Belmont High Girls Swimming/Diving Crowned North Sectional Champs; First Title In Program History

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Photo: Champions! Belmont High Swimming and Diving won the 2026 MIAA Swimming and Diving Fall North Sectionals at Boston University

The championship for the MIAA Swimming and Diving North Sectionals came down to the final race of the meet: the 4×400 free relay. Double points in the race to take the crown.

After having a fast start in the meet’s first two events – putting four in the top 16 in the 200 Free – Belmont was soon regulated to battling for fifth and fourth midway through the event taking place at Boston University on Sunday, Nov. 8. But as the meet announcer observed “Belmont has been chipping away all night long,” finally overtaking the co-favorites Andover and Acton Boxborough with a slew of points from its strong diving contigent.

“We just tried to hang on as best we could through the first half of the events,” said Maria ‘Lulu’ Emmons, Belmont High’s Head Swimming Coach. “After that, it’s at the 500 Free where we take off. Our back five [events], our distance swimmers, our backstrokers, breaststroke and relays has traditionally always been our strongest point.”

In the minutes before the start, Emmons and her assistants where huddled together, going over the all scenarios that would allow the Marauders to come home with its first-ever trophy. A program that Emmons said was viewed as “a good middle of the pack squad,” would now rely on the four swimmer in lane three to bring it home: Lead off Kare Tao, Summing Chan, Kiona Yano with anchor Linda Wang responsible with the final two laps.

“Just be near the front,” said Emmons as the race begin. Tao’s 58.7 seconds first leg was followed by Yano who swam a few tens of a second quicker. Chan threw in a 57.5 to Wang who came off the blocks in fourth with Acton Boxborough a half a lenght in front of Andover with Haverhall in third with a second and a half lead over Belmont.

Belmont’s Linda Wang coming home fourth in the 4×400 relay

But the swimmer of the meet Andover’s Olivia Landers’ final surge threw a wrench in Emmons calculations as the senior overtook AB’s Lucy Tyrrell in the final ten meters to take maximum points, not what Belmont wanted to see. All eyes were now on Wang who kept a solid hold on fourth keeping Chelmsford’s anchor at bay as she reached the wall in 3 minutes, 50.96 seconds. But was it enough?

After many agonizing minutes, the top eight teams were announced. After Acton Boxborough was proclaimed third with 253 points, the announcer asked the coaches and captains from Andover to pick up their runners up trophy. The reaction was one of relief and smiles as Belmont outlasted Andover by a mere six points – 266 to 260 – to win the program’s first girls’ North Sectional.

“It is everything I’ve worked for,” said Emmons, after she and her coaches took the traditional plunge into the pool. “I’ve been with this team for nine years, and we’ve always good, but this year every single class, from the freshmen to the seniors, has been so strong and solid for us.”

The victory is Belmont’s first in either the sectionals and state championships: Belmont finished runners up in the Division 2 state championships a frustrating six times, to Bishop Feehan (2013-2015) and behind Acton Boxborough (1984-1986). Due to a format change, MIAA is reverting this season back to a single state championship, doing away with divisional state crowns.

Coaches and captains

Belmont came into this season having grabbed fourth in last year’s Sectional after which it finishing third in Division 2 States, just 17 points behind champion Wellesley High. After an impressive 7-1 dual meet season (only losing to Acton Boxborough), Belmont captured its fourth consecutive Middlesex League title at Bentley a week previously.

For most of the meet, Belmont was running under the radar with the other favorites having the outstanding individual performers. Second-place Andover won the three relays with individual first place in the 200 IM with Emi Hukkanen and Olivia Landers taking first in the 100 and 200 Free while anchoring the medely and 400. Belmont’s best individual finishers were three third place finishes by Wang (200 Free), Charlotte Wu, (500 Free), and 1-meter diver Maggie Han.

But where the Marauders had an edge was producing their best at the right time, with half of the swimmers setting at least one personal best in the BU Pool. And it wasn’t only high placing swimmers who contributed to the victory. Aislinn Reynold finishing 11th in the 100 Fly with a PB, grabbing six valuable points that kept adding up all night. And it was six points that was the margin of Belmont’s victory.

