Thursday was a banner day at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School, as seven student-athletes solidified their college intentions by signing their National Letters of Intent in the field house surrounded by family, friends and coaches.
Of the seven student-athletes signing their letters of intent — Jolene Murphy (Boston College track and field), Aja Alimonti (Merrimack College soccer), Amber Kiricoples (Bentley College lacrosse), Hailee Lomasney (UMass Lowell lacrosse), Drew Lucas (Bryant University lacrosse), Ryan Knight (University of Hartford baseball), Olivia Lavalle (Barton College lacrosse) — five of them signed to Division I schools and two signed to Division II schools.
“It really shows the quality of not only the programs we have here, but the quality of the kids that we have here,” said Peabody Athletic Director Bob Bua. “These are seven great kids here who are signing and who are playing at the top of their games.”
“I’m extremely proud of these kids, this is so well deserved,” said Dennis Desroches, who coaches four of the players (Alimonti, Kiricoples, Lomasney and Lavalle) in either soccer or lacrosse. “These girls come in every day and work hard and give it their all, and I couldn’t be more fortunate to be their coach. This is what you’re in it for, to see these kids succeed.”
Murphy, who has been running this fall and gearing up for the track and field season, noted how impressive it is that so many of her fellow student athletes were moving on to play at the next level.
“It’s great to be a part of this community, and it’s a great opportunity for all of us,” said Murphy. “We’re all so grateful for this and we’re all hoping that we’re going to be able to make the best of it.”
Knight is the fourth player from the Peabody baseball program to sign with a Division I school under the coaching of Mark Bettencourt, joining Jake Gustin (Bryant), Pat Ruotolo (UConn) and Marc Dallaire (UMass Amherst).
“There’s a common theme with all of those guys, and that’s work ethic, it’s character, it’s determination, it’s dedication,” said Bettencourt. “Ryan is no different than that. Since the day I met him his freshman year, you could tell he was going to be something special.”
Lucas, who missed his junior season of lacrosse this past spring and is still hoping that his senior season will happen, was happy he got to have this experience with his family.
“This has been awesome to do, especially after the virus put so many things on hold with school and athletics and everything,” said Lucas. “I’m happy I was able to get out here with everyone and experience this.”
Everyone involved, from coaches to student-athletes to administrators to parents, were happy that there could still be a small shred of normalcy in such a strange year.
“We really wanted to be able to do something for the kids who have lost so much over the past year,” said Bua. “This has been a special event and we’re happy we were able to put this together for the kids and their families.”
