WHAV (https://whav.net/category/sports/)
With a little convincing by students, Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School has had a change of heart and will bring back sports immediately. The change, which brings back football, girls and boys soccer, girls volleyball and cheerleading, requires the school to find additional space off campus. Superintendent Maureen Lynch told WHAV she credits two students in particular for showing her the way. “I had two amazing kids meet with me yesterday. They were respectful and thoughtful.
Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School is delaying such sports as football, soccer, cross country, volleyball and golf until a new “floating” season late February. As WHAV reported last month, schools are following COVID-19 guidance issued by Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Whittier Tech Athletic Director Kevin Bradley said the school chose to hold the season until February. “After significant consideration and a careful weighing of our options, we felt postponing the season would be the best decision for our student athletes, coaches and the broader Whittier Tech community,” Bradley said. “We know this will deeply disappoint many of our student athletes, and we are right there with them.
Haverhill will have school sports this fall, albeit on a significantly reduced level and, perhaps, not on a schedule one would expect. Haverhill Public Schools Director of Athletics Thomas O’Brien told the School Committee last Thursday the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association has identified school sports as being either low, moderate or high risk and, as a result, created four seasons for sports this year: fall one, winter, fall two and spring. “Fall one will run from Sept. 18 through Nov. 20.
Last Sunday was a record-breaking day at Bradford Country Club as Haverhill-native Nick Maccario set a course record, shooting a 56 and breaking the previous course record, that he also held. Maccario, now of Waltham, told WHAV listeners Tuesday morning that he didn’t begin the day with any expectations. “I’ve grown up at Bradford and Garrison, and just have played a ton of rounds of golf there. So, didn’t feel anything necessarily special going into it. A couple of years back I shot 63 which is 8 under par, and on Sunday, long story short, ended up shooting 15 under 56.
The Northern Essex Community College Knights plan to offer all of its varsity programs during the upcoming academic year, returning to intercollegiate practice and competition for the 2020-21 season in the wake of COVID-19
During the fall semester, all of the college’s athletic programs will be permitted to practice and hold their non-traditional seasons, while only the cross country and esports teams will participate in regular season competition, the Athletics Department said recently. The men’s soccer and women’s volleyball regular seasons have been shifted to the spring semester. The start of competition in basketball will also be delayed to January. “Our goal is to facilitate a safe and healthy process that will offer the best experience possible for our student-athletes, while operating within the guidelines of the Commonwealth and following the recommendations of the CDC and local health agencies,” said Director of Athletics Daniel M. Blair. Students participating in cross country or esports in the fall semester must be enrolled in 12 credits or more to participate, while students practicing with any of the college’s other varsity teams must be enrolled in classes at the college, but there is not a minimum requirement.
WHAV Sports Director Paul Ryan recently shared family memories of his cousin, Mike Ryan—the Red Sox “Impossible Dream” season catcher who passed away July 7 at age 78. He said his cousin had a “modest start” in baseball. He explains there was no baseball program at St. James High School, but he was asked by Irving “Sheik” Karelis to play for Karelis Jewelers at Cashman Field in Haverhill. When he was 18—as a member of the Northeast League, a semi-pro league—Mike was invited to play in the all-star game at Yankee Stadium.
Northern Essex Community College’s varsity esports program is expanding to seven game offerings beginning this fall. Five game titles will be featured for PC play, while Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will continue on Switch and Madden will be added for PS4 play. FIFA is also expected to join the mix during the spring 2021 semester. “We’re excited to be expanding our offerings in esports and increase participation and championship opportunities for students while at the same time returning to competition in other programs as well following the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Northern Essex Athletic Director Dan Blair.
Northern Essex Community College is accepting registrations for its Third Annual Golf Tournament to benefit its 12 varsity athletic programs.
The four-player scramble, best ball tournament includes breakfast and is open to the public. It takes place Monday, Aug. 31, with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m., at Renaissance Golf Club, 377 Kenoza St., Haverhill. Registrations placed before July 31 are $175 per person. After that, registration is $200 per person.
Note: This event has been cancelled. The Girls’ Lacrosse team at Haverhill High School is presenting its 12th annual Haverhill Athletics Comedy Night to benefit the school’s athletic program. The comedy event provides opportunities to bid on Red Sox, Patriots and Bruins memorabilia. Proceeds from the bids, along with ticket sales, go towards the program. The event takes place Friday, March 13, 7 p.m., at DiBurro’s Function Facility, 887 Boston Road, Haverhill.