Sports 05-17-2018

WHS sports roundup

Girls lacrosse qualifies for tourney

The Winthrop High girls lacrosse team secured its first-ever berth in the MIAA post-season state tournament with a 14-4 victory over Salem.

The 2018 Lady Vikings thus have written themselves into WHS sports annals, becoming the first team in the program’s history to qualify for a Journey to the Tourney.

Coach Ben Cimmino and his squad, who now stand at 10-4 on the season, will make the long trek to Gloucester today (Thursday). They will host Stoneham at 8 p.m. Monday and then travel to Stoneham the following day.

Cimmino and his charges will host the first Winthrop lacrosse Youth Day at Miller Field next Wednesday, May 23. The WHS coaching staff and players will instruct young players (Grades 1-7) in the basics of the game with skill development drills. All players must bring their own stick, goggles, and mouthguard. A $20 donation is optional.

The afternoon’s festivities get underway at 4 p.m.

 

First meet is held at new WHS track

The first home meet in 12 years for the Winthrop High girls and boys track and field teams took place this past Monday against Lynn Classical.

“To say the atmosphere was electrifying would be an understatement,” said longtime girls coach Warren MacPhail.

WHS Athletic Director Matt Serino set up the meet to rave reviews, with an official stating that it was the best-run meet in the Northeastern Conference this season.

Former long-time WHS boys head coach Pat McGee was honored for her years of service to the track program with a presentation of flowers by School Supt. Lisa Howard and the captains of the boys and girls teams.

“The surface is the fastest track in the conference,” noted MacPhail. “Our teams are overwhelmed with appreciation for what the town has done for us.”

As for the meet itself, on the girls’ side, the Lady Vikings came up just short by a  score of 69-62. “Lynn Classical has become our conference rival, so both teams competed super hard,” said MacPhail.

Notable performances for the Lady Vikings included:

McKayla Norris won the 100 and 200 dashes and anchored the winning 4 x 100 relay team; Camilla Miranda-Llovera was a double winner in the two-mile run and the 800; Gabby Hinchion topped the field in the discus; Clare Nargi qualified for the State Meet in the long jump; Mary Kate Pote threw over 30 feet in the shot put for the first time this year; and Fiona MacPhail had season personal records in the triple jump and 400-meter dash.

 

Boys tennis team wins thRee in a row

To paraphrase Ken Coleman on the Impossible Dream record (okay, we’re dating ourselves — kids, Google “Red Sox Impossible Dream” for the reference), “Look at ‘em go, three in a row!”

The Winthrop High boys tennis team won three straight matches this past week to move within striking range of qualifying for the post-season state tournament with victories over Northeastern Conference rivals Gloucester, Malden, and Salem.

Coach Marie Finn’s Vikings now stand at 5-6 on the season and need victories in two of their last three matches in order to achieve the .500 record that is needed to punch their ticket for a Journey to the Tourney.

Monday’s 3-2 triumph on the WHS courts against Gloucester was highlighted by a gutsy win in three sets by the Vikings’ No. 1 player, Kevin Dorr. Kevin topped his Fisherman counterpart, 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4. “Kevin has been playing unbelievably well,” said Finn, who lost her expected first singles player, Corey Cherico, for the season because of a collarbone injury that Corey suffered in the hockey season. “He plays the opponent’s top player in every match and has held his own against almost all of them. He’s come a long way since the start of the year, as have all of our players, and has boosted us to within striking range of reaching the state tourney.”

Chris Finn won his match at third singles in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. The Vikings’ first doubles duo of Jake Langone and Sam Yarrow then sealed the victory with a victory in three sets, 7-5, 3-6, 6-2.

Senior Henry Brooks played well at his second singles slot in a 3-6, 2-6 loss, as did the second doubles tandem of Augie Cherico and Riling Bytyai, who fell 5-7, 2-6.

In the 3-2 win over Malden, Finn and the two doubles teams won their matches in straight sets to secure the 3-2 victory.

Winthrop defeated Salem, 4-1, with Dorr, Finn, and both doubles tandems all winning their matches in straight sets.

Finn and her crew set sail on their quest for a Journey to the Tourney yesterday (Wednesday) at Medford. They will host Lynn Classical today (Thursday) and then make the short trek to Revere tomorrow for a twice-postponed match in the season finale.

“This has been a fun year,” aid Finn. “It’s amazing how well they have done. All of the boys have stepped up to get us to this point. .”

