LYNN — Thursday night at the Lynn Museum, it all paid off. The extra hours, film study, behind-the-scenes workouts – all of it.
For their athletic achievements during the fall sports season, The Item honored 79 student-athletes and eight coaches across eight sports.
Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson greeted the crowd, applauding those in the room for their achievements on the field, court, and track, as well as their impact in the community.
Then came the All-Stars, who received plaques and posed for pictures with the other athletes in their respective sport.
Isaac Gross of Marblehead (Northeastern Conference MVP) was named Player of the Year in boys cross country. Coach of the Year went to his coach, Brian Heenan, whose boys finished third in the Division 2 State Championship at Fort Devens.
As for girls cross country, NEC Runner of the Year Marietta O’Connell of Marblehead received Player of the Year, followed by Fenwick’s Fred Doyle who took home Coach of the Year after his Lady Crusaders went 7-1 as runners-up in the Catholic Central.
Golf-wise, St. John’s Prep’s Terry Manning sank Player of the Year after his Eagles finished second in states, while Lynn English’s Brett Molea received coaching honors. His young Bulldogs went 8-2 with a Division 1 postseason berth.
Soccer Players of the Year were Lynnfield’s Dillon Reilly (27 goals) and Bella Carroll (26 goals, 7 assists). State champion coach Brent Munroe of the Pioneers won Coach of the Year, while first-year Swampscott coach Jaymie Caponigro won on the girls side after the Big Blue went 8-5-5 with a state tournament win.
St. Mary’s Gianna Tringale (.79 goals allowed average) was named Player of the Year in field hockey, and Coach of the Year went to Swampscott’s Courtney Russo (2-6-2; No. 12 seed in Division 3).
For volleyball, Peabody’s Abby Bettencourt (469 assists, 138 kills, 92 aces) and Classical’s Chris LeBlanc (18-3; 14-0 in Greater Boston League) received the honors.
Last, but not least, Brian Vaughan of Lynn Classical received Player of the Year in football (2,204 yards, 24 touchdowns), while Peabody’s Mark Bettencourt received coaching honors after his Tanners went 10-1. Offensive Player of the Year went to KIPP’s Morenel Castro (more than 2,000 all-purpose yards), while Defensive Player of the Year went to Saugus’ Braden Faiella (500 career tackles).
The night concluded with a group picture featuring all student-athletes. Once everyone grabbed their last few cookies and said goodbye to each other, another fall season was in the books.
