SCHS sports spotlight: Kat Piantka

Audrey Folia | Editor-in-Chief

October 10, 2025

SCHS has always been known as a school that thrives both academically and athletically, and this year is no exception. With some seniors submitting and working on their college applications, others are being recruited and even committing to schools. These processes are an honor to athletes and their respective schools as they validate the hard work students put in throughout high school, allowing them to compete at a higher level, and ultimately, provide athletes with opportunities to pursue their passion in sports. As part of the SCHS student body, it’s important to recognize some of the incredible student-athletes who have taken these steps and demonstrate the Triton values of excellence, determination, and hard work. 

One individual who specifically shines both academically and athletically is our very own Editor-in-Chief, Kat Piantka! Friends, classmates, and teachers alike are quick to describe Piantka as dedicated, driven, and a natural leader, all traits leading her to have the privilege of committing to the application process at the highly selective Tufts University. In response to her announcement, senior Chloe Chafin stated that “as a former teammate and current friend of Kat, [she] could not be more proud of her.” Chafin described her as “the type of person to always put in her best effort,” a characteristic that “shows in her dedication to her team, classes, and friendships.”

Around school, Kat does more than her fair share of work. From being involved in school programs like ASB for three years and Link Crew for the past two years, she’s gone out of her way to create a friendly environment at SCHS and to make students feel welcome on campus. In addition to this, she hasn’t shied away from clubs either, currently serving her second year as secretary for Best Buddies and her first year as Vice President for the National Honor Society. One might think that so many extracurricular activities might have limited Piantka’s time for academics, yet she has excelled in her schoolwork as well, taking some of the most rigorous courses available at SCHS, and yet still thriving in them, demonstrated by her stellar grades and numerous academic achievement awards. 

Still, one can’t forget about Piantka’s incredible athletic stats, playing not only varsity golf, but also varsity cross country and track. Though Piantka loved playing for the golf team, her commitment to Tufts is in regard to running, and it’s easy to see why she would get recruited. Not only is she the varsity cross country and track captain, but she leads the team as “one of the most hardworking individuals,” with her “commitment and passion to school and athletics” allowing her to serve as a role model for all the girls on the team, according to senior Catherine Golles. As for ability, Piantka stands as one of the fastest girls on the team with a 3 mile personal record of 17:43 at Woodbridge Invitational, 1 mile personal best of 5:06 amongst other achievements, such as being the anchor and one of four girls responsible for breaking SCHS’s 14-year-long record in the 4×800.

To conclude on a personal note, as Piantka’s fellow Editor-in-Chief, I would like to affirm all these things and so much more to be true of Kat. She is an outstanding student, athlete, and friend, and I am so proud of her for taking this next step in life. I can’t wait to see what lies next for her, and to cherish the time we have left working as Editors-in-Chief of the Triton Times.