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Boston Globe
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
‘You guys are the best of the best': Globe Foundation/Richard J. Phelps Scholar-Athletes honored at Fenway Park
Richard J. Phelps made sure to credit the parents of the 18 scholarship recipients. Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff Speaking to the honorees and their families, Phelps, 96, emphasized the dedication and sacrifice required of both the athletes and their support system to reach the pinnacle of athletics and academics. Advertisement 'There are approximately 10,000 student athletes who compete in high school sports in the Greater Boston area every year. You are the exceptional ones who are being honored today,' Phelps said. 'My high praise and admiration for you and for your accomplishments. And I also would like to express a word of praise for your parents, who have been so supportive of you all these years.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up At age 96, Richard J. Phelps addressed the 21 — Brendan Kurie (@BrendanKurie) Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy, noting the ceremony is one of his favorite days of the year, reflected on his own playing days at Groton High and encouraged the students to savor the moment. 'My love of high school sports, it never goes away,' Shaughnessy said. 'You guys are the best of the best, and congratulations to your parents for getting you here. If it's not the best time of your life, it's close. You'll have more fun and more great things ahead, but this is really special.' Advertisement Globe columnist — Brendan Kurie (@BrendanKurie) In addition to the scholar-athlete awards, Sid Tildsley (Shawsheen) and Kerri Finneran (Central Catholic) were recognized as the Will McDonough/MIAA Athletes of the Year for their multi-sport achievements. Tildsley became the fourth wrestler to capture four state titles and three New England championships. On the gridiron, he was a three-time All-Scholastic who quarterbacked Shawsheen to a 13-0 season and a Division 5 Super Bowl title as a senior. He will wrestle at Harvard. Finneran, a Globe All-Scholastic and league MVP in field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse, set program records for goals and assists in field hockey and finished third in state history with 427 career points in lacrosse. The 2024-25 Globe Athletes of the Year: Central Catholic's Kerri Finneran (from left) , Shawsheen's Sid Tildsley, and Phillips Andover's Emily Mara. Not pictured is Roxbury Latin's Noah Abdur Rahim. Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff The Richard J. Phelps/NEPSAC Athlete of the Year honors were awarded to Noah Abdur Rahim (Roxbury Latin) and Emily Mara (Phillips Andover). Abdur Rahim was a two-time All-ISL and All-NEPSAC selection in indoor/outdoor track, broke the school's 21-year record in the 400 meters, and also captained the football team, earning ISL honorable mention as a running back and safety. He will play football at Colby. Mara was a three-time All-NEPSAC selection and an All-American in soccer, notching 19 goals and 15 assists as a senior. She was also a standout in ice hockey, posting 22 goals and 22 assists her senior season. She will play soccer and ice hockey at Boston College. Boston ,MA -June 17 Spencer Goss of Bedford High School was at Fenway Park in Boston ,MA on Tuesday , June 17 2025. He was at the 39th Globe Foundation / Richard J. Phelps Scholar-Athletes award ceremony held at Fenway Park. The ceremony also included MIAA and NEPSAC Athletes of the Year. (Jonathan Wiggs Globe /Staff ) Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff Larry Anderson, who recently retired after 30 years and 441 victories as the men's basketball coach at MIT, addressed the attendees. He praised the students' athletic talents, but also focused on the importance of embracing failure and struggle — drawing from his own experiences playing junior varsity football. Advertisement 'I think about the many times we get knocked down and we fall down,' Anderson said. 