Sports 04-05-2018

Fluent in Athleticism

English earns Division 1 rowing scholarship to BU

By Cary Shuman

When Emma English matriculated as a freshman at the prestigious Brooks School in North Andover, she was already regarded as a potential ice-hockey star, having played varsity for the Winthrop/Lynn English Lady Bulldawgs and in the nationally acclaimed Assabet Valley youth organization.

English lived up to her lofty potential, becoming a multi-year, standout defenseman on the ice and a captain of the Brooks girls’ hockey team as a senior.

Bobbie Crump-Burbank, director of athletics, said the recognition of English’s athletic talents preceded her arrival on campus.

“I would say that when Emma first came to Brooks, she came as an ice hockey player – that was sort of her sport,” Crump-Burbank. “She picked up the other two sports (field hockey and crew) here, made the varsity soccer team as a freshman, and then decided to switch over to field hockey. What’s even more impressive is that she’s been an award winner at this level in all three of her sports.”

Indeed, English is writing the final chapter of a sterling, 12-varsity-letter career that includes All-ISL (Independent School League) and All-NEPSAC recognition in field hockey and ice hockey.

But as skilled and successful as she has been in those two sports, it’s in her third and newest sport (crew) where English’s progression has been off the charts.

English, a 5-foot-8-inch senior, has signed a national letter of intent to attend Boston University and compete for the Terriers’ crew team, thus becoming a Division 1 scholarship athlete.

“I think originally she thought she’d play ice hockey in college, but sometimes the way things work out – it’s now going to be crew,” said Crump-Burbank. “Emma should be really proud of that.”

English rowed in the school’s First Boat in the spring of 2016 and last spring, she helped her boat, consisting of all underclassmen, take fourth place in New England at the New England Rowing Association Regatta.

 

 

Her journey began

in youth sports

 

The journey to prep school athletic excellence started at a young age in Winthrop. The 18-year-old daughter of former Winthrop High Hall of Famer and record-setting Boston University quarterback Jim English and Claudia English, Emma attended the Gorman/Fort Banks, Cummings, and Winthrop Middle Schools.

“I played Winthrop Youth Soccer in the fall and in the spring and Medford Youth Hockey because they didn’t have a girls program in Winthrop at the time,” recalled Emma. I also played lacrosse in middle school.”

Emma competed for coach Butch Martucci’s Lady Bulldawgs high school varsity program in grades six through eight. “I played forward for Winthrop and we made the state tournament,” she said. “My sister [Elle] played on the Winthrop team this year as an eighth grader (Elle also sails for the Winthrop team out of the Winthrop Yacht Club).”

Following the lead of her older sister, Flora, who was then a student at Governors Academy and is now a freshman at Syracuse University, Emma applied to prep school and selected Brooks over Governors, partly because of the school’s rowing program.

 

A Rowing Star Emerges

 

Emma thought she would be continuinf her athletic career in a college hockey program during her first three years at Brooks.

But following the arrival of new coach Tote Smith at the helm of the Brooks crew team, her rowing career began to soar.

“Last season [2017], we got a new coach and he was very passionate about the sport and you could tell that a lot of the girls responded to how passionate he was – how much he loved the sport really inspired everyone else to love it as well,” said Emma.

With an influx of new recruits, preseason training in South Carolina, and an exciting new coach, Brooks’ individual rowing teams began to emerge as consistent winners.

“I had never known what it was like to win a crew race before and I think for the first time Mr. Smith helped me find a love for the sport, just as I had found in hockey in the previous years,” said Emma, who also cites hockey coach and adviser Lori Charpentier as a positive mentor. “He’s just a very good coach who helped us all become much better.”

The fourth-place finish in the New Englands culminated a superb year for English and her First Boat teammates.  College coaches began to reach out to English, who always had a dream to be a Division 1 college athlete.

“I had always dreamt about going Division 1 and I thought it was going to be hockey, so it feels good to have my dream come true,” said English, who will be joined at BU by the Brooks team’s coxswain, senior Isabella O’Shea of Lynnfield.

Tote Smith, who was a member of the crew team at Yale University, said he was humbled by Emma’s praise of his coaching techniques that have made Brooks a New England title contender.

 

“I would love to take credit, but Emma is just an unbelievable athlete and one of the most coachable people that I’ve ever coached and one of the most fiercely competitive,” said Smith. “The other coaches four years ago deserve at least as much credit as I do for getting her going in the sport.”

