SJP Wraps Winter Season, Looks Toward Spring
The Saint Joseph Prep Phoenix concluded another successful winter sports season late last week when the Boys’ Ice Hockey team was eliminated from State Tournament play. Competing against Lynn High School at Stoneham Arena, the team played a hard-fought game against the Jets, ultimately losing 5-1 in a game that was much closer than the final score indicates. Jacob Orchard ’18 found the back of the net in the second period, making it a 2-1 game, but Lynn was able to capitalize on their power play opportunities.
Although the boys will lose captain John Devlin ’17 and his classmates Sean Horan ’17, Jack McDonough ’17, and JK Kim ’17, the coaching staff is excited to continue working with a young core of talent that includes returning captain Connor Lewis ’18, Brendan Murphy ’19, and Andrew Stefura ’19, among others.
Sharing the Warrior Ice Arena with the boys is the Girls’ Hockey team. It was a building year for the girls’ team after dropping one of their previous co-op partners (Boston Latin Academy). Working with a handful of girls from Mount Alvernia, the team’s skills grew by leaps and bounds under new head coach Taya Kent. The team will lose captain Cayleigh McMullan ’17, but the future looks bright with the return of assistant captains Annie McElroy ’19 and Katie Honan ’19.
From the rink to the pool, the Swim Team also enjoyed postseason success. Jackie Joyce ’17 competed in several events at the North Sectionals, including the 200 yd medley relay, the 200 yd freestyle relay, and the 400 yard freestyle relay. Theresa Sandbrook ’17 also swam the 200 yd medley relay and 400 yd freestyle relay, as well as competed in two individual events, swimming in the 100 yard freestyle and the 100 yard butterfly.
The Boys’ Basketball team enjoyed a successful 2016-17 season led by captain Benjamin Stratter ’17 and his brother, leading scorer, Jonathan Stratter ’17. Ricky Espada ’17 and John-Michael Louis ’17 will join them and the other seniors at graduation this June, but there is a lot of young talent to develop with Jacob Bianculli ’18, Aidan Kelly ’19, Brendan Sutliff ’19, and Peter Su ’20. Coach Elton Tyler joined Coach John McCarrick’s staff this year and was instrumental in developing the JV team and the next generation of SJP hoops players.
Finally, the Girls’ Basketball team said goodbye to Helen Aroush ’17, JoJo Duplan ’17, and Sharon King ’17 on Senior Night versus Lowell Catholic. For four years, these players have demonstrated a tireless work ethic and a inspiring commitment to their teammates. Finishing with a record of 6-12 (3-7 in the CCL), there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic for the future. The team will return starters Hannah Sansone ’18, Camille Taylor ’19, and Katelynn O’Connor ’20, along with Colleen Dooling ’20 and Molly Wheet ’20, among several other 9th graders new to the program.
One additional highlight from the winter was on February 3, when seniors Cayleigh McMullan ’17 and Jada Ross ’17 attended the celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day at Faneuil Hall in Boston. In its 31st year, the national observance celebrates the achievements of extraordinary female athletes. Selected by Athletic Director Jamie O’Leary to represent Saint Joseph Prep, Jada and Cayleigh were honored alongside female athletes from around the state as well as women who have pioneered modern sports for girls. Lifetime achievement awards were presented to several women who have dedicated their lives to girls high school athletics, whether as athletic directors or coaches, and the keynote speaker was two-time Olympic rower Gevvie Stone, a native of Newton, MA. Stone has achieved high levels of success on the water and in her education, graduating from Princeton University and Tufts University Medical School before winning a silver medal in single sculls at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio di Janeiro. She has also won the women’s Championship Singles race at the Head of the Charles six times.
“Hearing Gevvie Stone speak was inspiring and something I will never forget. Sports have made such a huge impact throughout my entire life and listening to her experience was eye opening,” Cayleigh said. She was especially interested in how Stone uses sports to bring balance to her busy life as a graduate of medical school. Jada was inspired by all the athletes who attended and by Stone, who “is the perfect example of a female student-athlete; [it was] empowering.”
This spring, Saint Joseph Prep will offer baseball, softball, boys’ and girls’ tennis, track and field, and—new this year—girls’ lacrosse! As the weather warms up, these sports provide an excellent opportunity to work out and get some fresh air. Please contact Mr. O’Leary if you have any questions about the spring athletic season. To register your student-athlete, please visit https://www.familyid.
Pictured above: Cayleigh McMullan ’17 and Jada Ross ’17 stand with Keynote Speaker Gevvie Stone during the National Women and Girls in Sports Day on February 3, 2017.