Peabody XC Boasts Two of State’s Top Runners

The cross-country program begins the 2011 season with a luxury no other Northeastern Conference school has: returning NEC champions and top three All-State performers at the top of both the boys' (Nickolas Christensen) and girls' () lineups.

Coach Jose Rocha says the development of younger runners will determine whether the boys (7-0) repeat as NEC Large champions and the girls improve upon 2010’s 4-3 mark.

“The boys are deep but young, led by two four-year seniors. A core of runners in the sophomore class looks very good. The talent is there for the girls but they’re young and inexperienced. We’ll be better at the end of the year than at the start,” Rocha said.

In addition to winning the NEC individual title last year, Christensen placed third in both the EMass. Division 1 and All-State Meets. He is one of the Tanners’ captains along with returning NEC All-Star TJ D’Amato and Anthony Tedescucci, both seniors. Depth will be culled from the group of sophomores Ben Braz (Rocha’s nephew), Cody Picardy and Drew Fossa and senior Matt Faulkner.

Rocha’s daughter Catarina, a junior, came close to a championship sweep a year ago. She won both the NEC and EMass. Division 1 races then placed second in the All-State Meet in a sizzling time of 16:42.0.

The senior trio of NEC All-Star Sarah May, Gabby D’Avolio and Shannon Walsh are the Tanners’ captains. Coach Rocha is looking for first-year sophomore runners Cindy May (Sarah’s sister) and Sam Allen to round out the lineup.

The Tanners compete in the Clipper Relays at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport this Saturday, then open the season Sept. 13 at home against Salem. Coach Rocha expects Marblehead and Gloucester to challenge on the boys' side and ranks defending champion Marblehead and Beverly as the girls' teams to beat. 

* * *

Fourteen players graduated and only two seniors return for the Tanners’ defending NEC Champion GIRLS' SOCCER team that finished 17-2-1 overall last fall. Those losses would cripple most teams but coach Dennis Desroches (5th season, 70-9-4) is confident the Tanners will remain one of the region’s elite squads.

His optimism is rooted in a highly-skilled junior class that includes two of the state’s premier scorers in junior forwards Hayley Dowd and Victoria Digiacomo. Dowd, already committed to Boston College, has 80 goals and 104 career points through two seasons while Digiacomo had 24-11-35 numbers last year and figures to eclipse the 100-point barrier this fall.

Meanwhile, Kara Digiacomo, Cayla Bucci, and Bianca Muscato return to anchor Peabody’s defense in front of sophomore keeper Caitlyn Lodi, in her second year as the starter. The lone seniors, Katie Brunelle and Taylor Provost, provide a veteran presence in the midfield. Brunelle, Provost, Dowd and Bucci are the team’s captains.

“We are very optimistic and confident in the team we will field this season. Hayley and Victoria should be a difficult mark for opposing defenses and Caitlyn returns as our starting goalie and looks great. Katie Brunelle brings much needed playmaking ability and leadership as well as Taylor Provost,” said Desroches.

Per usual, Danvers projects as a primary challenger and Desroches expects Marblehead, Swampscott and Beverly to field strong sides. The Tanners kick off the season at home Saturday afternoon (4 p.m.) against Acton-Boxboro, the first in a string of rugged non-league games. Peabody also takes on Chelmsford and Brookline in advance of the league opener against Swampscott at home on Sept. 20 (6:30 p.m.).

* * *

Pam Grant takes over as FIELD HOCKEY coach this fall and succeeds Lorraine Benoit, who retired after a 40-year run on the Tanners’ sideline. Senior goalie Lindsey Lloyd, a returning NEC All-Star, anchors the defense and is a captain along with fellow seniors Gina Casey (MF) and Alaina Warren (F).

Senior letter-winners Tristina Buckley (F), Kristin Lafratta (F) and Paige Goodwin (MF) round out an experienced nucleus as the Tanners seek to improve upon 2010's 6-11-1 mark.

“Lorraine’s teams were always very strong defensively. I have been adding to that strength and adding offensive tactics to their play,” said Grant, Peabody’s JV coach last season. Peabody opens the season Thursday at Swampscott (3:45 p.m.)