Sports 01-04-2018

WHS sports roundup

WHS gymnasts start with three victories

The Winthrop High gymnastics team has started its season in impressive fashion with a trio of victories against Northeastern Conference opponents.

The Lady Vikings opened their 2018 campaign with a tight, 130.7-127.9 triumph over Marblehead.

Winthrop was led by its two all-around gymnasts, seventh-grader Alayna Ronan and eighth-grader Brandi DiCicco.

“Both girls were impressive for their first meet of the season,” said WHS head coach Peter Gobiel.

Winthrop started the meet with two exhibition routines by Emily Rodriquez and Charlotte Hurley.  Both girls hit their routines with scores of 7.0 and 7.35.

Next up on bars were Rachel Farley, Mary O’Donnell, and Megi Zogasi, with all three scoring 7’s. Ronan and DiCicco both hit their routines to score 8.05 and 8.2.

Danielle Carter then came through with an impressive 8.35 to win the event for Winthrop.

The second event for the Lady Vikings, the balance beam, was led by Jill Lerner and Gracie Armistead, who scored 7.4 and 8.0 respectively. Strong performances by captain Lacy Scott, Ronan, Carter, and Farley kept the Vikings going strong until DiCicco turned in a great routine for an 8.25.

However,  not to be outdone and taking a first place on the balance beam was Zogasi, sticking her series of back-handspring, back-handspring, the only Lady Viking to put those skills back-to-back, scoring 8.4.

The vault turned out to be the second-highest scoring event for Winthrop, led by Charlotte Hurley, Ronan, O’Donnell, and DiCicco. Taking second place was Scott with an 8.25 and winning the event was eighth-grader Zogasi with a beautifully stuck landing for an 8.4.

The last event in the meet was the floor exercise which for years has been the Lady Vikings’ strongest event. Leading off for Winthrop were strong performances by Zogasi, Gianna Guarino, and O’Donnell. New to the team this year is Gabriella Giuffre, who impressed the crowd with her dance skills, scoring an 8.0.

Farley and Carter tied with 8.4’s, followed by DiCicco, who performed a new routine that scored an 8.45. Winning the floor exercise and receiving one of the loudest applauses from the crowd was the youngest Lady Viking, Ronan, who scored an 8.6.

This past Friday evening the squad hosted a tri-meet with Medford and Malden, the latter of which has 30 girls on  the team, one of the largest in the Northeastern Conference.

Leading the way for the Lady Vikings were all-arounds Carter and DiCicco, both of whom competed on all four events.

Leading off on the uneven bars was ninth-grader Farley, scoring a 7.5, followed by O’Donnell, Ronan, and DiCicco, all of whom scored in the 7’s.

Taking a second place with the highest dismount of the day was Zogasi, scoring an 8.05. Topping the score chart to take first place in the meet was Carter with an 8.25.

The vault turned out to be the Lady Vikings’ highest scoring event of the night. All six Winthrop girls scored in the 8’s: Hurley 8.0, Zogasi 8.1, O’Donnell 8.25, DiCicco 8.55, Carter 8.6, and, winning the event, Farley with an 8.8.

Heading over to the balance beam, Sage D’Amelio started the event off by sticking her routine to receive a score of 7.5. Scoring an 8.0 for the second time this season and hitting her routine once again was ninth-grader Gracie Armitstead,

followed by the youngest Lady Viking, Ronan, who scored an 8.15.

Carter was up next with an 8.2, followed by Zogasi. Winning the event for Winthrop was DiCicco, scoring an impressive 8.6.

The tri-meet ended with each team doing the floor exercise. Leading off for the Lady Vikings was Guarino with an 8.1, followed by strong performances from Gabriella Giuffre, Carter, DiCicco, and Farley, all of whom scored in the 8’s.

Winning the floor exercise with a beautiful routine was Ronan, who topped the judges’ score chart with an 8.7.

The Lady Vikings’ next meet was set for this past Tuesday at the Beverly Y to compete against Salem. Winthrop then will be off until January 12 when the Lady Vikings will host Marblehead.

 

WHS boys hockey team routs Peabody

The Winthrop High boys hockey team bounced back from its tough, 3-2 loss to Saugus with an 8-1 rout at Northeastern Conference rival Peabody on the Saturday before Christmas.

