Belmont Girls’ Track Takes League Title, First in Nearly 40 Years

May 15, 2015 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Belmont High Girls’ Spring Track in action.

“Hotel California” and lots of disco was playing on the radio, “Star Wars” was the monster hit at the movies, TV viewers loved “Laverne & Shirley,” leisure suits were big for men and women wore high-waisted bell-bottoms and the “Farrah-flip.”

And in that same year of 1977, Belmont High’s Girls’ Spring Track came home with the league championship. And it would take nearly five decades before another Belmont team would be able to raise the trophy again.

On Tuesday, May 12, just as the final relay finished with Belmont defeating hosts Winchester, 88-48, several senior got hold of a water bucket filled with ice and doused Head Coach Melissa Glotzbecker with a celebratory dunking as the team completed the season undefeated (6-0) and atop the Middlesex League, which took 38 years to repeat.

Then, as part of a tradition with victorious girls teams, the squad cheered and yelled from Belmont Center to the school from the buses transporting them back home.

“We had no idea it was that long since the last title,” said Glotzbecker. Since no one could recall the last title, she went to the Wenner Field House to view the championship banners on the wall to finally determine how very long it had been.

“So we’re proud that we’ll be putting up another [banner] for the school to see,” the former St. Lawrence distance runner said.

Belmont was able to defeat traditionally large and strong programs such as Lexington and Reading due to this year’s squads depth, said Glotzbecker.

“We are really strong in so many events and that makes us very diverse in terms of scoring,” said Glotzbecker, noting the team has qualified multiple runners, jumpers, and field events athletes to the Div. III state championships at Durfee High School in late May, not sending participants in the shot, discus and pole vault, the last which Belmont does not compete.

“But it’s not just those who are scoring that makes up this team, everyone who worked hard this year contributed to the success of the team. We wouldn’t be this good without being pushed and supported by the entire team,” she said.

Next for the team is the Div. III relays at Burlington on Saturday, May 16, “which will be fun as it’s a true team event” before preparing for the Middlesex League meet on Tuesday, May 19, at Regis College.

Caution: Prom Crossing at Belmont High School Friday Afternoon

May 15, 2015 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Last year’s prom.

The annual Great Transformation occurs this afternoon, Friday on the ides of May.

To the surprise – if not down right shock – of most adults in town, a number of Belmont High School students, who seemingly live in sports gear, sweats, and shorts no matter the weather or temperature, are altered in a Kafka-esque refiguring into sparkling figures of high fashion (tuxes and gowns of all lengths and colors with the occasional sari and kilts thrown in) and – hopefully – good taste.

Yes, it’s prom night in Belmont.

What is becoming a great annual community event will begin at approximately 4 p.m. as the students attending this year’s Belmont High School Senior/Junior Prom begin lining up for the Promenade, in which those high schoolers are “presented” before a frenzy of fawning parents, siblings, friends and the public in the Belmont High School auditorium.

The students will then head into the cafeteria (for the “once over” by school officials) before boarding buses to take them to some ritzy hotel for a night of dancing and having fun.

For seniors, it is the last full day of school in the Belmont school district.

By Saturday morning, the young men and women will revert to their normal state.

Belmont Selected 200th Best High School in 2015 USN&WR Rankings

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

Photo: Belmont High School ranked “Best” High School by USN&WR.

The grades are in for this year and Belmont High School, once again, is receiving a gold star.

For the sixth-year running, Belmont High has been named by US News & World Report as one of the best high schools in the country, according to the latest edition of the annual review of schools across the country.

This year, the 9th-12th grade school is ranked 200 out of 21,000 public schools surveyed by the magazine, earning a “gold” medal based on students performance on state assessment tests and how well the students are prepared for college.

(Here is the full methodology on ranking schools.)

According to the ranking, seven out of ten students takes at least one Advanced Placement course while attending Belmont High, with nearly all the pupils proficient or advanced in English and math. The school does lag behind nearly 80 percent of Massachusetts high schools in terms of student/teacher ratio at 16 to 1.

When looking at schools with “open enrollment” – in which all residents are accepted – Belmont is the second-highest ranked high school in Massachusetts, trailing only Lexington High School (194th nationally).

Taking out charter, magnet, test, academic achievement and other schools which limit admissions, Belmont is one of the few “regular” high school that can claim a top 250 ranking in this year’s report.

Belmont outpaces some of the test schools as the Concord Avenue school achieved a 103rd ranking for top schools in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education.