'Taking a championship approach, what we need to do is just get back up one more time than the other guy.' 30-year — Brendan Kurie (@BrendanKurie) Anderson said he was most encouraged by the drive of the scholarship recipients. 'For us old folks here, we're sorry we're leaving the world in the place that it's in right now,' Anderson said. 'But being here, I'm inspired and have confidence. We got have some good people to turn things around and make us proud.' Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy recounted one of his own high school sports stories from Groton High (now Groton-Dunstable) at the 39th Globe Foundation/Richard J. Phelps Scholar-Athlete award ceremony at Fenway Park. Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff The 2024-25 Phelps Scholars ▪ District 2-3 — Bailey Dzivasen, Uxbridge (Franklin Pierce); Jack Ledbetter, Leicester (Bryant). ▪ District 4 — Kerri Finneran, Central Catholic (UMass); Spencer Goss, Bedford (UMass). ▪ District 5 — Tyler Adamo, Lynnfield (Columbia); Nevaeh Eth, Lynn Classical (Simmons). ▪ District 6 — Ryan DeLucia, St. John's Prep (Georgetown); Brooke Moloney, St. Mary's (UMass). ▪ District 7 — Shea Larkee, Norwood (Cornell); Cole Sidwell, Franklin (Wake Forest). ▪ District 8 — Kendra Santiago, Greater New Bedford (Harvard); Cameron Wilbur, Bristol-Plymouth (Gordon). ▪ District 9 — Wyllys Ames, Scituate (Pomona); Holly Panttila, Norwell (Vanderbilt). ▪ City of Boston — Jasmine Canas, New Mission (Northeastern); Outtman Eddhabi, Excel Academy Charter (Bentley). ▪ Preps — Molly Boyle Phillips Andover (Yale); Tam Gavenas, Phillips Andover (Harvard). Will McDonough Athletes of the Year 2024-25 Boys' winner: Sid Tildsley, Shawsheen Tech Girls' winner: Kerri Finneran, Central Catholic 2023-24 Boys' winner: Jake Vana, St. John's Prep Girls' winner: Abby Bettencourt, Peabody 2022-23 Boys' winner: Owen McHugh, Milton Girls' winner: Rose MacLean, Andover 2021-22 Boys' winner: Josh Robertson, Marblehead Girls' winner: Kendall Blomquist, Westwood Advertisement 2020-21: Boys' winner: Brendan Fennell, Melrose Girls' winner: Paige Gillette, Andover 2019-20: Boys' winner: Duncan Moreland, Beverly Girls' winner: Sydney Scales, Walpole 2018-19 Boys' winner: Jake McElroy, North Andover Girls' winner: Audra Tosone, Walpole 2017-18 Boys' winner: Sal Frelick, Lexington Girls' winner: Elle Hansen, Cohasset 2016-17 Boys' winner: Patrick Flynn, Hanover Girls' winner: Angela Alibrandi, Westford Academy 2015-16 Boys' winner: Jeff Trainor, Billerica Girls' winner: Yuleska Ramirez-Tejeda, Cambridge Rindge & Latin 2014-15 Boys' winner: Brooks Tyrrell, Marblehead Girls' winner: Leah Cardarelli, Acton-Boxboro 2013-14 Boys' winner: Michael Panepinto, Needham Girls' winner: Maggie Layo, Sandwich 2012-13 Boys' winner: Andre Rolim, Somerville Girls' winner: Hannah Murphy, Duxbury 2011-12 Boys' winner: Casey DeAndrade, East Bridgewater Girls' winner: Kara Charette, Fairhaven 2010-11 Boys' winner: Shayne Collins, Mansfield Girls' winner: Andrea Keklak, Lincoln-Sudbury 2009-10 Boys' winner: Conor Ressel, Gloucester Girls' winner: Molly Breen, Millis 2008-09 Boys' winner: Sean Ryan, Norton Girls' winner: Kirsten Kasper, North Andover 2007-08 Boys' winner: Tim Rich, Chelmsford Girls winner: Melanie Baskind, Framingham 2006-07 Boys' winner: James Hamilton, Harwich Girls' winner: Denise Beliveau, Framingham 2005-06 Boys' winner: Chris Nixon, Duxbury Girls' winner: Lauren Mahoney, Archbishop Williams 2004-05 Boys' winner: Chris Barnicle, Newton North Girls' winner: Ashley Waters, Amesbury 2003-04 Boys' winner: Jason Blydell, Swampscott Girls' winner: Katie Brooks, Winchester 2002-03 The Globe Athlete of the Year Award was changed to the Boston Globe/Will McDonough Award following the death of the longtime Globe columnist in January of 2003. Boys' winner: Matt Antonelli, St. John's Prep Girls' winner: Rachel