Sports 05-05-2016

WHS sports roundup

WHS girls track

team edges Salem 

The Winthrop High girls track & field team defeated Salem, 68-62, in a close encounter this past week.

The meet-clinching race came in the final individual event, the 200 dash. The Vikings were leading going into the race, 65-56, but needed at least a second place finish to earn the three points necessary to claim victory.

Still to come would have been the 4 x 400 relay, but since the Lady Vikings had run out of eligible runners, Salem would have claimed the five points in the relay merely by showing up at the starting line and thus would have captured the meet.

However, coming through with a powerful second place effort in the 200 was Lady Viking Emily McGovern with a clocking of 29.2.

“Emily had our biggest second place of the season,” said WHS head coach Warren MacPhail. “If she had finished third, Salem would have been victorious. Emily definitely won the Milano Award (for meet MVP).”

The versatile Christa Vaccaro earned 12 points for the Lady Vikings in four events. Christa took first in the long jump with a leap of 15’-9”, second in the triple jump with a distance of 30’-7”, second in the 100 high hurdles in 18.1, and third in 400 low hurdles in 76.0.

Gianna Massa scored 10 points with firsts in the shotput with a toss of 31’-7” and the javelin with a throw of 77’. Fiona MacPhail added eight points with a first place in the high jump with a leap of 4’-6” and a second in the 400 in 72.0.

The 4×100 relay quartet of Shanel Turransky, Massa, Shereen Lahlali, and McKenzie Chiudina turned in a strong effort that just missed the state-qualifying mark with a winning time of 59.1

Other first place finishers for the Lady Vikings were Gabby Hinchion in the discus with a toss of 70’; Holly Benson, who continued her dominance in the 800, winning big with a time of 2:38; and Nina Leone, who ran a gutsy race in the two mile with a winning time of 13:49.

Second place finishers for Winthrop were Heidy Benson in the 400 dash in 67.0 and Camila Miranda-Llovera in the mile.

Adding crucial single points in the close meet with third third-place performances were: Olivia Rago in the 800 (3:00); Zara Powell in the two mile (15:45); Shereen Lahlali, who had her best track day yet, in the javelin; Carla Vargus in the discus (53”); Clare Nargi in the long jump (12’-9”); and McKenzie Chiudina in the triple jump (28’-9”).

MacPhail and his squad next were set to take on Marblehead yesterday (Wednesday) and trek to Gloucester Monday.

WHS boys tennis

team improves to 6-1

The Winthrop High boys tennis team raised its record to 6-1 with a 3-2 victory over Malden Catholic this past week.

With the match tied at 2-2, the outcome came down to a three-set battle at first singles featuring Winthrop’s top player, Noah Hodgkins, and his Lancer counterpart.

Viking Jake LaFratta had won his match at third singles in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1, as had the Winthrop first doubles duo of Matt Sennott and Robby Miles, 6-2, 6-2.

Mike Norris had fallen at second singles, 6-2, 6-3, and the Viking second doubles tandem of Kyle Dalton and Corey Cherico came up short in a three-setter, 6-4, 5-7, 3-6.

That set the stage for the deciding match at first singles. Hodgkins had dropped the first set, 6-2, but roared back to take the second set, 6-2. Noah then maintained his momentum into the third and deciding set to claim a 6-2 victory.

“Noah really turned things around after the first set,” said WHS head coach Marie Finn. “Noah is an experienced player and he figured out what he had been doing wrong in the first set and made the necessary adjustments.”

The win moves the Vikings closer not only to qualifying for a berth in the post-season state tourney, but also draws them within striking range of attaining the best record in the history of the WHS boys tennis program.

“We have a senior-laden team that knows what they are doing and what it takes to win,” said Finn. “They’re also a hard-working group of boys. They all come to practice every day and look to improve every time they are on the court.”

Finn and her crew have a brutal stretch of games in the week ahead. They were set to meet Lynn English yesterday (Wednesday), host Marblehead today, play at Swamspcott Monday and at Danvers Tuesday, entertain Salem next Wednesday, and trek to Gloucester next Thursday.

WHS boys lacrosse

team defeats Lynn

The Winthrop High boys lacrosse team defeated Lynn, 6-4, to improve to 5-4 on the season.

“Our defense continues to play very well led, by our very good freshman goalie Andrew DiMento and our senior captain Dan Delano,” said WHS head coach Brian Donnelly.

“Our offense also is starting to really click,” continued the coach. “We had some great goals from freshman attack Brian Chalmers, junior kiddie Steve Rodgers, and our junior captain, Dave Barry.

“We also had a great, end-to-end goal from our long-stick defensive middie and junior captain, Neville Noack,” added Donnelly.