Where the Marauders had the upper hand was with its impressive depth with four swimmers producing 20 or more points, with Wang (29), Wu (28), Tao (21), and Chan (21) collecting 99 points on the night. But it was a slew of teammates down in the scoring sheet who kept the points coming in. For example, Reina Yano set personal bests in the Free sprints (50 and 100) to pick up seven important points.

And then there were Belmont’s not so secret weapon: its crew of divers who contributed 40 points, similiar to winning a relay, with Han (16 points), Elyse Hendriks (11 points), Ceclia Held (7 points), and Delilah Roy (6 points) demonstrating just how essential it is being a diversified team.

With a single state title up for grabs, Belmont will be facing South Sectional champions Framingham (347.5 points) which swept aside Wellesley (297) and Brookline (272) as well as Andover and Acton Boxborogh. The meet takes place on Sunday, Nov. 15 at MIT.

“It’s going to be a battle, but I think we can we can be competitive next weekend,” said Emmons. “I’m looking forward to be going up against Framingham and Wellesley, of course. So I’m excited to see kind of how it all shakes out, but I think we can definitely be competitive.”

Sun, Sand, and Shakespeare: Performing Arts Company Presents ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ On The Beach Nov. 12 – 14

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Photo: Sand, sun and Shakespeare

It’s Shakespeare on the sand as the Belmont High School Performing Arts Company’s production of Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ gets a beach-themed update in this high-spirited and vibrant adaptation. 

Performances are Thursday, Friday & Saturday, November 12, 13 & 14 at 7 p.m. in the BHS Black Box.

TICKET INFO: ADULTS: $12, CHILDREN: $7, BHS STUDENTS/STAFF: $5 all performances.

Tickets are on sale here. Advance purchase recommended.

When a group of lifeguards arrive in Messina, it sets off a series of romantic entanglements: a budding romance between Claudio and Hero is threatened by rumor, jealousy and betrayal. Meanwhile Benedick and Beatrice’s long-standing rivalry is upended when the other characters conspire to turn their disdain into love. An upbeat soundtrack, colorful scenery and costumes and energetic staging make this production fun for audiences of all ages.

The BHS PAC updated staging of MAAN follows similiar modern settings of the circa-1598 play including a confetti-filled production set to ’90s house music with metallic jumpsuits that is currently at the Winter Garden Theater on Broadway, and a fan-favorite 2011 West End production with David Tennant as Benedick and Catherine Tate as Beatrice set in sunny 1980s Gibraltar with crisp navy uniforms and disco music.

BHS Students/Staff can get tickets in school during lunch the week of the show
IF TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT, FILL OUT THE WAIT LIST FORM. THERE ARE USUALLY SEATS FOR AT LEAST 10-15 PEOPLE FROM THE WAIT LIST.

Belmont High Boys’, Girls’ Soccer Will Need To Pass Through Winchester For A Div. 1 Tournament Run

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Photo: The playoffs are here and Belmont’s teams will have to go through Winchester to advance

Belmont High’s Girls’ and Boys’ soccer teams Division 1 tournament travels will almost certainly require a six miles trip along the Mystic Valley Parkway as both Marauder squads are scheduled to meet a very familiar foe in Winchester High.

Dates and times are still to be announced.

The Marauder Girls’ – 11th in D1 power rankings – will need to dispatch 22nd-ranked Newton North at Harris Field in the opening round before taking the short trip to McCall Middle School to meet Middlesex Liberty League rival the 6th-ranked Red and Black (13-4-1).

If both teams move on from their Round of 32 games – the Rossoneri will meet another Middlesex Liberty opponent in Woburn – the match will be the second encounter this season, with Winchester defeating Belmont, 2-1, on Oct. 14.

And if the Belmont Girls’ can beat back the Red and Black, there is a great likelihood the team will be traveling to Attleboro for a rematch with 3rd-seed Bishop Feehan (14-0-4), the team that ended Belmont’s six game undefeated start to the season with a tight 1-0 win.

The 17th-ranked Belmont Boys’ will start its playoff run against the 16-seed Red and Black in the Round of 32. Belmont lost to Winchester, 2-1, in the regular season.

