Wellesley, A-B keep their swim crowns
Depth has been a hallmark for the Acton-Boxborough girls’ swim team, which hasn’t lost a sectional or state meet this decade.
But this year, the Revolution did not have that luxury, bringing just 10 athletes to Sunday’s MIAA North sectional at Boston University. But even a thin roster didn’t stop the Revolution from winning for a third consecutive year.
A-B (273 points) easily bested second-place Andover (228) and third-place Belmont (217).
“We definitely won in a different way,” said A-B’s Isabela Teixeira. “Every year, though, it’s really important to not only swim for yourself, but for the rest of the team . . . This year, especially, with less of us than in the past years, that same mindset that we’ve used in the past applies.”
Teixeira, in particular, put on a show. The junior notched individual wins in the 100-yard freestyle (51.25) and 50 free (23.61), and took part in A-B’s first-place 200 medley relay (1:51.74). She also carried the Revolution to a key second in the 400 free relay, completing her leg in 50.93 seconds.
“I think we’re all thankful for her seeded time and her ability,” said A-B coach Gretchen Turner. “She can just go out there and win a race without any issues. That gives us a lot of comfort and we’re very, very glad to have her.”
On the boys’ side, Methuen (309 points) outlasted North Andover (253) behind wins from Matthew Jo (50 free), Divier Ramos Delgado (diving), Ethan Corthell (100 free), and its 200 free relay.
South sectional — After dropping its first meet in over seven years to Bay State Conference rival Needham on Oct. 20, the Wellesley girls’ swim team found itself in a similar position Sunday evening at BU, trailing most of the night.
Then the diving results trickled in. With senior Lucy Savarese placing first in the 1-meter dive (432.35) and teammate Hailey Ligibel not far behind in fourth (381.40), the Raiders took a lead they would not relinquish on their way to a sixth straight sectional title.
Wellesley ended the night with 405 points, just eight clear of Needham (397). Newton North finished third (323).
“[After the loss to Needham], we were down and had to rally around this meet, and see if we could get back to being on top. And we did it, which is awesome,” coach Doug Curtin said.
Wellesley was powered by senior Anna McGrew, who won both the 50-yard freestyle (23.83) and 100 free (51.90), as well as the 200and 400-yard free relay with Alexandra Loo, Elaine Cheng, and Audrey Sau.
“It’s an incredible thing to be a part of,” McGrew said. “When the team steps up to the challenge and the pressure, it makes the wins even more important and more significant to us.”
Wellesley will attempt to earn its fourth straight state title, dating back to 2019.
On the boys’ side, Milton (354) easily took home the win, putting an exclamation point on their evening with a 12-second victory in the 400 free relay (3:35.09). Jackson Wagner set a meet record with a 55.11 in the 100 butterfly.
Boys’ soccer
Division 1 State
Belmont 3, Acton-Boxborough 2 — The 30th-seeded Marauders (11-5-4) scored twice in the final three minutes of the first half, then netted the winner with five minutes to play to upset No. 3 ActonBoxborough (12-2-3) in the first round.
Brookline 3, Algonquin 2 (SO) — Sebastian Spinelli tallied two goals en route to a penalty shootout win for the sixth-seed Warriors (12-6-1) in the first round.
Concord-Carlisle 1, Durfee 0 — Senior Brady Poor netted the winning goal in a first-round victory for the top-seeded Patriots (160-1).
Needham 2, Lexington 0 — Matteo Naretti and Harry Chaplan scored to propel the second-seeded Rockets (15-2-2) to a first-round win.
St. John’s Prep 3, Boston Latin 0 — Garrison Murphy found the back of the net twice to lift the fourthseeded Eagles (15-1-2) to a firstround win.
Division 2 State
Hingham 7, Woburn 0 — Mason Lemieux and Chris Connolly slotted two goals eachto propel the third-ranked Harborman (18-1-0) to a commanding first-round win. Hopkinton 3, Duxbury 1 — Jack Ianelli’s team-leading 10th goal of the season was the winner in a first-round victory for the eighthseeded Hillers (13-2-4).
