BOYS HOCKEY
Last season: 16-6-2 (Lost to B.C. High in Super 8 semifinals)
Head coach: Kristian Hanson (6th year, 66-36-14)
Key returnees: Brian Pinho, Sr. C; Andrew Brandano, Sr. RW; Tyler Bird, Jr. LW; Jack McCarthy, Jr. C; Cam Shaheen, Sr. LW; Ean Mendeszoon, Jr. D; James Brightney, Sr. D; Brent Murray, Sr. D; Dillon Gargano, Sr. D.
It’ll be a great season if: The Eagles can lean on their experience to push them over the hump and capture a long-awaited Super 8 championship. After reaching the final and semifinals, respectively, the last two seasons, this veteran group would love to finish the job. Someone needs to step up and claim the starting goaltender’s job, however. Pinho (44 points last year) is already committed to Providence College while Bird (18 points), Mendeszoon and McCarthy (15) are also getting lots of looks from colleges.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Last season: 13-8 (lost to Lawrence, 80-68, in Div. 1 North first round)
Head coach: Sean Connolly (5th year)
Team captains: Drex Costelllo, Sr. G; Josh Syska, Sr. F; Tyler Dooley, Sr. G; Max Butterbrodt, Jr. F.
Other key returnees: Ben Judson, So. G/F.
It’ll be a great season if: St. John’s gets toughness and rebounding from Syska and Butterbrodt, as well as scoring from Costello, Dooley, and Judson. Connolly’s teams are always solid defensively, but the Eagles also need to get reliable minutes from sophomore Jake Burt and juniors Mike Disson, Max Burt, Quentin Buillen, and Sean Lovett.
SWIMMING
Last season: 10-0. (Catholic Conference champs, North Sectionals Champs, Division 1 State Champs.
Head coach: Anthony Padvaiskas (17th year, 120-10)
Team captains: Rory Cawley, Sr. ( Salem); Jennings S. McCoy, Sr. (Reading); Robert Barry, Sr. (Danvers)
Other key returnees: Joe Crateau, Sr.; Sean Cook, Sr., dive; Phil Dytko, Sr.; Justin Farmer, Sr.; Cole Maletesta, Sr. dive; Finn McCoole, Sr., dive; Kyle Murphy, Sr.; James O’Donnell, Sr.; Scott Russo, Sr.; Tom Wilworth, Sr.,dive
It’ll be a great season if: “We improve as a team and as young men,” said Padvaiskas.
BOYS TRACK
Last season: 4-2
Head coach: Ray Carey (36th year)
Key returnees: David Roy, Sr., Shot Put; Evan Dombrowski, Jr., Shot Put; Josh Hubbell, Jr., 300/4x200/4x400 Relays; Andrew Zucco, Sr., 600; Jack Sanford, Sr., Middle Distance; Will Stark, Sr., Middle Distance; Liam Dow, Jr., Distance; Tim Loehner, Jr., Distance; Tom O’Shea, Sr., Distance; Will Raven, Sr., Hurdles/High Jump
It’ll be a great season if: “The kids make improvements and take the next step. We have a lot of seniors, and I think we’re set up for a pretty good record in dual meets, but we have to find good individuals to fill spots in the relays because that’s what you need to have at the state level,” said Carey.
WRESTLING
Last season: 36-2 (Second at Division 1 North sectional and Division 1 states)
Head coach: Manny Costa (23rd year, 487-128-5)
Team captains: Lou Bornstein, Sr.; Jared Costa, Jr.; Corey Jean-Jacques, Sr.; D.J. Lemieux, Sr.; Jon Polansky, Sr.
Other key wrestlers: V.J. Mortillaro, Peter Locke, Ian Butterbrodt, James Smith, Hunter Costa.
It’ll be a great season if: The Eagles can survive the grind of facing the state’s toughest schedule. Powerhouses such as Timberlane, N.H. (5-time defending state champs), Mt. Anthony (25 straight Vermont state titles), Nashua North, Salem, N.H., LaSalle, R.I. and Bacon Academy of Conn. are all top programs in their state, not to mention other SJP in-state opponents such as Framingham, Lawrence, Franklin, Pembroke, Marshfield, etc.