And with an upset of Winchester, Belmont will likely have a second game against Cambridge Rindge & Latin, the number-1 seed (11-1-3) in Division 1. The game will take place at Danehy Field, located on Route 16 in Cambridge, behind the Fresh Pond Shopping Center. The Falcon’s upended the Marauders, 3-0, on Oct. 17.

Six Of Ten Belmont Registered Voters Cast Ballots In 2026 General Election

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Photo: Thanks to Belmont’s Town Clerks and volunteers this election cycle.

Six of 10 Belmont registered voters, a total of 11,512 residents, took the time to cast a ballot in the 2026 Massachusetts General Election held Tuesday, Nov. 3. And according to Belmont Town Clerk Ellen Cushman, nearly a quarter of votes – approximately 5,106 – were submitted before Tuesday, either as early in-person or mail-in ballots.

Cushman noted that in Belmont, it is the legion of volunteers who processed pre-election day ballots – filing, bundling, running the early voting site, checking signatures – who are the hidden heroes.

“We have a lot of great election workers that we have to bring in to help us handle these ballots,” said Cushman. Just in the week before the election, staff and volunteers tallied 394 total hours “to make it all work.”

“Belmont has to congradulate its volunteers because if you didn’t have them, you’d be running this a very different, and I believe not even close to the way residents would want it run,” said Cushman.

At least one group did show its appreciation for the Clerk’s Office: Belmont Serves presented an oversized handmade “thank you” card to the staff and volunteers.

Belmont voters mirrored the state-wide trends up and down the ballot as Belmontians by overwhelming numbers threw their support behind the Democratic Party candidates for state and legislative offices, including Gov. Maura Healy, State Sen. Will Brownsberger, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, and State Rep. Dave Rogers.

See the unofficial election results at the Town Clerk’s website.

Belmont resident and Republican nominee for State Treasurer Elizabeth Dionne was near the top of the GOP candidates in vote percentage statewide, garnering 34.2 percent in her race against incumbent Democratic Deb Goldberg. In Belmont, the former Select Board chair picked up 3,556 votes, about 32.3 percent of the ballots tallied. In her home precinct 2, that percentage increased to 45 percent supporting Dionne.

Town voters also mostly followed state trends with regard to the nine ballot questions. The question Belmontians differed, but only slightly, was Question 7, reducing minimum lot sizes for single-family homes that advocates said would help first-time homebuyers access starter homes. While Belmont voters approved the measure 57 percent to 43 percent, statewide the question was defeated by a hair-breath, 50.6 percent to 49.4 percent.

In the other high profile question, Belmont voters joined their state-wide brethren in overwhelmingly rejecting by a 75 percent to 25 percent margin Question 8, that would repeal Massachusetts decade-long sale of recreational marijuana.

After Historic Season, 3rd Rank Belmont High Field Hockey Begins Postseason Against Lowell Thursday at Harris

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Photo: Your 2026 Middlesex Liberty League champions.

After completing a historic regular season, Belmont High Field Hockey begins its tournament run against Lowell High at Harris Field on Thursday, Nov. 5.

Third in the final Division 1 power rankings, the Marauders finished the season at 16-1-1, a program best record 33 points surpassing 2016’s 32 points (16-2). With its victory over Reading, Belmont secured its second Middlesex Liberty League crown in the past three years.

The Marauders will host Lowell, co-champions of the Merrimack Valley Small Division (13-3-2), which has a power ranking of 30th.

The match takes place on Thursday, at 4:30 p.m.

Belmont finished the season’s final fortnight with impressive victories as well as suffering its only loss of the season in a return fixture against Watertown. After defeating the Raiders in the season opener, 2-1, Watertown’s Kaylee Master seeing-eye fourth quarter goal sinked the Marauders undefeated season.

Despite the Watertown loss, Belmont showed its season-long mettle with victories over Reading (4-0), Division 2 Newburyport (4-0), and a 1-0 shutout of Dover-Sherborn, the third-ranked team in Division 3, to finish the season with a signature win against a likely D3 state semifinalist.

Get Out And Vote: Massachusetts General Election Is Tuesday; Polls Open Until 8 PM

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Photo: Get your sticker today

Get out and vote!

