With the winter high school sports season beginning at the end of this week, the fall sports athletes were still savoring their accomplishments after receiving well-deserved recognition on their respective conference all-star teams.
All the honorees were publicly announced recently after each sport’s coaches sat down to hash out the star-studded rosters with the exception of football that was still wrapping up its playoffs, Thanksgiving Day games and Super Bowls.
In the Northeastern Conference, the Marblehead High School Magicians had their share of
honors, including two coach of the year (Brian Heenan for cross-country, and Bob Green for golf) picks to go along with a couple of player of the year (cross-country runners Marri O’Connell and Isaac Gross) selections. It was indeed a fall of success for the cross-country, golf, boys soccer and football teams, and a season of new experiences for the field hockey (Mia Maccario) and girls soccer (Lisa Wales) coaches, who were getting their first taste of varsity competition.
Heenan, Gross, O’Connell highlight the MHS cross-country award winners
Heenan was chosen the NEC Boys Coach of the Year after guiding his squad to a 4-0 perfect record in the Dunn Division. Danvers (3-1), Beverly (2-2), Masconomet (1-3) and Peabody (0-4) followed right behind the Magicians.
“I do not know just how many times I have been named coach of the year in the last 23 years, but I can tell you that every time I have earned it, I was honored and humbled to receive the votes of my fellow NEC coaches, and there were many who were more deserving than me this season,” said Heenan.
The Magicians again went to the head of the NEC class when Gross was selected the boys runner of the year. O’Connell enjoyed similar honors when she was picked as the conference’s girls runner of the year.
The girls team as a whole finished fourth in the Dunn Division with a 2-2 record. Peabody finished on top at 4-0, followed by Masconomet (3-1) and Beverly. Danvers was winless at 0-4.
Will Cerrutti and Nick Assa made the Boys All-Conference team, along with Gross. Cat Piper and O’Connell were the Marblehead representatives on the Girls All-Conference team, and the NEC coaches designated Maren Potter to the all-star squad.
Herlihy glowingly talked about his All-Conference runners. “What do Marri O’Connell and Cat Piper mean to the Marblehead High School girls cross-country program? In a word:
everything,” said Herlihy.
“These two were the heart and soul of the team. They were our No. 1 (O’Connell) and No. 2 (Piper) runners for the last two seasons. They were two of our three captains this year, and they’re inseparable best friends.
“Cat Piper has been running cross-country for six years, and her passion for the sport never once wavered, regardless of performance. Her experience, enthusiasm and love for running set the tone for everyone on the team.
“Cat has been a team leader, and someone that the whole team looked up to throughout the past two years. She is someone that everyone could rely on, confide in and look to for guidance, including myself.
Her performances as an athlete obviously played a huge role in the team’s success this season – eighth in the NEC Championship Meet, 25th at the Division 2A Championship Meet and 66th at the Division 2 State Championship Meet. But her role as a leader, teammate and friend meant more than any performance ever could.
“Marri joined the team last year as a relative unknown with minimal running experience. But as with everyone else in the program, Cat welcomed her with open arms. The two became fast friends. Marri had a very successful freshman season, but she’ll tell you herself that she didn’t have much love for running in the early going, but Cat’s passion and enthusiasm would prove to be infectious, and somewhere between the first day of cross-country practice last year and competing at the New Balance Nationals last spring, Marri fell in love with the sport too. The two of them, along with our third captain Maren Potter, brought their boundless love for the sport to captains’ practices every day from late June to mid-August, when the 2023 preseason began. They were the team’s top runners all season long, and I would argue no one cared more about the team’s success and the success of each individual on the team than them.
“Cat has become renowned for her photography that showcased her cross-country and track
teammates. She helped create tangible mementos for them to cherish. For Marri, she famously won the NEC Championship Meet after running through the finish line, before going back out onto the course to cheer on her teammates.
“At the Division 2 State Championship Meet after Marri finished second, she was first upset with the result, but then turned right around to make her way back to the course to cheer on her teammates again.
“These two have both enjoyed tremendous success as individuals, but they have also consistently put the team first. I’ve been impressed with their growth as athletes and as people, and it’s been wonderful to watch this friendship bloom.”
Heenan also singled out his trio of outstanding runners. “Isaac (Gross) had one of the best seasons ever by a Marblehead cross-country runner. Witnessing his emergence as one of the best runners in the state was one of the best developments I have ever witnessed as a coach. He always had the talent, but this season he put it all together,” said Heenan. “He set the standard for what it takes to become a successful runner. He went on to win the Varsity 2 race at the Ocean State Invitational, Junior/Senior 3K race at the Frank Kelley Invitational, NEC Championship Meet and Division 2A Championship Meet, before finishing second at the Division 2 State Championship Meet.
“Nate Assa took a lot of people by surprise this season. When he joined the team last year as a
sophomore, he was usually found in the middle or even the back of the pack. Toward the end of his sophomore season, he started to realize he had potential. He continued that realization throughout the track seasons last year, and then put in a terrific summer of training. Having lost five of our top seven runners to graduation, we needed someone to step up into one of the top varsity positions this fall, and Nate more than did that. He finished sixth in the Varsity 2 race at the Ocean State Invitational, third in the Junior/Senior 3K at the Frank Kelley Invitational, third at the NEC Championship Meet, third at the Division 2A Championship Meet and sixth at the Division 2 State Championship Meet.
