Sports: Boys’ Basketball Takes Opener Defeating Melrose, 66-58

December 16, 2015 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Belmont’s Cole Bartels fouled vs. Melrose.

Belmont High Boys’ Basketball went “small” in the second half to shrug off a sluggish first half to win going away, 66-58, over a game Melrose squad in the 2015-16 season opener on the road.

“We have an advantage of being able to change our lineup when the circumstance arises,” said Belmont’s long-time head coach Adam Pritchard, who spoke highly of “the juniors who stepped up” during the third quarter when Belmont’s defense held a quick Red Raider team to eight points.

Belmont was led by its senior all-star backcourt of co-captains Cole Bartels (20 points) and pre-season Middlesex League all-star point guard Matt Kerans (16 points) who threw in three threes (his only baskets of the game) to stem a Melrose surge that saw Belmont at one point trail by five (25-20) midway through the second quarter.

Belmont came out the gates strong with big men senior Luke Peterson (6 of his 8 points in the first quarter) and co-captain Justin Wagner (8 points) who put in a banked three (!) and a hoop early to lead the Marauders to an 18-13 lead at the end of the first.

At the start of the second half, (Belmont held a 37-34 lead at the half) the Marauders substituted to what at times appeared to be a four guards and one forward formation to counter the speedy home team. And Pritchard’s gamble paid off as Belmont’s perimeter defense forced the Red Raiders to take shots from distance that, turned out, was not their forte.

On offense, the inclusion of sophomore Tomas Donoyan (4 points) and three juniors; Dylan Ferdinand, Bryan Goodwin (his four points on 2-2 shooting were the only baskets for the Marauders in the final quarter) and Paul Ramsey (6 points), opened the court for Bartels who stroked a pair of threes to end the quarter with nine points as the Marauders outscored the Raiders 14-8 to grab a nine-point lead (51-42).

While the hosts cut the lead to two possessions at 62-56, there only remained half-a-minute on the clock, with Belmont feasting on the charity stripe in the final eight minutes as Bartels went 4-4 and Kerans 6-6 from the line.

Next up for Belmont is a road match at Stoneham on Friday before the home opener at the Wenner (on the new court) on Monday, Dec. 21 at 5 p.m. vs. Wilmington.

Belmont Swimming, Field Hockey Standouts Honored as Globe All-Scholastics

December 14, 2015 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Jessie Blake-West (left), Nicoletta Kalavantis and AnnMarie Habelow, Belmont High School Boston Globe All-Scholastic fall 2015.

Three Belmont High School student-athletes were named Boston Globe All-Scholastics, which recognizes the best participants in each sport during the recently completed 2015 fall season, with one earning the prestigious title of Swimmer of the Year.

Senior Jessica Blake-West was named the Division 2’s top swimmer after winning three state championships (100-yard butterfly, 50-yard freestyle, and 400 free relays) in the State Finals in November. She topped her high school career with a meet-record time of 54.66 in the butterfly – in which she is a three-time state champion – in a time that earned her an automatic National High School All-American status. Blake-West will matriculate and swim at Brown next season.

Joining Blake-West as a swimming All-Scholastic is freshman Nicoletta Kalavantis, who like her teammate won a pair of individual events – the 200 free (1:58.91) and 500 free (5:17.97) – and joined Blake-West in winning the 400 free relay title.

Blake-West and Kalavantis were Middlesex League All-Stars as were Julia Bozkurtian, Sophie Butte, Thea Kelsey, Dervla Moore-Frederick, Sara Noorouzi and Emily Quinn.

The third Belmont High All-Scholastic is junior field hockey player AnnMarie Habelow. The MVP of the Middlesex League’s Liberty Division, “Habelow scored 22 goals and added 11 assists, running her career total to 83 points through three years. She also plays lacrosse and has committed to play field hockey at Louisville,” wrote the Globe in its write-up.

Belmont’s Middlesex Field Hockey All-Stars includes Habelow, Julia Chase, Kerri Lynch, and Serena Nally.

Joining the swimmer and field hockey players as Middlesex League All-Stars include:

Leah Brams and Sara Naumann for Girls’ Cross Country.
Faye Reagan in Volleyball.
Bob Malcolm and Michael Pergarm for Golf.
Girls’ Soccer’s Carey Allard, Kristin Gay, Katrina Rokosz.
Boys’ Soccer’s Edward Stafford.
Belmont Football is represented by senior running back Mekhai Johnson, who ended his senior year with 22 touchdowns and scoring a total of 136 points.

The All-Scholastic teams are selected by the school sports staff. Selection is limited to MIAA schools that compete in Eastern Mass leagues.