Last year, the organization ranked Belmont 151st among all high schools nationally and third state-wide. In 2009, Belmont High was named the 100th best US public high school.

Belmont Mother’s Day Flower Sale Begins Friday Afternoon

May 8, 2015 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Mother’s Day flowers on sale this weekend.

The Friends of Belmont Softball will be hosting their annual Mother’s Day Flower Sale at the Belmont Lions Club at the foot of the MBTA Commuter Rail station just off Common Street in Belmont Center.

Come by to purchase some beautiful flowers and support the Belmont High School varsity and junior varsity teams.

The flowers will be on sale starting today,

Friday, May 9 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.,
Saturday, May 10 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and
Sunday, May 11, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Belmont Rugby Ends Regular Season with Overwhelming Win, Playoffs Next

May 7, 2015 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Belmont High School Rugby.

Despite the loss of captain senior scrum back Darren Chan, Belmont High School Rugby Club dominated a good Xaverian Brothers High School squad, 34-7, in the final regular season match held at Belmont’s Harris Field on Wednesday, May 6.

Read the game recap here.

The team finishes the season with five wins against a single loss to Boston College High School.

The victory gives Head Coach Greg Bruce’s squad an expected second seed in the Massachusetts Youth Rugby Organization High School championships and a bye for the first round.

Belmont tentatively will host a semi-final match at Harris Field on Tuesday, May 19.

If successful in the semi-finals, Belmont will reach its third consecutive championship game which takes place on Saturday, May 23 at Commerce Bank Field at Foley Stadium in Worcester.

Late-Inning Heroics (Again) Gives Belmont High Baseball Another Win

May 5, 2015 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Nick Call about to celebrate his game winning single against Wakefield.

“I’m too old for this,” said Belmont High School Head Baseball Coach Jim Brown.

After seeing the team blow a two-run lead in the top of the 7th inning against Wakefield, Brown was standing in the third base coaching box watching the Marauders load the bases on a walk and two infield singles in the bottom of the inning.

And with the count full with two outs, left fielder Nick Call (2 for 3, 2 RBIs) beat out yet another infield hit to bring home nine-hitting Matt Kerans to give Belmont a 3-2 win over Wakefield (7-3) on Monday, May 4, at Brendan Grant Field, for its seventh win in 11 contests this season.

Belmont is making a “habit” of waiting until the late innings or into extra frames to pull out (or in come cases lose) games this season, said Brown.

And Monday was no exception as Belmont worked hard behind ace junior pitcher Cole Bartels to carry a 2-0 lead into the 7th with single runs in the 4th and 6th.

First base Robbie Montanaro laced a no-out double and came home on an error after DH’s Noah Riley‘s single for the first run, while the second run came courtesy of some good hustle from catcher Cal Christofori (2 for 3 including two singles and an intentional walk) who singled, stole second and came home on Call’s first single of the game.

Unlike previous games, Belmont was able to get on base but couldn’t push across a run early. They left the bases loaded in the first and outstanding freshman third base Kevin Dacey continues to impress at the plate when he ripped an extra-base hit down the right field line only to be caught trying for a triple in the bottom of the second.

Bartels was cruising along throwing 10 strike outs including striking out Wakefield’s 3-4-5 batters in the 4th. And his defense got him out of jams such as when Christofori cut down a Wakefield runner attempting to steal second with two outs and a man on third in the 2nd inning.

But Bartels nearly lost it all in the top half of the 7th, hitting a batter, allowing a long double and an infield hit loaded the bases. Two consecutive singles brought in the first and tying runs before he settled down to retire the side on two pop ups and his tenth K.

Kerans started the rally with an in-between shot that the Wakefield third baseman could not get over to first quick enough to beat the speedy outfielder. With two outs, Bartels helped his own cause with a squibbed hit to put men on first and second. Rather than face Christofori, he was given a free pass to load the bases so Wakefield’s pitcher would face Call. That turned out to bite the visitors as a long throw pulled the Wakefield first baseman off the bag, allowing Call to reach and Kerans to score.

Just another game in Belmont.

This Week: Town Meeting Starts Monday, Annual Pops Concert Friday and Saturday

May 4, 2015 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Town Meeting in Belmont.

This week begins the annual Town Meeting starting at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 4, at the Belmont High School auditorium. Expect a second night on Wednesday, May 6, at 7 p.m. at the same place.

