Boys cross-country team sweeps tri-meet to remain undefeated
The Marblehead High boys cross-country team (6-0) traveled to Bradley Palmer State Park to take on Masconomet and Danvers in a Northeastern Conference (NEC) tri-meet on Oct. 11.
“It was a great race, with the boys coming away with wins against both teams,” said coach Brian Heenan.
The Marblehead boys defeated Masconomet, 19-37, and Danvers, 25-30. They were led by Isaac Gross (15:47), who ended up coming out on top.
“It was an impressive performance by Isaac, as he has been recovering from an illness,” said Heenan.
Nate Assa (15:58) came in second, as he continues to impress the coaches this fall. Junior Will Cerrutti (16:08) keeps on improving after last year’s injury-plagued campaign. He was fourth overall in this tri-meet.
Sophomore Will Cruikshank (17:16) had the race of the day after overtaking the fifth Danvers runner in the final half-mile. He was ninth overall.
These Magicians will now travel to Peabody to take on the Tanners on Oct. 18 to close out the regular season, starting at 4 p.m
Girls split tri-meet
On Wednesday, Oct. 11, the Marblehead High girls cross-country team (5-1) competed in a tri-meet against Northeastern Conference rivals Masconomet and Danvers at Bradley Palmer State Park. Marblehead lost to Masconomet, 25-36, but defeated Danvers, 23-36.
Marri O’Connell and senior captain Cat Piper took home the top two spots, respectively. “[O’Connell] continues her unbeaten streak in NEC dual/tri-meets, with [Piper] close behind her,” said coach Will Herlihy.
“Maren Potter was our third runner in this tri-meet after running one of her best races this fall, but overall, the team succumbed to Masco’s depth upfront,” Herlihy added. “The Chieftains already had seven runners cross the finish line between our second and third runners.”
The Marblehead girls travel to Peabody to take on the Tanners Oct. 18 to close out the regular season, starting at 4 p.m.
Girls soccer tame the Panthers
The Marblehead High girls soccer team (5-5-1) shutout Beverly, 2-0 on Oct. 10.
Sadie Halpern scored both Marblehead goals in the first half. Grace Mortensen assisted on the first tally. Sydney Ball set up the second marker. Goalie Kate Burns made nine saves to help preserve the shutout.
“It was a team effort against Beverly, and everyone played well,” said first-year head coach Lisa Wales. “This was one of our best games this season, because it was the closest that we came to playing a complete game as a team. Credit to the Beverly keeper, who made some fantastic saves to keep it close on the scoreboard.”
But the very next day, the Magicians were edged by Danvers, 3-2. Ava Machado and Ashley Mortensen netted the Marblehead goals, with Ball setting up both of them.
“We were leading 2-0, but in the second half we were not able to fend off the persistent Danvers attack,” said Wales. “It was a great, fast-paced, competitive game right to the end. We had a lot of positives to take away from this game, and I was also very proud of the effort that the girls brought to it, especially after playing Beverly the day before. [Burns] made some fantastic saves in net. She finished up with 16 saves overall.”
After taking on non-league Manchester Essex Oct. 13 and Gloucester Oct. 17, the Marblehead girls return to the Piper pitch to host Peabody Thursday on Oct. 19, starting at 4 p.m.
Volleyball teams falls to Peabody, Ipswich
The Marblehead High volleyball team (6-7) lost to Peabody in four sets on Oct. 10. Eva Burke and Lila Moniz led the way in kills with 20 and 14 apiece to keep the match close, while Maddie Cole and Mari Modryznska each ended up with eight. Alyssa Gentile and Megan Parkman tied in digs with 14.
The Magicians then dropped a match to Ipswich in three sets two days later. Gentile was credited with 12 digs. Sydney Faris was excellent at receiving serves against the Tigers, according to coach Killeen Miller.
After facing Danvers on Oct. 13, the Magicians play host to Masco Oct. 18 starting at 5:30 p.m. Non-league Notre Dame Academy of Hingham follows the Chieftains to town to go up against the Magicians on Friday, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m. They will be at Danvers on Oct. 24, 5:30 p.m., and Swampscott on Oct. 26, 6 p.m.
Golfers keep on winning
The Marblehead High golfers (12-1) defeated Salem at Old Salem Greens, 55-17, on Oct. 11. All eight Magicians won their matches, with five of them shooting a 38 or less.
Charlie Grenier was the medalist of the day with a 36. Marty Ryan and Toby Grenier each shot a 37. Jacob Hershfield and Matt Mahan finished up with identical 38 scores.
The Magicians maintained their winning ways the very next day against Masco at Tedesco, 43-29. A total of seven Marblehead golfers won their matches, with the eighth match ending up in a tie.
Charlie Grenier (5.5-4.5, shooting a 38), Ryan (5.5-3.5, 34, the medalist of the day), Hershfield (6.5-2.5, 36), James Bickell (5-4, 42), Mahan (6-3, 39), Adrian Baron (5.5-3.5, 39) and Toby Grenier (5-4, 39) were the individual winners. Simon Quicken shot a 37 to tie his match, 4.5-4.5.
After hosting non-league St. Mary’s of Lynn on Oct. 17, these Magicians will host Winthrop on Oct. 18 at 4 p.m. The MIAA (Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association) state tournament then begins Oct. 24 at Stow Acres Country Club at 10 a.m. The NEC Open is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 26, at Tedesco, beginning at 12:30 p.m.
