They both dominate on turf fields, say math is their favorite subject, and represent their North Shore towns with class.
The Moynihan Lumber North Shore Student-Athlete award is a monthly honor given to one male and one female for their excellence in the classroom and athletic competition. September recipients are Saugus football standout Braden Faiella and Swampscott girls soccer star Victoria Quagrello.
For Quagrello, her philosophy is simple: “Academics first.”
“I’ve had illnesses in my family,” said Quagrello, who grew up in Swampscott. “I wanted to help create drugs and save people’s lives.”
She has since committed to the admissions process at Middlebury College to focus on biology and pharmaceuticals, while also continuing her soccer career.
When asked what differentiated the Vermont college from others, Quagrello responded as quickly as her finishing ability.
“I’ve always known that I wanted to go to a NESCAC school,” said Quagrello, a three-sport captain who also plays basketball and tennis. “As soon as I stepped on campus, it just felt right.”
The All-Northeastern Conference soccer player has been playing the game since she was a kid, and still recalls details from games throughout her career.
“I just love it,” Quagrello said.
Her head coach, Jaymie Caponigro, said she “can’t wait to see all the amazing things” Quagrello accomplishes on the field.
“She brings a unique skill set to the table that sets her apart from other players. Her never-give-up attitude is infectious among her teammates, and her soccer ability helps raise the level of our team,” Caponigro said.
As for the balance between athletics and academics (103.9 GPA, No. 3 in Class of 2024), Quagrello admitted to its challenges.
“I’m on such a rigid schedule… I want to be the best version of myself and keep growing academically and athletically,” she said.
Quagrello gets her homework done “either right before or right after practice” so she can prioritize other activities, such as eating dinner with her parents, Patrick and Anne.
She leans on them, too.
“We just bonded,” Quagrello said of her father. “I don’t think I’d be where I am today without his support.”
As for Faiella, the NEC’s leader in tackles (186) last season, he’s eyeing a future in accounting, as well as his next home.
“Right now, I think the number one school I want to go to is Bentley,” said Faiella, a member of National Honor Society who holds a 4.13 GPA. “When I toured it, I loved everything about it.”
When asked if he plans to continue his football career, Faiella responded, “For sure.”
“I started playing football as early as I could. I was 5 years old,” said Faiella, a varsity letterman in football, basketball, baseball, and track. “I was always in love with it … The locker room atmosphere is just unlike anything else, and, also, the physicality I love.”
It’s true. Last Friday against Gloucester, he racked up 15 tackles. His previous game against Lynn Tech, he returned a pick-six in a Saugus win.
When asked how he manages his time between the classroom and gridiron, Faiella pointed to his organizational skills.
“I have all my classes laid out and I just work hard. I try to get everything done when I can and any open periods I have, I’ll get other things done,” he said.
He added his mother, Katie, and step-dad, Jimmy Toomey, have been more than supportive.
“They’re always there and cheering me on. They’re always there for me,” Faiella said. “I just really appreciate them.”
