Sports Profiles

Dinsmore has impact on Marblehead Youth Football Wiley Dinsmore’s MarbleheadYouth Football coaches call hima “teammate you want in yourhuddle.” COURTESY PHOTO Arriving at Piper Field with 14-year-old Wiley Dinsmore to watch high school football is like walking into Gillette Stadium with Tom Brady. “All the Marblehead players know him and call out, ‘Hey, Wiley!’” said his mom, Nina. Dinsmore, who is neurodivergent, just finished his third and final season with Marblehead Youth Football. This fall, his coaches nominated him for the Cape Ann Youth Football…

NAME: Nicolas Altonian AGE: 18 FAMILY: Mom, Alisha Hill; stepdad, Chuck McKenney; stepbrothers, Will and Nate McKenney; Dad, Scott Altonian; stepmom, Natalia Altonian; sisters, Aleksandra and Valentina Altonia; stepsister, Youlka Natlitkina SCHOOL YEAR: Just graduated SPORTS YOU PLAY: Tennis, swimming FAVORITE SPORT, AND WHY: My favorite sport to play is tennis. It used to be basketball before high school, but after I joined the tennis team in my freshman year, tennis became my favorite. I love the ups and downs of the sport like perfect…

NAME: Lani Gilmore AGE: 18 FAMILY: Mom, Maile; dad, Adam; Siblings: Dylan, 18; Hailey, 15; Callie, 15 SCHOOL YEAR: Senior SPORTS YOU PLAY: Tennis, soccer WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPORT, AND WHY? My favorite sport is tennis, which I began playing in my freshman year. Since then, it has quickly become a passion of mine. I’m drawn to the sport, not only because you can play it forever, but also because of its individual nature. Tennis demands personal accountability, self-motivation and effort that influences the results…

NAME: Austin Bacon AGE: 18 FAMILY: Parents: James, Carrie; siblings: Sophie, 15; Jaxon, 13 SCHOOL YEAR: Senior SPORTS YOU PLAY: Tennis FAVORITE SPORT, AND WHY: I really enjoy playing tennis, because it’s so social. It also gives you the choice to either focus on your own skills in singles or develop teamwork by playing doubles. It's a sport that you can play for the rest of your life, as well. MOST MEMORABLE MATCH, AND WHY: I played in a varsity playoff match for the first…

NAME: Abbie Goodwin AGE: 17 FAMILY: PARENTS: Randi, Russ; siblings: Naomi, 15, Ethan, 11 SCHOOL YEAR: Senior SPORTS YOU PLAY: Cross-country, track, tennis FAVORITE SPORT, AND WHY: Running has always been my favorite, but this tennis season has been especially fun, because of the team atmosphere. I’ve also enjoyed playing third singles. I’ve had a lot of close matches this season, but I really like that challenge as it helps me step up and improve my game. MOST MEMORABLE MEET FOR YOU, AND WHY: My…

NAME: Jayden Janock AGE: 18 FAMILY: Parents: Harry and Heidi; siblings: Izaak, 26; Cameron, 22 SCHOOL YEAR: Senior SPORTS YOU PLAY: Football, tennis FAVORITE SPORT, AND WHY: I like football because it involves teamwork combined with the physical nature of the game. On the other hand, I like tennis because of the mental strength it takes to play it to go along with the style of the game. MOST MEMORABLE GAME FOR YOU, AND WHY: My most memorable game was the 2024 Thanksgiving game at…

NAME: Colt Wales AGE: 18 FAMILY: Parents: Jon and Jenna; sister: Ryan, 20; brother: Timmy, 16 SCHOOL YEAR: Senior SPORTS: Football, baseball FAVORITE SPORT: Football, because I love the intensity and speed of the sport. MOST MEMORABLE GAME: This year’s Thanksgiving Day game against Swampscott at Fenway Park. The scenery, the rivalry, the fans and the score made that game special. WHAT COLLEGE WILL YOU BE ATTENDING? Union College MAJOR: Economics DO YOU WANT TO PLAY SPORTS IN COLLEGE? Yes, I’m playing football at Union.…

NAME: Nate Jaffe AGE: 18 FAMILY: PARENTS: Peter and Alexandra Jaffe; siblings: Alexis, 20; Amelia, 15 SCHOOL YEAR: Senior SPORTS YOU PLAY: Skiing FAVORITE SPORT, AND WHY: Definitely skiing. I like how it’s an individual sport, yet there’s so much team camaraderie. MOST MEMORABLE MEET FOR YOU, AND WHY: My most memorable race was definitely our final (regular season) race at Blue Hills this season. It was super surreal being at the start gate for the last time, and you could feel the team bond…

NAME: Gabby Hendy AGE: 18 FAMILY: Parents: Deb and Noah; sibling: Morgan, 15 SCHOOL YEAR: Senior SPORTS YOU PLAY: Track & field/field hockey FAVORITE SPORT, AND WHY: My favorite sport is track, because I have always loved to run and compete. I also have such a talented and supportive team. I think the community aspect makes track even more enjoyable. MOST MEMORABLE GAME FOR YOU, AND WHY: My favorite field hockey game was a home game this year against Peabody, where we won, 4-1, and…

NAME: Tyler Dana AGE: 16 FAMILY: Parents: John, Cathy; sibling: Allison, 18 SCHOOL YEAR: Junior SPORTS YOU PLAY: Soccer, skiing FAVORITE SPORT, AND WHY: Skiing is my favorite sport, because of the adrenaline and thrill of it, while speeding down the course, barely in control. You're mostly never going to win a ski race if you hold back. If you're not scared the whole time, then it wasn’t fast. Because the actual time spent skiing in a race is so short, it makes every turn…