Remembering Teddy Lee & Donny Ray: BHS Class of ’65 Donates $4K to Its Classmate’s Fund

December 1, 2015 By Franklin B. Tucker 4 Comments

Photo: From left, Classmate Bill Skelley, BHS Class of 1965 50^th Reunion Co-Chair David Crocker, Belmont High School Principal Daniel Richards, Assistant Police Chief Jamie MacIsaac, BHS Class of 1965 50^th Reunion Co-Chair Richard Semerjian and Town Treasurer Floyd Carman.

Nearly 140 former classmates came back to Belmont last month to celebrate their senior year at Belmont High now a half-century in the past.

The Belmont High School Class of 1965 held its 50th reunion at the Newton Marriott Hotel over the Columbus Day holiday. Along with the music, dancing and socializing, the leaders of the get-together wanted the class of nearly 350 members to help leave a lasting mark at its alma mater by honoring two of their own who gave their lives in Vietnam only a few years after graduating.

On Monday, Nov. 30, David Crocker and Richard Semerjian, the reunion co-chairs, presented a check for $4,000 in the name of the Teddy Lee & Donald Ray Scholarship Fund to Belmont High School Principal Daniel Richards and Belmont Treasurer Floyd Carman at a ceremony at Belmont Town Hall.

Joining them were a classmate and former Selectman Bill Skelley, who initiated the scholarship fund and Belmont’s Assistant Police Chief James MacIsaac, who son, Kyle, was a recipient of the award in 2013.

After his son had accepted the award, MacIsaac researched and wrote the biography of the two Belmont residents, who were also teammates on the undefeated 1964 Massachusetts Class B State Champions, and would later both enlist in the US Army, only to lose their lives within three years. The biography is below the article.

“Many sponsors and individual classmates were involved in this effort initiated by the original Maroon Marauders,” said Semerjian, of the football team that carried home a championship.

Teddy Lee and Donald Ray

by James MacIsaac

In 1964, a remarkable Belmont High School undefeated football team captured the Class B State Championship. This upcoming season will mark the fiftieth anniversary of that team’s run to greatness. The ‘64 team is also historically significant for reasons that reach way beyond the hard work and preparation that goes into building a winning team.

At a spring awards ceremony at Belmont High School this year (2013), my son, Kyle, was awarded the Teddy Lee and Donald Ray Memorial Scholarship. Knowing nothing of what these two young men had done or why there was a scholarship in both their names we set out to learn who they were.

Edward “Teddy” Lee and Walter ”Donny” Donald Ray grew up in Belmont, were teammates on the 1964 Class B State Championship football team, graduated in 1965 and joined the army and were eventually sent to Vietnam. As so often is the case when individuals join ranks and form teams there is always an individual who appears larger than life. Someone whose character and charisma sets him apart from the rest and Edward “Teddy” Lee was that someone.

Teddy grew up on Bradley Road with his two sisters. When Teddy was 10-years-old, his father passed away. According to Teddy’s younger sister, Barbara Hanley, Teddy took his father’s passing to heart and felt he needed to become the protector of not just the family but everybody. Barbara said that even though Teddy took on the additional responsibilities, he did everything with a smile on his face. Teddy spent his summer days working for Skippy Viglirolo and playing a variety sports with friends on Town Field. When I began to ask those that knew Teddy in his youth, the adjective “legend” was used to describe him. He was physically imposing and good at everything but most of all he was a true friend and this made Teddy a very popular kid around Belmont.

When Teddy was a freshman, he was a mere 5’3” 115-pound kid who was not allowed to play football. By his senior year of high school, Teddy had worked himself into a physically imposing stalwart on defense playing linebacker. Teddy’s tenacity on defense helped the 1964 football team to go undefeated and win the Class B State Championship title.

Teddy’s teammate and former Belmont Selectman Bill Skelley described Teddy as tough as nails and recalls that he had a never quit attitude that displayed itself at the end of the season when teammates learned that Teddy had played and finished the season with a broken foot.

After graduation, Teddy could have gone on to play football at Northeastern University but instead chose to enlist the Army and serve his country in Vietnam. During his first tour in Vietnam, Teddy was severely wounded in the leg and received two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star. The wound was his ticket home, but Teddy reenlisted, this time joining a newly formed, volunteers only, Long Range Patrol (LRP) Field Force attached to the 101^st Airborne.

It was September 1967 when fellow LRP Rick Ogden met Sgt. Edward Lee. Ogden was not aware that Edward Lee was called Teddy in Belmont. In Vietnam, he was known simply as Lee. According to Ogden, Lee was still fighting infection in his leg when he joined his unit. Ogden, who resides in Oklahoma, said Lee was one of the bravest and most fearless men I have ever known and a day does not go by that I don’t think of Lee. Ogden went on to tell me that on two separate occasions he found himself in dire combat situations along with Lee. He said on both occasions that Lee disregarded his personal safety and did what had to be done to tip the scales in their favor. In the eyes of the men that served with him, Lee was the ultimate combat soldier. Rick paused and said, “I don’t like the term but for lack of better words, he was like. John Wayne-ish.”