The Vikings scored early and often en route to the runaway victory. Bryce Costin (assisted by Steve Holgersen and Sam Yarrow) and Holgersen (assisted by Tyler Marley and Yarrow) gave Winthrop a 2-0 lead after the opening period.

Yarrow made it a 3-0 (assisted by Henry Brooks and Jake Adamason), followed by goals by Marley (from Costin and Yarrow), Dan O’Neil (his first varsity lamplighter, assisted by Marley), and Costin (assisted by Luke Evangelista and Jake Langone).

Marley (from Brooks and Langone) and Yarrow (from the brothers Holgersen, Steve and Joe) added some extra insurance in the final period for the 8-1 finale.

WHS net minder Ryan Skoczylas went all the way in goal, turning aside 35 Peabody shots.

After the Christmas holiday, the Vikings participated in the Kasabuski Christmas Tournament in Saugus. Winthrop had mixed results, dropping a 6-1 decision to No. Reading in the tourney opener, but then topping a Lynnfield team, that at the time was top-ranked in Division 2, by a tight 2-1 margin.

The victory came about in dramatic fashion. Mike Brooks gave the Vikings a 1-0 lead with his first varsity goal in the opening period (assisted by Chris Finn), a slim margin that Skoczylas and the Viking defense maintained through the second period and most of the third until Lynnfield brought the game back to level with a power play goal with about 5:00 to play.

However, Steve Holgersen gave Winthrop a dramatic victory with less than a minute to go when he stole the puck from the Lynnfield defense and skated in alone, beating the Lynnfield goalie for the game-winner.

The Vikings now stand at 3-2 on the season and will face some key contests in the coming week against some of their prime Northeastern Conference rivals. Coach Dale Dunbar and his crew were set to host Medford last night (Wednesday) and will trek to Salem State to meet Marblehead Saturday evening at 5:00.

The Vikings return home next Wednesday to face a Danvers team that many rate as one of the best in the state. Face-off for that one is the usual 6:10.

 

Four sets of brothers playing for WHS boys

It is not unusual for brothers to play on the same sports team together, especially for the Winthrop High hockey team, for which there have been a large number of brotherly combinations over the years.

However, this season features four sets of siblings for the WHS hockey program: Henry and Michael Brooks, Luke and Noah Evangelista, Steve and Joe Holgersen, and Joe and Nick Deeb.

“It’s always nice when a younger brother gets to play with his older sibling,” said WHS assistant coach Mike Norris. “It’s something special that will bring fond memories for the rest of their lives.”

 

Haddar wins 300 dash at NEC Frosh/Soph Meet

Viking Kim Haddar outraced the field to win the championship in the 300 yard dash Saturday at the Northeastern Conference Freshman/Sophomore Meet that washed at the Beverly field house.

Haddar finished in a time of 41.8 seconds and his closest competitor was teammate Pat Haskell, who came across in second place in a clocking of 42.5.

Haddar also won a medal for his fourth place performance in the high jump with a leap of 5’-2”. Pat Teixeira won a medal with his shot-put toss of 35’-5”, which was good for fifth place.

The Winthrop 4 x 440 relay team also medaled, coming across the line in fifth place in 4:16.3.

On the girls’ side, Mary Kate Pote was the lone medalist for the Lady Vikings, taking second place in the shot-put with her throw of 27’-11”.

 

 

From the Press Box

Arete Awards

By: Jim Lederman

Arete Awards

ESPN gives out their Annual ‘Arete Awards’ for excellence in 2016.

Jim Lederman gives out his third Annual ‘Arete Awards:

Driver of the Year – Gino Dawson

Mensch of the Year – Gus Martucci

Coach of the Year – I still call him the greatest coach – He is the athletic director of Bentley University, one of Winthrop’s Greatest Athletes – Robert A. DeFelice

Politician of the Year – School Committmen Tino Capobianco and Councillor Peter Christopher

Superintendent of the year – Lisa Gill Howard. She will make a great super, and she loves sports.

Matriarch of the Year – She is the leader of Winthrop’s most respected families – Minnie Martucci

Political Manager of the Year: Denise LoConte

Clerk of the Year – Carla Vitale. She did a great job in a close political battle for Town Council President. Winner is Ron!