The Massachusetts General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 3 with voters ready to make their selection on nine ballot questions – ranging from ending party primaries with a “jungle” primary and making recreational marijuana sales illegal (again) – and of the candidates for a wide array of offices including state-wide posts, Congressional seats, state legislators and county positions.

Three Belmont residents are on the ballot: William Brownsberger is running to retain his seat in the State Senate, Marian Ryan seeking re-election as Middlesex District Attorney, and Elizabeth Dionne, who is running to replace three-term incumbent Deb Goldberg as State Treasurer. While a long shot, Dionne has garnered the endorsement of both of Boston’s daily newspapers, a rare double for a Republican on the ballot.

Election Day Voting:

Hours: 

  • Polling locations are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Polling Places:

  • Precinct 1; Belmont Memorial Library, 336 Concord Ave.
  • Precinct 2: Belmont Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room, 455 Concord Ave.
  • Precinct 3: Beech Street Center (Senior Center), 266 Beech St.
  • Precinct 4: Daniel Butler School, 90 White St.
  • Precinct 5: Beech Street Center (Senior Center), 266 Beech St.
  • Precinct 6: Belmont Fire Headquarters, 299 Trapelo Rd.
  • Precinct 7: Burbank School Gym, 266 School St.
  • Precinct 8: Winn Brook School Gym, 97 Waterhouse Rd (Enter at Cross St)

Vote-by-Mail Ballots:

It’s never too late to vote, as long as it takes place on Tuesday! Options for returning your mail-in ballot include:

  • Drop Box: Place in the secure, green Town Clerk drop box (located in the Town Hall driveway at the base of the stairs) by 8 p.m,. on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
  • By Mail: Must be postmarked on or before Nov. 3 and arrive at the Town Clerk’s office by Nov. 6.

If you are wondering if you are a registered voter and your voting precinct, go to the Town Clerk’s web page or phone the Town Clerk’s office at 617-993-2600.

Election results for town wide and Town Meeting races will be announced at Belmont Town Hall after the polls close and on the Town Clerk’s website early Wednesday morning.

Belmont Resident Scores Big Endorsement In Her Race For State Treasurer

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Photo: Belmont’s Elizabeth Dionne, Republican candidate for Massachusetts State Treasurer

Consider this Elizabeth Dionne’s “October surprise.”

On Tuesday, Oct. 27, the Republican Belmont resident picked up the endorsment of the editorial board of the Boston Globe, Massachusetts’ largest and most prominate media outlet, in her race to unseat Democrat Deb Goldberg for Massachusetts State Treasurer.

“After 12 years, it’s time for a new set of eyes” said the subhead to the Globe’s headline.

“Running as a Republican for statewide office in Massachusetts is an uphill battle. But Dionne is a common-sense moderate seeking to improve the functioning of state government. Voters should give her a chance,” noted the editorial board.

The coveted recommendation is especially noteworthy as it marks the first time in the paper’s history it backed a Republican challenger against a statewide Democratic incumbent. The Globe has supported other Republicans in statewide races including a dozen years ago when it endorsed Charlie Baker for Governor and Patricia Saint Aubin for State Auditor.

“We’re honored the Globe has placed its trust in our campaign,” Dionne – who served one term on the Belmont Select Board and a decade on Town Meeting – said in a press release. “This endorsement confirms that the issues we’ve raised throughout the race are legitimate and deserve attention.”

While saying Goldberg had ably managed the office for 12 years, the Globe pointed to her controversal “handling of a controversy at the Cannabis Control Commission” has raised questions of her judgement and leadership from both sides of the legislative aisle.

“Goldberg’s long tenure is not, in itself, a reason to reject her. But when there is a well-qualified opponent, and managerial missteps that raise concerns about the incumbent’s judgment, it’s reasonable to give weight to the value of fresh eyes,” the endorsement read.

“Dionne would offer a chance to review entrenched practices in areas ranging from how the state returns unclaimed property [to the tune of $450 million] to how the school building authority distributes money,” according to the board.

“To an office tasked with fiscal oversight, Dionne would bring a commitment to fiscal responsibility, pledging to audit the office, seek spending efficiencies, and bring more workers back in person from their current hybrid schedule.”