The Vikings were set to play at St. Mary’s of Lynn Tuesday and host a huge conference game against Revere today (Thursday). They will host Salem Monday and Swampscott next Thursday.

Vikings fall in extra

innings to Beverly

The Winthrop High baseball team dropped a hard-fought — and hard-luck — contest with Beverly Friday in extra innings.

Viking starting pitcher Nick Disciccio deserved a better fate, tossing six innings in which he allowed only two earned runs of the five Beverly scored in his time on the mound. “Nick was outstanding,” said WHS head coach Frank DeMarco. “He was again a strike-throwing machine, throwing 97 pitches of which only 24 were balls.”

Winthrop held a 7-5 lead going into the final frame, but Beverly scored two runs in the top of the seventh to tie the contest. The Vikings threatened to win the game in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bases with one out, but could not push across the game-winner.

Beverly then tallied three runs in the eighth to come away with the victory.

Winthrop leadoff man Joe Fabiano turned in another superb outing. Fabiano reached base five times on two hits, two walks, and an error and also stole a base.

Matt Feeley was a major contributor at the plate with two hits and three runs scored. Luigi Spinazolla had a big day at-bat with three RBI on a single and a double. Zack Fisher punched home two RBI for the Winthrop cause.

DeMarco and his crew were set to play Lynn English yesterday (Wednesday) and to trek to Manchester/Essex Saturday. They host Revere Monday and entertain Marblehead Wednesday.

Duplin scores three

goals for WHS girls’ lax

Julia Duplin scored three goals and Abby Carleton scored two goals and added two assists for the Winthrop High girls lacrosse team in a 15-6 loss to Essex Tech last week.

Alyssa Ferrara potted the other WHS goal. Emma Carleton was credited with an assist. Goalkeeper Polet Castro made five saves on the day.

In a 14-1 loss at Beverly, Soneida Martinez potted the WHS marker.

Coach Bridget Dullea and her squad will play at home for a stretch of four games. The Lady Vikings were scheduled to host Swampscott yesterday (Wednesday), Malden tomorrow, Danvers Wednesday, and Danvers next Friday.

From the Press Box

It Takes a Village

By: Jim Lederman

In 1998 the “Light Up Miller Field” committee raised $175,000 to install lights on Miller Field. I was proud to be chairman of that committee.

The entire town supported our project, so we could enjoy “Friday night lights”, football and soccer at the ‘old’ Miller Field. Saugus, Swampscott and Beverly do not have a stadium with lights.

During the early 2000s project 2 ½ overrides failed in town! In 2004 the former superintendent of schools, eliminated sports from the athletic budget (375k). The North Shore could not believe sports at WHS would end! The Viking Pride Foundation (VPF) was established by a group of ex-Viking athletes. VPF has raised over $2 million to support athletics and extra curricular activities. Under the leadership of chairman, Richard Fucillo, Al Petrilli and Vince Crossman, sports have been very successful at Winthrop high school. What school in the NEC can match the state titles, super bowl champions, NEC titles in football, hockey and basketball? The large schools like Beverly, Gloucester, Danvers, Swampscott and Marblehead do not have all those total crowns!

Winthrop is a very proud town with the smallest enrollment of the 12- school Northeastern Conference (NEC). Winthrop high school football has the ‘second best’ winning record in the NEC, second only to Gloucester from (2000-2015). The Vikings are always ‘underdogs, but WHS teams have great records!

I played my first WHS football game on Miller Field in (1957), 59 years ago! I have visited 75 high school football stadiums and fields over the past 45 years as ‘Voice of the Vikings.’ We have the ‘worst’ football and track in the state!

When Prop 2 ½ failed, many senior citizens did not want to pay extra taxes, they were WHS graduates and their children played sports on Miller Field!

The Miller Field Committee congrats to Jim Fabiano and the town council, who have voted to put the Miller Field Project on the ballot in June. The future of Vikings sports rests on that vote!

We have a magnificent new WHS/Middle school $88 million dollar building opening this summer.

We have a football field we are ashamed of! The visiting bleachers will close this September, they are dangerous with more fans filling the bleachers and an ageless ‘press box’, we will have problems.

We need the entire town with (many new young families) to support the project and vote Yes next month!

“It takes a village”! Let’s vote yes for a new Miller Field and track!

Let the Games Begin!

The NEC Invitation

The Northeastern Conference voted 9-3 to invite the four greater Boston League (GBL) teams to join the present 12-schools in the NEC.

The GBL teams that left the GBL with only four schools in their league – Everett, Somerville, Malden and Medford, will join the ‘new NEC’ in the Spring of 2017.

