Sports

Winter Sports Wrap Up

ALEENA BROWN, Sports Writer • April 5, 2024

Dawn Enos

Boys Hockey Team poses for photo on Senior Night.

GHS Girls Hockey team poses for photo on senior night.

Girls Hockey

Final Record: 14-6-2

Final Place: 17th in D2, Sweet 16 Loss to Duxbury

Captains: Ella Costa, Brooke McNiff, and Abby Lowthers

This past season was the best in the past few years for the GHS girls' hockey team, making the playoffs after multiple seasons of missing the cut. Ranked 17th in Division 2 at the end of the season, the team was led by a strong senior roster that dominated the ice game after game. Their only losses came from Peabody and Beverly twice, with 1 loss from Shawsheen and Duxbury.

Duxbury shut down their historic playoff run in the second round after Gloucester’s strong win against 16th seed Walpole. Duxbury went on to win the D2 State Tournament.

Kaydin Cusumano was a stand-out in the net all season, earning over 5 shutouts across the season. 8th graders Fiona Black, Elizabeth Gentile, and Kaya Collins also shined on the ice among the upperclassmen.

Despite a large graduating class, the team has talent in the remaining pack. Sophomore and star defenseman Keagan Jewell is set to lead the way for the Fishermen next season, with teammates Maddie Jewell, Skye Berry, Halia Taylor and Elliana Parsons looking to make an impact.

Jewell was named NEC All-Conference while Ella Costa, Brooke McNiff, and Jenna Connelly were NEC All-Stars. Head Coach Rob Parsons was also named the NEC Girls Hockey Coach of the Year.

Boys Hockey Team poses for photo on Senior Night. (Dawn Enos)

Boys Hockey

Final Record: 11-9-2

Final Place: Sweet 16 Loss to Newburyport

Captains: Joseph Orlando, Brett Cunningham, Colby Jewell, James Sanfillipo, and Chris Karvales

The GHS boys’ hockey team had another successful season with a star-studded roster of dedicated players. Their season was cut short due to their loss in the Sweet 16 to Newburyport, a team that the Fishermen beat earlier in the season 5-2.

The team started the season strong, but injuries plagued the team left and right. A highlight of their season was winning the Cape Ann Savings Bank Tournament, beating Barrington in overtime to secure the title. Another highlight of the season was both Assistant Captains Colby Jewell and Brett Cunningham joined Gloucester’s coveted 100-point club.

The team has to say goodbye to a strong offensive and defensive core, with 10 graduating seniors leaving the pack. Charlie Terelak, Jackson Hakes, and Chris Karvales, along with Jewell and Cunningham, were offensive powerhouses for the Fishermen. James Sanfillipo, Chris Lojacono, and Joe Orlando held the fort down on defense. Both the team’s starting goalies, Riley DeHaan and Nick Tarantino, also leave Gloucester High.

The team is now looking to rebuild the dynasty they have built over the past few years and have many good players to fill their predecessors’ shoes. Freshmen Cade Francis, Will Linn, Sam Sanfillipo, and Peter Gilraine all put up good performances for the varsity team this season and look to continue next season. Along with the four, juniors Colby Warren and Cade Cooper will also be an important puzzle piece in the upcoming season.

Wrestling team seniors pose for a photo. (Dawn Enos )

Wrestling

Captains: Morgan Pennimpede, Bailee Militello, Jayden Toppan and Michael Toppan

With one of the biggest teams in the past few seasons, the Gloucester Wrestling team put up great battles throughout the season. The group finished 2nd in the NEC and placed 2nd at the NEC/CAL Championships.

In the championships, GHS had 10 wrestlers on the podium in the respective weight classes. The Toppan twins, Aiden DeCoste, and Joe Allen were champions of their brackets, with Jayden Toppan being named the Wrestler of the Meet.

Morgan Pennimpede, the only active female wrestler in the program, was a Massachusetts state champion, along with placing second place at All States and sixth at New Englands. Michael Toppan was also a Massachusetts state champion, placing first at All States and sixth at New Englands. His brother Jayden placed second at states and fourth at All States.

Not only the seniors pack a punch in the team’s lineup. DeCoste, JJ Figuroea, and Max Thomas also proved themselves to be a integral piece in Gloucester Wrestling’s dynasty. Both DeCoste and Thomas placed second at States, winning many matches during the regular season for the team.

With captains Bailee Militello and the Toppan twins off to college wrestling (Militello at D1 Sacred Heart and the Toppans at D3 Roger Williams), the team looks to continue this season’s winning momentum and be a threat in the NEC once again.