 

WHS softball team drops two contests

The Winthrop High softball team dropped a pair of contests this past week, falling to Peabody, 11- 0, and Everett, 11-3.

“Peabody is the most complete team in the league whom we have faced,” said WHS head coach Dave Duffey, whose Lady Vikings managed only one hit, a single by  Nelly Carter in the top of the seventh inning, off Lady Tanner ace Tiana Dawe, who fanned 10 Winthrop batters and walked none.

In the Everett contest, Carter was the most effective of three Winthrop pitchers on the day, allowing no hits and striking out two opponents in her two innings of work.

Defensively, WHS captain Jess Martin had eight assists and two put-outs at third base. Cali Peterson had nine put-outs at her first base post.

At the plate, highlights were provided for the Lady Vikings by Petersen, who had a hit with a double in the fifth, and Steph Strangie, who was 3-for-4 with three singles and a walk.  Izzy Mahoney, who has been solid all year for Winthrop, was 2-for-3 and had an RBI to go along with two catches at her centerfield post.

Duffey and his crew play at Revere today (Thursday) and will host Greater Lowell in a doubleheader on Saturday morning starting at 10:00. They will trek to Salem on Monday.

 

From the Press Box

Coach McGee

By: Jim Lederman

Monday was a historic day for Viking Sports and the ‘new’ Miller Field. The first ‘track meet’ in over 12 years was held on the ‘new track’ at historic Miller Field.

There have been four outstanding track coaches to work the sidelines at Miller Field. Wallace B. McClean, aka ‘Maxie’ was from my era, coach was also WHS Athletic Director. Rippy Dyer (Rippy played on the 1964 undefeated NEC football champs). The late Matty Boyle (a member of the WHS Athletic Hall of Fame) and the legendary coach Pat McGee, coach McGee (89 years young) was present on Monday for the first track meet on the new surface at Miller Field.

Coach McGee coached track for over 35 years at WHS. She began her coaching career in 1974 as an assistant. In 1981 she coached winter and spring track. She captured her first NEC title in 1984 – the Vikings were undefeated in the spring outdoor team. The WHS Hall of Fame honored and inducted that team in 2016!

Pat is in the WHS Athletic Hall of Fame, her daughter Trish was a standout runner and is a member of the WHS Hall of Fame.

Kevin McGee was a three-sport standout. A football quarterback, a star defenseman on the undefeated 1976 WHS State Championship Division One titlists (26-0-1). Kevin is in the WHS Hall of Fame.

Dr. Paul McGee is a chiropractic specialist at McGee Chiropractic Center in Winthrop at the Professional Building on Crest Avenue.

Brother John was WHC Class of 1969 – a captain of the golf and gymnastic team.

Pat is a member of the Mass Coaches Hall of Fame, and several other Halls of Fame. The patriarch of this very athletic family. John McGee was a WHS Class of 1945. John played at Worcester Academy and earned a football scholarship to the University of Tennessee. John passed away in 1983.

I used to chat with John at the Winthrop Golf Club, after watching Kevin play for the Vikings. The McGee family was truly one of Winthrop’s most athletic families! I watched many outstanding WHS athletes compete at Miller Field including David Davis (shot put), Tommy Cardona (first record holder in the mile), Gus Foley, Maxie McClean Jr., the ‘Bolt of Lighting on a Sunday Day.” – Mike Williams, established many WHS records. Mike played football at Southern Illinois University. Steve Staffier, Mike Brenner, Rippy Dyer, Dana Stone (WHS Hall of Fame and Cornell), Anthony Brogna, Jr., Lou Hinckley (held WHS high jump record), Sharon Belliveau, Sue Goldstein, Jeanne Hurley, Peter and Randy Herdt and Jonathan Lanza.

 

The Matriarch

Winthrop has lost another ‘matriarch’ of one of the most athletic families in our proud athletic history. Barbara Tallent passed away last week at the age of 93.

I would often see Barbara and her late husband Jim, cheering for their family and grandchildren at Larsen Rink, Miller Field or Veterans Field. She was the devoted mother or Robert, James, David, Nancy, Mark, Beth and Kevin.

I recall the Tallents cheering for David scoring a touchdown on Thanksgiving. Mark scoring a goal at Larsen Rink and in 2017 Barbara had three grandchildren keeping the ‘Tallent Legacy’ strong. Summer Tallent skating for the Lady Vikings. Sammy Yarrow playing at Larsen Rink and Jack Wallace, pitching at Veterans Field.

