Taunton senior Will Buffington earned an 8-3 decision in the finals to win the Division 1 state championship at 215. (Jason Cooke/ValleySportsDaily.com)
By HockomockSports.com Staff
Milford extended its run at the top of Division 2 as the Scarlet Hawks rolled to their second straight state championship and fourth in the last five years over the weekend. Milford sent five wrestlers to the finals and had two individual state champs for 157.5 points, well ahead of second place West Springfield (105.5).
The Hockomock League was well represented across the three divisions with seven total state champions and 20 wrestlers total that placed in the top three in their respective divisions. Brayden Boccia was the top seed in the 126 bracket and rolled through the competition with four pins to win the D2 state title, a year after finishing second. Teammate Ryan Flis was the surprise of the tournament, entering the 144 as the 12-seed before pulling off upset after upset all the way to a third period pin in the finals to win the state title.
Franklin’s John Woodall continued his dominance and earned his second Division 1 state championship. The sophomore earned three pins to book a spot in the final and then had a commanding 13-2 major decision over second-seeded Antoine Jackman of Greater Lowell in the finals to win the 113 crown. Sharon’s Cyrus Jones had two pins sandwiched around a tech fall to secure a spot in the finals, where he went up 5-0 before getting a second round pin to win the Division 2 title at 175, while Taunton’s Will Buffington used a pair of first period takedowns and a third period reversal to claim the D1 state championship at 215 with an 8-3 decision.
The Hock had two more state champions from the girls state tournaments. Mansfield’s Tessa Johnson repeated as Division 2 state champion at 145, earning a pinfall in under a minute in the semis, and then another fall in the finals in the second round. It was an all-Hockomock final in the 107 bracket with Sharon’s Elsa Scott and Milford’s Amelia Hough, the top two seeds, meeting in the championship match. Scott jumped out to an early lead with a first period takedown and a three-point nearfall and claimed the title with a 9-0 major decision. KP’s Lacey Miner was fourth in the same bracket. Sharon’s Ania Konieczna earned second at 138 while Milford’s Cloe Boccia took third at 132. In Division 1, Taunton’s Danielle Haen (145) and Camilly De Carvalho (152) each finished third.
Stoughton senior Cam Wilson and King Philip senior Ben Cochran battle for possession in a game on October 11th, 2026 at Stoughton High. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
By HockomockSports.com Staff
Two more Hockomock schools are set to switch divisions starting next fall, based on the latest enrollment numbers. Hockomock League principals approved the alignment on Wednesday. For the first time, King Philip will compete in the Davenport division while Stoughton will compete in the Kelley-Rex division.
A Hockomock League by-law that states the six schools with the largest enrollment will be in the Kelley-Rex, and the six schools with the smallest enrollment will make up the Davenport division. The league looks at the enrollment numbers every two years. It marks the third straight alignment period that there has been a shift in the divisions.
Since the Hockomock League first split into two divisions in 2010, King Philip is one of three schools that has been in the Kelley-Rex the entire time while Stoughton is an original member of the Davenport. Only Taunton and Franklin (Kelley-Rex) and Canton and Foxboro (Davenport) have been in their respective divisions the entire time.
This alignment will last at least through the spring of 2028. The Hockomock League will revisit enrollment numbers in October 2027 to potentially realign for fall 2028.
This story will be updated with enrollment numbers when made available.
Here is the Hockomock League by-law: League Divisions are based on the total enrollment in grades nine through eleven (9-11) of each Member school. The Kelley-Rex Division will consist of the 6 largest schools by 9-11 enrollment and the Davenport Division consisting of the 6 smallest schools by 9-11 enrollment.
Divisional realignment will occur every two years. The process used for Divisional realignment will be as follows:
At the December Principal/AD meeting in the year prior to realignment implementation, each school will report their respective Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (“DESE”) SIMS enrollment numbers for grades nine through eleven submitted to the state on October 1st of that year. Those enrollment numbers will be used solely as the criteria for determining the Divisional realignment.
Below is a release from the Hockomock League: The Hockomock League revises its divisional alignment every two years, per the League Constitution. Schools are placed in divisions based solely on enrollment. Beginning in the Fall of 2026, for the next two school years (26/27 and 27/28), each school will compete in all sports in the divisions listed below:
Kelley-Rex:
Taunton
Attleboro
Franklin
Milford
Sharon
Stoughton
Davenport:
King Philip
Oliver Ames
North Attleboro
Mansfield
Canton
Foxboro
LEAGUE DIVISIONS: KELLEY-REX AND DAVENPORT
League Divisions are based on the total enrollment in grades nine through eleven (9-11) of each Member school. The Kelley-Rex Division will consist of the 6 largest schools by 9-11 enrollment and the Davenport Division consisting of the 6 smallest schools by 9-11 enrollment. Divisional realignment will occur every two years. The process used for Divisional realignment will be as follows: At the December Principal/AD meeting in the year prior to realignment implementation, each school will report their respective Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (“DESE”) SIMS enrollment numbers for grades nine through eleven submitted to the state on October 1st of that year. Those enrollment numbers will be used solely as the criteria for determining the Divisional realignment.
Future realignment will be as follows: DESE SIMS report – Oct. 1, 2027 Re-alignment Implementation Year – Fall 2028
The league re-alignment was approved at the December 3, 2025 Principal/AD League Meeting.
As the calendar turns to October, if you’re a field hockey or soccer team in the Hock, you’ll notice a couple of blanks in the schedule.
The Hockomock League launched a pilot schedule program for those two sports this fall that aligns with the current MIAA ranking system for the state tournament. Both field hockey and soccer are limited to 18 games by the MIAA, and under the previous format, nearly 90% of that was reserved for league games (16 out of 18).
“This program gives schools more flexibility,” said Foxboro athletic director Joe Cusack, who serves on the league’s scheduling committee. “With the state ratings, it doesn’t always make sense for certain teams to play each other twice. Instead of predetermined matchups for these games, we’re using real time data to put two teams against each other that makes the most sense right now.”
In this program this fall, soccer and field hockey teams will play each league opponent once — 11 games — for the league standings. Two additional non-league games, which have no bearing on the division standings, will be scheduled against Hock teams, based on MIAA rankings
The league will use ratings, regardless of division (Division 1, Division 2, etc.), and sort the teams from highest to lowest by overall rating. Field hockey will use the ratings released by the MIAA on October 7th while soccer will use the ones dropped on October 21st to determine the opponents for these games.
The first game will have teams in the same division (Davenport/Kelley-Rex) play one another, and the second will be a crossover game against the opposite division.
“Before the rating system, you had to be at least 0.500 to qualify,” Cusack said. “Now you can also get in based on rating, which includes your own rating and your opponents’ rating. With up to five non-league games now, which is more than double than before, there is a lot more flexibility for teams.”
Every team is guaranteed at least one home game under this format. Here is an example of how the matchups will look:
Below is a release from Foxboro High School announcing its 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees. It’s the thrd class for the Hall of Fame, following the inaugural class in 2023 which featured six individuals and one team.
Foxborough High School is pleased to announce the 2025 Foxborough Athletics Hall of Fame inductees, which was started in 2023 to honor former student-athletes, coaches, supporters, and championship teams. This year’s class of inductees will be recognized at an event at Foxborough High School on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 5:00 PM.
