At Suffield Academy

Pistel was a three-sport athlete, participating in soccer, squash and track and field. He was captain of the soccer team his junior and senior years and was a four-year starter. He was an All-State selection his last two seasons and was named a New England All-Star is senior year. His accolades continued off the field, as he was the recipient of the George A. Butler Cup for Athletics and Sportsmanship and was a consistent name on the Academy's honor roll.