Chairman of the Year – We have a beautiful new Miller Field, thanks to the leadership of Vince Crossman. I was so proud of the new Miller Field – they did it in Revere, we could do it in Winthrop – Go Vikings!

Honor Roll: Two of the Vikings All-Scholastic players – Charlie Page  – NEC MVP

Dream Team Player – Boston Globe All-Scholastic goaltender – Gretchen Howard. She plays at Salve Regina University – A Viking Hi-Five!

Singer of the Year – Howie “Satchmo’ Conley. Leader of the Senior Tones – a legend from Lewis Lake

Coaches of the Year: Coach Dale Dunbar and Michael Norris – Every year they produce great hockey players from the hockey capitol of the North Shore – Larsen Rink, Winthrop

100-Point Scorers: David Barry

Hockey Captain – Abby Carleton, Lady Vikings hockey captain. Great students from great Winthrop families.

Family of the Year: The number one basketball family in town – two all-scholastic hoop players – Chris and Nick Tsiotos and the all-time leading scorer in Vikings hoop history – Dino Mallios – two time all-scholastic 1,475 points – Captain of St. Anslems College – three Greek legends.

Award of the Year: The new ‘Chris Tsiotos Basketball Court at the new WHS – they helped the Vikings to lead the N EC in basketball – Chris is Mister Basketball in Winthrop!

The election of Ron Vecchia – Winthrop families and the community won the election! We have strong pride in our community – the “Viking Pride’ comes from proud Winthrop families.

Tennis Coach of the Year: Marie Finn, they tried to tear down the McClean Courts – the citizens spoke. “We don’t want a parking lot.” 3,000 fans filled Miller Field on Thanksgiving. Was there any parking problems?

College Coach of the Year – Young Kenny Hodgkins did a great job at WHS in girls’ tennis. Coach Hodgkins is the new hockey coach at Wentworth. He is a member of the Martucci Family.”

Yes, there nine members of the Winthrop High School Hall of Fame – Anyone with questions – just ask me. We will have a 2018 WHS Hall of Fame – Athletics. We had 375 at the last hall!

NBA Rookie of the Year: Jason Tatum – Celtics – Danny Ainge has done an incredible job. Celtics are one player away from winning the championship.

Fan of the Year: Steve Kostegan – He is a proud Everett football fan and he is a long time New England Patriots season ticket holder.

Book of the Year: No Backing Down, written by Sean Stellato. They are making a movie of the Salem story.

Agent of the Year: Sean Stellato represents seven New England Patriots players.

Team of the Year: The Patriots – they lost Julian Edelman and Donta Hightower and they still have the best team and best coach in the history of the NFL. Bellichek and Brady – 17 years of a great coach and team.

Hockey Coach of the Year: Anthony ‘Butch’ Martucci – Developed girls’ hockey 10 years. We salute the Winthrop Lady Vikings hockey team.

Three Great Lady Vikings – hoop players: Niki Tsiotos, Kristen Siscamanis and Nina Bartlett are playing division two college basketball – What school can match that in the NEC? “Winthrop players from Winthrop families!”

 

 

Business of the Year

The Winthrop Chamber of Commerce gives out annual ‘Business of the Year’ today I salute a business started in 1983 by Jack Anderson – Muffin Town – over the past 35 years has grown into a $50million dollar corporation.

JSB Industries sells muffins over the entire United States. It is run by ‘The Don’ John P. Anderson and his three sons John Jr. (Bender) Scott – he runs the operation in Lawrence and the real CEO or Accountant – young son Brian Anderson. You can find Mr. Anderson this winter in Florida, in the summer he spends his time at Saratoga, New York at the track. His horses are under the name Smart Choice Stables.

A business started in Winthrop that has two huge factories in Chelsea and Lawrence.

Today I salute The Muffin Man – Jack Anderson aka D. Wayne Lukas – A Hall of Fame Trainer.

If you want a success story it is the Jack Anderson Company.

Happy New Year J.A.!

 

 

Lady Vikings Hockey Team

They will play in another MIAA Hockey Tourney in 2018 – Coach ‘Butch’ Martucci tells me we will get stronger.