“Foxboro High School has a decades-long history and tradition of success in all areas of Athletics. Our first two classes of inductees included some of the best student athletes, coaches, and teams that have represented Foxboro High School, and this year’s inductees are no different. We are thrilled to be able to recognize these Warriors for the contributions they made to our school and community and the role models they are for our current student athletes,” said Joe Cusack, Foxboro Athletic Director.
The induction ceremony is open to the public and Foxborough community members are encouraged to attend. Tickets for the ceremony will be available through GoFan on October 15, 2025.
This year’s Induction class includes James Fraser Sr., Charlie Maguire, Eleanor Petrovick, Lindsey Regan, and the 1995 State Champion Girls’ Basketball Team. (Individuals are listed alphabetically.)
James Fraser was a 1962 graduate of Foxborough High School who excelled as both a lineman on the football team and a catcher on the baseball team. James was one of the most celebrated football players of his era, playing both offense and defense for the Warriors. On the diamond, he was a four-year starting catcher for the Warriors.
Charlie Maguire was a 1970 graduate of Foxborough High School who was a decorated cross country and track athlete. Charlie was a Massachusetts individual State Champion and led Foxboro to both a Massachusetts and New England Team Championship in 1969. Charlie went on to represent Penn State University. He competed in the 1972 Olympic Trials and won the 1973 NCAA Championship in the 6-mile.
Eleanor Petrovick is a former Foxborough wellness teacher who worked at FHS from the 1980s to the 2010s. Ellie was a successful field hockey, basketball, and softball coach at various levels during her more than thirty years at FHS. Ellie also served as the first female Athletic Director at Foxborough High School, replacing FHS Hall of Fame inductee Joe Heinricher, in 1990.
Lindsey Regan is a 2000 graduate of Foxborough High School. Lindsey won four consecutive All-State Championships in the javelin throw from 1997 to 2000 and still holds the school record in that event. Upon graduation, Lindsey went on to compete for Stanford University.
The 1995 Girls’ Basketball Team won the MIAA Division 3 State Championship in a double overtime thriller 65-62 against Lee High School at the Worcester Centrum. The 1995 team finished the season with a record of 25-1. Their championship win was the first of five state championships by the Foxborough Girls Basketball program.
Nominations: The Foxborough Athletics Hall of Fame continues to accept nominations for inductees. Please note that all previously submitted nominations remain active. After extensive discussion and research, this third class of inductees was selected by a six-person executive committee. This committee is comprised of the FHS Principal, Athletic Director, and four committee members who are former student-athletes, current or former coaches and/or school staff members.
Below is a release from the Hockomock League regarding the 2025 Scholar-Athletes. These 24 student-athletes were honored at the annual league banquet on Thursday, May 1st at Lake Pearl.
You can see a history of the Hockomock League Scholar Athlete selections in our history section.
The Hockomock League Principals and Athletic Directors are pleased to announce the 35th Annual Hockomock League Scholar Athlete Awards. The twenty-four athletes that are being honored have been selected by the Administration of their respective schools and represent the top student athletes in the Hockomock League based on academics, athletic participation, sportsmanship, leadership, and citizenship. They have all successfully balanced a demanding academic schedule along with participation in athletics as well as many extra-curricular activities during their high school career. To be selected for this award represents four years of dedication and commitment, and we are proud of all their accomplishments. We hope that these student-athletes will put all of their experiences over the past four years to good use and that those experiences will help guide them through the challenges ahead. We congratulate the parents and guardians for your contributions and guidance as you have enabled your child to reach this level of excellence. We are certain that the foundation you have given them will carry them through future endeavors.
ATTLEBORO: Zuri Ferguson and Hunter Camara
CANTON: Max Eagles and Tess Giglio
FOXBORO: Audrey Paolino and Evan Stein
FRANKLIN: Jake Lorenzo and Fiona Morrison
KING PHILIP: Gavin Hickey and Noah Lerner
MANSFIELD: Marco Geminiani and Frankie Spagna
MILFORD: Vedi Raval and Michael Boulanger
NORTH ATTLEBORO: Maryellen Charette and Abraham Guir
OLIVER AMES: Grace Okocha and Braelyn Graham
SHARON: Olivia Landstein and Josh Binder
STOUGHTON: Leah McCarty and Sofia Issa
TAUNTON: Emersyn DePonte and Abbey Doherty
2025 Hockomock League Scholar Athletes The Hockomock League Principals and Athletic Directors are pleased to announce the 34th Annual Hockomock League Scholar Athlete Awards. The twenty-four athletes that are being honored have been selected by the Administration of their respective schools and represent the top student athletes in the Hockomock League based on academics, athletic participation, sportsmanship, leadership, and citizenship. They have all successfully balanced a demanding academic schedule along with participation in athletics as well as many extra-curricular activities during their high school career. To be selected for this award represents four years of dedication and commitment, and we are proud of all their accomplishments. We hope that these student-athletes will put all of their experiences over the past four years to good use and that those experiences will help guide them through the challenges ahead. We congratulate the parents and guardians for your contributions and guidance as you have enabled your child to reach this level of excellence. We are certain that the foundation you have given them will carry them through future endeavors. 2025 Hockomock League Scholar Athletes
EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is a guest post from Canton Athletic Trainer Kristen Aguiar, who is currently serving as Athletic Trainers of Massachusetts Secondary Schools Committee Chair. National Athletic Training Month (NATM) is held every March in order to spread awareness about the important work of athletic trainers.
The Hockomock League leads the way in many aspects of athletics across the state of Massachusetts, and Athletic Training is of course one of them. There are currently 13 ATs across the 12 schools-and we want to take this opportunity to highlight all of them and the amazing sports health care they provide to all of our athletes. March is National Athletic Training Month-this year’s theme is Champions in Healthcare.
Athletic Trainers are nationally certified through the BOC (Board of Certification) after completing an approved collegiate program. Many of us were in the Bachelor’s of Science model-but the profession has moved to a Master’s program model. We are required to also be licensed in the State of Massachusetts through the Department of Public Health. ATs are required to recertify every 2 years after completing 50 continuing education hours, as well as maintaining our ethical requirements and CPR/First Aid certification.
This year’s article is going to focus on the Athletic Trainer and Emergency situations at our events. Unfortunately the number of traumatic events is on the rise around the country, state, and the Hock has not been immune to this in the 24-25 academic year. One of the domains that ATs are well trained in is Critical Event Incident Management. We are taught how to integrate best practices into immediate and emergent care situations for the best possible outcomes.
One of the ways that ATs prepare for these events is to have an Emergency Action Plan. Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) are town, school, and even venue specific. These plans help delineate the steps that need to be taken in the event of an emergency. These plans are reviewed seasonally with coaches, and always after an event occurs to ensure that the highest quality care is provided. Within the EAP, the staff working the event will be given a responsibility. When the AT and AD are on site- they are ones running the show. This includes immediate care of the patient, calling 911, securing the area for ambulance/PD/FD arrival. All coaches in the state of Massachusetts are required by law to be certified in CPR and AED, and school athletics are required to have AEDs within 3 minutes of the event. Many of our Hock schools go well above and beyond that with each individual team carrying an AED daily as well as their basic medkit with first aid supplies.
There are many types of emergencies we can see during athletic events. The most common of course are orthopedic injuries- from fractured bones to ligament tears. Not every orthopedic injury requires emergent care but some that do are compound fractures (bone through the skin), joint dislocations, anything that might obstruct blood flow or nerves from properly functioning. Some other cases that will require activation of the EAP are allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), major lacerations, potential spinal cord injury, concussions with loss of consciousness, and worst case a cardiac arrest.