Having just a few months left to serve in Vietnam, Teddy Lee was set to embark on another stage of his life at Northeastern University in the fall of 1968. On May 13, 1968, Lee and his men were on a long-range patrol deep in the jungles of Binh Dinh Vietnam when a sniper’s bullet found him.

I asked Ogden how the men in his outfit took the news of Lee being killed. Rick said, “To be honest, in May 1968 a lot was happening in Vietnam. More soldiers were killed in May 1968 than any other month, but Lee getting killed; that shocked all of us, and we were not easily shocked at that time.”

When discussing Teddy’s death, his sister Barbara said, “Teddy lived life to fullest, and though he died young, he died full of life.”

I asked Ogden if Lee was one to brag about his exploits or if being called “Hulk,” due to his muscular physique, led Lee to believe he was somehow above his fellow soldiers. He paused and said there were very few guys like Lee. There were plenty of good soldiers that were not good people or friends, but Lee was special. He never bragged and was always counted on by his fellow soldiers.

He said everybody in the outfit had “Lee” stories. Mr. Ogden wanted the people of Belmont to know that Lee cared deeply about his friends and relatives in Belmont. After one mission Gen. William Westmoreland happened to visit their area and Lee, and the General had quite a talk about their hometowns. Ogden also wanted us to know that Lee cared deeply for the Vietnamese people and took the time and interest to learn their language.

I spoke with Paul MacAuley, who was a friend of both Teddy Lee and Donny Ray. Paul also went to Vietnam as a soldier. Paul told me Donny Ray grew up on Oak Avenue and after graduating from Belmont High, Donny enlisted in the Army and joined the 173^rd Airborne. Paul MacAuley said he was heartbroken when in November 1967, he learned that Donny Ray had been killed in a week’s long battle in Kontum, a bloody battle that would ultimately claim 158 soldiers Killed in Action and another 33 missing. When Paul learned that Teddy had been killed, he was shocked. To this day, he ponders how these two strong, tough kids were killed over there and he made it out.

I had a conversation with Bill French, who grew up around Town Field and knew Teddy though he was younger than Teddy. Bill said Teddy was a legend to the younger kids. He was strong, friendly and a great athlete. Bill told me a story about how his friends were playing baseball at Town Field when Teddy stopped by in full uniform on his way to his second tour. Bill said Teddy dropped his duffle bag, hopped the fence and asked if he could hit a couple and then went on the hit two monster home runs. Teddy hopped back over the fence, picked up his bag and told the kids, “I’ll see you in a few months.” That was the last time Bill French and his friends ever saw Teddy Lee.

Skelley, former Belmont selectman, and teammate of Lee and Ray founded the scholarship in their name. Fifty years ago, Skelley, Lee and Ray played on a team that the Belmont Herald labeled “The finest team in history.”

I’m glad Bill has been able to keep the scholarship going all these years and it demonstrates how competing in team athletics brings people together and often provides the opportunity for communities and individuals to connect across generational lines. Lee’s and Ray’s name are joined with seven other Belmont citizens on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington. If you’re planning on visiting the Washington DC area this summer, please stop by the Vietnam War Memorial and take the time to touch the names of two Belmont’s residents who were teammates, friends, and heroes.

Other Belmont residents killed in Vietnam: Robert Larson, Allen John Eastman, David Hugh Holmes, John Clifford Chaves, Creighton Rooney Grant, Taher Fathi Ghats.

[PHOTOS] High School Prepares for Turkey Day at Pep Rally

November 30, 2015 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: All hail the pie-eating champion!

On Wednesday morning, Nov. 25, before the start of the four-day Thanksgiving Day recess, Belmont High School’s Wenner Field House became home to a “battle of the classes” as seniors, juniors, sophomores and lowly freshmen would decide which graduating year would dominate this year’s Pep Rally before the annual football tussle between Belmont and Watertown.

The morning proceeded with the March Band belting out its musical routine, fall athletic teams presented to the crowd, the cheerleaders flew into the air and a slew of fun events were contested including a pie-eating contest, tricycle races, tug-of-war (in which the junior class won by default) and musical chairs.

Sports: Upset-Minded Belmont Football Falls to Final Minute Watertown FG, 24-22

November 27, 2015 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Belmont RB Ben Jones runs through a wide opening in the line to score late in the fourth quarter against Watertown.

In what will be remembered as an epic Thanksgiving Day clash, Belmont’s bid for a memorable upset of arch rivals and host Watertown was derailed by the foot of sophomore Conor Kennelly as the Raiders’ kicker hit a field goal from 35 yards out with 56 seconds remaining to give Watertown a 24-22 victory over the Mauraders on Thursday, Nov. 26 at Victory Field.

