Chase Bibby's name went into the record books at Tufts University last spring when he scored the game-winning goal in sudden death overtime to give the Jumbos their first victory over perennial NESCAC powerhouse Middlebury in over 40 years.

Bibby, a former St. John's Prep player from Marblehead, is a speedy first line midfielder. Tufts won its first three games this season, lost the next three and bounced back with a big victory over Colby before falling to a nationally ranked Endicott team, 10-7, earlier this week.

Bibby, who has six goals and two assists for the 6-4 Jumbos, had knee surgery last June to repair patella tendon damage.

"I had to do a lot of rehab work and am still wearing a brace," said Bibby, who had 15 goals and six assists last season. "I've had to adapt to wearing it, but it's not bad.

"Getting that (winning) goal last year was a thrilling experience. It was exciting for the whole program, and since I've been here we have been steadily improving. Last year was the first time we went to the NCAAs"

Bibby said he's been fortunate to get a lot of playing time at Tufts ever since his freshman year. That's something he attributes John Roy, his former coach at St. John's Prep, for.

"I was fortunate to have a great coach who played at Wesleyan. He helped prepare me for college," Bibby said of Roy. "The game is much faster at this level, and you have to make quick decisions."

The main goal for the Jumbos, said Bibby, is to win the NESCAC regular season title — one of the most competitive Division 3 leagues in the country. From there, they want to do well in the conference tournament to get an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.

The Jumbos have a big conference game today against Bowdoin.

"We want to win a national championship — and I think that is realistic," said Bibby, a political science major. "Coach (Mike) Daly moved people around after our losing streak, and if you have the talent you will play. It's a long season, but when you get to this level it's a year-round commitment."

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Derek Coppola has decided to go to The Gunnery Prep School in Washington, Conn. next year. The outstanding running back from North Reading is now busy roaming centerfield and batting cleanup for the St. John's Prep baseball team.

"I'll play football and baseball there," Coppola said of The Gunnery. "I wanted to figure out what sport I wanted to play in college, and and right now I'm keeping my options open. But I'll have a better shot at a good Division 1 school if I get my grades up a little.

"I definitely think this is the best move for me. One of my football coaches, Sean Stellato, told me it would be a good fit for me."

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Dom Finelli, the Swampscott boys spring track coach, is thrilled to finally be able to host meets this year, thanks to the track at Swampscott's new high school.

"We have a good turnout this season with over 40 boys on the team, and it's great to have the new track so we can have some home meets," said Finelli, who is also the Big Blue cross country coach.

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Stefane Cahill Farella is running the Boston Marathon to raise money for the cancer research group at Mass General Hospital. She has been paired up with Trent McKinnon-Tucker, son of Paralympic sailor Maureen McKinnon-Tucker of Marblehead.

Trent, a two-year old, has been undergoing chemotherapy at MGH. Farella is a stay-at-home dad with five kids who met Trent and his parents at MGH. He hopes to double his initial goal of raising $3,000.

Further information can be found at firstgiving.com/stefanecahillfarella.

Maureen McKinnon Tucker recently returned from a short training session in California with her paralympic sailing partner, Nick Scandone, for the Paralympic Games, which will be held in China this September. U.S. Paralympic coach Betsy Alison worked with the team on timing and some new techniques.

The mother of two faced a difficult decision when Trent was diagnosed with cancer, but with her husband Dan's complete support, McKinnon-Tucker vowed to continue her campaign — modified to put her son's care first at all times.

Jean DePlacido is a part-time writer and columnist at The Salem News. Contact her at jmdeplacido@aol.com.