Unlike high school, when they played lacrosse during the spring season, Teagan Haggerty of Salem and Whitney MacKenzie of Hamilton have gotten used to playing their college lacrosse in the fall, due to the fact that spring comes so late in Canada.
Nevertheless, Haggerty and MacKenzie are coming off of outstanding seasons for McGill University in Montreal this past season.
Haggerty, a junior captain and goaltender, was selected as a Second Team All-Star for the Ontario University Athletic League. A third-year math major, she helped the Martlets finish the year 7-6-3, qualify for the playoffs and made 19 saves in a tough 7-5 loss to Western Ontario University in the playoff quarterfinals.
MacKenzie, who transferred into McGill from William Smith College in New York, contributed to the Martlets' offense as an attack wing. A sophomore who went to high school at Groton Academy, she had three goals and three assists in six games, including a goal in the playoff loss.
"Teagan is a tremendous competitor and team motivator," said head coach Heather Roffey. "And Whitney brings very strong stick skills to the team. She takes laser-accurate shots and has great offensive instincts. She is a strong addition to our attack squad."
Nobody was more surprised than Haggerty when he name was called at the league banquet as an all-star.
"We didn't know who had been elected to the All-Star team until it was announced, so it was a really nice surprise," said Haggerty, a Salem High graduate. "It's neat to think that when we walk off the field, we're leaving an impression on the opposing team and that I am a part of that.
"I am so proud to represent this team as an All-Star. We graduated four important players, but picked up eight skillful girls, including Whitney. Her speed and stickhandling really allowed us to possess the ball on offense."
Haggerty is looking forward to McGill's spring break the last week in February and is excited about her team's chances next season.
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Rick Bianco, a former Peabody High football star on the 1976 team, is volunteering his time to run an intramural weightlifting program two nights a week (Mondays and Thursdays) at Peabody Veterans' Memorial High School.
The program is open to all students (both boys and girls) looking for individual instruction and tips designed specifically for their sport from Bianco, who is a certified professional trainer.
A member of the Peabody Hall of Fame, Bianco was a vital part of the '76 football team that was unscored upon on defense. The only points the D allowed that year came in a rout over Saugus on Thanksgiving Day - and it wasn't the first or second unit that surrendered a touchdown, but the third.
One of the first things Bianco told the young athletes was that he was meticulous about wrist positioning, elbow positioning and back posture.
"Rick offered to come in to help the kids lift and review technique," said Tanner football coach Dick Woodbury, who hopes his team takes full advantage of this opportunity. "He toured the weight room recently and met with the kids working out there. He is an ACE certified trainer and will make sure everybody is using the right amount of weight as well as the right grip for their particular sport or event.
"The program will go right through the winter, and it is a great opportunity not only for football players but baseball or track as well. We are excited about having him help out."
Woodbury is looking forward to this fall's team already. Coming off of a tough 1-9 season, he has several players back who gained valuable varsity experience last fall.
"Because of all the injuries we had - we were probably the only team in the state with two kids out with broken backs - we basically had a JV squad going against varsity teams, but so many players got valuable experience," Woodbury said.
"Now we really have to work on attitude to achieve what Fernando Braz has done with the track program. We want to build Tanner Pride, and are grateful to all the former players that help out."
Jean DePlacido is a part-time writer and columnist for The Salem News. Contact her at jmdeplacido@aol.com.