“We played a great football game, all aspects of it. Our coaches did a tremendous job, planning it up for them. I was really proud of the effort we put forth in this game,” said Belmont Head Coach Yann Kuman, who fought off his emotions to reach out to his players.

“I hope that we sent a message to people in general that Belmont football is on the rise and Belmont football is here to stay. Get ready for us because we’re going to lick our wounds and in a month we will be back in the weight room getting ready for 2016,” said Kuman.

Calling his team’s performance Thursday, “the season’s most complete game from both sides of ball,” Kuman said the players and coaches stayed with the plans mapped out in the past two weeks in preparation for Watertown’s rushing attack and strong defensive line

“We stuck with [our plan] even though we had some execution problems in the first quarter of defense, we didn’t abandon what we practiced and prepared for,” Kuman said.

But for the fourth time in time this season, Belmont could not find a way to score or hold the lead at the end of the game.

“We have to be like the experience teams and know how to close out a game,” said Kuman.

One of Belmont’s season-long bugaboos raised its head once again as Watertown quickly marched down the field – aided by four offsides penalties against the Marauders – towards a go-ahead score. But Belmont’s interior defensive line spearheaded by senior Justin Aroyan and stopped Watertown’s running game inside the 5-yard line.

“The guys did a lot of work this week, and the coaches put in a lot of hours on the grease board and we came up with a good package,” said Kuman.

“We had faith in the guys in doing the job, and they did it,” he said.,

On his first passing attempt, Watertown junior QB Deon Smith threw the ball into the arms of junior Marauder defensive back Kevin Martin in the end zone at 4:43 in the first quarter.

After gaining a first down, Belmont’s drive stalled and on the subsequent punt attempt, the ball sailed over punter Aidan Cadogan’s head. When all was said and done, Watertown had the ball on the Marauders’ 19 when on their first play, Watertown’s Smith juked down the right side 19 yards for the opening touchdown with 56 seconds left in the first quarter.

After the kickoff, Belmont kept the ball for nearly eight minutes, mixing short runs by senior Mehki Johnson – which Watertown successfully bottled up for most of the game – and junior Ben Jones and passing by junior QB Cal Christofori to senior WR Justin Wagner (including a six-yard pickup on fourth down and four yards at the 18 yard line) culminating in Christofori finding senior WR Joe Shaughnessy on a seven-yard slant for the game-tying touchdown at 4:07 to the half.

Watertown quickly went downfield – helped by a Smith 30-yard run – finishing with senior running back Kyle Foley scoring on a 7-yard run with 41 seconds left.

But that was enough time for Christofori to complete three passes and for Johnson to break a 30 yard gain that allowed Cadogan to hit a line-drive field goal with three seconds remaining to cut the halftime lead to 14-10.

Watertown caught a break when the third quarter pooch kickoff eluded Belmont’s return team, and the Raiders recovered the ball on the Belmont 22. A few plays later, the score was 21-10 as Foley ran the ball in from 2 yards out early in the third.

But Belmont would not fold, coming out with a masterpiece of a drive,a 19 play, 11-minute possession (including a 15-yard roughing the passing personal foul on the Raiders) in which Belmont, behind the ever-improving offensive line – sophomores Dennis Crowley and Ryan Noone along with seniors Chris Piccione, Lowell Haska and Aroyan – and the bruising blocking from sophomore fullback Adam Deese saw Jones and Johnson eat up yards while Christofori connected with his favorite target Wagner.

The Marauders took the ball 81 yards where Johnson busted through for his 22nd touchdown of the season to shrink the lead to 21-16 with 9-minutes remaining. While it appeared Johnson had scored on the two-point conversion, the referees said the Belmont runner’s knee had first hit the ground.

A good kickoff return by Watertown was negated by a 15-yard personal foul penalty, and Belmont’s defense stuffed the Raiders on three consecutive plays. On fourth down, Wagner used his basketball reach to block the Watertown punt, and Belmont recovered the ball on the Raiders 10-yard line. Two plays later, Jones scored on a 4-yard run with 6:05 remaining in the fourth quarter, giving Belmont a 22-21 lead after missing the two-point conversion.

Watertown had the ball on the Belmont 45 and nearly lost the ball on a fumble and a near interception. On fourth down and 4 yards at the 38, Smith’s pass was a poor one, and Belmont took over on downs with 3:56 to play and up by a point.

A Christofori sprint pass to Wagner and Deese run gave Belmont a first and ten at its 48-yard line with 2:56 remaining. It appeared Belmont had sealed the upset when Johnson sprinted to the Raiders 20-yard line with 2:39 left, but the Marauders were penalized for holding. Belmont punted with 1:39 left giving the Raiders the ball on its 19.

