Education

Haverhill City Council Lauds HHS Wrestling Team After Fifth Place Win in New England Championships

By |

The Haverhill High School Wrestling team, along with coach Tim Lawlor, received praise and recognition from the Haverhill City Council Tuesday following their recent fifth place win in the New England Championships. Council President Timothy J. Jordan introduced the coach and his team, praising their success this year as well as for the previous ten years.  Lawlor began by praising his two team captains, Brent Nicolosi and Cale Wood Jr.

“Cale is a two-time sectional place winner and Brent is a state champion and a two-time New England place winner and, after this weekend, he’s also now a two-time All American as he took third place in the country this past weekend,” he said. The coach also took the opportunity to introduce team members Shea Morris, a freshman who placed third in the All State Championships this year, and Matthew Harrold, also a freshman and a division one state champion who took fifth place in the country this past weekend. In congratulating the team on their success, Jordan presented them with a citation from the Council.

Community Spotlight

‘Hill Thrill’ Road Race, Honoring Michelle Benedetti, Takes Place Sunday; Benefits Scholarships

By |

The second Annual Michelle Benedetti Memorial run and walk—this year called the “Hill Thrill Road Race”—takes place Sunday morning. Benefitting four yearly scholarships for Haverhill High School students, the 5k run and 5k walk are this year joined by a second 10-mile course as well. There will be T-shirts and a special race medallion from Ashworth Awards for all participants. An afterparty at Maria’s Restaurant, 81 Essex St., Haverhill, also returns. The Hill Thrill, as in “HaverHILL” offers the 5k route for seasoned runners, avid walkers or anyone in between.

Education

City Council Honors Haverhill High Boys Swim and Dive Team for Championship Win

By |

Records are made to be broken and last week the Haverhill City Council honored the Haverhill High School Boys Swim and Dive Team and their coach for doing just that. The team swam their way to a Merrimack Valley Conference Championship back in January, their first time doing so in 43 years. Dan Tanguay, a math teacher at Haverhill High and the team’s head coach explained. “We brought back 12 core swimmers this year. We had some very, very promising newcomers.

Education

New Haverhill High Football Head Coach Next to Climb to Top of ‘Pike’s Peak’

By |

“Pike’s Peak” just keeps getting taller. Pike’s Peak is the name still emblazoned above the broadcast box at Haverhill Stadium, commemorating longtime WHAV play-by-play announcer William C. “Bill” Pike who died in 2002. It could be added it also remembers Pike’s son, the late Robert A. “Bob” Pike, who was head coach at Haverhill High School football for 14 years. Now, it may give added inspiration to grandson Robert William “Rob” Pike, who was named Wednesday as the next football head coach at Haverhill High School. “Growing up in Haverhill, I revered Hillies Football, to be the head coach would be an honor.

Education

Northern Essex Coach Stratton Picks Up 275th Career Win After Saturday Victory

By |

Northern Essex Community College head men’s basketball coach Darren Stratton picked up the 275th win of his career while leading the #5 nationally ranked Knights to their program record tying 14th straight win Saturday afternoon as they defeated Bristol Community College by an 88-75 final score. With the win, Northern Essex improves to 18-1 on the season and 13-0 in conference play. It marks the third time in program history the college has reached 14 consecutive wins including most recently as last season. In a first half that had no flow as the officials called 34 first half fouls, Northern Essex took a 40-38 lead to the locker room led by Darlin Santiago’s 11 first half points. The Knights opened things up a bit in the second half and opened the lead by as many as 18 points.

Exclusive

Northern Essex Community College Knights Triumph Over Gateway Community College 98-76

By |

The seventh ranked Northern Essex Community College men’s basketball team ran its win streak to 12 games Saturday afternoon, taking down Gateway Community College on the road by a 98-76 final. Luis Reynoso of Lawrence led the offensive effort as he recorded a triple-double with a game high 26 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists. Darlin Santiago, of Salem, Mass., and Jeremiah Melendez of Lawrence both recorded double-digit points for the second consecutive game as they each recorded 10 points. Edwin SamMbaka, of Paris, France, joined the trio in double figures with 13 points. Peter Lopata of Groveland keyed a strong defensive effort for the Knights as they took a 17 point lead into the locker room at halftime leading 53-36.

Haverhill

Boston Celtics to Trade Vonleh, Former Haverhill High Athlete

By |

Former Haverhill High School athlete F. Noah Vonleh is being traded by the Boston Celtics in exchange for a future conditional second-round pick from the San Antonio Spurs and relief from a fully guaranteed contract had he remained with the Celtics past Jan. 7. The news was reported simultaneously by a number of sports sources. Vonleh, who attended Haverhill High School before transferring in 2011 to New Hampton School in New Hampshire, was signed by the Celtics last September to a one-year, $2.5 million contract. Vonleh earned one of the Celtics’ 15 roster spots for opening night against Philadelphia 76ers.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill Hosts 10th Annual Jingle Bell Half Marathon and 5K Sunday

By |

The 10th annual Jingle Bell Half Marathon and 5K takes place this Sunday in Haverhill. The race begins Sunday, Dec. 11, at 9 a.m., with the starting line at the Sports and Fitness Center at Northern Essex Community College, 100 Elliott St., Haverhill. The half marathon is a figure eight loop course that runs along the Merrimack River. Water stops will be available at two and a half miles, five miles, seven miles and 10.5 miles while Gatorade is offered at five miles and 10.5 miles.