Smith, Somerset 2001-02 Boys' winner: Jim Unis, Gloucester Girls' winner: Brittany Cheney, Abington 2000-01 Boys' winner: Robert Whitaker, Brockton Girls' winner: Lisa Tisbert, Andover 1999-2000 Boys' winner: Dante Balestracci, New Bedford Girls' winner: Katie Collins, Reading; and Tracy Prihoda, Needham Advertisement 1998-99 Boys' winner: Kevin Truelson, Archbishop Williams Girls' winner: Hillary Dunn, Medfield 1997-98 Boys' winner: Abdirizak Mohamud, Boston English Girls' winner: Jenna Stacer, Holliston 1996-97 Boys' winner: Jonathon Riley, Brookline Girls' winner: Emily Desjardins, Bishop Fenwick 1995-96 Boys' winner: James Perry, Malden Catholic Girls' winner: Rebecca Sangster, Falmouth 1994-95 Boys' winner: Peter Woodfork, Swampscott Girls' winner: Nicki Castonguay, Somerset 1993-94 Boys' winner: Anthony Palmer, Winthrop Girls' winner: Katie Kiladis, Framingham 1992-93 Boys' winner: Brett Budzinski, Ipswich Girls' winner: Sarah Dacey, Framingham 1991-92 Boys' winner: Chris Blades, Marian Girls' winner: Kelly Amonte, Thayer Academy 1990-91 Boys' winner: Andy Downin, Duxbury Girls' winner: Leanne Burke, Randolph 1989-90 Boys' winner: Bill Counihan, Dedham Girls' winner: Lisa Moore, Wellesley 1988-89 Boys' winner: Dan O'Connell, Triton Girls' winner: Sarah Behn, Foxboro 1987-88 Boys' winner: Carmine Cappuccio, Malden Girls' winner: Kendall Daly, Masconomet Dick Phelps NEPSAC Athletes of the Year 2024-25 Boys' winner: Noah Rahim Girls' winner: Emily Mara 2023-24 Boys' winner: Amir Lindsey, Rivers Girls' winner: Sophia Levering, Noble & Greenough 2022-23 Boys' winner: Rogan Cardinal, Pingree Girls' winner: Molly Driscoll, Brooks 2021-22 Boys' winner: James Donahue, Belmont Hill Girls' winner: Myra Bhathena, Phillips Andover 2020-21 * Seasons cancelled because of COVID. 2019-20 Boys' winner: Kalel Mullings, Milton Academy Girls' winner: Catherine Barry, Tabor Academy 2018-19 Boys' winner: Jake Spaulding, Pingree Girls' winner: Lily Farden, Nobles 2017-18 Boys' winner: Joey Luchetti, Lawrence Academy Girls' winner: Cassidy Kearney, Thayer Academy 2016-17 Boys' winner: Jeff Costello, Buckingham, Browne & Nichols Girls' winner: Amaya Finklea, Nobles 2015-16 Boys' winner: Griffin Beal, Pingree Girls' winner: Courtney Cashman, Governor's Academy 2014-15 Boys' winner: Cole O'Connor, BB&N Girls' winner: Sophia Sgroi, Newton Country Day 2013-14 Boys' winner: Charlie Mitchell, Waring Advertisement Girls' winner: Lauren Dillon, Nobles 2012-13 Boys' winner: Brian O'Malley, St. Sebastian's Girls' Winner: Maeve McMahon, Groton School 2011-12 Boys' winner: Brian Hart, Phillips Exeter Girls' winner: Bryanna Bourbeau, Tilton 2010-11 Boys' winner: Brendan Oliver, Pingree Girls' winner: Alex Carpenter, Governor's Academy 2009-10 Boys' winner: Derek Papagianopoulos, BB&N Girls' winner: Beverly Leon, Milton Academy 2008-09 Boys' winner: David Lawson, Middlesex Girls winner: Casey Griffin, Nobles 2007-08 Boys' winner: Chris Dwyer, Salisbury School Girls' winner: Sarah Plumb, Nobles 2006-07 Boys' winner: Corey Gatewood, Belmont Hill Girls' winner: Bray Ketchum, Greenwich Academy 2005-06 Boys' winner: James Williams, Roxbury Latin Girls' winner: Micaela Long, Pomfret 2004-05 Boys' winner: Brian Morrissey, Governor Dummer Girls' winner: Sarah Parsons, Nobles 2003-04 Boys' winner: Charlie Davies, Brooks School Girls' winner: Devon Shapiro, Middlesex School 2002-03 Boys' winner: Dan Shribman, Deerfield Academy Girls' winner: Kaylan Tildsley, Brooks School 2001-02 Boys' winner: Jason Haley, Landmark Girls' winner: Louisa Butler, Phillips Andover 2000-01 Boys' winner: Andrew Cleary, Belmont Hill Girls' winner: Meredith Hudson, Phillips Andover Matty Wasserman can be reached at
Boston Globe
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Shawsheen boys' lacrosse nearly lets go of rope for second straight year, but strings together second-round win