Some hard running by Smith and a timely pass to senior Tyler Poulin coupled with two near interceptions by Belmont where Watertown receivers had to play “defense” gave Kennelly the opportunity to play the hero of the day.

Watertown now leads the yearly contest 46-43-5.

Players and coaches were resolute in defeat, showing their disappointment but also congratulating each other for the season they completed.

“The big statement of this game would have been winning it. But we’re proud of what we accomplished. This was a program with one win in two seasons, and now we’ve won seven in two [years] and competitive in all but two games this season,” Kuman said.

“The only emotion I have right now is pride. I’m proud how the kids played this year, how the coaches led the players. We’re proud where we are and really proud of what we did,” he said.

Sports: Nally Steals Show at All-Star Showcase

November 24, 2015 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Serena Nally at the “Best of 60” all-star game.

Belmont High School senior Serena Nally stole the show at an all-star game for the best field hockey players in Massachusetts on Sunday.

A co-captain on Belmont’s 16-3 team, Nally scored two goals and handed out an assist as the North team defeated the squad from central Massachusetts, 4 to 1, at the “Best of 60 Senior All-Star Game” held Sunday, Nov. 22 at Bentley College.

Nally is only the second Belmont High player to have been selected for the showcase game sponsored by the Massachusetts State Field Hockey Coaches Association, joining Becca Moore, who went on to play four years at Bentley.

Sixty-six Belmont Student Musicians Earn District Honors

November 23, 2015 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Belmont High student musicians.

On Saturday, Nov. 14, 143 Belmont High School music students traveled to North Andover High School to audition for the Massachusetts Music Educators Northeast District Senior Festival. These students were among the 1,127 students from surrounding towns vying for the opportunity to perform in one of the District Honors ensembles: Band, Chorus, Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble. Each student worked for months to prepare for their audition, which required a great amount of time, effort and courage.

Belmont is proud to announce that 66 Belmont student musicians were accepted to perform in the Senior District Festival. The number of students choosen matches the all-times high for acceptances from BHS set in 2014, which included many of the same musicians.

Additionally, more than half, 36, of those selected also earned All-State Recommendations, offering them the opportunity to audition for the MMEA All-State Festival in January.

Join the district in congratulating the following students on their acceptance into one of the Senior District Honors Ensembles (*denotes All-State Recommendation):

Jason Ackerson, trombone
Sam Bastille, chorus
James Boyle, chorus
Anthony Bulat, chorus
Caroline Burns, chorus
Erin Cantor, viola
*Eleanor Carlile, French horn
*Jessica Chen, viola
Josie Cooper, clarinet
Ben Crocker, chorus
*Jocelyn Cubstead, chorus
Benjy Cunningham, chorus
Victor Dankens, chorus
Eleanor Dash, trumpet
*Ammu Dinesh, bassoon
* Julia Fontana, cello
* Mary Gastian, chorus
Christopher Giron, bassoon
Fiona Grant, clarinet
* Tenny Gregorian, chorus
Peter Grifiths, chorus
* Hisako Gutterman, trombone
Sammy Haines, chorus
Seneca Hart, chorus
* Kiara Holm, clarinet
* Wonyoung Jang, euphonium
Rachel Jansen, cello
Kevin Ji, violin
* Eliza Jones, French horn
* Brandon Kim, violin
* Helena Kim, euphonium
Isabelle Kim, violin
* James Kitch, cello
Elizabeth Knight, string bass
* David Korn, chorus
* Oliver Leeb, chorus
* Stephen Lucas, clarinet
Meggie MacAulay, chorus
Anna Makar-Limanov, chorus
Wilder Manion, chorus
* Raffi Manjikian, chorus
* Eli Martin, trombone
* Hannah Messenger, French horn
* Alex Park, jazz trumpet
* Georgia Parsons, chorus
* Maerose Pepe, chorus
* Calvin Perkins, trumpet
* Olivia Pierce, chorus
* Audrey Quinn, violin
* Connor Quinn, chorus
* Hannah Read, flute/piccolo
Paul Rhee, violin
* Annalise Schlaug, cello
* Lila Searls, alto saxophone
* Ned Searls, trumpet
* Sam Sorensen, chorus
* Lea Grace Swinson, chorus
Gillian Tahajian, flute
Swapnil Thapa, chorus
* Rafi Wagner, trombone
Tina Wang, euphonium
* Quincy Webb, chorus
Alexander Wilk, viola
Jiwon Yoon, cello
Lara Zeng, violin
* Anya Zhang, flute

Sports: Despite Blake-West, Kalavantis Double Firsts, Belmont Second Again in Swimming Championships

November 22, 2015 By Franklin B. Tucker 1 Comment

Photo: Belmont High’s Swimming and Diving with their Finalist Trophy.