While we all hope to never have to see our athletes in distress we are always prepared. A couple of ATs shared some of their emergency moments and how it has made them a better AT:
Kristen Aguiar (Canton): Less than 2 months into my AT career I had a Friday afternoon full of home games happening simultaneously on the fields in Bellingham prior to a home football game. A visiting athlete sustained a head injury with laceration-and I had to call my first ambulance of my career. Once that scene was cleared- the day quickly went wild- I had 2 field hockey players collide and have significant concussions, while I was evaluating and once again activating EMS for one of them, a girls soccer goalie was in a collision that resulted in her having limited sensation down her left side. At this point EMS was on scene and we called for a Medflight. All 4 athletes were able to return to play that season, the soccer player sustained a lacerated liver that took quite some time to heal. I realized that day as an AT you “fall to your leveling of training” and having emergency plans in place makes scary scenes such as this ones that will have successful outcomes.
Christine Dundon (Foxboro): Being able to provide the highest level of care to two student-athletes after a collision during a soccer game this fall and performing an MIAA recommended Medial Timeout with officials and coaches prior to the game. My athlete fell to the ground and the situation changed very quickly. I had to activate my emergency action plan (EAP), initiate CPR and the use of an AED to provide lifesaving care. The athlete had the best possible outcome and I was able to watch him make a full return to sport this winter. The opposing schools athlete was cared for and transported as well out of precaution. Being able to manage both athletes in the situation was difficulty but felt I managed it best I could in the moment. I was awarded the Fall 2024 AT All-Star Award within the Mass General Brigham Athletic Training department as well as an honorary captain at a Revolution Soccer game with my athlete, his family and member of the community who assisted me the day of the incident.
Since this incident, I have made it a priority to perform the medial timeouts with opposing coaches and officials for the game to ensure everyone is on the same page. You never know when these events will happen but want to be prepared as much as you can.
This obviously was just this academic year and hits all us close to home. The Hockomock led
the state in doing the Medical Time outs prior to games. And it was received very positively by most involved, especially the referees who are just arriving to our campuses for 1 afternoon or evening.
Please take moment in the remaining days of March to thank your Athletic Trainer! The 13 ATs in the Hock are definitely Champions in Healthcare
Here are our current Hockomock Athletic Trainers!
Aaron Wolfe – Attleboro Colorado Mesa University – BA Athletic Training and BA Exercise Science – 2000
Aaron joined the Hock in the fall of 2023.
Kristen Aguiar, MS, LAT, ATC – Canton Springfield College, BS Athletic Training 2004
Ohio University, MS Athletic Administration 2012
Kristen is currently the Chair of the Secondary Schools Committee for the Athletic Trainers of Massachusetts (ATOM) and has been in Canton for 9 years.
Jen Edmunds, MS, LAT, ATC – Franklin Wheaton College-BA in Psychobiology 2003
Bridgewater State University-MS in Physical Education/Concentration in Athletic Training
TJ as she is more commonly referred to has been with the Panthers for 19 years.
Christine Dundon, LAT, ATC – Foxboro Springfield College, BS Athletic Training- 2019
Christine has more than filled Amy Leonard’s shoes taking the reins at Foxboro in a full time position this year. She is a Foxboro Alum as well.
Adam Bennett, MS, LAT, ATC – King Philip Bridgewater State University, BS Athletic Training, 2014
Ohio University, MS Athletic Administration, 2018
Adam is a KP alum and has been with the Warriors since 2015.
Emma Dunlea, LAT, ATC- Mansfield University of New Hampshire- BS- Athletic Training 2022
Emma is currently at Mansfield High School. She is contracted by Mass General Brigham. Emma is another Hock School product-having been a student-athlete at Sharon High School.
Ashley Desko, MS, LAT, ATC – Milford
Syracuse University- BS- Health and Exercise Science 2019
Merrimack College- MS- Athletic Training 2022
Ashley joined the Hock in the fall of 2022.
Jarrett Sorge, MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS – North Attleboro Bridgewater State University- BS in Athletic Training 2009
UCONN- MS Kinesiology 2014
Jarrett joined North in 2022.
Michelle Norman LAT, ATC- Oliver Ames Merrimack College- BS-Athletic Training 2015.
Michelle joined the Hock last fall after spending a few years in the TVL with Norton High School.
Tanya Gallagher LAT, ATC- Stoughton Lasell University- BS in Athletic Training 2004
Tanya came to Stoughton in 2021 after many years at Dover Sherborn.
Kris Coute LAT, ATC, LMT- Taunton Bridgewater State (College) University 1993- BS- Athletic Training
Kris won the MSSADA Ando Athletic Trainer of the Year 2024 for all of her amazing contributions to Athletic Training over the past 31 years. Maddie Merritt – Taunton
The Oliver Ames Hall of Fame inducted the Class of 2024 on October 20 inside the Charlene L. Dalrymple Performing Arts Center at the high school. Below is a list of inductees.
The inductees for 2024 are:
Student-Athletes
• Chris Ryan – Class of 1997
• Laura Daley – Class of 2012
• Emily Grotz – Class of 2012
• Candace Steadman – Class of 2012
• Caitlyn Abela – Class of 2013
• Kendall Andrew Begnaud – Class of 2013
• David MacKinnon – Class of 2013
• Christina Franciosi – Class of 2014
• Michaela Lievi – Class of 2014
• Dan Moverman – Class of 2014
• Cameron Williamson – Class of 2014
• Nick Cidado – Class of 2014
• Jeff Babbitt – Class of 2014
Citizen
• Tom Tufts – Class of 1965
The Oliver Ames Hall of Fame Class of 2024 (Facebook Photo)
Below is more information on each inductee:
Chris Ryan – Class of 1997
Chris Ryan shone brightly for the Oliver Ames High School football and baseball teams. Chris started three years in football for OA. He was put to good use as a running back, tight end, linebacker, defensive back, and punter. As a senior, Chris was named All Hockomock and Enterprise All-Scholastic. That season, he had 26 receptions for 480 yards and 36 points. On the defensive side of the ball, he made 37 unassisted and 83 assisted tackles, intercepted six passes, and had one fumble recovery. When called on to substitute as a punter, Chris performed well, averaging 45 yards per kick. Among Chris’s best single-game-performances on the gridiron was in a 14-0 win over Mansfield his senior year. In the game, he had four solo and 11 assisted tackles, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery. Also, his senior year, on Thanksgiving Day, in a 14-6 win victory Sharon, Chris had six solo and four assisted tackles and picked off a pair of passes. A catcher in baseball with stellar defensive abilities, Chris was a Hockomock League All Star as a junior and senior, and added Enterprise All-Scholastic honors as a senior. As a junior, Chris hit .550 with four home runs. His senior year, Chris hit .403 with 17 runs batted in and two home runs. Chris also stole 19 bases on 20 attempts. Following his senior season, Chris played in the prestigious Brockton Invitational Baseball Tournament, an annual event that ran for 33 consecutive years and showcased the top area high school players and was attended by a host of Major League Baseball scouts and members from the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau.
