Athlete of the Week: Ben Koopman

senior Ben Koopman has had a pretty interesting athletic career, the 18 year-old was a member of the Super Bowl team, a defenseman on the championship hockey team, and he thinks the baseball team can do some damage this year in the state tournament.

Koopman’s disappointment over sitting out the Super Bowl game at Gillette Stadium with an injury was lessened a bit when the Headers won the Division 3 hockey title, beating Westfield at the Boston Garden.

“I really like this team (baseball) and I think we’re really going to go far when the playoffs begin,” Koopman said.

Marblehead picked up their tenth win of the season last week when they beat Everett at Seaside Park, locking up a spot in the playoffs after only thirteen games.

Koopman will be heading to Holy Cross to play football for the Crusaders in the fall.

“I’m a little sad that my hockey career is over, and my baseball career’s winding down, but it’s really been great playing sports at Marblehead,” Koopman said. “I’m going to work this summer and get ready for football at Holy Cross.”

Koopman will be working at Pickering Wharf over the summer, and spending time on his boat, lobstering and doing some swimming in his free time.

Baseball coach Jason Tarasuik said that you couldn’t have a successful team without players like Koopman on the squad.  Tarasuik had nothing but high praise for his first baseman.

The Ben Koopman File:

Age - 18

Class -Senior at Marblehead High School

Favorite food- A toasted turkey sub from Marblehead House of Pizza.

Favorite TV show - The Deadliest Catch.

Favorite music - Rock classics from the 1980’s.

Favorite team - The Boston Bruins.

Favorite athlete - Tom Brady.

Most embarrassing song on my IPod - “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” by Wham.

Up next - Off to Holy Cross in the fall to play football for the Crusaders. “I’m really looking forward to playing football and getting a good education,” Koopman said.

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