Nate Malandain made 16 saves and Cam Banda, Larry Cullity, Charlie Shannon, Ethan Caceres, Jake Giordano, Harry Shannon, and Shane O'Neil played great team defense. 'We made a lot of great defensive stands and in the final 50 seconds we sucked it up and closed it out,' said Shawsheen coach Chuck Baker. 'We're playing gritty ball right now.' Advertisement Jacob Patterson (2 goals, assist), Quinn Carbone (2 goals), and Zack Timmons (goal, assist) led the offense. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Dracut 14, Arlington Catholic 7 — Lucas Ogden rifled in five goals and Matt Lesniak and Owen French tallied two goals apiece for the fourth-seeded Middies (17-3) in a Round of 16 win over the No. 13 Cougars (15-5). Falmouth 13, Old Rochester 4 — Jameson Murphy netted a game-high five goals and Travis Smith won 15 faceoffs to set the table for the third-seeded Clippers (16-5) in a second-round win over the No. 19 Bulldogs (14-4). Medfield 22, North Middlesex 5 — Braeden Sutton tallied nine goals and an assist, topping 200 career points, and Eddie Breslin amassed 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists), with both players approaching 100 points for the season, as the top-seeded Warriors (17-3) rolled in the Round of 16. Senior LSM Ben Lusby was a two-way force with two goals and Johnny Olenik went 19-for-22 at the faceoff-X. Advertisement Division 1 State Acton-Boxborough 16, Franklin 5 — Back from a month-long injury, Will Cronin produced four goals and two assists, and Tristan Clayton netted five goals with an assist to power the No. 5 Revolution (16-3) past the No. 12 Panthers (15-6) in the Round of 16. Chris Houle made 10 saves for the hosts. Andover 20, Needham 9 — Jack Cooper tied a program record with seven goals, pacing the No. 4 Golden Warriors (13-3) huge offensive output with senior Dan Guinee, freshman Nolan Dowling, and junior Nate Waldinger chipping in to best the No. 13 Rockets (12-8) in the Round of 16. Division 2 State Duxbury 10, Sharon 3 — The third-seeded Dragons (16-5) turned in another excellent defensive performance with seniors John Rovegno and Cole Martin leading the way. Senior captain Liam Goodwin tallied 7 points (2 goals, 5 assists), senior middie Jack Sovik scored four goals with an assist, and juniors Brady Rhinesmith and Keegan Artz netted two goals apiece to top the No. 14 Eagles (10-8) in the Round of 16. Hingham 12, Minnechaug 3 — Owen Packard (2 goals, 3 assists), Tom McCarthy (3 goals, assist), and Colin Lasch (3 goals) lifted the fourth-seeded Harbormen (18-3) to a second-round win over No. 13 Minnechaug (17-3). Mansfield 14, North Andover 6 — Thomas Donovan netted a team-high six goals, Nico Smith scored once and handed out five assists, Cole Hogencamp had 3 points (goal, 2 assists), and Andrew DeGirolamo and Tommy Vallett scored two goals apiece for the fifth-seeded Hornets (19-1) in a Round of 16 win over the No. 12 Scarlet Knights (9-11). Advertisement Division 4 State Ipswich 13, Nipmuc 8 — Connor Wright made 12 saves and Trevor Manning netted two goals for the fifth-seeded Tigers (14-4) in a second-round victory over No. 12 Nipmuc (10-8). Manchester Essex 9, Pentucket 8 — Luke Renzi won the opening faceoff in overtime and, following a timeout, buried the winner for the seventh-seeded Hornets (16-4) in a second-round victory over No. 10 Pentucket (13-7). Nate Weitzer can be reached at
Boston Globe
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Six high school sports takeaways from a salvaged rainy day
