Whitman field hockey's Kate Macaluso is Newsday's Athlete of the Week
Whitman field hockey player Kate Macaluso pictured on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026 at Whitman High School in Huntington Station. Credit: Dawn McCormick
Knowing that it is the last season she will ever play field hockey again, Whitman's Kate Macaluso wants to make the most of every moment.
She did not disappoint.
Newsday's Athlete of the Week scored the go-ahead goal with 1:42 remaining to lead Whitman (11-5) to a 3-2 win over Patchogue-Medford in a Suffolk I matchup last Friday.
"I'm playing lacrosse in college, so I'll be leaving it behind," Macaluso said. "So, I'm trying to have the best season possible before I leave it in the past."
"There were three minutes left, and I could see she flipped the switch," coach Christine Scharpf said. "She took it upon herself and said, 'Let's go we are not tying. We are ending this now.' "
The forward started playing field hockey in eighth grade because her mother, Sarah, also played the sport. Her mom and Scharpf are also well acquainted, so playing field hockey makes her feel like she's at home.
"It definitely makes the game a lot more fun," Macaluso said. "Being around the people I love the most takes the pressure off."
It took some time, but Macaluso emerged as one of the top performers on Long Island. She is fourth in points with 29, tied for ninth in goals with 16, and fifth in assists with 13.
"Even though she's the best player on the team, it's not the Kate show," Scharpf said. "She makes the other girls work harder because they see her working hard."
Macaluso is going to Marist to play D-I lacrosse, plans to major in criminology, and is excited to start a new chapter in her life.
"I loved the coaching staff, and the other girls on the team were so welcoming," she said. "It felt like the right decision to make."
In addition to her performances on the field, Macaluso maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA and is a member of the English, Mathematics, and World Language Honor Societies.
"It's definitely a lot of hard work," Macaluso said. "But I try to get most of my work done in school."
Macaluso is a member of the Ambassador Club, where students mentor students with disabilities, helping them to develop friendships and social skills while also contributing to the school community.
She is also part of the Interact Club, where students connect with others in their community and school. They carry out service projects such as food drives, beach clean-ups, book drives, clothing drives, making care packages for the homeless, and volunteering at shelters.
"I have a lot of fun helping people in need," Macaluso said. "Doing things like that definitely gives you a reason to be a part of clubs and help out the community."
The Wildcats face Smithtown East in the quarterfinals on Friday, and Macaluso believes the team is prepared to advance.
"I think people weren't expecting us to be as good," Macaluso said. "But I think we can prove everybody wrong and show that we are here to stay."
Jonathan Ruban covers high school sports for Newsday after graduating from St. John’s.
