A defensive soccer mastermind, do-it-all track star, and three football players born for Friday nights walk into Saugus Middle High School.
It was a happy Friday for five student-athletes from Saugus, who took part in NCAA Signing Day in the Lemoine Mitchell Performing Arts Center.
Jessica Bremberg, Violet Hawley, Isaiah Rodriguez, Tommy DeSimone, and Braden Faiella signed on to study and compete at the collegiate level.
Each was given a 15-minute block in which they were recognized by school administration. Photographs, hugs, and smiles were aplenty.
A name written all over the school’s record book, Bremberg committed to Saint Anselm College to continue her stellar career in track and field.
Her accomplishments include a 1:01.68 in the 400m, 53.04 in the 4×100 relay, 4-7 in long jump, and 32-10.25 in triple jump – all of which are top-10 finishes in Saugus High history.
According to girls soccer coach Chris Coviello, Hawley played “a huge role on defense for us” with her athleticism and mental approach. Last fall’s captain – who next suits up for Lasell University – was named All-Northeastern Conference for Saugus, which captured the Lynch Division.
Then, three football stars who wore the red and white with pride.
Rodriguez was a threat on either side of the line, and looks to affect the game the same way at the University of Rochester. As a senior, Rodriguez eclipsed 600 receiving yards and scored six touchdowns, also racking up 200 kickoff yards and spending time “covering the other team’s top receiver,” according to coach Steve Cummings.
The University of New England welcomes DeSimone, who looks to translate his rushing, receiving, and return skills to the next level. His senior campaign came with 1,500 total yards of offense, 14 touchdowns, two interceptions, and three fumble recoveries.
Defensive game-changer – to say the least – Faiella aims to continue his success (three-time NEC first teamer) at Saint Anselm College. Just last fall, he recorded 140 tackles (career: 482), an interception, five forced fumbles, and a touchdown despite missing three games due to injury.
There isn’t much red incorporated into these five colleges, but for Bremberg, Hawley, Rodriguez, DeSimone, and Faiella, Saugus High is where it all began.