The verbal offer has been presented to the (GBL). The final approval will have to be accepted by the districts A and B, of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) for the approval of the principals and athletic directors.

The new arrangement will be reviewed after four years. There are two key stipulations – Everett, the powerful football program would have to play an independent schedule in football, but participate in the new league in all other sports.

Two teams from the old (GBL) will be placed in each of the current North and South divisions.

The present NEC has two-six team divisions – large and small at one time both the GBL and NEC had 10 teams in their leagues. Revere and Peabody were in the ‘old’ GBL.

Les Murray, secretary/treasurer has not determined which schools would be placed in the 16-team leagues two divisions.

Revere has 1,800 students but has had only one winning year in football in the last 35 years. 2015 – we all know what happened on Thanksgiving, the Vikings upset Revere (15-12).

We can look forward to a trip to McDonald Stadium in Malden, Dilboy Stadium in Somerville. I can hardly wait for new rivalries.

Let the Games Begin!

The Two Divisions

The new larger (NEC) Northeastern Conference with the four (GBL) schools will form a 16-team league with – two divisions.

I recently spoke with Les Murray, the secretary-treasurer of the NEC and Cape Ann (CAL) League.

“We are meeting this week to decide the two divisions and enrollment will not be the final decision.” Everett, Malden, Medford and Somerville are large cities with large enrollments.

The football programs of Medford and Somerville have had very poor football programs for many years. In 2015 Somerville (2-8) lost to Peabody (35-0) and Masconomet (50-20) Medford (1-10) lost to Revere (35-0) and Somerville (38-17) Malden finished with a respective (5-6) record.

The large division in the NEC with enrollments in 2015 – Peabody (1,725), Lynn English (1,650), Lynn Classical (1,645), Revere (1,720), NEC small – Beverly (1,375), Marblehead (1,070) and Danvers (1,075).

The South (small schools) Gloucester (890), Salem (1,035), Swampscott (690), Saugus (720), Winthrop (560) was also based on winning percentage over a period.

The new eight team – two divisions, will add two of the GBL schools in each division. The new league will be very competitive. Swampscott (4-7) has had four consecutive losing seasons. Saugus enrollments dropping and they finished (2-9) in 2015. The Sachems won (2-0) in a forfeit to Swampscott for their only NEC victory.

I will have the new (NEC-GBL) Northeastern Conference next week!

Let the Games Begin!

The Papi Farewell

The month of April ended with a terrible Celtics loss in game six of the NBA playoffs.

The next night ‘Big Papi’, David Ortiz, blasted a two-run home run to defeat the ‘hated’ New York Yankees at Fenway Park.

Big Papi is playing like the last year the Sox won the World Championship in 2013. The Sox are receiving great pitching from David Price and Rick Porcello.

Trivia – What city in the US has 11 World Championship teams in the last 15 years?

I like the San Antonio Spurs to capture the NBA title this Spring!

The Schedule

The final month of the Viking Athletic schedule is in full swing. The baseball team shooting to qualify for the MIAA post season.

The Vikings play host to five teams at Veterans Field. Archrival Revere invades the Vets on Monday, May 9^th and a very strong Marblehead squad will battle coach Frank DeMarco’s team on Wednesday, May 11^th.

Coach Ken Hodgkins Lady Vikings tennis squad will play Swampscott on May 9^th, Monday and Gloucester Thursday, May 12^th.

Coach Hodgkins informs me his team could record their first winning season.

Coach Marie Finn’s boy’s tennis team is recording a very successful Spring and will play host to Salem on Wednesday, May 11^th.

The boys Lacrosse team has three games at the ‘old’ Miller Field Monday, May 9^th with the Salem Witches and arch rival Gloucester invading town on Wednesday, May 18^th.

The next trip from Gloucester will be Friday, October 7^th when the defending NEC football champs play the Vikings in what shapes up as a ‘title game’. See you at Miller Field (please vote ‘yes’ for a new football and track stadium).

Let the Games Begin!

The Future of the Celtics

The Celtics ended the (2015-2016) season with an embarrassing sixth game loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

What will next years team look like? Will Danny Ainge attract a big time free agent? Will the Celtics pull off a big trade?

Danny has stack piled draft choices from previous trades. The Celtics won eight more games than the previous season and they won their first two playoff victories under coach Brad Stevens.

Jared Sullinger was the biggest disappointment in the playoffs. He must be eating at the same Boston restaurant as Pablo Sandoval. Ship him out or trade him!

Evan Turner is an unrestricted free agent, I would resign him. Kelly Olynyk had a shoulder injury, he needs to take some of Sullinger’s weight and get stronger.

Amir Johnson has a $12 million team option. I would bring him back. I love the intensity of Jae Crowder.

