Sports

The annual State Division 3 spring track championship meet was held last Friday and Saturday, May 26 and 27, at Fitchburg State University. The Marblehead girls fared very well with a seventh-place finish, while the boys were 17th overall. “It was a great two days of track for both our squads,” said coach Nolan Raimo. Freshman running whiz Marri O’Connell was the focus of attention throughout the two-day track extravaganza, not only among her own coaches and teammates but the opposition as well. She did not disappoint after qualifying for the New Balance Nationals in both the mile and 2-mile. Marblehead freshman running star Marrietta O'Connell leads the pack in the mile during the prelims at last weekend’s Division 3 state meet in Fitchburg. Her preliminary time qualified her fo...

Last year, the Marblehead High boys lacrosse team wrapped up the regular season with a 15-3 record. This spring, they are a perfect 18-0 overall, and 12-0 in the Northeastern Conference. The Magicians ended up 10th in the Division 2 power rankings last year. Right now, they are seventh, but that was before they dominated Melrose to the tune of 18-7 on May 26. The final rankings were scheduled to be announced on May 30, the day before the state tournament pairings are set to be released, and a home game or two at Piper Field is certainly in the cards for the Magicians. Coach John Wilkens and his Marblehead High School lacrosse team completed the regular season a perfect 18-0 and are now waiting to learn their opponent in the Division 2 state tournament. CURRENT PHOTO/NICOLE GOODHU...

With the regular season now in the books, the Marblehead High spring track teams headed to Peabody on May 21 to meet up with the rest of the Northeastern Conference teams for the annual NEC Meet. The boys finished the conference season with a 3-3-1 record, while the girls went 5-2. In the NEC Meet, the Marblehead boys (87 points) ended up second behind first-place Peabody (171). Gloucester was a close third with 85 points. The Marblehead girls also finished second with 127 points. The Tanners (155) came out on top. Masconomet (63) and Gloucester (58) rounded out the top four. Girls long jump Claire Davis (15-10.75) medaled in the long jump after ending up sixth in the NEC Meet. Ana Vina de Garnica (14-11.5) was 12th. “There was a steady headwind in the long jump pit, whi...

With the postseason right around the corner, the Marblehead High boys tennis team (10-0 in the Northeastern Conference, 15-3 overall) defeated another opponent to maintain that winning momentum and begin a brand new week with more success. Non-league foe Manchester Essex, a perennial state tournament squad, provided the opposition for the Magicians on May 22 in Marblehead, only to lose, 4-1.  Junior Mika Garber defeated Jack Cummins of the Hornets in first singles, 6-1, 6-0. Garber’s classmate Jost Eggebrecht also won in straight sets against Charlie Virden in second singles, 6-3, 6-4. Sophomore Matthew Sherf completed the singles sweep with a 6-2, 6-0 triumph over Finn Straub. Sophomores Etan Farfel and Jayden Janock hooked up in first doubles to beat Sander Brenner and Jack L...

The Marblehead High girls lacrosse team (6-7 in the Northeastern Conference, 6-12 overall) wrapped up the regular season on May 22 against non-league host North Reading, who defeated the local squad in a close contest, 13-11. The Magicians are also 2-6 in the NEC Dunn Division that also consists of Beverly, Danvers, Masco and Peabody.  Ramona Gillett (1 goal), Sydney Langton (3 goals, 1 interception, 1 caused turnover), Maddie Forbes (1 goal, 1 interception, 1 caused turnover), Lucy Wales (4 goals), Caitlyn Ryan (2 goals) and Isabelle Ferrante (1 assist) were the offensive leaders against the Hornets.  As of May 26, coach Annie Madden’s team is 22nd in the Division 2 power rankings. The Top 32 teams automatically qualify for the state tournament. The pairings will be an...

The Marblehead High girls tennis team (13-5) began the final week of the regular season with a 3-2 road win over Lynnfield on May 22. After losing to visiting Hamilton-Wenham the next day, 5-0, the Marblehead girls started their preparation for the Division 2 state tournament. They are the 20th-ranked team, and they are scheduled to face 13th-ranked Milton (11-5) in a Round of 32 match-up. As of May 27, the date and time were still to be determined.  “Lynnfield is always a strong opponent, but we matched up well against them this year,” said coach Tracy Ackerman. “There was good quality tennis from everybody, and this match will serve us well as we prepare for the upcoming state tournament. Third singles player Charly Cooper, in particular, showed grit and tenacity taking he...

In an opening round Karelis Division game of the Haverhill Hillie Classic, the Marblehead High baseball team (7-6 in the Northeastern Conference, 12-8 overall) lost to conference rival Salem, 6-3, in eight innings at Seaside Park.  The Magicians were leading 3-0 after five innings when Salem took advantage of some mistakes to tie the game. And then in extra innings, Salem did it again. The host team outhit Salem, 8-3, but five errors on defense led to five unearned runs, according to coach Mike Giardi.   Coach Mike Giardi meets on the mound with some of his players during a game last month at Seaside Park. As of press time, the Magicians were waiting to learn their opponent in the Division 2 state tournament. CURRENT PHOTO / NICOLE GOODHUE BOYD Drew Whitman pitched...