Girls Basketball Team seniors pose for a photo. (Dawn Enos)

Girls Basketball

Final Record: 7-13

Final Place: Did Not Make Tourney

Captains: Bella Goulart and Abby Stauffer

Despite not making the tournament and having a losing record for the season, the GHS girls’ basketball team improved throughout the winter.

The team had stars in Jordan Del Torchio-Purdue, Taiyo Mano, and Bella Goulart. Anna Cinelli and Lexi Carollo were also big shooters for the Fishermen. Along with their strong senior and junior core, the team also saw strengths in freshman Olivia Madruga and junior Dylan Gaetano.

Abby Stauffer and Del Torchio-Purdue were NEC All-Stars.

Boys Basketball Team seniors pose for a photo. (Vincenzo Ciaramitaro)

Boys Basketball

Final Record: 6-13

Final Place: Did Not Make Tourney

Captains: Anders Littman and Brayden Francis

Like the girls’ team, the GHS boys' basketball team had a less-than-perfect season. Ending 6-13, the young team preserved throughout the season.

The team beat Bishop Fenwick at the IAABO Classic in Marblehead and Freshman phenom Carlos Velazquez was named to the All-Tournament team. Captain Anders Littman and Luke McElhenney were also awarded scholarships at the tournament.

Captain Bryaden Francis was one of Gloucester’s top scorers for the Fishermen, along with great performances by Jack Silvera, Lucas Simendinger, Nash Marshall, and Charlie Amero.

Amero was named an NEC All-Star.

GHS Swim and Dive Team seniors pose for a photo. (Brian Lafata)

Swim and Dive

The Swim and Dive Team garnered a record of 2-5 in the NEC, but it doesn’t reflect the dedication the team had as a whole. Along with their dedication, the team also had an amazing season individually and sent multiple swimmers to Sectionals and States.

Willow Barry, Sarah Fernandes, Esme Sarrouf, and Anna Patrick placed first place at the NEC Championships for the 200 freestyle relay. The four, along with Niava Friday, competed in Sectionals. Barry and Fernandes made it to the State championships, competing in multiple different events for the Fishermen.

The members of the 1st place relay team were NEC All-Conference players. Freshman standout Joey Porcello was awarded an NEC All-Star.

GHS Track Team seniors pose for a photo on Senior Night. (Dawn Enos)

Track

Captains: Lauren Sargent, Faith Castellucci, Skye Ciolino, Bella Bottari, Matt Smith, Dylan Smith, Dylan and Colby Rochford

The Track and Field program had a very successful season this winter, winning multiple meets as well as sending multiple student-athletes to States and Nationals. Both the girls and boys team finished 2nd in the NEC Lynch Division.

The 40x50 yard SD team comprised of Aili Spencer, Maddie Goodhue, Ava Coelho, and Meadow Anderson set a school record with a time of 26.54. Spencer set two other records for the school in the long jump and triple jump.

The team saw strong athletes in Seamus Lineham, Brooklyn Stafford, Lauren Sargent, Donna Castellucci, Brady Patten and multiple others. (Patten, Stafford and Sargent are primarily in shotput as their main event.)

At the NEC Championship, Skye Ciolino, Colby Rochford, and Spencer all put on a great showing for the program.

The three were award NEC All Confrence honors. Dylan Smith, Bryce Rochford, Faith Castellucci, and Hope Castellucci were NEC All-Stars. Head Coach David Coleman was one of the NEC Coaches of The Year.

GHS Gymnastics team poses for a photo. (Brian Lafata)

Gymnastics

Gloucester Captain: Molly Pennimpede

Despite having a low number of gymnasts from Gloucester, the Ipswich-Gloucester Tigerfish co-op had an amazing season. Gloucester captain Molly Pennimpede led the team in their dual meets, as well as being one of the top Tigerfish performers at the NEC Gymnastics championship.

GHS Cheerleading poses for photo on Senior Night. (Dawn Enos)

Cheerleading

Captains Bella Murawski, Emma Smith and Brooke McNiff

Congratulations to the Gloucester Cheer team who had a great season both on the mat and in the stands.

About the Contributor

ALEENA BROWN, Sports Editor

Aleena Brown is a junior and the sports editor of The Gillnetter. In her third year as a part of The Gillnetter, Aleena writes about everything (mostly sports). She’s on the Varsity Softball, Track, and Field Hockey teams. She’s a member of many GHS clubs, including Mental Health Ambassadors, Student Council, and DECA. When she’s not serving bowls at Chipotle, she spends her time photographing GHS sporting events, shopping, and writing poems. You can contact her with story ideas, questions, and comments at [email protected].