Congrats coach Martucci – you built one of the best girls’ hockey programs in the state! Butch was inducted into the WHS Athletic hall of Fame in 2018. You can pick up a ballot for a team or player at the office of Atty. Chris Tsiotos in January – Class of 2018 – it should be another great night to honor Viking athletes! They don’t have one in Revere!

 

 

Top Food Establishment Restaurant-Café of the Year: JAC’s Café – 29 Crest Ave. Winthrop Highlands. The Bertino family runs this awesome eating establishment – Amy is the CEO, Matt is the ‘Best’ Cook in town, Ellen is the maitre’d and head of an awesome wait staff. Jill is the ‘top blonde’ in town. The place is backed – Why? They have the best food in our town! I eat there all the time! You want a terrific breakfast or lunch hours 6:30 – 1:30. Try JAC’s, you will go back again many times – it is the in place for family and friends. Muffins you will like! Everything is home made!

 

Comeback of the Year: “The Voice of the Vikings,” was missing during the football season. I had a hip replacement and a bad knee! I shall return to Larsen Rink and the Chris Tsiotos Court shortly.

I will celebrate Christmas and New Year with family and friends.

Happy New Year!

 

I salute Winthrop families and Vikings sports teams – Can they do that in Marblehead and Swampscott? A Healthy New Year 2018

Go Vikings – Let the Games Begin!

 

Super Viking Fan of the Year Award: Kevin Adamson – never missed a game to watch his nephew Jake Adamson play for the Vikings.

 

“Viking Athlete of the Year”: Jake Adamson – a three sport captain and a great competitor, another ‘great’ Winthrop athlete from a ‘long time’ Winthrop athletic family – Can you imagine if Kevin played for the Vikings?

A year of ‘great athletes from Winthrop proud families. Can they say that in Danvers of Beverly?

Team of the Year: Six ex-Viking hoopsters playing in a National Senior Tournament (60 and over) ‘Hoopsters’ Captain Chris Tsiotos – Still the greatest Steve (Moe) Mahoney, Lou Hinckley, Nick (The Greek) Tsiotos – won the New England Tourney but lost in the finals when Lou Hinckley had to return home for a funeral. Coach Billy ‘The Commish’ Schmidt did great but the players from (the ‘basketball capitol of the North Shore) 37 NEC titles – Can they match that in Lynn, Swampscott or Marblehead?

Another Arete Award!

Turkey of the Year: I had a 20-pound Kosher turkey delivered to my house from the President of Mutual Beef – Gus Martucci – Nothing but the best from the Martucci family. I couldn’t really enjoy the great family meal, because of the Vikings loss to Revere on Turkey Day – They’ll be back! Coach DeFelice would say lose on Thanksgiving and don’t go home! Remember the Vikings would beat Revere – 15 years in a row! Remember the Vikings would win 33 in a row, a record that will never be broken.

 

A salute to the Speaker of the House – He promised me we would get a new Miller Field and he delivered $2.5 million from Massport – You will always be the best ever from our town we will call it the Speaker of the Year – always delivering for his favorite town!

 

Mr. President Award: to Robert Travaglini – when we needed $@5,000 to get the lights at Miller Field – Trav delivered the money – thanks for the Red Sox tickets for “Big Papi Night”. Only Bobby Trav could do that!

 

 

 

 

Winthrop falls to Pope John in Holiday Hoop Classic

 

Senior guard Devin Pulsifer had the hot hand early and senior guard Tayjaun McKenzie had a team-high 30 points but the Winthrop High boys basketball team was unable to contain Pope John’s offense, falling to the Tigers, 87-65, in the finals of the Holiday Hoop Classic in Everett.

Pulsifer finished with 19 points and was named to the All-Tournament Team. McKenzie was also selected to the All-Tournament Team. Elliot Frank played well and finished with six points. David Diaz had five points, followed by Jake Polino (3), Alex Dernier (2), and Christian Lyons (2).

The Vikings were without the services of guard Chrono Washington in the game.

Pope John’s sophomore guard Angel Price-Espada had 36 points to pace the Tigers, who have emerged as the top-ranked team in Division 4. The Tigers roared to 28-16 lead after one period and a 50-37 advantage at the break.