The Winthrop legacy of great families and outstanding athletes starts with great parents. WE extend our condolence to the Tallent family on the loss of the ‘matriarch,’ Barbara.

May She Rest in Peace.

 

The 100-Point Club

The girl’s lacrosse team is on a roll. The ‘Lady Vikings’ improved their record to (9-4) winning t heir 6th in a row and qualifying for the MIAA playoffs.

Coach Ben Cimmino’s young squad recorded another ‘milestone’ with the exploits of junior Emma Carleton. Emma joiner her older sister Abby (now a frosh at UMass, Amherst) recording her 100th goal (with six games to play).

The distinguished 100-point club includes outstanding athletes like Taylor Brown, Caroline McKinnon, Abby Carleton, Chris and Charlie Page in hockey. “Emma is a great competitor, a standout three-sport athlete,” remarked coach Cimmino. “We have built a strong program in only our third year of competing in the strong Northeastern Conference,” lauded coach Cimmino.

“We lost a tough (15-13) game to Revere, but we should be competitive in our division in the playoffs,” praised coach Cimmino!

Congrats to Emma!

Raise the Stix!

Let the Games Begin!

 

Anything’s Possible

The famous ‘quote’ by KG (Kevin Garnett) after the 2008 Boston Celtics captured the NBA Championship. The 2018 Boston Celtics have won two series en-route to the Eastern Finals. Can the green compete in the NAB final – Yes, ‘anything is possible’ (editors note) this article was composed on Monday!

The Celtics sent a message to Lebron James and company. The Cleveland Cavaliers, with a convincing (108-83) victory over the Cav’s on Mother’s Day – Sunday afternoon at TD Garden.

The Celtics strong defense and balanced scoring, from four Celtics – Jaylen Brown (23 points), Marcus Morris (21 points), Al Horford (20 points) and rookie sensation (Jason Tatum – 20 points) they can win the series!

The Celtics have three games left at home (if the series extends to seven games the Celtics have the ‘best coach’ in the NBA, (strong defense, great chemistry) and the confidence to remind people – this is a much stronger team. The defense of Marcus Smart, the play of Aaron Baynes and the scoring of Terry Rosier, gives the Celtics more weapons than Lebron and company!

May has been an exciting month at the TD Garden – I believe the Celtics will win the Eastern Conference Title in six games.

Anything is possible!

Go Celts!

Let the Games Begin!

 

A Patriots Visit at WHS

Friday afternoon was a special event at the sparkling ‘new’ Winthrop High School. Author and agent Sean Stellato (No Backing Down) and one of his New England Patriots players, Marquis Flowers (number 59) visited WHS to tell his story from High School to the Super Bowl.

A capacity of students and faculty, filled the Chris Tsiotos Basketball Court. A special thanks to principal Matt Crombie for his invitation.

Winthrop high school students asked Marquis Flowers many questions and thanks to the generosity of Gus Martucci (Mutual Beef), 100-copies of ‘No Backing Down’ were distributed to the exciting members of Winthrop high school.

This marked the third visit to a Winthrop school by Sean Stellato (NFL player agent of 18-NFL players) and a New England Patriots player.

A super bowl championship trophy was on the court and many pictures were taken.

Thanks to principal Crombie and Superintendent Lisa Howard for the invitation and a memorable afternoon at Winthrop High School.

 

48 Years Ago

The date May 10th 1970 where were you? I watched sports night – with Swampscott sports anchor Mike Lynch, brining back one of my favorite sports memories.

I was sitting at ‘center ice’ choice Boston Garden seats with another legend – ‘ The Condo King’ George Costonis. The Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup – a memory I shall always remember.

The winning goal scored by Number 4 – Bobby Orr on a pass from Derek ‘The Turk’ Sanderson.

We drove to the Garden in George Costonis Rolls Royce – Green – Number 6 – Mass License Plates.

A trio of Costonis, Charles ‘the Count’ Pedoto and yours truly. George developed the first Condo in Winthrop – The Nauticus. I was a new member of the WGC – Winthrop Golf Club. I was at many Celtics World Championship games in the Garden, but watching the Bruins win the Stanley Cup – how can I forget that game.