Greater Lowell goalie Julia Dunfey made 12 stops in an 8-4 win over Northeast that pushed her career total past 200 saves. Junior Lyla Green leaf recorded her 100th career point for Ipswich with a goal and an assist in a 12-6 win over Manchester Essex. Advertisement 2. Three stars Jack LaNatra , Silver Lake — Between a 12-strikeout complete game and a pair of steals, the senior lefthander made himself known in a 5-1 win over Scituate. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Related : Liana Danubio , Norton — The junior captain fired her second shutout in a row, striking out 14 in a 3-0 victory over Attleboro for the 15th-ranked Lancers. Ani Vasudevan and Francis McGonagle , St. John's (Shrewsbury) — Vasudevan orchestrated the Pioneers' offense with 44 assists, adding seven blocks and six digs, while McGonagle led the attack the net with 19 kills and two blocks in a 3-1 win over St. John's Prep. 3. Going, going, gone A day after seeing more than 20 home runs launched, wet weather did a number on the baseball and softball schedules. But over at Silver Lake they tried to single-handedly match Wednesday's outburst with four different players going yard in a 23-0 demolition of Scituate: Anna Craft , Meghan Arseneau , Delaney Moquin , and Taelie Arthur . Advertisement St. Jo hn's (Shrewsbury) tried to keep up, as Jack Forgues, Andrew Scmit , and Jackson Lucarelli all launched bombs in a 7-3 road win at Central Catholic. Related : Austin Prep's Nick Ranaldi homered in a 10-0 win over King's-Edgehill of Nova Scotia, while Latin Academy's Fiona Deabler cranked a three-run shot in a 13-1 win over East Boston. 4. Daily lacrosse leaderboard Goals Bella Duffy , Braintree, 10 Alex Peck , Natick, 8 Cole Rodgers , Sandwich, 7 Matt Thomas , Hull, 7 Tegan Pereira , Winthrop, 6 Colten Russo , Masconomet, 6 John Scarpello , Wakefield, 6 Leah Cr anshaw , Whitman-Hanson, 5 Natalie Elder , Ipswich, 5 Troy Fredrickson , Westwood, 5 Nolan Jennings , Burlington, 5 Mike Murphy , Lynnfield, 5 Anthony Giacchino , Masconomet, 5 Points Peck, Natick, 12 Duffy, Braintree, 10 Scarpello, Wakefield, 10 Matthew Grafton , Abington, 9 Thomas, Hull, 8 Nick Emsing , BC High, 7 Grant Sullivan , Dover-Sherborn, 7 Murphy, Lynnfield, 6 Eva Nunes , Whitman-Hanson, 6 Fiona Rexford , Shawsheen, 6 Russo, Masconomet, 6 Judith Sloman , Shawsheen, 6 Zack Timmons , Shawsheen, 6 5. Coaching carousel Jessalyn Deveny announced she is stepping down after seven seasons as the North Andover girls' basketball coach. The two-time Gatorade Massachusetts Player of the Year at Westford before going on to play at Boston College, Deveny led the Scarlet Knights to the state quarterfinals in 2023. 'I have had the opportunity to work with such an incredible group of athletes, their dedicated families, as well as committed staff and administration,' Deveny said. 'Over the years, I have prided myself on developing the whole person both on and off the court.' THANK YOU - JESSALYN DEVENY After seven years as our Varsity Girls Basketball Head Coach, Jessalyn Deveny has decided to step down. A class act both on and off the court - going to miss this incredible role model that our girls were so fortunate to have. Best wishes, Jess!… — Scarlet Knights (@NA_Athletics) 6. College corner Former Thayer Academy hockey player CJ Foley , now a sophomore defenseman at Dartmouth, was named to the New England Division 1 Men's All-Star team by the New England Hockey Writers Association, the latest in a series of postseason awards that has included Ivy League Player of the Year, All-ECAC First Team, and being a finalist for ECAC Player of the Year. The Hanover native had 11 goals and 19 assists while playing in all 33 games for the Big Green. Advertisement Bridgewater native Cam Lund , who played for Cushing Academy, also made the D1 team for Northeastern, while Amherst's Ryan Leonard , who Related : Former Franklin High star Natalie Stott , who also attended Williston Northampton and is now a junior defenseman at Amherst, was named the Division 2/3 women's MVP. Brendan Spinale , a senior at Franklin Pierce from Canton, received the J. Thom Lawler Award, presented by the Eastern Massachusetts Ice Hockey Officials. Also on the D2/3 All-Star teams: Abington's Ryan Prewitt (Curry), Marshfield's Theodore Griffin (Trinity), Reading's Landyn Greatorex (Salem State), Norton's Ryan Kuzmich (UNE), Worcester's Dominic Murphy (UNE), Berkley's Breanna Studley (Colby), Billerica's Samantha Fantasia (Endicott), and Plymouth's Maeve Reynolds (Amherst). Brendan Kurie can be reached at