Though McKenzie slowed down Price-Espada with some excellent defense in the second half, the Vikings were unable to draw closer to the Tigers, who led 71-51, after three periods.

Winthrop will get a rematch with Pope John on Senior Night on Feb. 21 in Winthrop and the two teams could meet again in the Division 4 North sectionals in the State Tournament.

Winthrop (1-4) dropped a tough 59-53 decision to Malden Catholic Tuesday in Malden. McKenzie led the Vikings with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Pulsifer had 16 points and eight rebounds. Diaz scored eight points.

Winthrop was set to host Maimonides High School Wednesday night.

 

Game story: The Orange Bowl

By: Jim Lederman

I enjoyed watching the 2017 Orange Bowl Classic played at the new Orange Bowl Stadium on Saturday night. Two of the best teams in college football, the Raiders of Wisconsin and the Hurricanes of the University of Miami. (The ‘U’) in 1984 I was at the old Orange Bowl (the stadium of the Hurricanes) to watch a classic – “The Miracle in Miami,” Doug Flutie pass to Brian Brennan to win the classic. The rain pouring in one of the ‘greatest’ college football games ever played.

Three ex-WHS football standouts were on the field for ‘The Miracle in Miami” – for Boston College #1 – Joe Giaquinto, BC receiver (a member of the ‘prestigious’ Winthrop High school Athletic Hall of Fame.

Coach Frank DeFelice, member of the WHS Hall of Fame and BC defensive line coach. The frosh halfback for the National College Champions, “The U” of Miami – Steve Staffier U of Miami half back.

In 1988 I returned for ‘the Classic’ Miami vs. Notre Dame played at the legendary, old Orange Bowl Stadium.

I was with three Hall of Fame legends from the “WG.C’ John P. Anderson (AKA D. Wayne Lukas) Sheldon Bernstein (‘Bulb’) (WHS Hall of Fame athlete) and Joey G. (AKA Jackie Gleason).

The Hurricanes won the star for the University of Notre Dame, WHS Heisman Trophy Winner Timmy Brown.

The exciting game Saturday night – Sunday morning was a classic. Hail to the Orange Bowl.

 

Along the Sidelines

I watched a tribute to the late great announcer Dick Engberg, who passed away last week. It brought back memories of Engberg and the legendary Merlin Olsen broadcasting NFL games on CBS.

Merlin played at the University of Utah. He played in the old WAC (Western Athletic Conference) that included the University of Wyoming. Merlin is in the NFL Hall of Fame; in 1964 Merlin played against legendary WHS tackle Billy Levine. The Wyoming Cowboy won the league trophy for the best lineman in the WAC. Yes, Billy Levine from ‘Rainbow Alley – Winthrop Street. I played for WHS with Billy; we were both inducted in 1998 to the WHS Hall of Fame.

When I was visiting California to see my brother Allan, I stayed at a hotel next to Merlin Olsen Cadillac on Ventura Boulevard. Yes it is a ‘small world,’ but those are a couple of my great sports memories!

Let the Games Begin!

 

 

The Jewish Trifecta

Bill Levine comes from one of Winthrop’s legendary football families. I played with four members of the ‘Adamson Gang’. Billy Adamson could score many touchdowns, just give him the ‘pigskin’. Jimmy Adamson was a halfback; he is the proud ‘dad’ of Jimmy Jr., Michael, Kevin and Brian.

Jimmy played end on the undefeated 1983 Super Bowl champs. His son Jake was Viking quarterback I n 2017, is a co-captain on the 2018 Vikings hockey team.

Kevin established records on the gridiron at Stonehill. His younger brother Brian broke the records.

I consider the three greatest tackles in the WHS football awards – Bill Levine (Wyoming), Phil Ratner (Cornell), Captain of his ‘Big Red’ team and Mike ‘Mook’ Brenner (Rutgers University) a member of the 1981 undefeated Super Bowl champs (nine division one players).

The ‘Jewish Trifecta’ played in the era of a ‘vibrant’ Jewish Community in town (two temples and a strong Jewish Community Center.

I can still taste the corned beef and potato salad.

Winthrop – “Home of many great student athletes.”

Let the Games Begin!