“When Will Cerrutti’s sensational sophomore season came to an abrupt end last fall after a calf injury, I was worried that he would struggle to get back to form. He continued to be plagued by injury during the spring track season, but rather than be deterred by these setbacks Will took his rehabilitation like it was his job. He worked tirelessly, and that work ethic and overall positive approach to everything set the standard for what it means to be a leader in this program. He went on to finish 13 th in the Junior/Senior 3K at the Frank Kelley Invitational, sixth at the NEC Championship Meet and 13 th at the Division 2A Championship Meet, before finishing the season eighth at the Division 2 State Championship Meet, arguably his best race this fall.”
Record-setting season on the links produces five all-stars
After an historically successful golf season, the Magicians were well-recognized by the NEC golf coaches. But before the postseason awards, the team ended up with its best regular season record ever at 14-1 to win the NEC Lynch Division title. They then went on to secure the Division 2 North state sectional championship, another first for the program, with a team score of 311, followed by being one of the 12 best teams in the state this fall that competed for the state championship at Brockton’s Thorny Lea Golf Club on Oct. 31, where they tied for eighth place with Pope Francis.
Senior Charlie Grenier and junior Marty Ryan were the team’s NEC All-Scholastic selections. Juniors Simon Quicken, Jacob Hershfield and James Bickell earned all-star honors, giving coach Bob Green more to look forward to next fall. And Green topped off all of the acclaim with the conference’s coach of the year award.
But Green deflects all the praise to his five all-star golfers. “Charlie Grenier and Marty Ryan were both deserving of being on the All-Conference team,” said Green. “Charlie had an excellent year playing at No. 1 all season long. In the second match of the season against St. Mary’s at Hillview, he was three over par after two holes. But he then played the next seven holes one under par to record 33 points to lead us to victory. In the Division 2 North state sectional tournament, he shot 42 on the front nine, and then was even par on the back nine. Both are testaments to Charlie’s mental toughness and compete level. He was the unquestioned leader of our team.
“Marty Ryan led our team with a 36.1 stroke average. He got the team started with a bang in the first match of the year against host Peabody, shooting two under par. His steady and outstanding play carried us throughout the season. In the Division 2 North tournament, he was cruising along when midway through he made a double and triple bogey on consecutive holes. Despite having those two bad holes, Marty kept grinding to shoot an eight over par 80. It was another display of mental toughness and ability.
“Simon Quicken had an outstanding season. His win/loss record and stroke average were two big reasons for our success. He shot 79 in the Division 2 North tournament, and 81 in the state
championship meet, good enough to tie for 14 th place individually, and he played both rounds with a sore back.
“Jacob Hershfield was 12-2 in the regular season playing in the third or fourth spots. At the Division 2 North tournament, he shot 75 to lead our team to victory and a spot in the state championship.
“James Bickell also had an outstanding season. He began the year playing in the seventh spot, but his good play, consistency and success moved him up to the fifth spot. James won 71% of his match points that were available, which helped him secure a 9-2 record.
“All five of these players are committed to playing the game at a high level. Their work ethic and
preparation were an outstanding example to the rest of the team.”
Volleyball’s Parkman, Burke, Amadis earns postseason honors
The Marblehead High volleyball team (7-5) finished fourth in the NEC Dunn Division, behind Peabody (11-1), Danvers (10-2) and Masconomet (8-4). Beverly (1-11) ended up last in the division. MHS libero Megan Parkman made the Dunn Division All-Conference team. Deysha Amadis and Eva Burke were the Marblehead divisional all-star representatives.
MHS coach Killeen Miller offered her thoughts on these three players.
“Megan (Parkman) is an amazing leader. Her intensity on the court was contagious, and she had such high expectations for herself and her teammates. She just wanted to learn, and that showed up every day as she continued to grow and develop,” said Miller.
“Eva (Burke) is a setter with so much talent, who was quick, showed great athleticism and was a very versatile player. She worked really hard at all parts of her game, and was willing to do whatever it took for her teammates.
“Deysha (Amadis) was one of the most hard-working individuals that I have ever met. She has big goals, and is relentless in her pursuit of success. On the court, Deysha constantly has the drive to succeed, while also pushing others to be the best they can be.”
Donovan completes field hockey season as an All-Star
The MHS field hockey team, under the direction of first-year coach Mia Maccario, finished up with a 4-10 record. Danvers was the conference champion at 13-0-1.
Senior Clara Donovan represented her Marblehead teammates on the NEC all-star squad. Maccario said of Donovan: “Clara was overall an amazing captain and player to work with. Her work ethic on and off the field was truly remarkable. She was also a great role model, and will be extremely missed next year, because she was one of those players who stepped up and truly helped carry the team toward the end of the season. She never gave up with setting up shot after shot, and her energy on and off the field was always positive. She truly always gave it her all.”
Boys soccer’s Schmitt, Zampese, Burke, McDonald standout as stars on the pitch
The MHS boys soccer team finished up with a 4-5-4 regular season record in the Dunn Division, and also a state tournament berth. Masconomet won the division with a 9-0-4 mark.
Senior Riley Schmitt and junior goalie Rory Zampese made the NEC All-Conference team for the Magicians. Senior Jack Burke and sophomore London McDonald are the team’s Dunn Division all-stars.
Dormer makes NEC girls soccer All-Conference team
First-year girls soccer coach Lisa Wales’ team ended up with a 6-4-3 record, and a state tournament berth. Masconomet came in first in the NEC Dunn Division with a 12-0-1 record, followed by Danvers (8-3-2), Beverly (7-3-3), aforementioned Marblehead and lastly Peabody (5-7-1).
The Magicians won the NEC Sportsmanship Award, voted on by the conference coaches. Junior Samantha Dormer made the All-Conference team, and Talia Selby and Cait Mullins were the Dunn all-stars.