Despite winning five events from a veteran superstar and a young phenom, Belmont High School Girls’ Swimming and Diving team could not match the depth of Bishop Feehan High School of Attleboro as the Marauders finished second behind the Shamrocks for the third consecutive year at the MIAA Division 2 Swimming and Diving Championships held at Harvard’s Blodgett Pool on Sunday, Nov. 22.

“I couldn’t be prouder of these girls and how they swam,” said Ev Crosscup, Belmont’s long-time coach at the end of the meet.

“Give all credit to Bishop Feehan, they have excellent swimmers and great coaches. I take the blame for not having the girls ready for this meet. I thought we could get some of the same times as in the sectionals but, I can’t think of it right now how we could have prepared any better than we did,” said Crosscup.

Belmont’s 293 points total tops last year’s 239 points and the team’s previous high of 287.5 points in 2013. Bishop Feehan’s 21 point margin of victory, 314 to 293, is half the difference of 2014. It is the second time Belmont has finished second for three consecutive years, the first time in 1984-6, behind Acton-Boxborough.

“We had to swim an almost historic meet to win,” said Assistant Coach Gretchen Turner. “We just missed it.”

While Belmont topped Bishop Feehan in overall event victories, five to one (the Shamrock’s only win was senior Hannah Phelan narrow victory in 1-meter diving), Feehan’s overall strength were swimmers who scored high in each event – coming in third six times and second once with two swimmers scoring in the top 10 several times – while Belmont and Reading, which finished third, did not score or only garnered a few points in a handful of events.

But this year’s meet will be known for the performance of two Belmont swimmers; senior powerhouse talent Jessie Blake-West and freshman sensation Nicole Kalavantis.

The most versatile and complete athlete seen in Division 2 in years, Blake-West stole the show with a pair of memorable victories in her final high school meet.

Blake-West’s most impressive performance was her solo swim in the 100-yard butterfly, where she was the two-time defending champion, winning in a season’s best 54.66 seconds, destroying the previous meet record by nearly two seconds and solidifying her automatic National Scholastic All-American status, the only swimmer who came close to that honor at the event.

“It’s a challenge when you’re out-in-front, and you have to race the clock and yourself rather than people next to you,” said Blake West.

“But it’s a lesson that I’ve learned throughout all my [state championship] races and I’ve definitely learned to race myself. So it was great, I definitely going for my own record from last year and I got it! I’m really happy with that,” she said.

What made Blake-West’s accomplishment even more impressive is it came less than 30 minutes after the state’s most dominant swimmer took apart a veteran field to win the 50-yard freestyle sprint in 23.85 seconds, defeating season leader Lily Gribbel of Wellesley by .40 seconds. Blake-West, who is expected to attend and swim for Brown next year, declined to defend her 200 Individual Medley title in a strategic move to allow her to have something left in the tank for a possible deciding final relay.

Championship Sunday was also the coming out party for potentially Belmont’s next great swimmer. Kalavantis took her first title in dramatic fashion, storming from behind in the final 50 yards to shot by the leader, Central Catholic’s Kylee Dion, to win by two lengths, dipping under two minutes with a 1 minute, 58.91-second mark.

“I was seeded first and I knew I was really far behind so I said, ‘I got to win this for Belmont so I kinda like sprinted and I won,” said Kalavantis.

If her first victory was close, Kalavantis’ second, the 500-yard freestyle marathon, was a runaway as the 9th grader left fellow freshman standout Molly Williams of Melrose after 100 yards and put together a command performance as she took the title in 5:17.97, just off her season’s best of 5:16.45 set last week at the North Sectionals.

“It was really exciting, I was a thrill,” said Kalavantis of her duel victories.

Belmont started the meet behind the eight-ball after the first event when Reading defeated the defending champions Marauders, 1:51.76 to 1:52.04, with seniors Emily Quinn (breaststroke) and Blake-West – both were seeking to be on the victorious relay for the third time – could not bridge the gap and provide enough of a lead to allow Belmont to take the title. Coming in second saw Belmont give up six valuable points.

In the 100 breaststroke, co-captain Quinn broke 1:10 (1:09.57) to finish third behind freshman Olivia Mozoki from Marshfield, who was the only other winner of two individual events, going along with the 200 IM. Quinn was joined by junior Dervla Moore-Frederick, who took sixth (12 points) in 1:12.17 and freshman Angela Li in 13th (4 points) in 1:14.12. Sophomore Caroline Daskalakis rounded out the field in 21st.

While giving back a bit of time from sectionals, Belmont’s swimmers took the challenge and swam with a lot of guts as they faced a steep climb against two talented teams (Reading defeated Belmont at Higgenbottom Pool last month).