Smith believes “the sky’s the limit” for Emma’s rowing career.

“Boston University recognized exactly the caliber of athlete she is,” said Smith. “I told Emma the sky is the limit. She’s that good.”

English and her First Boat mates, that include seniors Claire Naughton (Yale), Riley Baker (Santa Clara), and Isabella O’Shea (BU), start their final season at Brooks this weekend. A New England championship and a second invitation to the Nationals is a realistic goal.

 

 

 

Father Jim was a WHS and BU great

 

 

Emma’s father, Jim English, is an inductee in the Winthrop High Hall of Fame. He played three sports for the Vikings and was an All-Star quarterback under head coach Bob DeFelice.  He later set school passing records at BU and earned a tryout with the New England Patriots. Her mother, Claudia, grew up in Braintree, where she played basketball.

“My parents were very inspirational – ever since I have played different sports throughout my life, they’ve been at every, single sports game and have driven me all over the place to get me to where I needed to go for sports and they’ve really helped me,” said Emma. “

Jim English originally saw college hockey in his daughter’s future.

“She’s played 12 years of hockey and it’s coming to an end and I think she’s a little nostalgic about that,” said Mr. English. “It’s been about two years of crew and it’s going to be college crew. It’s funny how things work out in life.”

Mr. English speaks highly of the Brooks School and the all-around experiences that his daughter enjoyed as a student-athlete.

“I can’t say enough about Brooks – it’s such a beautiful school,” he said. “I love driving up there. The people are great. I hope my youngest daughter can go there.”

 

 

Reflecting on her prep school experience

 

Looking back at her four years living on campus, Emma feels she made the right decision to attend Brooks.

“It’s been a great experience,” said Emma. “I came here partly for sports, but I also knew it was going to be a great education and I think I have grown as a student here, as well as an athlete and as a person. Overall, I wouldn’t trade these last four years for the world. It was definitely hard being away from home my freshman year, but there were a ton of people and adults who helped you make a smooth transition. And I was only 45 minutes from Winthrop.”

Emma is excelling academically in a rigorous senior-year course load that includes Advanced Placement Spanish, Calculus, and Environmental Studies, Honors Anatomy and Physiology, and a poetry seminar as her English requirement. She intends to study in the field of science at BU, possibly in the pre-medical program.

And Emma English may leave Brooks with one of the school’s most prestigious athletic awards in tow.

“Emma is one of the top athletes – if not the top – athlete in the class, affirmed Crump-Burbank. “She is definitely a candidate for our senior athlete of the year award.”

 

From the Press Box

The Big Three

By: Jim Lederman

I watched Ray Allen play college basketball at U Conn. I was at the Big East Tourney in the legendary Madison Square Garden in 2000, to watch Ray lead his U Conn team to the ‘Big Eat” title.

The Boston Celtics captured the NBA Championship in 1986 in the ‘old Garden’ – the original Boston Garden. Bill Fitch was the Celtics coach. ‘The Big Three’ consisted of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and ‘the Chief’ Robert Parish.

The next World Championship won by the Celtics, (they have 17 – NBA title) was in 2008. The Celtics were coached by Doc Rivers. The ‘Big Three’ were led by Kevin Garnett (“Anything is Possible”) Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.

The Celtics had an out standing backcourt – Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo (Rajon is still playing – 10 years later in the NBA with New Orleans).

Ray Allen’s relationship with Celtics fans was heavily damaged by his defection to the Miami Heat. Ray won an NBA title in Miami with the Heat. His three-point shooting is legendary in the NBA.

Ray signed a two-year deal with the Heat and helped Miami win a World Championship. Ray’s relationship with Garnett, Pierce and Rajon Rondo was damaged by his defection from Boston.

Ray Allen was elected to the NBA ‘Hall of Fame’ on Saturday – well deserved!

Ray Allen was a 10-time NBA All-Star. He is the NBA career leader in three-point field goals made (2,973) and is ranked sixth on the all-time free-throw percentage list (.894) “Another three for Ray Allen.”

Ray Allen has a new book “FROM THE OUTSIDE: MY JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE AND THE GAME I LOVE.” It was an idea that came to him during his younger NBA years, and finally developed following his retirement.

Ray Allen is hoping the book offers some explanations and gives his perspective on some of his decisions. There are many Celtics fans who will never forgive Allen for leaving Boston and officially breaking up “The Big Three.”

I look forward to reading the book. I placed my book order at the Winthrop Book Depot.

