For the past four years, Walker Davey ’19 has been a steady presence on Groton’s fields, contributing to the increasingly competitive play of boys varsity soccer, which has a record of 6-3-0 so far this year. Throughout his two years as a captain, Walker’s positivity and consistent high energy has not gone unnoticed by soccer coach Mr. Goodrich, who described him as “the glue to the team.” This season, Walker hopes to lead the team into the top five in the Independent School League (ISL). 

  Since Walker first started playing soccer when he was three years old, he has improved exponentially as a player and leader. He plays for F.C. Stars, an elite club soccer program, and has won a national championship during his tenure on the team. Walker described the experience as, “a thrill to go out to Indiana and come out on top.” Having found success in his club season, coming to Groton was much of a change. According to Mr. Goodrich, the team was experiencing a “building season” the year Walker joined, as many seniors players had graduated the previous year. Mr. Goodrich noted, “he didn’t lose himself having come from a highly successful team.” Despite having a tough first season at Groton, Walker played every game with grit and determination.

Throughout his four years at Groton, Walker has started every varsity boys game. Playing as a midfielder, Walker contributes in both the offence and the defense, often playing the full game. Teammate Nathan Zhang ’21 noted, “Walker has been a huge role model to me, and he is always the first on and the last off the field.” 

At the end of soccer season last year, Walker was named Most Valuable Player and voted captain for the second time. He said, “it was an extreme honor to be selected by my peers and I hope to lead by example.” According to teammate Russell Thorndike ‘21, Walker’s most admirable traits are his humility and compassion –– he always congratulates teammates on their successes and works for the team, not himself. Nick Steinert ’19 said, “Walker brings an electric personality on and off the field.” Nathan added, “He’s never had a bad game and lifts everyone up.”

Walker not only demonstrates his leadership solely on the soccer field but on the squash courts as well. Inspired by his older sister, who currently plays squash at Connecticut College, Walker picked up the sport in eighth grade. He started his squash career at Groton on JV, and after two years of hard work, he made his first appearance on varsity at the end of his fourth form year, when he won his challenge match to break into the top seven going to New England’s. Currently the captain of the varsity squash team, Walker inspires his teammates to work hard and support each other. Teammate Aaron Jin ‘19 said, “Walker is the hardest working player on the team. He leads by example, and always cheers us on regardless of how we are playing.” 

Reflecting on his experience with both soccer and squash, Walker said, “I’ve learned that even though one sport is more individual than the other, the team’s success is always contingent on how much you are willing to sacrifice for your teammates.”