Division 3 State
Dedham 3, Old Rochester 2 (SO) —
Paul Yandrisevits converted the deciding penalty kick in the shootout to power the sixth-seeded Marauders (12-3-4) to a first-round victory against No. 27 Old Rochester. Dover-Sherborn 3, Tewksbury 0 — Caio Dos Santos netted two goals and Reaves Debin tallied to propel the ninth-ranked Raiders (11-6-2) to a first-round victory.
Gloucester 2, East Bridgewater 1 (SO) — Wesdra Silva knotted the game at 1-all on a penalty kick in the second half and the secondseeded Fisherman (15-3-1) prevailed in the shootout.
Norwell 2, Pope Francis 0 — Junior Zach Bello slotted a goal in the first half and senior Gavin Blake added insurance in the second to aid the third-seeded Mustangs (162-2) in a first-round win.
Division 4 State
Cohasset 4, Mashpee 1 — The topseeded Skippers (14-3-2) won on the strength of two goals from senior Nathan Askjaer and strikes from junior Cian Casey and senior Zach Smith.
Girls’ soccer
Division 1 State
Acton-Boxborough 5, Framingham 1— Alexis Thermidor posted a goal and two assists, leading the seventh-seeded Revolution (123-2) to a first-round win.
Bishop Feehan 3, Beverly 0 — Addie Hansbury, Brooke Kennedy, and Neve Taylor scored in a firstround win for the second-seeded Shamrocks (17-0-1).
Brookline 10, Chelmsford 0 — Anna Leschly and Makena Hammond tallied early for the ninth-seeded Warriors (13-3-2) in their firstround shutout.
Concord-Carlisle 2, Bridgewater-Raynham 0 — Senior Trinty Johnson scored her 10th goal and senior Caroline Coletti tallied on a breakaway in a first-round win for the ninth-seeded Patriots (14-3-2). Hopkinton 3, Plymouth North 1 — Mairin O’Connor netted one of three second-half scores to aid the third-ranked Hillers (18-0-1) to a first-round win.
Division 2 State
Hingham 4, Silver Lake 0 — Claire Murray netted a pair of goals to propel the No. 8 Harborwomen (10-6-3) to the first-round win. Scituate 2, Milton 1 — Cici Griffin netted the winner in overtime and assisted on Sarah Gillis’ goal in a dramatic first-round win for the No. 20 Sailors (8-6-5).
Division 3 State
Archbishop Williams 4, Apponequet 3 — Junior Maeve White scored twice, including the winner with 10 minutes remaining, to power the No. 21 Bishops (9-7-6) to a first-round win.
Dedham 5, Sandwich 2 — Nicki Brown found Peyton Teehan twice for goals and added one of her own for the 10th-seeded Marauders (11-5-3) in a first-round win. Dover-Sherborn 4, Pembroke 0 — Milla Lee scored twice for the No. 2 Raiders (15-3-1) in the first round. Hanover 5, Blackstone Valley 0 — Senior Sophia Foley rocketed four goals and sophomore Maelyn Foley added one as the sisters powered the third-seeded Hawks (18-0-1) to a first-round victory.
Medfield 7, Dighton-Rehoboth 1 — Kelly Blake notched two goals for the top-seeded Warriors (171-1) in the first-round match.
Norwell 3, Martha’s Vineyard 0 —
Hannah Morse netted two goals and Ari Veneto tallied one for the sixth-seeded Clippers (19-1-1) in the first round.
Division 4 State
Cohasset 7, Sturgis West 0 — Ava Carcio struck for four goals and Tess Barrett took care of the other three in a first-round win for the third-seeded Skippers (12-3-3). Hamilton-Wenham 3, Blue Hills 0 — Tessa Hunt, Annie Moynihan, and Lily Mark scored for the fifthseeded Generals (14-0-3), who outshot their foes, 26-1.
Division 5 State
Hull 3, Holbrook 0 — First-half goals from Veronica Fleming, Sarah Duran, and Maeve White secured the win for the Pirates (142-2) in a first-round matchup.