Oliver Ames Hall of Fame
Laura Daley – Class of 2012
Laura Daley dominated the high school track and field scene with a career nothing short of legendary. From the very start, her prowess as a thrower in shot put and discus is undeniable, earning her the title of state qualifier for all four years. Laura burst onto the scene as a freshman, and by her sophomore year, she had already cemented herself as a force to be reckoned with. A three-time state champion at the All-State Freshman-Sophomore Meet, she claimed victory twice in shot put during the indoor seasons and once in the outdoor season as a sophomore, sending shockwaves through the competition. Her dominance didn’t stop there, Laura was a three-time Hockomock League All-Star, a multiple Brockton Enterprise All-Scholastic, and the indoor Division II State Champion in the shot put. Setting records seemed like second nature to her – smashing school records both indoors and out, including an incredible shot put mark of 38’ for the indoor season. Not only did she leave her mark as an individual, but she also was the anchor of a record-setting shot put relay team. Under her leadership, the outdoor team shattered records for both shot put and discus relays. As captain of both the indoor and outdoor teams, Laura epitomized grit, determination, and unparalleled leadership. Her hard work, sportsmanship, and impact on her teammates made her a not only a top-tier athlete but also an enduring role model. Laura graduated from Framingham State University where she pursued her passion for making a difference
by earning her teaching degree in Special Education. She returned to Easton as a Special Education teacher at the Easton Middle School. Alongside her sister Erin, they created and continue to coach the highly successful Easton Middle School Track and Field program, where they nurtured young athletes and built a legacy of excellence. Their coaching has inspired countless students to push their limits, just as Laura once did.
Oliver Ames Hall of Fame
Emily Grotz – Class of 2012
The Oliver Ames High School boys’ and girls’ middle distance running program is among the most storied and accomplished in Massachusetts. And Emily Grotz is among the most storied and accomplished athletes in its annals. Emily also stood out for OA in soccer, another sport in which the Tiger boys’ and girls’ programs rank with the most successful and winning in the state. Emily received, in 2011, the Suzanne Rivard Award given to the top female athlete at Oliver Ames. In soccer, Emily was named an Eastern Massachusetts Girls’ Soccer Coaches’ Association All-Star as a junior and senior; All Hockomock as a sophomore, junior, and senior; and Enterprise All-Scholastic as a senior. She had the most assists in the Hockomock League for the 2009 season. Emily was a key and valuable contributor to the Tiger soccer teams that won a divisional South Sectional title in 2011, reached the South Sectional final in 2008, and won the Hockomock title in 2008 and 2010. Competing in the 1,000-meter for the Tiger indoor track and field team, Emily won the All-New England title as a sophomore, and Massachusetts Division 2 championship as a junior. She won two Hockomock titles in the 1,000 and holds the league and school record for the distance. Emily ran a leg on the OA team that won the 4 x 400-meter relay in the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association (MSTCA) Division 2 Relays. As a junior during the indoor season, Emily was undefeated in the league at 300 meters, 600 meters, 1,000 meters, and the mile. In varsity indoor track & field, Emily’s performances earned her Boston Globe All-Scholastic and Boston Herald All-Scholastic as a sophomore, and All-Hockomock and Enterprise All Scholastic as a sophomore, junior, and senior. In the spring, Emily’s specialty for the Tiger outdoor track and field team was the 800-meter run. She finished 19th at 800 meters in the 2010 Nike Outdoor Nationals. Emily took first place that season at 800 meters in the Hockomock League championship meet. Also in the outdoor season, Emily ran on the OA 4 x 800-meter relay team that finished first in the MSTCA Division 2 Relays. Emily holds the OA 800-meter school record. Emily attended Dartmouth College where she ran for the Big Green varsity track and field team.
Oliver Ames Hall of Fame
Candace Steadman – Class of 2012
Candace Steadman is among the most accomplished and talented three-sport athlete in the annals of Oliver Ames athletics, producing and delivering excellence and achieving high honors across the sports of volleyball, basketball, and track and field. A member of the 2010 OA girls’ basketball team that won the MIAA Division 2 state championship and is enshrined in the OAHS Athletic Hall of Fame, Candace now enters the Hall for her individual exploits. Candace received the Suzanne Rivard Award which is conferred on the most valuable female at Oliver Ames. Candace, a captain of the volleyball team as a junior and senior, she recorded more than 200 kills and 100 digs in each of those seasons. For those seasons, she had a combined 78 service aces. Her senior year, she registered 91 blocks. For her senior year in volleyball, Candace was named Boston Globe All-Scholastic, Enterprise All-Scholastic, and All Hockomock. Candace was also All Hockomock in volleyball as a junior. Candace shone for the Tigers in basketball. Her senior year, she was a captain for the OA team that won the Hockomock League Davenport Division title. Candace led the league in scoring 15.7 points per game; she was named Boston Globe All Scholastic, Enterprise All Scholastic, Hockomock League MVP, and HockomockSports.com Girls Player of the Year. In track and field, Candace scored points for the Tigers in the triple jump, long jump, 400-meter hurdles, and as a member of the 4 x 100-meter relay team. She holds the OA school record in the triple jump at 36-8.25. In track and field as a senior, Candace made All Hockomock (for winning the triple jump in the league championship meet), and in the Eastern Massachusetts Division 2 championship meet, she won the triple jump and finished eighth in the long jump. Candace went on to a successful career in volleyball at Towson State University where she served as a team captain and was named to the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) second team.
Oliver Ames Hall of Fame
Caitlyn Abela – Class of 2013
One could say that Caitlyn Abela emulates her mother, Diann (Reynolds) Abela, in a most appropriate and fitting manner. Like her mother, Caitlyn starred in basketball for OAHS and went on to success in playing at the collegiate level. And now, Caitlyn joins her mother in the Oliver Ames High School Athletic Hall of Fame. A 1000-point career scorer for the Tigers, Caitlyn made her mark early for the OA hoops team. Indeed, her freshman year, she scored the final basket in OA’s 50-31 win over Milbury in the Division 2 state championship final. Caitlyn, who played forward and was a Tiger team captain as a senior, made three consecutive (sophomore through senior years) Hockomock League all-star teams. For her senior season, in which she averaged 20.9 points per game, she was named to the USA Today Massachusetts All-State Team, Boston Globe All-Scholastic Athlete of the Year, Boston Herald All-Scholastic Dream Team, and Hockomock League MVP. Caitlyn received a full athletic scholarship to the Sacred Heart University in Connecticut where she had seven starts as a freshman. Following her freshman year at Sacred Heart, she transferred to Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire. Caitlyn was a standout at Saint Anselm. From her sophomore year on, she started every game for the Hawks (83 games) and finished her career with more than 1,000 points. Caitlyn served as team captain her senior year. When Caitlyn Abela left the court for the final time for Saint Anselm, her career stats ranked her 14th in school career scoring average (11.5), second in three pointers made (199), fifth in three-point-goal percentage (.357), third in free throw percentage (.838), and 12th in blocked shots (57). Among Caitlyn’s top scoring games for the Hawks was her senior year against Daemen University when she scored 23 points, including six triples – and a 30-point output against St. Michael’s College her sophomore year.
