Girls' Soccer Ranked Among Best in Nation

A few more honors for the Lady Tanners soccer team -- top billing both regionally and nationally this week after their on Nov. 18.

ESPN, in its final Powerade Fab 50 rankings, billed the Peabody state champions the No. 8 high school team in the nation while the National Soccer Coaches Assocation of America went a little higher, ranking Peabody No. 5.

The NSCAA also billed the Lady Tanners No. 1 in New England.

Rocha off to Foot Locker XC Championships

After winning her on Nov. 19, Peabody junior Catarina Rocha placed third in the Foot Locker Northeast Regional Cross-Country Championships on Long Island and earned herself a spot once again in the National Championship race in San Diego.

Rocha finished at 18:19 Saturday, not far off Maine's Abbey Leonardi, who took second at 18:05. It was an improvement over last year's performance for the Peabody teen, which was still impressive for the then sophomore -- Rocha came in eighth place last year (18:27) and (18:34).

This year's Foot Locker Nationals will be held Dec. 10. While Rocha may not officially be representing Peabody -- the Foot Locker Championships are not sanctioned by the MIAA -- she no doubt is in spirit.

Wlasuk named Coach of the Year

Tanners' head football coach Scott Wlasuk picked up honors this week as the Northeastern Conference/Cape Ann League Tier 1 Coach of the Year, while his team was given the Team Sportsmanship Award. Wlasuk is in his fourth year coaching football.

Peabody seniors Nat Gaye, Nick Hill, Sean Wlasuk, D.J. Henrick and Jason Hiou were all named to the NEC/CAL Tier 1 all-star team.

Fenwick goes out on a win

The Crusaders have struggled the entire season, but ended things on a high note Wednesday for their Thanksgiving Eve match-up with Austin Prep. The Crusaders took the home field advantage for a 42-29 victory, closing 2011 on a 3-8 record.

Freshman Rufus Rushins and junior QB Fran Hannon led the effort for the Crusaders -- Rushins with three TDs and Hannon with two.