By Casey O’Connor
Staff Writer

Peter Hurley, a sophomore at WA, excels in numerous sports while being a compassionate teenager and team member.

Hurley currently plays soccer, basketball, and volleyball. He started playing soccer, his favorite sport, in 2nd grade.

“I like soccer because I’ve been playing it the longest. It’s just a really fun sport for me,” said Hurley.

By attending his older cousins games, Hurley was inspired to take up soccer.

“I used to watch a lot of his games. It looked like a cool sport to get involved in,” said Hurley.

Hurley started out playing on a Westford rec team, and then joined a travel team. When he got more serious about soccer and developed more skills, he joined the club team FC Stars in middle school. Hurley also played on the school team at Blanchard Middle School. This past winter, Hurley played on a co-ed indoor team.

A few years after Hurley started soccer, he took up basketball as another sport. He started playing recreational basketball in 5th grade. Hurley did not pursue school basketball, but continues to play as a part of the town league during the winter and with friends in his free time.

“I don’t like [basketball] to be too competitive, but I like playing the game just for fun with all my friends,” said Hurley.

Freshman year, Hurley decided to try out for the volleyball team.

“All my friends were playing and it looked like a fun sport to try,” said Hurley.

Freshman year Hurley made the JV soccer and volleyball team. This year, he made varsity soccer and is currently playing on the varsity volleyball team.

“It’s a little intimidating to play with [the older kids on the team] but I try my best to play up to their level,” said Hurley.

Dustin Torgersen, also a sophomore at WA, plays with Hurley on the volleyball team.

“Peter is always positive at games and practice. He’s a great team mate,” he said.

Although soccer is Hurley’s favorite sport, he loves the team environment of all the sports that he plays.

“I love how everyone cheers each other on and helps each other through problems,” said Hurley.

When Hurley is not playing sports during the summer, he tries his best to stay in shape for upcoming seasons by eating healthy and working out.

“I try to run as much as I can and do a lot of push ups and sit ups right before bed,” said Hurley.

In addition to playing three sports, Hurley also plays piano. His two sisters have also played piano.

“I started around age seven, and I’ve played ever since. My sisters both played so I decided to try it,” said Hurley.

During freshman year Hurley took keyboarding. Mr. Culver, his teacher, saw Hurley’s talents and recruited him for the WA jazz band.

Even with his busy schedule including sports, piano, and a job at Panera Bread, Hurley has worked hard at managing his time, putting his schoolwork first.

“I always put my schoolwork before extra curricular activities and try to get it done as soon as possible,” said Hurley.
Peter hopes to continue playing soccer and piano for a long time.

“Piano is a good hobby to have all your life,” said Hurley

Through sports, Hurley has proven to be a kind person. His compassion also shined through when he traveled to Ghana last summer.

His mother works at Children’s Hospital in Boston, and travels to Ghana annually. Last year she invited Hurley to join her on her trip.

The medical staff that traveled to Ghana helped to fix holes in children’s hearts. Although Hurley could not perform any surgeries, he spent his time playing with the children there.

Hurley also went to an orphanage and had the opportunity to play soccer with the children there.

“I’ll always look forward to helping other people before myself, and try to do everything I can to help the community,” said Hurley.