Oliver Ames Hall of Fame
Kendall Andrew Begnaud – Class of 2013
Kendall Andrew’s soccer legacy is nothing short of remarkable. As a 2013 graduate of Oliver Ames High School, she did not just play the game – she dominated it. A force to be reckoned with on the field, Kendall’s skill was undeniable. Four varsity letters, 60 career goals, and 23 assists tell part of her story. The rest? A laundry list of accolades: four-time Hockomock League All star, three time Hockomock League MVP, Enterprise News Player of the Year as a senior, and a four year streak of named to the Eastern Mass 1st team, Boston Globe All-Scholastic honors in 2011 and 2012 as well as the All-New England team. But her success wasn’t confined to high school fields. On the club level, Kendall was a cornerstone for the Scorpions Soccer Club, where they won six championships. Her efforts propelled the team to three regional titles and even a national finalist appearance – an almost mythic journey to the top of youth soccer. Her name became synonymous with greatness. And her story didn’t end with high school. At Division I Providence College, Kendall brought the same fire, continuing to inspire teammates and leave her mark in collegiate soccer, appearing in 51 games over her four years. Her sophomore year, she received the “Why Not Me” award- for the most improved player and always putting the team first. Her dedication, drive and hunger for excellence set her apart, etching her name into the annals of Oliver Ames soccer history. Kendall is currently a Physical Education teacher in Attleboro, and has come back to OA as an assistant coach for the girls soccer team.
Oliver Ames Hall of Fame
David MacKinnon – Class of 2013
June 18, 2022, is a historic date in the history of Oliver Ames High School athletics. For it was on that day that something immense and momentous happened that had not happened prior – and that was that a graduate of OAHS took to the field to play in a Major League Baseball (MLB) game. The graduate, Class of 2013, was Dave MacKinnon; the uniform he wore was of the Los Angeles Angels, and the place was Angels Stadium in Anaheim, Calif. After five years in the minors, Dave MacKinnon – a 32nd round pick out of the University of Hartford in the 2017 MLB draft – was starting at first base in the “Big Show,” and batting clean-up behind two of the sport’s superstars: Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. At Oliver Ames, Dave MacKinnon was a blue chipper in soccer and baseball. Over four years, beginning as a freshman, Dave started in goal 75 of 76 games for the OA soccer team, registering a 0.32 goals-against average and 45 shutouts. He served as a team captain as a junior and senior. Dave was stellar in the spring for OA. A left fielder and pitcher for the Tigers, among his career stats are .435 batting average and a school record 115 hits. During his time at OA, Dave was named All American in soccer – and, for both soccer and baseball, Boston Globe All-Scholastic, Boston Herald All-Scholastic, Enterprise All-Scholastic, All-New England, Hockomock League MVP, and HockomockSports.com Player of the Year. At the University of Hartford, Dave did what few have done in modern times: start and excel in two sports at the NCAA Division 1 level. As a goalie for the Hawks, Dave made the America East All-Conference Second Team (2014), American East All-Rookie Team (2013), and America East All-Academic Team (2014 and 2015). He set the school record for most shutouts (9) in a season (2013). Dave ranks second (19) in career shutouts for the Hawks. Dave played first base in baseball for Hartford. He had career stats of a batting average of .359 and an on-base-percentage of .433 (.471 as a junior). Among his collegiate honors in the sport were America East Player of the Year (2016), America East All Conference Second Team, America East All-Rookie Team (2014), and America East All-Academic Team (2015, 2016, and 2017). Dave played two seasons in the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star. After playing for the Los Angeles Angels through June and July 2022, Dave was picked up on waivers by the Oakland Athletics. He played six games for Oakland. For the 2023 season, Dave played for the Saima Seibu Lions in Japan and in 2024 he played for the Samsung Lions in South Korea. He will be playing winter ball in Puerto Rico starting in November.
Oliver Ames Hall of Fame
Christina Franciosi – Class of 2014
Christina Franciosi was a standout athlete in the sprints and long jump for the Oliver Ames High School indoor and outdoor track and field teams. Christina also played varsity soccer for OA for three years. But of course, it was in track and field where she particularly shone. For her junior and senior years, she was a team captain and Hockomock League all-star for both the indoor and outdoor seasons. As a junior, Christina set a school record in the indoor long jump with a leap of 16-4. The following spring, she improved on that mark, and on the OA outdoor long jump record, with a 17-2 performance. Also, during her junior outdoor track and field season, she set the school mark in the 100-meter hurdles at 15.1. In indoor track and field as a senior, Christina finished third in the 55-meter dash at the state championship meet and earned Enterprise All Scholastic recognition. That year, during the outdoor season, she was undefeated in the Hockomock League in the 100-meter hurdles and finished 10th in the state pentathlon while anchoring the Tiger squad that took second place in the team pentathlon competition. Christina went on to Boston College where she was a varsity letter winner for the Eagles track and field team, competing in the sprints and long jump for three seasons both indoors and outdoors.
Oliver Ames Hall of Fame
Michaela Lievi – Class of 2014
Michaela Lievi epitomized the standout multisport athlete for Oliver Ames High School, starring for and contributing in a major way to the Tiger volleyball, basketball, and outdoor track and field teams. A member of the National Honor Society, Michaela received the Suzanne Rivard Award in recognition of being the outstanding female Tiger senior athlete. Consider Michaela’s excellence across three sports her senior year. In volleyball, she served as a team captain while earning All-Hockomock and Enterprise All-Scholastic honors. That season, her 88 aces led the Hockomock League; she also had 271 assists and 115 kills. It was then on to the basketball court where Michaela averaged 14.8 points per game while shooting 67 percent on two-point shots and 34 percent from three-point territory. Her play earned her selection to the All-Hockomock team. During the spring, Michaela was the Hockomock League champion in the javelin and finished seventh in the state heptathlon, a performance that anchored the Tigers winning the heptathlon team competition. Michaela holds the OA javelin record with a throw of 123-10, and her top score of 3,599 in the heptathlon is the second best in school history. Track and field may be considered Michaela’s signature sport. Evidence of her strength and versatility in this sector of athletics can be found in a stretch near the end of the outdoor season her junior year when at the Hockomock championship, she finished second in the javelin, fifth in the 400-meter hurdles, and ran a leg on the Tiger 4 x 400-meter relay which took fourth place. Michaela was a three-time Hockomock All-Star and two-time Enterprise All-Scholastic in outdoor track and field. Michaela went on to a stellar track and field career at Assumption where she was a consistent scorer for the Greyhounds in the javelin and 20-lb. weight throw and served as a team captain as a senior. Among her top collegiate finishes were fourth place in the javelin at the 2016 and 2017 Northeast-10 Conference outdoor championships.
Oliver Ames Hall of Fame
Dan Moverman – Class of 2014
In the long and distinguished history of Oliver Ames High School middle distance running, Dan Moverman is one of the program’s best and most accomplished athletes. Dan continues a family legacy of excellence in the sport at the school as he joins his brother Michael who graduated from OA in 2009 and was inducted into the OAHS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022. The leading Tiger middle distance runner as a junior and senior, Dan was a six-time Hockomock League All-Star (earning the honor in cross-country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field for his junior and senior years), and an eight-time Enterprise All-Scholastic (three times in cross-country, three times indoors, and two times outdoors). As a senior, Dan captained the Tiger cross-country and indoor and outdoor track and field teams and was named the OA Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year During his senior year, Dan finished second in the Eastern Massachusetts Division 3 cross country meet; finished second in the mile at the Eastern Massachusetts Division 3 indoor championships; won the two-mile in the Eastern Massachusetts Division 2 outdoor meet; and finished third in the two-mile in the New England outdoor championships. As a junior, Dan finished second in the Hockomock League cross-country championship meet and eighth at the Eastern Massachusetts Division 3 meet. Also, as a junior, during the indoor season, he finished fourth in the mile in the Eastern Massachusetts Division 2 meet, eighth in the mile in both the Auerbach All State and New England championships. In outdoor track his senior year, Dan finished seventh in the Eastern Massachusetts Division 2 meet. While competing for OA, Dan’s best times were 1:58 for 800 meters, 4:25 for the mile; 9:23 for 3,000 meters, and 15:58 for 5,000 meters. Recruited by Boston College, Dan went on to be a valuable point scorer for the BC cross-country and track and field squads. His personal best collegiate times were 4:21 for the mile, 8:40 for 3,000 meters, 14:57 for 5,000 meters, and 25:44 for 8,000 meters.