‘The Big Three’

Number 20

Ray Allen!

Let the Games Begin!

 

The Playoffs

There is plenty of excitement and high expectations in Boston. The two Boston pro teams – The Bruins and Celtics will begin the NHL and NBA playoffs at the ‘TD Garden’ this month.

The restaurants and bars from Causeway Street to the North End and the Seaport District will be packed to cheer for the Celtics and Bruins.

The Garden had a huge ‘double header’ on Saturday afternoon (March 31st); the ‘youthful’ Boston Bruins led the Bruins to a (5-1) victory over the Florida Panthers. The ‘first place’ Bruins have the best young talent in the NHL. Ryan Donato (Harvard), Jake DeBrusk scored Bruins goals.

Bruins ‘rookie’ 20-year old Charlie McAvoy (Boston University) won the NESN seventh Player Award. Charlie has been out with an injury, but he will play in the playoffs.

Matt Grezelcyk is another ‘local product’. He grew up in Charlestown and played at Boston University. His dad was working overtime on Saturday. Dad is a member of “the legendary’ Bull Gang”, the team that breaks down the Garden ice for the hard court floor the Celtics played on for their Saturday night victory over the Toronto Raptors.

The Celtics defeated Toronto (110-99) behind the ‘undermanned’ Celtics – the Green is missing all-star Kyrie Irving (25-points per game). The Celtics also lost tenacious guard – Marcus Smart. Hopefully Irving and Smart will be back during the playoffs.

The Bruins should have the two pro-coaches – Bruce Cassidy and Brad Stevens to be named “ Coach of the Year” in the NHL and NBA respectively.

(Ed. Note: As of today – Sunday) The Bruins are in first place – 109 points – 49 wins in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics have won six in a row (as of Sunday) and have 53 victories in the NBA Eastern Division.

March Madness is over! Winter is over! Spring is here! April and May should be exciting in Boston – Home of World Championship teams!

Let the Games Begin!

The Odds on the Gronk

There has been a lot of questions on the future of Patriots all-world tight-end Rob Gronkowski, since the stunning ending of the Super Bowl.

The ‘odds’ on the Gronk – will he retire, will he sign a wrestling contract or will the Patriots give the Gronk a new contract with a raise?

The latest theory – What are odds on the Gronk in the legendary – Kentucky Derby?

Yes a three-year Colt named after the Patriots tight end, won the Burradon Stakes in New Castle, England, Friday, March 30th. The first place finish secured the horse a spot in the ‘Running of the Roses on the first Saturday in May – the fifth (May 5).

Kerri Radcliffe, an English agent (I have to admit I am half English) bought the horse in April 2017. He is ‘massive,’ he has a lot of presence. He is a gentle giant and Kerri is a huge Patriots fan.

The Kentucky Derby – could put the Gronkowskis in a position to meet as the famous tight end is often spotted at Churchill Downs on race day.

A Tom Brady – led contingent of Patriots (including Julian Edelman) in various wardrobes make the annual pilgrimage will be at the races.

Stay tuned for the latest rumor on Gronkowski! Maybe a new contract and a spot in the ‘money’ on race day.

I will consult ‘The Duke’ Gino Dawson, for his tip on the winner of the Kentucky Derby!

 

I Love Walter

Tom Heinsohn has been the beloved – television analyst for NBC – Boston with play-by-play man Mike Gorman for over 37 years. He has many nicknames and quotes during his career in television.

My favorite is, ‘I Love Walter,” when ex-Celtic Walter McCarty was a member of the Boston Celtics. Tommy would shout that moniker.

Walter was an assistant coach on Brad Stevens Celtics coaching staff this year and for the past five seasons he was named head coach at the University of Evansville. Walter grew up in Evansville, Ind. He was a star at Harrison High School; he played at Kentucky University and in the NBA for 10 years with the Knicks, Celtics, Suns and Clippers. His Evansville team plays in the Missouri Valley Conference. Fellow MV Conference team is this years ‘Cinderella’ team Loyola – Chicago.

We Love Walter!

Good Luck Coach McCarty!

 

Vikings Sports Schedule

Home Games

Friday, April 6 baseball vs. Essex Technical – 4:00 at Veterans Field

Saturday, April 7 Boys – Varsity Lacrosse – 11 a.m. vs. Manchester-Essex 11 a.m. at Miller Field

Monday, April 9 – Softball vs. Beverly at Little League Field Girl’s varsity – Lacrosse vs. Matignon at 6:30 p.m. at Miller Field.