The candidates will hold their only face-to-face debate on WBZ-TV, to be broadcast on Sunday, Nov. 1.

Early Voting in Belmont Starts Saturday, Oct. 17 At Town Hall

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Photo: Early voting starts Saturday

Really looking to cast your vote in this mid-term election? Well, you don’t have to fight traffic to rush home on a Tuesday evening to stand in line to insert your ballot in the counting machine when you can vote without the anxiety or lost time.

Two weeks of in-person early voting in Belmont for the November general election begins on Saturday, Oct. 17. You don’t need an excuse to cast an early ballot.

Early voting will take place in the auditorium at Belmont Town Hall, located at 455 Concord Ave. Parking will be reserved for early voters in the main parking lot.

The 2026 State Election takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Days and Times for Early Voting in Belmont

First Week

  • Saturday, Oct. 17       10 AM to 4 PM
  • Sunday, Oct. 18          Closed, no early voting
  • Monday, Oct. 19         8 AM to 7 PM
  • Tuesday, Oct. 20         8 AM to 4 PM
  • Wednesday, Oct. 21   8 AM to 4 PM
  • Thursday, Oct. 22       8 AM to 4 PM
  • Friday, Oct. 23            8 AM to Noon

Second Week

  • Saturday, Oct. 24       10 AM to 4 PM
  • Sunday, Oct. 25          Closed, no early voting
  • Monday, Oct. 26         8 AM to 7 PM
  • Tuesday, Oct. 27         8 AM to 4 PM
  • Wednesday, Oct. 28   8 AM to 4 PM
  • Thursday, Oct. 29       8 AM to 4 PM
  • Friday, Oct. 30            8 AM to Noon

Contact the Town Clerk’s office if you have any questions.

Email: voting@belmont-ma.gov or phone: 617-993-2603

Broadway Night Opens Belmont High Performing Arts Company’s 2026 Season

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Photo: Broadway Night is “a mix of humor, heart, romance, and high-energy fun.”

The Belmont High School’s Performing Arts Company opens its 2025-26 season with its annual Broadway Night: a musical theater cabaret performed by students on Friday, Oct. 16 and Saturday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m. in the Belmont Middle and High School Auditorium

Featuring songs from contemporary and classic musicals and showcasing the talent of dozens of performers, the show is a fun evening of singing, acting and dance for all ages. Each year the show features more than 20 solo, duet and group songs, with a mix of humor, heart, romance, and high-energy fun. The performance includes a dance number and student-directed group numbers.

According to Ezra Flam, producer/director of the Performing Arts Company, Broadway Night represents “the core mission of the PAC, with an emphasis on showcasing student work. The performers have selected, staged and rehearsed the songs almost entirely on their own, with just a small amount of guidance from Lifson. In addition, the lighting design is done entirely by students, and the show ends with a finale song featuring the whole company.”

TICKETS: $5 Students, $12 Adults

Get your tickets here

Advance Ticket Purchase online recommended as performances traditionally sell-out.
Some tickets will be available at the theater 30 minutes before each performance.
For students, tickets will be on sale at school near the cafeteria during lunch the week of the show.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Is Monday, Oct. 12: What’s Open/Closed In Belmont

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Photo: Indigenous Peoples’ Day is Monday, Oct. 12

Indigenous Peoples’ Day, celebrated annually on the second Monday of October – this year Oct. 12 – is a federal holiday observed by the Town of Belmont to celebrate Native American peoples and commemorate their histories and cultures.

Curb side trash and recycling pickup will be delayed by one day due to the holiday.

What’s Closed:

  • Belmont Town offices, Belmont Public Library, and Belmont Light are closed.
  • The US Postal Service will not deliver mail, and post offices are closed.
  • Most banks, although branches will be open in some supermarkets.

What’s Opened:

  • Retail stores
  • Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts
  • Supermarkets and convenience stores
  • Establishments that sell beer and wine are also allowed to be open.

MBTA: Holidays such as Juneteenth, Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day, and Veterans Day do not have modified schedules; all services will operate on a regular schedule on these days.