Oliver Ames Hall of Fame
Cameron Williamson – Class of 2014
Cameron Williamson had a stellar career for Oliver Ames High School in football and track and field. He went on to stand out in both sports at Bridgewater State University. Cameron played running back and defensive back for the Tiger football team and was named an All Hockomock Honorable Mention as a senior. In the spring, Cameron was a go-to scorer in the field and on the track. As a senior, his accomplishments included, in the triple jump, setting a new school record in the outdoor triple jump at 44-7.5, winning the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association (MSTCA) Invitational outdoor meet, being named Enterprise All Scholastic and All Hockomock, and finishing sixth in the New England championship meet which earned him All New England honors. Cameron was a member of the Tiger team that won the triple jump and finished second in the 2014 MSTCA outdoor relays. He also ran a leg on the OA 4 x 200-meter relay that set the school record. A three-year starter at defensive back, he captained the Bears team as a senior. His junior year, he was a key member of the BSU team that won the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Association (MSCAA) championship and qualified for the NCAA Division III tournament for the second time in the school’s history. Cameron finished his BSU gridiron career with 113 tackles (four of those for losses) and four interceptions. While competing for BSU in track and field, Cameron was named NCAA Division III All New England in the indoor and outdoor triple jump three consecutive years. He was the MSCAA champion in the indoor triple jump and outdoor triple jump in 2017 and 2018. Cameron ran on the Bears 4 x 100-meter team that won an MSCAA title in 2016.
Oliver Ames Hall of Fame
Nick Cidado – Class of 2014
At Oliver Ames High School, Nick Cidado established himself as one of the top football quarterbacks in the history of the school, capping off his gridiron prep career with a senior season in which he stewarded the Tiger offense as the team achieved the program’s first regular undefeated season since 1964, and made it to the state class semifinal. During that senior campaign, in which the Tigers finished 10-1, Nick threw for 2,003 yards and 23 touchdowns and rushed for 305 yards and four scores. His performance that season earned him the following honors: Hockomock League Davenport Division MVP, All Hockomock, Boston Globe All-Scholastic, Boston Herald All-Scholastic, Enterprise All-Scholastic, and selection to play in the Annual Shriners All-Star Football Classic (in which he took the field along with his Tiger teammate Colin Lozzi). Nick was a three-year letterman for the OA football and basketball squads (in hoops, he was a small forward for the Tigers) and served as captain for both teams his senior year. At Bridgewater State University, Nick played quarterback and lettered for the Bears and was named to the 2015 Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. Nick is a leading and highly renowned strength and conditioning coach who has worked with and mentored athletes across the ranks from professional to youth level. The assistant strength and condition coach for the Boston College varsity athletics program, Nick is the author of the acclaimed book, “Sweat More During Peace, Bleed Less During War: Preparation Tactics that Generate Success.”
Oliver Ames Hall of Fame
Jeff Babbitt – Class of 2014
Jeff Babbitt was a solid contributor to the Oliver Ames High School basketball squad for which, as a tenacious and effective rebounder, he earned two varsity letters and was named a Hockomock League all-star his senior year. And, yet, it would be in another sport – one that OA offered as a club but not at the varsity team level – where Jeff would go on to achieve national distinction and high acclaim. For Jeff Babbitt is a professional ultimate frisbee player, a sport in which he ranks among the best and most heralded performers in the United States. Jeff played on the Oliver Ames ultimate frisbee club team. He went on to play at the collegiate level where he earned a slew of honors. Following a year at Wentworth Institute of Technology where he played club ultimate frisbee, Jeff transferred to the University of Massachusetts Amherst and earned a spot on the school’s varsity ultimate frisbee team. He quickly became a star. During the 2014 season, his first with the Minutemen, Jeff led the team to its first NCAA tournament birth since 1986. For the 2014 through 2016 seasons, Jeff was named first team all-region and New England defensive player of the year. He was named the 2015 New England player of the year. Jeff’s collegiate play caught the eye of the professional ranks, and soon after graduating from UMass, he was acquired by the New York Empire of the American Ultimate Disc League (AUDL), which is now called the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA). Jeff Babbitt is truly a franchise player for the New York Empire. A captain of the squad every year since 2017, he stewarded the Empire to league championships in 2019, 2022, and 2023. He was named first team All AUDL in 2017, and AUDL MVP in 2023. Jeff also earned second team All AUDL recognition in 2021 and 2022, and All AUDL Defensive Team honors in 2019. He currently plays for Boston Glory where he was named to the UFA 1st team All-UFA and the UFA MVP for the 2024 season.
Oliver Ames Hall of Fame
Tom Tufts – Class of 1965
Tom Tufts was a valuable contributor across multiple sports for Oliver Ames High School. But OA was just part one of what would be an extraordinary career as an athlete, coach, and athletic administrator. The second part of that career began when he was freshman year at the University of Massachusetts Amherst when he was introduced to lacrosse, a sport that would not be offered at Oliver Ames until about 35 years later. UMass men’s varsity lacrosse coach Dick Garber encouraged Tom to try lacrosse – which Tom did, with great success. Indeed, Tom became one of the best collegiate lacrosse players in the country. A member of “Garber’s Gorillas,” he was a midfielder and served as tri-captain of the 1969 Minutemen team that went undefeated. He was named All American. After graduating from UMass, Tom commenced 23 years of service in the United States Army. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1991. He then began a new career – as a high school guidance counselor and boys’ lacrosse coach at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, Virginia. Tom Tufts built and stewarded a lacrosse powerhouse at the school, and in a geographic area of the nation that is the most competitive in the sport at the prep ranks. In his 14 years as coach of the Robinson Secondary School Rams, his teams won seven state championships and compiled a record of 185-36-1 (.837). Tom was twice – in 1991 and 1992 – named Virginia Northern Region Coach of the Year. He was nominated for the award in subsequent years but deferred the nomination to other coaches. Sixteen of Tom’s players were named high school All-Americans. Many of his players went on to success at the collegiate level. His 1994 team – ranked 14th in the nation – produced eight players who captained lacrosse squads in college. Tom Tufts was a true ambassador for the sport. He created and instituted the All-Region Academic Team for Northern Virginia high school lacrosse, and developed coaching seminars and clinics, including two regional sportsmanship clinics.
Below is a release from Foxboro High School announcing its 2024 Hall of Fame Inductees. It’s the second class for the Hall of Fame, following the inaugural class which featured six individuals and one team.
Foxborough High School is pleased to announce the 2024 class of inductees into the Athletic Hall of Fame, which was started in 2023 to honor former student-athletes, coaches, supporters, and championship teams. This year’s class of inductees will be recognized at an event at Foxborough High School on Saturday, December 7th.
