Stoughton High Seniors Rentsch and Zuk Named Hockomock League Scholar Athletes

Atticus Rentsch said he was “nervous like game day” last Thursday evening, but there was no game to be played.

Instead, Rentsch and fellow senior Molly Zuk were being honored as Stoughton’s Hockomock League Scholar Athlete recipients at a reception at in Wrentham on May 12.

Rentsch and Zuk have earned the praise of their coaches for their respective performances on the field.

"I thought he was tremendous,” boys’ basketball coach John Gallivan said of Rentsch’s performance following a . Rentsch was a defensive leader for the Black Knights this past winter season.

“He worked really hard and you know, he doesn’t get a lot of credit, he doesn’t get a lot of glory, but he really, really put us in a position to be successful,” Gallivan continued.

“I wouldn’t have any other catcher but Molly Zuk,” softball coach Janet Sullivan said of her senior captain following a . Sullivan also coached Zuk in basketball and called her “a true leader [and] motivator,” following their in February.

But, last Thursday, Rentsch and Zuk were being honored for their achievements off the field as well, taking into account their “academics, athletic participation, sportsmanship, leadership and citizenship.”

“It's very nice to have the league honor my hard work in both the classroom and on the field and court. Balancing both my academics and athletics has been extremely important to me through my four years of high school,” Zuk said.

“I think that it’s great that the schools do this. It shows that they care about the work done in school and not just the field. It is a great honor to be considered for this award,” Rentsch added. “Being selected for an opportunity to represent the school is great.”

A male and female from each Hockomock school received this honor. With the addition of Attleboro to the League, 20 student-athletes were honored at the 22nd Annual Hockomock League Scholar Athlete Awards Dinner.

Rentsch and Zuk have been three sport athletes for all four of their years at Stoughton High. Rentsch has been part of the football, cross country, basketball, and baseball teams. Zuk has played field hockey, basketball and softball.

Both have been able to balance their commitments to athletics and academics.

“I think that balancing a busy schedule teaches me a lot about time management and how to schedule my free time. Surprisingly, I end up doing better in my classes during my sports seasons,” said Zuk, who also is class president, and a member of NHS, student council, DECA, and construction challenge.

But the time management aspect isn’t always challenge-free.

“It is extremely challenging to write a decent essay after a long game in [King Philip],” Zuk added. “Those are the hardest nights when all you want to do is go to sleep, but you have a lot of homework to do. However, I think that sports in the long run teach you how to balance a busy schedule and achieve great results.”

Zuk wanted to thank Principal Matt Colantonio, Athletic Director Ryan Donahue, the administration and her teachers. “Last, but not least, thanks to my coaches for helping me with my athletics and teaching me what it means to be a true athlete,” she said. 

Both are set to graduate June 2. Rentsch will be attending the University of Rhode Island for business; Zuk will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York to study Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in design.

Rentsch and Atticus, lauded by their respective coaches, have earned the praises of the school’s administration as well.

“They have continuously displayed their leadership on the field and in the classroom. Both are on their way to becoming great citizens,” Donahue said.

“Their peers are lucky to have them as positive influences, and faculty members are lucky to have students that execute their many tasks everyday. Both Molly and Atticus define excellence, and have very bright and successful futures ahead of them.”