as a student and as an athlete. Reed appreciates the way Woods never wavered in effort, despite being pushed outside of his comfort zone in some of these classes. He says, “Woods represents the best kind of CCES student – detail-oriented, respectful, and inquisitive, all traits that will ensure his success well beyond his time here.”
 
Another consistent presence at any and all CCES sporting events is Wes Clarke, US Director. As an administrator, Wes points to Woods’ influence as Senior Class President in always allowing for multiple perspectives to be heard as well as the role he played in implementing inaugural Senior Sunrise chapel services to open and close the year. As a fan and observer of athletics, Wes notes, “Woods is the sort of stable, reliable force that promotes team cohesion and accomplishment, while sacrificing nothing related to competitive fire or highlight plays. To my eye, while not the most vocal or visible team member, he has been a clear difference-maker for multiple state championship teams. Athletes of his caliber and character are rare in any one of these sports, much less spanning all three, while also connecting so seamlessly to the school day.”
 
It seems only fitting for a three-sport athlete and five-time state champion to commit to play not one, but two sports in college. On April 12, Woods signed his letter of intent to play both basketball and soccer at MIT. As he looks back on the recruiting process, Woods calls it “complex,” while he considered several different opportunities in all three sports. However, MIT was his “dream school,” and in the end, it just made sense. MIT will provide him the opportunity to continue to excel at multiple sports, while also pursuing a rigorous academic track.
 
As he reflects on the past four years, Woods expresses his extreme gratitude to his parents (his dad, Coach John Windham, teaches US Physical Education at CCES and is the Varsity Defensive Coordinator) for all the time and support they have provided to help him succeed. He cherishes the hours spent with his younger brother, Judd, who has been a steady route runner, rebounder, and pass partner – always doing whatever he could to help Woods practice. He appreciates all his coaches and the impact they have had on him, helping him develop into the player he is today. Woods says, “I truly appreciate all the members of the CCES community and how they have supported me – from teammates to parents and teachers to coaches.”
 
In a couple of weeks, Woods may have added a sixth state championship to his already impressive resume. But regardless of how their soccer playoff run ends, Woods will graduate from CCES as one of the most successful all-around athletes as well as an example to younger students that while playing multiple sports is a difficult undertaking, it is more than possible to do it and still be one of the best out there.
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