“Foxboro High School has a long history and tradition of success in all areas of Athletics. Inducting our inaugural class last year was a great takeoff point, and our second class is full of people who also played an important role in helping create that tradition. We are thrilled to give these Warriors a place in the Hall of Fame. This is another opportunity for our community to celebrate, the inductees to take great pride in, and show our student-athletes a level of success to aspire to,” said Joe Cusack, Foxboro Athletic Director.
Accepting nominations has been ongoing for three years, and all nominations received remain active each year. After extensive discussion and research, this second class of inductees was selected by a six-person executive committee, which included the Foxboro High School Principal, Athletic Director, and four committee members who are former student-athletes, current or former coaches and/or school staff members.
This year’s Induction class includes Natalie McComb, Dave Comeau, John Stather, Brian Gallagher, John Manning, Kevin Martin, Alison Culley, and the 1977 State Champion Boys Soccer team. (Individuals are listed by their year of participation.)
Natalie McComb, best known to her players as “Coachie,” was an important part of the Foxborough High School community from the 1950s into the 1980s. Natalie started as the head coach in field hockey and girls’ basketball in 1954 and took on the same role for softball in 1955. While coaching just 11-12 games per season, “Coachie” won 245 career field hockey games and 12 Hockomock League championships, 143 softball games, and had a basketball winning percentage of 75%.
Dave Comeau was a 1966 graduate of Foxboro High School who was widely known for his contributions to youth and interscholastic athletics. Dave was a sportswriter for the Foxboro Reporter from 1972-1997 and was the sports editor starting in the 1980s. Dave covered all the teams at Foxborough High School with genuine interest and enthusiasm. He also received numerous awards for both sports writing and photography while covering the Warriors, including consecutive years as the best sports section in New England.
John Stather is a 1978 graduate of Foxboro High School who was a three-sport star who played soccer, basketball, and baseball. John’s true specialty was on the soccer field, where he was arguably the most dominant soccer player of his era. John scored 108 career goals, which was a state record at the time, and was a three-time All-State selection. During his senior season, John scored 35 goals and led the Foxboro boys’ soccer team to the 1977 State Championship.
Brian Gallagher is a 1981 graduate of Foxboro High School, who played football and wrestling. “Gal” was the head wrestling coach at Foxboro from 1990-2001. During that eleven-year stretch, the Warriors won seven consecutive sectional team championships, six state team championships, and numerous individual champions at the sectional, state, all-state, and New England level. He was inducted into the MA Interscholastic Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2011, and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2014.
John Manning is a 1984 graduate, who played football, basketball, track, and tennis. In football, he was a four-year starting quarterback and led his team to a Hockomock League championship as a senior in the 1983 season. In basketball, John was an important member of the 1983 Hockomock League championship team and was Foxboro’s 4th all-time leading scorer at the time of his graduation. John was also the first Foxboro football player selected to play in the Shriner’s Game.
Kevin Martin was a 1993 graduate, who was one of the most talented all-around athletes ever at Foxboro High School. Kevin was a three-sport standout in soccer, basketball, and track, and he led each team in numerous statistical categories. Kevin was an excellent two-way player at basketball, leading the team in both assists and steals as a senior. On the track, Kevin was a two-time Hockomock League champion in the 300-meter hurdles and won a Class championship. Even more talented on the soccer field, Kevin was the first Foxboro boys’ soccer player selected as an All-American and went on to play at UMass-Amherst.
Alison Culley is a 1998 graduate of Foxboro High School who set the standard to which all other Foxboro High School sprinters are held. At a time when Foxboro High School was 8th through 12th grade, Alison was a five-year varsity track athlete, both indoors and outdoors. During her five-year career, Alison was undefeated in the Hockomock League in every distance from 55m through 600m. Alison won numerous individual and team championships at all levels, including at League, State, New England and National competitions. Alison still holds three individual school records and one relay record. Alison was inducted into the MA State Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2018.
The 1977 Boys’ Soccer Team won the MIAA Eastern Mass state championship over Dover-Sherborn for Foxboro’s only boys soccer state title. In that post-season, Foxboro defeated Wilmington, Scituate, and defending champion Duxbury before beating Dover-Sherborn in overtime 2-1. The final was scoreless through regulation, which led to two five-minute overtime periods. Andy Jameson scored the lone goal of the overtime sessions, which gave the Warriors a 1-0 victory.
The Mansfield High School All Sports Hall of Fame spring 2024 inductees take a group photo at the induction banquet. (Photo courtesy Mansfield Public Schools)
Below is a release from Mansfield Public Schools announcing the Mansfield High School All Sports Hall of Fame fall 2024 inductees. The class is highlighted by longtime field hockey coach Theresa Nyhan, who retired following last season, as well as three first-ballot inductees: Jimmy Murphy (2013 HockomockSports Best XI), Kyle Wisnieski (2013 HockomockSports Player of the Year), and Rocky DeAndrade (2014 HockomockSports Player of the Year).
MANSFIELD — Superintendent Teresa Murphy, the Mansfield Hall of Fame Committee and the Mansfield High School Athletic Department are pleased to announce the Mansfield High School All Sports Hall of Fame fall 2024 inductees.
The fall induction class features 14 outstanding student-athletes from boys and girls basketball, field hockey, boys and girls soccer, golf, football, track and field and gymnastics.
This year’s honorees will be celebrated during an induction banquet on Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Chateau Restaurant in Norton. A reception will begin at 4:30 p.m., with the ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Anyone is welcome to attend, including family and friends of the inductees, former coaches, teammates and alumni. To purchase tickets for the fall 2024 induction ceremony, visit this link.
Highlighting this fall’s inductees is Theresa Nyhan, a longtime coach and teacher at Mansfield High School who will be inducted for softball and as a coach for the field hockey program. Nyhan will become just the third female athlete inducted into the Hall of Fame in three different sports. Nyhan was previously inducted into the Hall of Fame as an athlete in basketball and field hockey.
Meg Carroll, a 2012 graduate of Mansfield High School, will also be a dual inductee this fall as she’s honored for her field and ice hockey accomplishments.
The fall class includes two siblings, Ben and Tom Grant, who are being inducted into the Hall of Fame for golf. The class also includes three first-ballot inductees who became eligible this year: Jimmy Murphy, boys soccer; Kyle Wisnieski, football; and Rocky DeAndrade, boys basketball.
“We look forward to celebrating these outstanding inductees at our fall banquet,” said Mansfield High School Assistant Athletic Director Michael Redding. “This group includes some of Mansfield’s most extraordinary student-athletes from 1980 to 2014, many of whom went on to compete successfully at the collegiate level.”
The fall 2024 inductees are Tom Grant (Class of 2010, golf); Ben Grant (Class of 2007, golf); Leslie (Mastone) Keady (Class of 1995, field hockey); Meg Carroll (Class of 2012, field hockey and ice hockey); Theresa Nyhan (Class of 1983, field hockey coach and softball); Jimmy Murphy (Class of 2014, boys soccer); Ashley (Baker) Fortune (Class of 2003, girls soccer); Laura Angers (Class of 2007, gymnastics); Shawn Doherty (Class of 2010, football); Ben Selchan (Class of 1998, football); Kyle Wisnieski (Class of 2014, football); Hilary Crook (Class of 2006, track and field); Rocky DeAndrade (Class of 2014, boys basketball); and Colleen Hooper (Class of 2010, girls basketball).
These new inductees into the Mansfield High School All Sports Hall of Fame were often team MVPs, Hockomock League All-Stars, Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastics, team captains, record holders and members of championship teams.