The next few months will determine – “The Celtics future”. I have faith that ‘Trader Danny’ will reshape the Celtics – Take it to the rim!

“Let’s Go Celts”!

Vikings Take Down the Jets

The Vikings Lacrosse team defeated the Lynn Jets (6-4) at Manning Field in Lynn. The victory was sweet revenge for the hockey players, who lost to Lynn last winter.

Three Viking hockey players scored goals for the Lax team. Dave Barry, leading scorer and Steve Rogers scored in the first quarter.

Frosh Brian Chalmers scored a key goal for the Vikings. Rogers and sophomore Mike Lane added the final two scores.

Hockey coach Dale Dunbar would have been smiling to see his future Viking hockey standouts scoring goals. The “Laxmen” have a date with St. Mary’s of Lynn if the rain stops on Tuesday.
Let the Games Begin!

Massport joined Winthrop

Little League for Opening Day

The Massachusetts Port Authority is helping Winthrop Little League kick off  its 2016 season with an on-field check presentation of $5,000. This is the 18th year in a row that Massport has sponsored Winthrop Little League.

 “Being a sponsor of Winthrop Little League is part of Massport’s commitment to supporting young people in our community through education, summer jobs and athletic programs. The girls and boys who participate in Winthrop Little League represent the bright future of our community, and we are pleased to support them,” said Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the game.

 “Massport’s ongoing sponsorship of Winthrop Little League has been critical to our ability to sustain the program since 1998 and enables more children to participate while keeping registration and other costs low. Winthrop Little League is extremely grateful to Massport for this support,” said Mary Spinale, Board Member.

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field, and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities generate more than $15 billion annually, and enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in New England. No state tax dollars are used to fund operations or capital improvements at Massport facilities. For more information please visit massport.com.

WHS sports Years

10 years ago

May 4, 2006

The Winthrop High boys tennis team won its first match in many years, defeating Salem 3-2. Viking second singles player Eric Famigletti won his match in straight sets, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, but all four of the other matches went to three sets. Mike Soper won his match at third singles, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 and the second doubles duo of David Rivera and Taylor Smith triumphed 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to clinch the match for coach Barbara Hoffman’s squad. Freshman Ken Hodgkins, playing at first singles in place of Greg Cavelli, played a tough three-set match, as did the first doubles team of Matt Klewer and Brian LeBlanc.

The WHS baseball team erupted for nine runs in the fourth inning to erase a 4-0 deficit and defeat Beverly, 9-5. Jarrett Herdt went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and pitched shutout ball in the final two frames in relief of starter Matt Murray, who had tossed five strong innings.

20 years ago

May 9, 1996

The WHS baseball team knocked off first-place Lynn Classical, 10-7 in extra innings. Tom Reilly went all nine innings on the mound, throwing 130 pitches. Reilly also had three hits and three RBI. Robert Noonan delivered a big, bases-loaded double. Sophomore Dan Auerbach delivered the game-winning hit, a two-run single in the 10th inning. In a 9-2 romp over Saugus, sophomore John Dowd was overpowering, pitching a no-hitter through five and two-thirds innings en route to the win.

30 years ago

May 14, 1986

The WHS girls track team capped an improbable comeback to claim a share of the NEC title with a win over previously-undefeated Swampscott. Winthrop’s lone defeat this season had come at the hands of Danvers in the season-opener by one point when a number of key Lady Viking performers were not on hand. Winners for the Winthrop team in the Swampscott meet included Lori Stapler in the discus, Sharon Belliveau in the high jump, Michelle Norris in the shotput, Coleen Cash in the 880, Karen Ward in the mile, and the mile relay team of Cash, Coleen Kinsella, Franci Dolan, and Sheila Kennedy.

With a 74-53 triumph over Swamspcott, head coach Pat McGee’s WHS boys track team has all but clinched an undisputed NEC title. Co-capt. Ken Sirianni took first places in the 440 and 220, Andy Turransky won the high hurdles, Eric Sennott captured the 330 low hurdles, and Buster Van Buskirk won the 880.

Olympic hero and former WHS hockey great Mike Eruzione has spoke out publicly in favor of the reappointment of WHS hockey coach Bill Falasca. It is being rumored that the School Committee may not reappoint Falasca, even though Falasca’s teams have been among the top teams in the state for a decade.

40 years ago

May 5, 1976

Andy Arcadipane has been named the Little League’s Man of the Year.

Several hundred persons were on hand for the dedication by the selectmen of the baseball diamond at Ingleside Park this past week in honor of Charlie DeMinico, who was a star left-handed pitcher for the WHS baseball team in 1939-40 and who played professionally for a brief period of time. DeMinico served as a popular Winthrop police officer for many years.