Unsung Heroes Fall Sports Teams

November 20, 2016

The coaches of each of the fall sports teams have chosen unsung heroes, those athletes who have given of themselves to the good of the team without grabbing headlines. These athletes are instrumental in the success of the team due to their quiet contributions for the good of the team.

John MacDonald and Tim Kane: Football Unsung Heroes.

Football:  Coach Brian Kelliher says,

“John Macdonald and Tim Kane are our Unsung Heroes.  They are both linemen which in and of itself is an unsung position, but both also play the defensive line and due to some injuries that we have sustained both of them are playing the entire game.  They both work extremely hard in practice and both are team leaders.”

Jessie Lutts: Volleyball Unsung Hero

Volleyball: Coach Emily Adams says, “My unsung hero of the 2016 volleyball season goes to senior Jessie Lutts. She was put into the libero position for the first time and has succeeded without much applause. The libero position is essential to the team’s success but can be instrumental in a team’s failure. Jessie touches almost as many balls as the setter, and her touches are a quality pass to the setter each time. Jessie’s defense is a key factor to our offense. She is able to read most hitters and dig their attacks to set up the first pass to our setter. Like a goalie in soccer, Jessie’s role as the libero is predominately a defensive role and she rarely has the chance to score. But in volleyball scoring isn’t the only thing you need- you also need a libero like Jessie to be able to take charge on defense. She plays in the back row for our middle hitters and is digging almost every attack against us. Her efforts are sometimes overlooked because she isn’t changing the score on the board.”

 

Jonathan Alvarenga: Boys Soccer Unsung Hero

Boys Soccer : Coach Dan Kimball says, “[Jonathan] Alvarenga really changes the complexion of the team as he is able to defend, make runs, and really do anything on the field.”  Senior captain Jake Crawford called “Fes” the “anchor of the backline” and also said  “without him back on defense we would be a much weaker team.”  Junior Matt McGaffigan also weighed in on his coach’s choice of unsung hero. McGaffigan said, “He does his job every day and helps anchor a great defense”.

Meghan Dion: Girls Soccer Unsung Hero

 

Girls Soccer: Coach Rizzotti says, “Meghan Dion can play any position I put her in and excel at it.” In the beginning of the season, Dion played center mid with Meaghan McDonough, Brooke Jones, and Taylor Mcsweeney. Then moved to center back with Emily Beatrice, Nicole Blonde, and Jenna Burns. As of now, she plays as a holding midfield/stopper and has dominated every position.

 

Cross Country Unsung Hero: Vivien Nguyen

Cross Country: Coach Patrick Finn says, “Vivian Nguyen. She is one of our seniors and she hasn’t been able to run this year due to injury, but she has been the team manager and has made my job and Murph’s job so much easier and she’s also very good at motivating the kids in a way that I’m not able to.

Miresse Wilson: Boys Cross Country Unsung Hero

 

Cross Country: Coach Patrick Finn says, “Mireese Wilson. He is a fantastic person in general and this is his first time doing cross country and although he may not always do well or do the best on the team he doesn’t quit, he gets through it and does it even if its hard.”

Brett Schneider: Golf Unsung Hero

 

Golf: Coach Brian Smith says, “Brett has a lot of fun playing golf. He keeps it light, but also works hard, and, not only does he bring fun to his friends on the team, but he also does it for the team as a whole.”

Schneider was honored to be selected as the unsung hero of the team. “I feel like it’s a great achievement for the golf team.  I’m honored I was picked.”

He does realize his effect on the team. “I think I definitely had a positive impact on the team, a lot of positive reinforcement.”

Veritas reporters, Josh Thompson, Brooke Kimble, Lucas Freitas, Sammi Nachtman, Joe Taft and Meaghan McDonough contributed to this report.