Big weekend for local athletes
Gray drafted by Chiefs, Fagundez scores again
Perhaps you enjoyed the nice weather and spent some time outside.
Maybe you were overwhelmed by the plethora of sporting options being broadcast over the weekend.
But over a span of two days, a ton happened in the world of sports with connections to North Central Massachusetts, with several stories worthy of attention that may not have received it. So in case you missed it, here are a few storylines with regional ties that are worth a second look.
Gray is a Chief
Leominster High grad Noah Gray, a Gardner resident and Duke University graduate, was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the NFL draft on Saturday.
Gray, a tight end, was taken with the 162nd pick and is a sure-handed pass catcher who will begin his NFL career with a team that has an all- world quarterback in Patrick Mahomes and will have a chance to learn the trade behind All- Pro tight end Travis Kelce. The 6foot- 4, 240- pound Gray may have a chance to show his versatility in Kansas City with Kelce as the featured tight end; at Duke, he not only lined up in typical tight end formations, but saw 120 snaps in the backfield in 2020, according to the Chiefs.
The 22-year- old finished his collegiate career with 948 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 48 games.
As a Blue Devil at LHS, Gray was a standout quarterback before making the transition to tight end during his senior year.
Fagundez keeps rolling
A change of scenery hasn’t hurt Leominster resident Diego Fagundez.
The former New England Revolution Homegrown star signed with expansion club Austin FC in the offseason and has starred in the team’s three games this season. After opening the season with a loss, Austin won it’s second game, a 3-1 decision over the Colorado Rapids in which Fagundez scored the first goal in franchise history.
The 26- year- old kept things going over this past weekend, potting Austin FC’s lone goal in a 1- 0 win over Minnesota United.
Donohoe heads to the big dance
Former North Middlesex Regional lacrosse star Sam Donohoe will have at least one more collegiate game in her career as her Westfield State side has earned a berth in the NCAA Division 3 tournament with a 14-13 win over Framingham State in the MASCAC title game.
Donohoe notched her 100th career goal in the win, finishing with three goals and two assists.
The Owls, making their fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance, will face Roger Williams at Colby College in a second-round contest Sunday at 11:30 a. m.
Big weekend for Falcons
Fitchburg State’s athletic programs had a busy few days, with the track and field teams participating in the MASCAC Championships and one Falcon baseball player having a huge showing at the plate.
The men’s track team claimed second at the MASCAC meet, as Taban Manyok won the 800 and the 1500 and had a second place finish in the 5000 meter run. Nicholas Zeoli took first in both the discus and shot put, while Rodny Bonhomme won the hammer throw and Carson Doody claimed the triple jump.
The women’s track team took fourth at the league meet, with Brianna Young (shot put, hammer throw, discus), Courtney Brouillet (3000 meter steeplechase, 400 hurdles, 4x400 relay), Abigail Murphy ( 800, 1500, 4x400 relay), Darcy Lally (pole vault, 100 meter hurdles), Kailey Norton ( discus, shot put) and Lilah McAndrew (1500, 4x400 relay) earning All-MASCAC honors.
In the second half of a doubleheader against Worcester State on Sunday, first baseman Zachary May had a game to remember for FSU despite the Falcons falling 13-12.
May went a perfect 4for- 4 at the plate, belting a pair of home runs and tying the program record for RBIs in a game with seven. He also had a pair of doubles, a walk and scored three times in the loss.