Freshman Sophie Butte swam backstroke in the medley relay, scored 7 points each time finishing 10th in both the 50 and 100 yards free (25.89 and 56.78). Sophomore Julia Bozkurtian also swam on the medley relay and finished 16th in the 50 yard free.

Senior captain Sara Noorouzi and Elizabeth Levy scored in the 200 free in 13th and 14th while Moore-Frederick took 9th in the 200 IM in 2:20.80 with Li in 14th (2:24.36) in the same event. Quinn took a 13th in the butterfly (1:03.51).

Joining Kalavantis in the 500 with points were Levy in 9th (5:35.15), and Noorouzi (5:40.70) and junior Allie Beecroft (5:40.93) in 14th and 15th.

Junior Molly Thomas placed 12th in the 100-yard backstroke (1:03.90) joined by sophomore Stephanie Zhang and junior Grace Newberry in 17th and 19th.

Belmont’s freshman-laded 200-yard relay of froshs Butte, Li and Kalavantis with senior Solvay Metelmann (who also swam the 50 free) swam under its qualifying time by nearly half-a-second to claim 5th in 1:44.73.

By the final event, the 400 freestyle relay, Belmont was seeking to place its own explanation point on the night while nailing down second place. Bozkurtian led off with a stellar swim keeping up with a pair of strong swimmers from Reading and Bishop Feehan.

Levy in second held the gap to a reasonable distance in third as Kalavantis entered the pool for the fourth time having gone nearly half-a-mile in the water against two fresh swimmers.

As with her earlier races, it took some time for her to get up to speed but was able to touch off to Blake-West even with Reading and Bishop Feehan.

Swimming against 100 yard free specialists who finished third and fourth in the event, Blake-West separated from the pack early and hammered home in 3:40.84, defeating Bishop Feehan by a three-and-a-half seconds, giving her and Kalavantis their third title of the afternoon.

“I loved going out on a high note with a third win. High School season is definitely has been one of the best experiences I’ve had so I’m really excited to take these successes and take them to college and see how I’ll do with them there,” said Blake-West, just before joining the team and Crosscup for photos with the state finalist trophy.

Sports: Belmont Swimming’s Final Goal, Winning a State Championship

November 20, 2015 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Belmont High Swimming and Divings captains, (from left) Sara Noorouzi, Sarah Steward, Jessica Blake-West, Emily Quinn, readies for the state championship on Sunday at Harvard.

At the beginning of each swim season, the Belmont High Swimming and Diving’s senior captains come together to set a team goal.

Train harder, chase pool records, take home the Middlesex League title, those are the common aspirations made every year.

On Aug. 25, the four senior co-captains – Jessie Blake-West, Emily Quinn, Sarah Stewart and Sara Noorouzi – set the team’s target to a level not sought by past leaders.

Let’s win the state championship.

“We have never said, as long as I’ve been on the team, said our goal is to win states,” said Stewart on Thursday, Nov. 20, after the team was feted at the Belmont High School Athletic Awards Night.

“So for us to even vocalize that to the team and to think of that goal ourselves is huge,” said Stewart.

On Sunday morning, Nov. 22, at Harvard’s Blodgett Pool, the final step in that goal will be taken when the Marauders take to the water in the MIAA Division 2 State Championship.

“It’s what we’ve been seeking since August, and we have given ourselves that chance,” said Stewart.

Three teams will battle for the Championship: Belmont, fellow Middlesex League team Reading Memorial and two-time defending state champions Bishop Feehan. In the Shamrock’s past two victories, Belmont placed second each time.

But long-time Head Coach Ev Crosscup and the team’s expectation were peaked this past weekend at the MIAA North Sectionals where Belmont finished fourth behind Andover, Acton-Boxborough and Reading.

But it wasn’t the team’s placement that sparked all the hubbub, but the times recorded, which broke or matched season bests.

“We were asking, ‘where are these times coming from?” said Crosscup, pointing to the 200 Medley Relay. Those kids dropped four seconds,” said Crosscup.

Leading the way were freshman Nicole Kalavantis in the 200 (rated the best time coming into the meet according to the “Psych Sheet”) and 500 yard freestyle (in which she is considered the odds-on favorite to win the event), Quinn in her speciality the 100 breast where she cut four seconds from her season’s best to rank first, and senior diver Cynthia Kelsey who has registered a rare “10.0” on a dive this season.

But when you talk about the leader of the Marauders in the pool, it is Blake-West. Her 54.67-second 100-yard butterfly win at the North Sectionals earned her National Scholastic All-American honors.

“First time I’ve ever had an All-American in over 20 years,” said Crosscup. “I’ve had some real good swimmers, but no one has ever qualified for All-American automatically. Jessie’s very special,” he said.

