For their outstanding efforts in the classroom and their respective athletic endeavors, St. Mary’s Morgan Mackey and Masconomet’s Sebastian Gilligan have been named September’s Moynihan Lumber Student-Athletes of the Month.
Mackey, a senior from Salem, is a 4-year varsity player on the girls soccer team. She’s regarded as one of the top sweepers in the state and has helped the Spartans to three consecutive Division 4 North state tournament appearances since joining the program. Mackey is currently sidelined with a broken ankle but is set to return Oct. 30, in time for the team’s Senior Night and another postseason run.
“It’s a small setback for my senior season,” Mackey said. “At least I’m not missing my entire season. Obviously it’s tough watching your team, not being out there helping them. When I see my teammates struggling there’s nothing I can do. I can only lead them vocally. I’ve learned that as a captain. We struggled at the beginning with people out of positions. Emily and Olivia Egan have stepped up to the plate. Everyone’s working hard.”
In the classroom, Mackey carries a 4.51 GPA. “Academics mean everything to me,” she said. “Anything can happen tomorrow. I broke my ankle this season. In the blink of an eye, anything can happen. Scores and grades matter. It’s not like you can be good at just one thing in life. You have to be a well-rounded individual to do well in life. Ultimately, that’s my goal.”
Her course load includes three AP courses (calculus, statistics, English) along with accounting, business and bioethics.
“Time management is very important,” Mackey said. “I found that out freshman year. St. Mary’s is a college preparatory school. You have to get your work done. Homework’s a big thing. If I know I have a late game, I try to get it done anytime I can before. I try to get my projects done days before the due date so I can critique them a little more and get help from teachers if I need it.”
Mackey is undecided on where she will attend college next fall. Looking to study business, she’s considering UMass Amherst, Babson, Bentley and Boston College.
Mackey is heavily involved in community service activities, including Beverly Bootstraps, Marblehead Animal Shelter, Red for Beds and Windrush Farm.
“Community service is really rewarding because while you don’t see the direct benefits, you really know you’re making a difference,” Mackey said. “It’s important to be involved because it makes you a cultured person and it makes you humble. You learn to appreciate everything you have.”
Gilligan, a junior from Topsfield, is a 3-sport athlete in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. At the Frank Kelley Invitational in September, Gilligan finished first out of 166 runners in the junior/senior 3k with a time of 9:57.
“I really just go in, trying to think about what my main goal is,” Gilligan said of his approach during a meet. “Either it’s to come in first, second or hit a specific time. I have that in the back of my mind but I’m also going into it as relaxed as possible. That usually gives me the best result.”
The Chieftains are 3-2 this fall. This week, they’re focused on gearing up for Saturday’s Cape Ann League meet in Wrentham.
“The overall team spirit and camaraderie’s excellent,” Gilligan said. “It’s probably the best it’s ever been. Everyone contributes and it leads to a great team atmosphere.”
Gilligan has a 4.496 GPA. His challenging course load consists of three AP classes (chemistry, U.S. History, language composition), French, pre-calculus and computer science. He’s interested in studying engineering in college.
“(Balancing academics and athletics) can be a challenge sometimes,” Gilligan said. “But it’s definitely rewarding. I like to work hard. I think it’s better than just relaxing. It’s nice to relax but it’s also nice to put in as much work as you can.
“(Academics) are probably my No. 1 priority. I’m trying to learn as much as I can so I can use that in the future, in college and in the real world.”
Gilligan is also involved in school clubs. The vice president of his class, he serves on the school council and freshman peer leader program.
“I like to be in a leadership position and give back to the community in any way that I can,” Gilligan said. “I try to go above and beyond in any place that I can.”