Boston Globe
02-03-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Fo Fo Fo: Chelmsford's Thomas Brown, Shawsheen's Sid Tildsley make history with fourth All-State wrestling titles
It's always a must-see battle when the Chelmsford senior heavyweight faces St. John's Prep senior Alex Bajoras, and this was no exception. The crowd roared for Bajoras as he scored the first point on an escape and led 1-0. A Brown reversal and Bajoras escape tied it up before Brown's takedown won it 5-2. 'I knew I had to stay cool,' Brown said. 'Couldn't let anything get to me. I knew it was going to be a tough match coming into it, so I had to fight every second, every minute that match to come out with the win.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Methuen MA 3/01/25 02SCHWRESTLE Thomas Brown (Chelmsford) defeats Alex Bajoras (St. John's Prep) in the 285 lb weight class during the All-State boys' and girls' wrestling championships at Methuen High School. Photo by Matthew J Lee/Globe Staff Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Advertisement Brown is the fifth ever to go 4 for 4 at All-States, following 'To seal my career, not only being a four-time All-State champ but a four-time state champ and four-time sectional [champ]?' Tildsley said 'It's something a senior always wants to do with his team and his final hurrah.' Related : Sid and his brother, junior James Tildsley, needed extra points in their finals bouts, and both came away with pins to give Shawsheen (132.5 points) the edge over Central Catholic (130.5) in their second fantastic finish in as many weeks. 'I'm grateful that the 2025 class is able to take a D1 state championship, and to be able to win all divisions is something we never thought we could do, and Said Shawsheen coach Doug Pratt: 'It's unbelievable what these guys have done . . . You just have to train harder and be tougher and show up when it matters. These guys showed up when it matters the past two weeks.' Advertisement Fresh off a Division 1 title, the Shawsheen wrestling team won the All-State team title as well. AJ Traub Central Catholic had quite the day as well, needing to win both finals to keep up with the Rams. Senior Cole Glynn (113) earned a 6-1 decision over top-seeded Melrose junior Johnny Moraes — who'd beaten him at the George Bossi Lowell Holiday Tournament — and junior Caden Chase (190) won, 5-1, over Bridgewater-Raynham's Fletcher Rinke. 'At George Bossi, he kind of caught me, because he's a great wrestler,' said Glynn, who won his second All-State title. 'But I felt confident coming in and I thought if I stick to my game plan, I've been wrestling well and I can come out on top.' Related : At the time, the Raiders held the lead, giving extra purpose to Glynn's triumph. 'I'm even more proud of that,' Glynn said of the team points he earned. For the second week in a row, St. John's Prep senior Braedon Goes went down to the wire with Xaverian's 2023 Division 1 winner Nathan Sayers. For the second week in a row, Goes had the winning move. Related : A takedown with eight seconds left in overtime for a sudden victory gave Goes his first All-State title. 'I never thought I'd be here in this position,' he said. 'Coming in as a freshman, I was new to wrestling. A lot of hard summers and training. 'Good journey. Happy to cap it off.' St. John's Prep's Brandon Goes celebrates after defeating Xaverian's Nathan Sayers in the 126-pound final. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Milford's Aidan Baum, top, defeats St. John's Prep's James Lally in the 144-pound division. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Central Catholic's Cole Glynn defeats Melrose's Johnny Moraes in the 113-pound final to keep the Raiders in the hunt. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff AJ Traub can be reached at
Boston Globe
01-03-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Experience wrestling bigger opponents paying off for Bridgewater-Raynham's Livi Polansky, Melrose's Johnny Moraes
