Haverhill

Haverhill Police Beat New England Patriots 15-13 in Weekend Softball Game

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It’s another W for the HPD! The Haverhill Police Department softball team chalked up a victory on Saturday against the New England Patriots during this year’s celebrity softball classic, walking away winners after the annual match with a final score of 15-13. WHAV was the only media outlet at the game as Haverhill Police standouts Officer Matthew Marshall, Officer John Orsillo and Sgt. Thomas Howell helped the first responder team beat the Super Bowl champion Patriots, led by Max Lane and Steve DeOssie. Rounding out the police team were Officers Nicole Donnelly, Brittney Birch, Kevin O’Brien, Carlos Arriaga, Bryan Bailey, Kevin DeCarvalho, Ryan Connolly, Justin Graham, Kevin Tracy and Daniel McDonald.

Haverhill

Whittier Tech Varsity Softball Coach Begin Celebrates 200th Win: ‘Belichick of the Team’

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Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School’s Cheryl Begin is celebrating a major milestone on the softball diamond this spring: Her 200th win. Now in her 14th year as varsity softball coach, Whittier head of security Begin is riding high in the role her coaching peers and players say is similar to that of another famous Massachusetts coach. “Cheryl is like the Bill Belichick of the Whittier softball team,” Athletic Director Kevin Bradley explains of Begin, who many of Whittier’s 14 players see as a surrogate mother. “Success is no surprise to me. It’s not just about what she does on the field, it’s about what she does off it too.

Education

Haverhill Central Catholic Sophomore Wins Senate Praise for Track and Field Records

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A Haverhill sophomore attending Central Catholic High School was recognized by the Massachusetts State Senate Tuesday for her two years of Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field success. Katharine Duren, a sophomore hurdler, broke the meet and school records Saturday during the Merrimack Valley Conference championship. She won in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.57 seconds, state Sen. Diana DiZoglio told her State House colleagues. “Katharine is one of the brightest athletic stars in the Merrimack Valley,” said DiZoglio, who invited Duren to the State House for a celebration in her honor. “Her impressive dedication has served her and her fellow Raiders well and it is my hope that she continues her success collegiately at the highest level in the coming years.”

Duren received a standing ovation in the Senate Chamber after receiving an official citation in honor of her accomplishment.

Haverhill

Fiorentini to Seek $71,000 from Council to Fund Haverhill High’s New Track

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Haverhill High School’s brand-new multi-purpose athletic field came in $71,000 under budget, and on Tuesday, Mayor James J. Fiorentini plans to ask Haverhill’s City Council to use those unspent funds to pay for the school’s new running track. According to Haverhill High Athletic Director Tom O’Brien, the current 20-year-old track—cracked and torn in many places—presents a danger to runners and must be replaced rather than patched. “We’ve patched it at least six times and it can’t be patched anymore,” O’Brien said. “It’s at the end of its life.”

At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Fiorentini intends to outline the design study that he and O’Brien will commission as a starting point for the new track, that will include an additional eighth running lane on the straight-away and new lanes for the high-jump, triple jump and pole vault.

The overall project is expected to cost $400,000 to $500,000 with construction beginning this summer, Fiorentini said. Fiorentini and O’Brien hope to expedite the construction process for safety reasons.

Haverhill

PHOTOS: Fiorentini, Wally the Green Monster Celebrate Riverside-Bradford Baseball’s Opening Day

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Haverhill had a very special guest step up to the plate at Riverside stadium fields Saturday to mark opening day for Riverside-Baseball’s 2019 season: None other than Wally the Red Sox Green Monster. Joining him to throw out the ceremonial first pitch during the morning festivities was the city’s longest-serving Mayor James J. Fiorentini, making for what Player Agent Jared Duemling tells WHAV was a great day had by all. Four hundred little leaguers—52 teams from across the city aged 4- to 14-years old spread out across the stadium once the rain let up to enjoy a morning of family-friendly fun sponsored by the Haverhill YMCA, Kona Ice, Trinity EMS and others. After Keegan Wipff sang the National Anthem, the league recognized two of their own—Derek Davoli and Matt Souza—for their commitment to the community and accomplishments within the league. According to Duemling, Souza accepted an award from league President Randall George for starting up a Riverside-Bradford “Buddy Ball” program, while Davoli was inducted into this year’s Hall of Fame for his service to the Board of Directors.

Community Spotlight

Wally the Red Sox Green Monster Visiting Haverhill for Saturday’s Riverside Baseball Opening Day

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Put me in, Coach—I’m ready to play! The city’s Riverside-Bradford Baseball League kicks off season play this Saturday, May 4 with opening day festivities from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Riverside Stadium Fields. Special events planned include a bouncy house, sports activities sponsored by the Haverhill YMCA and curious creatures demonstrations. Wally the Red Sox Green Monster is also heading to Haverhill just for the occasion.

Haverhill

Haverhill High Cross-Country Coach Maguire Named to State Track Hall of Fame

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Haverhill High School cross-country coach Michael Maguire marks his 30th year leading brown and gold athletes this month, but that’s not the only impressive milestone he’s celebrating. The longtime sports leader and HHS teacher was recently named to the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame. One of three eastern Massachusetts coaches inducted this year, Maguire is in good company: His own track coach and mentor, Haverhill sports legend John “Coach O” Ottaviani, received the same honor in 1985. Telling WHAV he’s “honored and humbled” by the recognition from the group of 600 of his track coach peers, Maguire calls the honor a testament to those he’s worked with over the years. “It’s a credit to all of the wonderful student athletes I’ve had the privilege to work with.

Haverhill

City to Soon Accept Bids for Haverhill Stadium Name Change

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Merrimack Valley emergency medical service provider Trinity EMS has seen the company’s name in lights at Haverhill’s Lincoln Avenue stadium, and later this spring, the city is giving other businesses or individuals a chance to do the same. As part of an open request for proposal (RFP) process, the seven-member Haverhill Stadium Commission plans to consider applications for naming rights, Commission Chairman and Haverhill High School Director of Athletics Thomas O’Brien tells WHAV. “Trinity has been an outstanding partner for the last eight years and we hope they can continue, but at the same time, we will be considering other bids if they’re out there,” O’Brien said. Trinity acquired naming rights in 2013 for $200,000, entering into an initial three-year contract that was extended for another five years. As O’Brien explains, the opportunity is a big one for those looking for presence in the City of Haverhill.