Going into the pool for the last time for her school on Sunday, Blake-West said Thursday she’ll come to the pool “centered on my races and not get caught up in the meet.”

Blake-West, who has committed to swim at Brown next year, said she’ll be chasing the state butterfly record – 53.56 set by Andover’s Rachel Moore in 2011 – and will be seeking a new title, in the 50-yard freestyle rather than defend her 200-yard individual medley.

“That was a tactical move so that I’m fresh for the relays,” said Blake-West.

“I think I have some good times still in me,” she said.

Crosscup believes the girls have not peaked despite the big time gains at sectionals.

“We haven’t got the team fully tapered, so that’s why I think we have something left in the tank,” he said.

“But we’ll have to show up and swim become Bishop Feehan, and Reading are all within 10-15 points of each other,” he said.

But the captains’ goal of holding the state championship plaque poolside on Sunday afternoon is attainable, said Steward.

“Every day we work hard. We are in the pool and Ev pushes us and doesn’t hold back, and that’s really important,” she said.

“With all the freshmen, we’ve added to the team, and how they are swimming, we are looking really good and I am excited for Sunday,” Steward said.

For Crosscup, who has been forced to take a step back from coaching due to a serious lung illness, his team “will be in the hunt. It will be a lot of fun.”

“Even if we don’t make it, I couldn’t be prouder of this group of girls and how hard they have worked. Probably one of the strongest group of swimmers I’ve had in my career,” said Crosscup.

“I told the girls I’m going to do nothing but smile on Sunday regardless of what we do.”

Like a Butterfly: Blake-West Sets Sectional Record, Swim Team Prepares for States

November 15, 2015 By Franklin B. Tucker 1 Comment

Photo: Jessie Blake-West.

Senior star Jessie Blake-West threw down a couple of gauntlets as the Belmont High Swimming and Diving team prepares their game plan as the team put some serious times on the board finishing fourth in the MIAA North Sectional Meet held at MIT Saturday, Nov. 14.

If this weekend’s times are any indication of what the Marauders – which finished fourth with 236 points as powerhouse Andover won the meet with 474 points – are looking to do this weekend at the Div. 2 State Finals at Harvard’s Blodgett Pool, the Marauders – who placed second behind Bishop Feehan in consecutive years – will have something to say who wins.

And Saturday’s meet showed that Blake-West must be considered one of, if not the best, all-around swimmer in Massachusetts.

In her favorite race, the 100 yard butterfly, Blake-West destroyed the field taking out the race in 25.5 seconds for the first 50 yards and coming home in 54.67 seconds, smashing the meet record by a second-and-a-half and defeating her nearest challenger, Taryn Waite of Lexington, by nearly four seconds in races that are usually measured in tenths of seconds.

A few events earlier, Blake-West took home the 50-yard freestyle sprint title in 23.95 seconds, just missing the meet and state record.

If all that wasn’t impressive enough, she joined freshman Sophia Butte, sophomore Julia Bozkurtian and fellow captain and senior Emily Quinn to defend the team’s title in the 200-yard medley relay. Blake-West’s mind-blowing 24.9-second butterfly leg (the next nearest time for the same segment was nearly three seconds slower) led the team to the win in 1 minute, 51.8 seconds, beating out Reading by three-quarters if a second.

Blake-West finished the night with a 51.6-second final leg in the 400-yard relay to bring Belmont up to third in that race.

Following Blake-West in high finishes was freshman distance specialist Nicole Kalavantis, who took first in the 200, breaking two minutes with a 1:59.6, thanks to a 30.7 second last 50 yards. Kalavantis took second behind another frosh, Andover’s Victoria Amborse, in the 500 yards free, taking more than 12 seconds off her qualifying time, swimming the distance in 5:16.45.

Quinn (who also scored in the butterfly) upped her game for the meet, placing third two more Andover freshman, with a 1.09.87 in the 100-yard breast stroke final. She was joined by Dervla Moore-Federick in 8th in 1:11.4. Moore-Federick also finished 16th in the 200-yard individual medley relay.

Senior diver Cynthia Kelsey placed a solid third behind fellow seniors Michaela Sliney of Haverhill and Lexington’s Emily Zitkozsky in the one-meter springboard with 460.35 points.

Also swimming well were Elizabeth Levy and Sara Noorouzi in the 200 and 500 free, senior Solvay Metelmann in the 50 free, freshman Angela Li in the 200 IM, Butte and Bozkurtian scoring in the 50 and 100 free, Allie Beecroft in the 500 free, Molly Thomas scoring in the 100-yard backstroke which also saw sophomore Stephanie Zhang and Grace Newberry in the competition and a couple of sophomores, Caroline Daskalakis and Katerena Nalbandian in the breaststroke.

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