'Throughout the year, they're so much stronger and it's a lot more difficult to wrestle,' said Polansky, who has more wins than losses on the season and a perfect record against girls. 'Then, when I come and wrestle people my own weight, I feel that it's a little bit of a relief.' B-R's Kennedie Davis, a junior at 114 pounds, is also into the semifinals. Having a sparring partner who is one of the best in New England and two weight classes heavier also helps Polansky prepare. Advertisement Polansky found her technique helped to overcome weight differences. Now facing opponents who weigh in the same as she does, she's ready to make her run as the No. 2 seed at 100, after reaching the finals at 107 last year. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'The whole season, I couldn't wait until postseason,' she said. 'I know this is what I have to do, and I just have to think about the end of it, because it'll all pay off.' For Melrose junior Johnny Moraes, it's been a whole season at his comfortable weight. He had teammates last year who took the 113 and 120 spots, so he wrestled up into the loaded 126 weight class. He is undefeated at 113 this season, becoming a favorite after 'It's way faster,' Moraes said of the 113 class. 'But I was dealing with so many bigger kids [last year]. It's given me that grit and that mentality where I know that I can outlast these kids. I'm going to be more conditioned. If I keep on breaking them down, eventually they're going to tire out.' Used to being the underdog and proving people wrong, he 'loves and hates' being the top seed now. He'd rather prove people wrong than right, but the goal stays the same. Advertisement He has his sights on a championship, but knowing that he's into the semifinals and therefore is guaranteed a place finish, he couldn't help but smile. 'It's definitely surreal because my goal last year was to place at this tournament so I can make it to New Englands,' he said. 'I wanted it so bad [last season], and was just one match short.' Boys' All-States Leader : Shawsheen (68 points, 4 in winners' brackets, 3 in consolation) Contenders : Central Catholic (62, 4, 3), St. John's Prep (56.5, 4, 1), Milford (53, 3, 4), Bridgewater-Raynham (54, 4, 1) In the mix : Haverhill (45, 3, 1), Andover (42, 3, 1) Jayden Perez (106 pounds) and Dante Giusti (120) continue to prove crucial for Shawsheen, each reaching the semifinals along with the Tildsley brothers (Sid at 138; James at 150). Central Catholic is once again going toe-to-toe with the Rams, not just placing as many into the semifinals but doing it with only one senior (113-pounder Cole Glynn). Newton South 144-pounder Nicholas Genin is making a run with the 14-seed, defeating the No. 3 and No. 6. The upset of the day, however, goes to 15th-seeded Jacob Borawski (175 pounds) from Mt. Greylock, who caught Methuen's Vinny DeMaio, a New England finalist a year ago, in a hold just 70 seconds into the match. The two are double-digit semifinalists, along with No. 12 Perez, No. 13 Will LaVallee (St. John's Prep 150-pounder), and No. 13 Brian Waller-Reitano (Central Catholic heavyweight). Girls' All-States Leader : Putnam (39.5 points, 3 in winners' brackets, 4 in consolation) Contenders : Lowell (20, 2, 1), Bridgewater-Raynham (18, 2, 1) In the mix : Methuen (18, 2, 0), Billerica (18, 1, 2), Greater Lawrence (17.5, 2, 0) Advertisement Putnam's depth has been on display from its Lowell Holiday championship to its Division 2 title 50 points clear of the field. Izabella Perez (114 pounds), Valarie San (165), and Leanna Watson (235) are into Saturday's semifinals. Monty Tech's Kaleigh Fuller, after a last-second reversal to advance in the Division 1 semifinals, erased a 9-3 deficit by scoring 10 unanswered points in her 185-pound quarterfinal. Skyla Rodenhiser (Holliston's ninth-seeded 120-pounder) and Cloe Boccia (Milford's eighth-seeded 132) took down top seeds in their brackets. AJ Traub can be reached at
