MARBLEHEAD — It’s a hat trick plus one for Annika Haley.
The Marblehead High graduate is gearing up to play softball, basketball, and soccer in the Harry Agganis All-Star Games next week.
“I’m really excited to play. I haven’t played basketball or soccer in a while. It’ll be fun to play with some of my friends who are also playing,” said Haley. “I started playing when I was young. I started softball when I was really young and then basketball and soccer when I was a bit older.”
Sports seem to run in the Haley family.
“I have three older brothers who all played baseball and hockey. Both my mom and dad played sports as well,” said Haley. “My family just kind of got me into sports. Sports have always been around me.”
Her softball coach, Johnny Gold, said that Haley is a phenomenal athlete.
“All-around,” he said. “Annika’s one of the two or three best athletes I’ve ever coached. She’s an amazing athlete.”
A center fielder, Gold said Haley brings speed to the game.
“That, and she’s quick,” Gold said. “Very, very quick.”
Although she was a senior this year, Haley essentially played for only two years.
“Her sophomore year she lost because of COVID and she had mononucleosis for half her junior year,” he said.
“She’s also a great kid,” Gold said. “She works very hard. She deserves everything she’s going to get.”
In addition to playing three sports next week, Haley was also a recipient of an Agganis scholarship.
“I am very grateful,” she said. “This is one of the most important scholarships and I’m just extremely grateful to be accepting it at the games.”
Softball will be held Sunday at Fraser Field in Lynn at noon; basketball will be Monday night at Lynn Classical (5:30) and soccer Tuesday at Manning Field in Lynn (5:30).
After the games Haley will be getting ready to start school in Connecticut at Trinity College to play softball.
I cannot wait to start playing over there,” said Haley.
Harry Agganis is considered the greatest athlete in Lynn’s history. He was the starting first baseman for the Boston Red Sox when he died of a pulmonary embolism on June 27, 1955, at the age of 26.
The scholarship foundation that bears his name, which was established upon his death, has awarded 1,040 scholarships totaling $2,334,000.