“These student-athletes performed at the highest level and represented Mansfield with class and pride,” said Superintendent Murphy. “We are so excited for their return home to Mansfield for the fall induction ceremony.”
The Mansfield Hall of Fame Committee is seeking sponsors for the banquet. If you want to become a gold, silver or bronze sponsor to help defray the event’s administrative costs, click here.
The spring 2025 banquet will feature inductees from boys and girls track and field and cross-country; boys and girls swim and dive; baseball; softball; boys and girls tennis; boys and girls lacrosse; and boys and girls ice hockey.
The Mansfield Hall of Fame Committee continually accepts nominees from all sports. To submit a nominee, use this form.
Taunton recently launched its Athletic Hall of Fame which was established to “recognize and remember the outstanding accomplishments of student-athletes, teams, coaches, administrators, and contributors while participating in and contributing to the success of athletics at Taunton High School.” Below is a press release announcing the inaugural class for the THS Athletic Hall of Fame.
TAUNTON – The Taunton High Athletic Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the inaugural class of inductees. The class of 2024 includes eight student-athletes, one team, and one coach.
Inductees are nominated by members of the public and voted on by the Hall of Fame Committee.
The inductees for 2024 are:
Student-Athletes
• David Arieta: Football
• Eric DeMoura: Baseball
• Jeff Gallagher: Hockey
• Kendra Lund: Basketball
• Katlyn Mallette: Softball
• Scott Mitchell: Basketball
• Erin Wade: Softball
• Bonnie Yuen: Cross Country, Indoor & Outdoor Track
Team
• 1967 Football Team
Coach
• David Lewry: Softball
“The committee was truly impressed by the outstanding achievements of these student-athletes, team, and coach,” said Committee Chairman Mike Fox. “Their dedication to their respective sports has left a lasting impact on the Taunton High athletic community, and we are proud to honor them as our first inductees.”
David Arieta: Football, Class of 1981
Arieta was a member of the champion and undefeated 1980 Football Team. That year, the Tigers upset Lynn Classical in the Super Bowl. Arieta, who played as a wide receiver and a cornerback, was named Division Two Player of the Year by the Boston Globe. That season, he caught 20 passes for 520 yards and seven touchdowns. He also recorded 13 interceptions.
Eric DeMoura: Baseball, Class of 1992
DeMoura had an impressive three years for the Tigers at the varsity level, winning the 1991 Old Colony League Championship. The United States Baseball Federation and Topps named him the Massachusetts Baseball Player of the Year in 1992. That same year, DeMoura was invited to the US Junior Olympic Team Trials. DeMoura was named to the All-Scholastic Team by the Boston Globe and Boston Herald in 1991 and 1992. During those same years, he was also named to the Old Colony League All-Star Team and the All-State Team.
Jeff Gallagher: Hockey, Class of 1994
Gallagher played four years of varsity-level hockey for the Tigers, totaling 69 games. Despite an injury-shortened sophomore season, Gallagher still racked up an impressive 139 points, averaging two points per game. He holds the record for the most points in a season, 64, the most assists in a season, 42, and is the school’s all-time leading scorer, 36 goals, and holds the record for most assists, 103. Gallagher is a two-time All-Scholastic from both the Taunton Gazette and the Brockton Enterprise.
Kendra Lund (Drake): Basketball, Class of 1999
Lund holds the school scoring record for girls’ basketball, racking up 1,437 points over the course of four varsity seasons. She is a four-time Old Colony League All-Star and was named Old Colony League MVP in 1999. The Taunton Gazette and Brockton Enterprise also named her a first-team All-Scholastic from 1996-1999. In addition to her impressive performances on the basketball court, Lund also won a State Softball Championship in 1997.
Katlyn Mallette (Gauthier): Softball, Class of 2003
Mallette is the 2003 Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year and was a key player in a dominant Tigers team in the early 2000s. She holds the school record for lowest ERA, 0.19, fewest runs allowed, 19, and perfect games, 5. Mallette’s trophy cabinet includes four Old Colony League Championships, three South Sectional Championships, two City Championships, and two Division One State Championships. Mallette was also a mainstay in All-Scholastic Teams from the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Taunton Gazette, and Brockton Enterprise.
Scott Mitchell: Basketball, Class of 1985
Mitchell scored a school-record 1,615 points in his four years of varsity basketball for the Tigers. He was twice named All-Scholastic by the Taunton Gazette and Brockton Enterprise and a second-team All-Scholastic by the Boston Globe. Mitchell was also a perennial Old Colony League All-Star.
Erin Wade (Hernandez): Softball, Class of 2008
Wade holds an impressive number of school records, including wins, 67, strikeouts, 942, no-hitters, 12, and innings pitched, 588. Wade was impressive at the plate, too, with a career batting average of 388, 11 doubles, 14 triples, four home runs and 61 RBI. Throughout her four-year career, the Tigers won 10 championships: one Division One State Championship, one South Sectional Championship, four Old Colony League Championships, and four City Championships. Wade is the 2007 & 2008 Boston Globe Player of the Year, the 2007 Brockton Enterprise Player of the Year, and was named to 12 first-team All-Scholastic Teams, including the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Taunton Gazette, and Brockton Enterprise.
Bonnie Yuen (Belfield): Cross Country, Indoor & Outdoor Track, Class of 1985
Yuen was a dominant runner, holding school records in several distances for both indoor (600m, 800m, 1,000, and mile) and outdoor track (500m, 1,500m and mile). 800m was her specialty, and she won three consecutive championships at that distance at three different levels: Class A, All-State, and New England. A six-time Boston Globe All-Scholastic, she was undefeated in the 800m for three consecutive years. She placed second at the US Junior Nationals, qualifying her for the US Junior Team in 1985.
1967 Football Team
The 1967 Football Team won Taunton High School’s first state title, winning the Class C Championship. The team was undefeated, outscoring opponents 221-81 in nine games. Head coach George Hemond led the team to the City Championship and the Bristol County League Championship.
David Lewry: Coach, Softball
Lewry’s incredible coaching career at Taunton High spans 20 years. His 407 wins is a Taunton Softball record and qualified the Tigers for the playoffs every year. Under his leadership, Taunton won four Division One State Championships, multiple South Sectional Championships, and several League Championships. Lewry was named Northeast Sectional Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations in 2003, Boston Globe Division One Coach of the Year (2001), Hockomocksports.com Coach of the Year (2014 & 2015), Taunton Gazette Coach of the Year (2007) and Brockton Enterprise Coach of the Year (2003).
The induction ceremony will take place on November 9 at Taunton High School. Detailed information about the ceremony will be released later this summer.
“On behalf of the Taunton Public Schools, I want to congratulate the inductees for their tremendous achievements and well-deserved recognition,” said Superintendent John Cabral. “I’d also like to thank retiring Athletic Director Mark Ottavianelli and the entire Hall of Fame committee for their time, dedication, and hard work to bring this first class to fruition.”
The Hall of Fame will be located in the hallway connecting the Joseph Rabouin Field House to the athletics wing and will include plaques honoring each inductee.
There are six categories for induction into the Hall of Fame: Student-Athlete, Team, Coach, Administrator, Contributor, and Classic. Each category has specific criteria for consideration, including a five-year waiting period. Other criteria may include league, sectional, or state championships, win-loss records, and individual awards and records.
Nominations are considered for five years from initial submission. Nominees who were not selected for induction this year will be eligible for the next four classes. At that point, nominations will need to be resubmitted. For more information about the Taunton High School.