Other governmental business “This Week” include:

The Belmont Board of Selectmen will meet before Town Meeting at 5:30 p.m., Monday, May 4, in the Main Office’s conference room of Belmont High School to vote on its support (or lack thereof) of the Warrant articles and the fiscal year 2016 budget.
The Planning Board will meet on Tuesday, May 5, at 7 p.m. in Belmont Town Hall is hear some special permit requests and other actions.
The Underwood Pool Building Committee will be meeting on Thursday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Belmont Town Hall.

• Music & Movement with Rubi is all about moving to songs; recommended for ages 3 to 5 but 2 year olds are welcome. There will be two sessions, at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 4, in the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room.

• Tuesday is story time at both of Belmont libraries.

Pre-School Story Time at the Benton Library, Belmont’s independent and volunteer run library, at 10:30 a.m. Stories and crafts for children age 3 to 5. Parents or caregivers must attend. Siblings may attend with adults. Registration is not required. The Benton Library is located at the intersection of Oakley and Old Middlesex.
The Belmont Public Library on Concord Avenue will be holding two sessions of Story Time for 2’s and 3’s, at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

• Registration for Smart 911, Belmont’s new enhanced emergency call system in which residents can supply dispatchers with information on their medications and medical conditions, will take place at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St, from 11 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, May 5.

• Kathy Devine of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs will speak about the state’s Prescription Advantage on Tuesday, May 5, at 1:15 p.m. at the Beech Street Center.

• An Indian dinner, courtesy of The Friends of the Indian Seniors and catered by Arlington’s Punjab restaurant, will be served on Tuesday, May 5, at 5 p.m. at the Beech Street Center, 266 Beech St. There is a $4 cover at the door, but you must reserve a place by calling 617-993-2970. Limited to 50.

• Papercrafting for Adults; a Mother’s Day Floral Commemorative will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room. All supplies included. For more information, including registering, either call 617-993-2870 or link here.

• On early release Wednesday, May 6, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., Chenery Middle School student can stop by the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room, work on your homework, enjoy some lemonade and cookies, and try out an activity. This is for middleschoolers only, so high school students can do something else. The activity is funded by the Friends of the Belmont Public Library. Just drop in, no registration required.

• The Friends of the Belmont Public Library will be meeting on Thursday, May 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Belmont Public Library’s Assembly Room.

• The LEGO Club for kindergarteners through second graders is back on Thursday, May 7, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Assembly Room of the Belmont Public Library. Drop in anytime. Members will be creating their own unique LEGO structures. All LEGOs will be provided. Just bring your imagination!

• Belmont High School Performing Arts Company presents Improv! on Thursday, May 7, at 7 p.m. in the Little Theater of Belmont High School. $5 for adults. It’s the spring Long Form Show in which actors will develop an on-the-spot, original series of scenes, complete with recurring characters, thematic development and possibly even improvised musical numbers.

• Belmont Girl Scouts leaders meeting will take place on Thursday, May 7, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Flett Room of the Belmont Public Library.

• The Senior Book Discussion Group will meet on Friday, May 8, at 11 a.m. at the Beech Street Center as the group will continue its discussion of War and Peace (Part 8 through the end of the book).

• Powers Music School faculty members will present the music of the “Great American Songbook” canon, including Jerome Kern, Richard Rogers, Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael, and more on Friday, May 8, from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. at the Beech Street Center.

• Parents of Music Students hosts the annual Belmont High School Pops Concert, an evening of light concert music, performed by the school’s Symphonic Band, Concert Chorale, Jazz Choir and Jazz Collective on Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria.

Belmont Girls’ Lacrosse Takes Two at Home After Spring Recess

May 2, 2015 By Franklin B. Tucker Leave a Comment

Photo: Belmont High Senior Sophia Eisenbach-Smith (center in white) in action.

Behind a goal-scoring binge from speedy senior Left Wing Attack Sophia Eisenbach-Smith, the Belmont High School Girls’ Lacrosse team took two well-earned victories at its home at Harris Field to move its record to 3-5.

The multi-sport (soccer and basketball) standout Eisenbach-Smith tallied 14 goals in the two games, leading Belmont by Wilmington High, 15-8, on Wednesday, April 29, and over Burlington High Red Devils, 19-12, on Friday, May 1.

Friday’s victory over the visiting Red Devils was the team’s best game of the season, said Belmont’s Head Coach Aimee Doherty.

“We played very well beginning to end. The girls showed a lot of heart which I have been nagging them about. They stepped it up with the ground balls. And while we had some turnovers, we got a lot of them back by fighting for it so that made a huge difference,” she said.

