BOYS HOCKEY
Head coach: Mark Leonard (18th year, 190-142-15)
Team captains: Patrick Ruotolo, Sr. D; Joe Powers, Sr. G; Matt McIsaac, Sr. F.
Other key returnees: Derek DeMild, Jr. F; Mike Vadala, Jr. F; Anthony Bisconti, Jr. F; Ryan Carney, Soph. F; Cam Smullen, Soph. D; Guiseppe Zarro, Jr. D.
Interesting newcomers: Chris Minter, Sr. D; Donny Shaw, Fr. D.
It’ll be a great season if: Team speed and taking care of defense first and foremost can lead the Tanners back to the playoffs. While still young (only 6 seniors), there’s some serious talent on the roster that if they can blossom, Peabody could really make a run. Work ethic and attitude will go a long way towards how much success they’ll have.
GIRLS HOCKEY
Last season: 2-17
Head coach: Larry Minehan (7th year)
Team captains: Julia Henry, Sr., F/D; Waverly Cohen, Sr., F/D
Other key returnees: Courtney Smith, Jr., F; Joanna Ambeliotis, Jr., G; Courtney Cavanaugh, Jr., F/D; Ciara DiSalvo, Jr., D; Laura Miele, So., F; Kristen Hennessey, So., D; Sophia Post, Fr., F; Hannah Travers, Fr., F.
It’ll be a great season if: The team jells. There are a lot of new, young players that have some ability and experience from the youth ranks. Two weeks before the Dec. 12 opener will help them jell with the experienced upperclassmen, and hopefully build on last year’s two wins.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Last season: 11-11 (Lost to Medford, 49-48, in the Division 1 North preliminary game)
Head coach: Thad Broughton (2nd year)
Team captains: Steve Leavitt, Sr. G; Andrew Preshong, Sr. F.
Other key returnees: Ben Martinez, Sr. F; Yardley Taveras, Sr. F; Maynard Wheeler, Sr. G; Jarrod McCarron, Jr. G; Joe Krisco, Sr. G.
It’ll be a great season if: The Tanners can continue to build on last year’s success. Peabody qualified for the postseason and nearly got out of the preliminary round with a victory. A few key seniors have moved on, but Broughton believes this group can pick up where last year’s team left off. Sophomore guard Matt Correale could also make an impact for the Tanners this winter.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Last season: 7-13
Head coach: Jane Heil (32nd year)
Team captains: Alex Lomasney, Jr. G; Carolyn Scacchi, Jr. F/C.
Other key returnees: Amanda Matthews, Jr. F; Olivia Summitt, Jr. F.
It’ll be a great season if: “We find the guards to compliment the 12 players and if take advantage of our height and our speed.”
SWIMMING
Last season: 6-2
Head coach: Maureen Shea (2nd year)
Team captains: Pat Jwanowski, Sr., diver, backstroke; Jason Margossian, Sr., breaststroke, Zack Melville, Sr., butterfly; Christine Shea, Jr., breaststroke, IM
Other key returnees: Alex Guay, Sr., freestyle; Caroline Hassan, Sr., butterfly; Paige Hayward, Fr., diver; Meghan Lurvey, Soph., freestyle; Corey Pierce, Sr., diver
It’ll be a great season if: The Tanners graduated a lot of seniors, so it figures to be a building year. But coach Shea says the team will battle in every meet and could surprise.
BOYS TRACK
Last season: 7-0 (NEC and league meet champions)
Head coach: Fernando Braz (14th year)
Key returnees: Tommy Drover, Sr., 600/1000/Relays; Justin Butler, Sr., High Jump/Relay; Chris Cennami, Sr., Sprints/Relay
It’ll be a great season if: “The coaches and athletes can develop an emotional and efficient rhythm,” Braz said. “We have a good turnout, but inexperience is a glaring concern because we graduated the top two individuals in eight of the 10 events in the NEC last year. We are thin in experience and depth, but we look forward to the challenges presented in NEC competition. We can’t replace what we lost, but it is our responsibility to develop and be competitive.”
GIRLS TRACK
Last season: 6-1
Head coach: Joe Rocha (14th year)
Team captains: Joanne Frangias, Sr., Middle Distance; Pam Zabala, Sr., Shot Put; Lauren Zaimes, Sr., Shot Put; Alex Butler, Sr., Middle Distance; Catarina Rocha, Sr., Distance
Other key returnees: Heather MacLean, Sr., Middle Distance; Hayley Dowd, Sr., Sprints; Lauren Barrett, Soph., Distance; Sam Allen, Jr., Distance; Sabrina Rizzo, Sr., Sprints; Sabrina DeAngelo, Soph., Hurdles
It’ll be a great season if: “We can rebound from a long cross country season,” said Rocha, “and get ready for our two biggest meets, against Swampscott and Beverly, early in the winter season.”
WRESTLING
Last year’s record: 2-13
Head coach: Dave Pinette (1st year)
Captains: Evan Connolly, Sr., 182 lbs.; Ronjon Santa Cruz, Sr., 106.
Other key returnees: Joe Molich, Sr., 195 lbs.; Brandon Rapoza, So., 220; Alex Duff, So., 152; Sal Shorzi, Sr., 160.
This season will be successful if: “The team continues to learn the sport of wrestling. We’re very young and the program is only three years old. Most of the team has never participated in wrestling, so gaining valuable wrestling experience over the year is crucial.”