Report – The Legend – The Real Estate King – construction magnet – horseracing enthusiast – George Costonis is living in Florida. His son Chris – fastest gun on the North Shore – 3 goals in 29 seconds is with the legend the Condo King. I think I Will call George tonight!

Sports Memories!

Let the Games Begin!

 

Yankees – Red Sox

The three-game series in New York ended with a (5-4) Sox victory Thursday night in New York.

Two of the best archrival! Boston and New York. It is 11:30 and I watched the 9th inning – J.D. Martinez hits the winning home run.

I stayed up on Tuesday night at ‘Max’s Pub’ to watch the Celtics defeat Philly (4-1) to advance to the ‘East Finals vs. The Cavaliers – The Sox and Yankees will have more exciting games this summer.

May will bring an end to the basketball season – can the Celtics defeat Cleveland? It has been a great month of sports in Boston.

We will head up North to Lake Winnipesauke, Meredith, NH. It will be Ogunquit, Maine next month. Enjoy the warm weather.

Let the Games Begin!

Go Celtics!

 

Vikings Sports Schedule

Home Games

 

Thursday, May 17

Boy’s Lacrosse vs. Salem at Miller Field – 4 p.m.

Tennis vs. Lynn Classical at McClean Courts – 4 p.m.

Friday, May 18

Softball vs. Pope John at Little League Field – 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 19

10 a.m. vs. greater Lowell

12 p.m. vs. Greater Lowell

Doubleheader

Monday, May 21

Lacrosse boys vs. Malden Catholic at Miller Field – 6 p.m.

Wednesday, May 23

Tennis girls vs. Saugus at McClean – 4 p.m.

Baseball vs. Saugus at Veteran’s Field – 4 p.m.

Softball vs. Saugus at Cellucci Field – 6 p.m.

Thursday, May 24

Baseball vs. Matignon

Winthrop track and field race on home turf for first time in more than a decade

Hall of Fame coach Pat McGee honored at first home meet

By Cary Shuman

Supt. of Schools Lisa Howard looked out over the brand new state-of-the-art track at Miller Field and called the entire scene “breathtaking.”

Howard, who was the star second baseman for the 1984 state championship WHS softball team (“I ran one year of indoor track,” she said) was among the many school officials, former track coaches, alumni, parents, and guests who were on hand for the first home meet at the new outdoor track facility.

“It’s breathtaking. It’s makes you happy as an athlete,” said Howard. “As superintendent, I take a lot of pride in the new facility. It makes you proud to be a Viking, for sure.”

Hall of Fame track coach Pat McGee, who coached boys track in Winthrop for 36 years, was honored before the meet in ceremonies. Her son, Dr. Paul McGee, and daughter, Patricia Diaz, were on hand for the tribute to her mother’s excellent coaching career.

“Mrs. McGee, we thank you for being here today and we are grateful for everything you have done and continue to do for Winthrop track and field,” said WHS Director of Athletics Matt Serino.

McGee, who led the Vikings to a Northeastern Conference championship with a dramatic victory over Beverly, was happy to see the arrival of a new track, shot putt and discus areas, and jumping pits.

 

“I think it’s fantastic and I hope the athletes realize how fortunate they are that they have this beautiful facility,” said McGee.

Track official Kathleen Doherty said it was exciting day for the town and the high school athletes.

“This is so exciting, it’s been 10 years since we’ve had a meet here,” said Doherty, whose four daughters also competed for the Vikings. “The people who planned this track, the town – everyone did a great job.”

Leo Haskell, whose son, Patrick, is a sophomore runner on the boys track team,

“The track has been a long time in the works and I’m happy that my son is going to be able to compete on it for the next two years,” said Haskell. “This is a very good thing for our town and our athletic program.”

School Committee member Gus Martucci, an All-Star center on the 1981 Super Bowl football team and a shot putter for the track team, gave the new facility high marks.

“We waited a long time but it was worth the wait,” said Martucci. “The whole facility, the football field, the track – it’s an athletic complex for the town and it’s so nice. We’re very happy.”

“I think this new track facility will really help boost our program,” said WHS track coach Mark D’Amico, who said participation has increased this season.

Cormac MacPhail, a junior on the track team and son of former WHS cross country star Warren McPhail, said he was looking forward to running on the new rubberized track surface.

“Everyone on the team is excited about the new track and we thank the people of Winthrop for giving us the opportunity to compete at this superb track facility,” said MacPhail.