After falling behind 2-4 midway through the first half, the Marauders went on a 6 to 2 goal run to go into halftime up 8-6, as junior attack Lizzy Frick (3 goals) scored on a penalty with a minute remaining.

The second half has been a worrisome time for the Marauders this season when Belmont, but not this game as despite not having a great deal of possession in the first 10 minutes. Up 10-9, the Marauders started connecting on its passing, freeing up attackers for some open shots and goals starting with junior Sophia Pollack (3 goals) to make it 11-9 at the 12 minute mark.

And when the passes weren’t there, sophomore Annemarie Habelow ran 40 meters up the middle of the defenders to score giving Belmont a 12-9 lead with 10 minutes remaining.

Preserving the lead were sophomore goalie Anastasia MacEwen – who made several in-close saves – and defenders juniors Bridget Treanor, Leah Bram and sophomore Margot Kubasek who crowded the slot in front of MacEwen.

Up 14-10 (through goals by Eisenbach-Smith and Kerri Lynch), with eight minutes remaining, Belmont swept up the victory with a great display of passes that put Belmont’s forwards, like Ellen Bragg (2 goals) one-on-one with the Burlington goalie. Fittingly, Belmont’s final goal was scored with 30 seconds remaining by Eisenbach-Smith, her eighth of the match.

“Our passing was excellent today. Accuracy is something we’ve been working on for the last couple of weeks and I think we nailed it today. Those passes were dead on,” said Doherty.

Next up for the girls are Winchester on Saturday, May 2 (after the SAT tests) and Monday, May 4 at arch-rival Watertown.

Snakebit: Belmont Girls’ Lacrosse Finds it Hard to Reach Win Column

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

Photo: Belmont High School Girls’ Lacrosse

Belmont High School Girls’ Lacrosse Head Coach Aimee Doherty knows her team is just that one … something so it can begin being on the right side of the win/loss column.

But every time it appears that the team has come close to solving the issues at hand, the team ends up looking at another defeat.

It’s not like the Marauders are being skunked in each game. In the three previous games before its game against Newton North Saturday, April 25, Belmont was in the game until the final horn blast, before falling to Lexington (19-16), Reading (15-11) and Arlington (13-12).

“Overall, we’ve been playing really hard and really well,” said Doherty, whose team has seven seniors and eight juniors. “But in the last two games, we’ve been missing half of our team which five are starters so that’s had a huge impact on our play.”

On Saturday, the Marauders could have used as much fire power against a talented Div. 1 squad, ending up on the short side of a 16-5 loss.

Key players this year have been seniors Sophia Eschenbach-Smith and Elena Bragg along with juniors AnnMarie Habelow (2 goals Saturday), Katherine McCarthy (also 2 goals) and Kerri Lynch.

“The three biggest things we need to focus on which will help turn our game around are getting possession of ground balls, winning the draws (which occurs after every score) which is really hurting us and placing our shots. We are shooting at the right time but not hitting the right spots on goal,” said Doherty.

Belmont Softball Finds the Going Tough Against Established Teams

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

Photo: Junior third base Lia Muckjian.

After a quick start to the season, the Belmont High School Softball team took on the crucible of playing the better established softball programs in the Middlesex League which, it turned out, was a bit more than this young team was able to handle.

But unlike past years, the Marauder were competitive in each of most of the games during its four-game losing streak, including a 3-2 loss to non-league visitor, Cambridge Rindge and Latin, on a cold and breezy Thursday morning, April 23.

Belmont started off quickly with junior right fielder and lead off hitter Ani Hackett coming home with the game’s first run on junior shortstop Julia Rifkin‘s ground out.

Freshman pitching standout Christine MacLeod cruised through the CRLS Div. 1 squad in the first three innings, facing the minimum nine batters. But a two-out single in the fourth scored a pair for the Falcons in the top of the fourth to put them out ahead 2-1.

On the Belmont side of the plate, despite singles by MacLeod, junior catcher Meghan Ferraro and second base Katrina Ruzzuto, the Marauders came up empty getting those players around to score.

In the bottom of the fifth, consecutive singles by junior third base Lia Muckjian, senior captain and first baseman Lauren Noonan and MacLeod brought in Belmont’s second run as Muckjian scored. But what appeared to be Belmont’s third run when Kate Lester, running for Noonan, seemingly beat out a wild pitch was taken back as she was called out by the umpire. (see photo here)