Lynn English High School athlete DeLeon, named a Triple-Impact Competitor
Cynthia DeLeon, a senior lacrosse, soccer, and swimming athlete at Lynn English High School in Lynn, Massachusetts, was named a Triple-Impact Competitor by Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA)–New England. Cynthia is one of twenty New England high school scholar athletes to receive this recognition, and a Finalist for a PCA-New England Triple-Impact Competitor scholarship.
The Boston Red Sox and PCA-New England honored the Triple-Impact Competitors in a pregame ceremony at Fenway Park on August 31.
Triple-Impact Competitors are selected based on their essays explaining how they meet three criteria: personal mastery (making oneself better), leadership (making one’s teammates better), and honoring the game (making the game better). Recipients must have a grade point average of at least 2.5, and must provide testimonials from a school administrator, a coach, and at least one from an individual who is familiar with the student-athlete and able to speak to his/her embodiment of the Triple-Impact Competitor principles.
“We learned a great deal about Cynthia’s character while reviewing her essay responses and her references,” said Beth O’Neill Maloney, Executive Director of PCA’s New England chapter. “Cynthia’s application shows her tenacity as a three-sport athlete, as a disciplined Advanced Placement student, and as a teammate committed to helping her teammates improve every day. We were impressed that in her three years of high school, she contributed not only to her teams but to the school community at large. Cynthia is a Triple-Impact Competitor.”
Current high school juniors can apply for a Triple-Impact Competitor Scholarship between January 1 and May 31, 2017. Applications and more information can be found at www.positivecoach.org/our-awards/triple-impact-competitor-scholarships/.
Positive Coaching Alliance is a national non-profit working to develop “Better Athletes, Better People” by partnering with youth and high school athletic programs to provide young athletes with a positive, character-building youth sports experience.
Classical football team is optimistic about 2016 season
By Joyce Erekson
Turning things around after a 2-9 season won’t be easy, but Classical High football coach Tim Phelps is encouraged heading into Friday night’s opener against Gloucester at Manning Field.
He said the coaches laid out their expectations for the upcoming year last January and told the players who were returning that they’re either all into it this year or they’re not. So
“We challenged our whole team, not just the older kids,” Phelps said. “We told them we need leadership and we need hard workers. We told them we couldn’t have guys who didn’t want to do the right thing.”
So far, so good.
“I like this group a lot because of the hard work they’re putting in,” Phelps said. “It’s good to know these guys are in it for the long haul because they’ve already done what they needed to do in the off-season.”
The Rams lost a couple of players to graduation including the two leading rushers, Chandler Laguerre and Dan Maria. Laguerre is now playing at Fitchburg State University.Phelps has two captains this year – senior quarterback Matt Lauria and senior running back Marcus Rivera. Lauria plays outside linebacker on defense and Rivera is a safety.
This is Lauria’s third year as quarterback. He moved into the job a couple of games into his sophomore year and has been there every since. Rivera started as a junior and saw a significant amount of playing time as a sophomore.
Among the other returning players who will bring some experience to the party are senior two-way lineman Noah Morse and junior two-way lineman Javien Delgado.
“We have other guys who saw time, but those two are returning full-time starters from last year,” Phelps said.
Look for Chase Buono, a varsity corner last year as a freshman, at running back and defensive back. David Barnard, who played on the Babe Ruth 15-year-old All-Star team that made it to the World Series this summer, will be at linebacker and tight end. He was a two-way starter last year. Another player from that team, Matt Gisonno, also plays for the Rams.
Junior Melvin Nieves will be at running back and defensive back. He was also a starter last year. Other guys returning with varying amounts of playing time under their belts include Rick Keo, who saw time on junior varsity and varsity. He’ll likely see time at fullback and linebacker. Ahmed Joloaso saw a lot of time as a lineman last year. Phelps said he’ll probably play both ways this year.
Chauncey William, a sophomore linebacker, should also be in the mix along with junior Jason Ruiz, who should start on the offensive line.
“I think we have pretty good team speed,” Phelps said. “I think we can get to the ball well. We have some athletes in the skill positions.”
Phelps said although he has a bunch of guys who saw some varsity time on the lines, overall there’s a lack of experience in that area.
The Rams tested the waters last week when they scrimmaged powerhouse Everett in the GBL Jamboree at Everett. Although they lost 27-0, Phelps saw some things he liked..
“We did a lot better up front than I thought we would,” he said, adding that scrimmaging a quality team like Everett shows him who can do what against one of the best teams in the state. The two teams have scrimmaged in the preseason for the past 10-12 years.
Classical opens the season with two non-conference games against Northeastern Conference foes Gloucester and Revere. Friday’s game against the Fishermen is at 5 p.m. and is part of a doubleheader. Classical will play four conference games against Beverly, Danvers, Peabody and Marblehead before meeting English on Thanksgiving.
Phelps has a couple of new faces on his coaching staff. Paul Arnold is a South Shore guy with about 20 years of coaching experience including time with Barnstable and Dennis-Yarmouth. He’ll work with the defense. Joe Pascucci, who works as a building substitute at Classical, will work with the offensive and defensive lines.
“I would say the guys (players) have put in a lot of work, a lot of effort into it. I think we’ll show better than we did last year,” Phelps said.
Phelps said he had 50-55 sophomores, juniors and seniors come out for the team and another 25 freshmen.
Basketball officiating course
Board 130 of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO) will be offering a course for anyone interested in becoming a certified basketball official. Classes will be held at North Andover High School beginning October 3.
Classes will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on the following days: Oct. 3-5-11-12-17-19-24-26; Nov. 1-2. The class will be taught by Board 130 and state rules interpreter Bill Boutilier. The IAABO exam for new officials will be administered on Monday, Nov. 7 at Salem High School. All residents of Essex County age 18 and older are eligible to take the course and exam.
The cost for is $175, which covers the classes, exam, rule book and all study materials. You can register online at www.iaaboboard130.org. For more information, please contact Bill Boutilier at 978-682-9959 or Dan Bryant at [email protected].
Elementary School XC Championships set for Nov. 11
Ther 3rd Annual Massachusetts Elementary School XC Championships, hosted by Lynn Parks & Recreation and Gannon Golf Course on Veterans Day, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2016 9:30
Gannon Golf Course, 60 Great Woods Road, Lynn, Massachsetts
East entrance of Lynn Woods
A wonderful event for youngsters of all abilities.
Our goal is to expose youngsters to the joy of running and to encourage schools to introduce their students to a healthy, inexpensive life long activity.
No entry fee.
All students of public, parochial, charter , private elementary schools and home schooled of Massachusetts are eligible.
The school does not need to have a formal cross country program or team for one to enter this meet.
Website for more information and registration form: www.lwrun.org