Tuesday, April 10 – Tennis Boys Varsity match at McClean Courts – 4 p.m. Winthrop High School.

Wednesday, April 11 – Basketball Varsity game vs. Lynn Classical – Veterans Field at 4 p.m.

Thursday, April 12 – LaCrosse Girls Varsity vs. Malden 4 p.m. at Miller Field

Lacrosse – Boys Varsity vs. Revere at 4 p.m. at Miller Field.

Tennis – Girls Varsity vs. Lynn Classical at McClean Courts – Winthrop High School at 4 p.m.

Let’s Go Vikings!

Let the Games Begin!

 

Apropos of Nothing

The Lady Vikings Hockey team finished 16th – Number 16 in the final Boston Globe – Girls’ Hockey Poll League rival Masconomet (18-4-2) finished number six – Woburn finished number one (24-0-2). The Tanners defeated the Vikings (6-1) in boys’ basketball St. Mary’s of Lynn (20-6) finished number 17. The Spartans are coached by ex-Viking mentor David Brown.

Lynn English from the NEC finished number 20 – (19-5), Everett (23-2) finished number four.

If you are a Patriots fan, you are hoping the return of Julian Edelman from injury will return the all-star to another AFC title for the Patriots in 2019! His book Relentless written by Tom E. Curran is great reading. The former high school quarterback passed for 5,000 yards in California. He was an ‘underdog kid’ who became a reliable and inspiring player in the NFL.

Go Patriots!

Let the Games Begin!

WHS sports roundup

Girls lacrosse rolls past Saugus, 11-5

The Winthrop High girls lacrosse team earned its first victory of the season to improve to 1-1 with an 11-5 triumph over Northeastern Conference rival Saugus this past Monday.

“Our midfielders controlled the game and Maura Dorr dominated the draws,” said WHS head coach Ben Cimmino.

Cimmino awarded his “player of the game” (POG) selections as follows: Sophia Kennedy for the offensive POG; the starting defensive foursome of  Grace Carleton, Caroline Earl, Jenna Dorr, and Emma Turner for the defensive POG; and Maura Dorr for the Berserker Award, given to the  girl with the most hustle and who was the difference maker in the game.

The 2018 edition of the Lady Vikings will be led this season by a quartet of captains: Alyssa Ferrara, Deanna Pucillo, Grace Carleton, and Jenn Guerra.

In the junior varsity contest, eighth-graders Sophia Kennedy and Mia Martucci played stellar games.

 

WHS spring sports hopefully ready to swing into high gear

The weather forecasters have been fond of saying that March has become the new February. But it also would seem that April has become the new January.

With the playing fields soggy, the temperatures below freezing, and the precipitation of the snowflake variety, the spring sports season has yet to get underway in full swing, with most of the athletic teams relegated to indoor training.

The situation has been such that the MIAA has extended the end of the regular season by a week, from May 29 to June 4, for purposes of allowing schools to complete their full schedules.

Only the WHS boys and girls lacrosse teams have been able to get their 2018 campaigns underway. The boys hosted Everett this past Monday, while the girls took on Weston last Saturday and Saugus on Monday.

The Viking laxers will have a busy week ahead, weather permitting, hosting Manchester-Essex on the Miller Field turf Saturday morning at 11 a.m.; traveling to Medford on Monday; trekking to Swampscott Wednesday; and then returning home to take on Revere next Thursday.

The Lady Vikings’ lacrosse squad has two games on tap next week, entertaining Matignon on Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Miller and hosting Malden on Wednesday.

The WHS track and field teams were scheduled to face Lynn English yesterday (Wednesday) and Everett on Monday. Both meets are set be be held at Revere’s Harry Della Russo Stadium.

The WHS sailing team will brave the chilly waters off the Cottage Park Yacht Club today (Thursday) in a regatta with East Boston.

The WHS baseball team will attempt to get its season underway tomorrow (Friday) against Essex Tech at Veterans Field. Coach Frank DeMarco and his crew will journey next week to Beverly on Monday and host Lynn Classical Wednesday.

Dave Guffey and the WHS softball team will open their season Monday, hosting Beverly, and then will  travel to Classical on Wednesday.

The WHS tennis teams will swing into action on Tuesday of next week, with the girls traveling to Beverly and the boys hosting the Panthers. The boys will take the bus to Lynn Classical next Thursday, while the girls will entertain the Lady Rams.

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