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.

Haverhill

Whittier Tech’s McNulty Makes History as First Female Wrestler to Win MIAA Championship

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That’s a win for Haverhill’s Cat McNulty! For the first time in history, Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School’s sole female wrestler McNulty took home a state title in her weight class late last month. During the Feb. 23 Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association girls’ wrestling tournament at St. John’s Prep competed in a female-only round against women from across the region.

Haverhill

Hillie Wrestler McCartney Receives LePage Memorial Scholarship

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Haverhill High School wrestler Ryan McCartney has been awarded this year’s Chris and Sean LePage Memorial Scholarship, the pair’s father, City Councilor Colin F. LePage said Tuesday. The scholarship, established in 2016, pays tribute to the late Chris and Sean, who both took part in the school’s wrestling program alongside current coach Tim Lawlor. LePage presented McCartney with the tribute award at the March 11 team banquet. In selecting McCartney for the honor, Lawler drew inspiration from his friends and former teammates. “Both Chris and Sean were partners of mine all four years I was at Haverhill High—both were workhorses in practice… always making their teammates better,” Lawlor said.

Sports

Northern Essex Men’s Basketball Members Receive High Honors

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Three members of the Northern Essex Community College Knights men’s basketball team have been chosen to the 2019 Region 21 All-Region Honorable Mention team, as selected and voted by the regional coaches. Evan Hardy of Methuen, along with Emir Alagoz, and Guney Kilitcioglu, both of Istanbul, Turkey, received the honors. Hardy led the team in scoring at 15 points per game and finished his rookie campaign with 389 points. Alagoz was among the team leaders in a number of categories as he ranked first in shooting percentage with 52.6 percent. Alagoz averaged 12.3 points per game and finished his career with 726 points over two seasons.

Haverhill

Northern Essex Names N.Y. Native Bates Head Women’s Basketball Coach

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Jayme Bates is ready to hoop it with the Northern Essex Community College Knights’ women’s basketball team. A native of Troy, N.Y., Bates has been tapped to lead the reestablished program when it returns to the court next fall after a seven-year hiatus. Bates began work at the college this week, according to NECC Athletic Director Dan Blair, and is anxious to dive right in. “I look forward to building our team from the ground up and can’t wait to get out on the recruiting trail this spring,” Bates said in a statement. Prior to stepping on the Northern Essex hardwood, Bates coached at Columbia Greene Community College in Hudson, N.Y., where he built the program from the ground up and finished a two-season coaching stint with a record of 32-24.

Haverhill

Hillie Crew Team’s Crockett Commits to Row at Assumption College

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From Haverhill to Worcester—with oars in hand! On Friday, Grace Crockett became the first brown and gold crew team member to commit to a college rowing team, signing a letter of intent with Assumption College. The Crockett family joined Grace as she announced her intention to continue in the sport during her college career. As part of the Assumption Greyhounds, Crockett joins the likes of Greater Merrimack Valley rowers Katie Danieli and Shannon McLaughlin, who both call Chelmsford home. Last fall, the Assumption team placed 26th at the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta, marking their first race appearance in program history.