SOFTBALL
Salem 28, Winthrop 1: Liv Loux began the season by driving home seven runs on four hits and Annie Thornett collected the win with 10 strikeouts while helping her own cause with three RBI and five runs scored. Faith Sanchez-Schroeder had three hits and three RBI and every Salem starter reached base and scored a run.
UNIFIED TRACK
Witches shine: Salem began its unified competitions for the season at Medford came away with some impressive performances. Sophomore Gianmarcos Jimenez set a personal best in the 400 at 1:25.30. Junior Ethan Jones carried the team in the shot put, throwing an impressive 32-1. Senior Nadia Lebron set a personal record in the javelin, tossing 31-feet and sophomore Erik Shehaj had an incredible overall day, running the 100 in 13.95 seconds, tossing the javelin 39-10, and scoring the highest long jump score of the day at 11-feet.
BOYS TRACK
Beverly 125, Salem 5: Senior Harry Silva won the 400 hurdles (64.6), long jump (22-8 1/2) and triple jump (4-feet-11 inches) as the Panthers rolled in their season opener. Leo Sheriff took two events for BHS: the 110 hurdles (15.2) and high jump (6 feet), while Ray Kwiatek was first in the 200 and second in the 400. Senior captain Danny Conant also grabbed a first in the 100 and second in the 200. Logan Gomes earned his first career win in the discus for Beverly as well, with Noah McGoldrick returning from knee surgery to capture the javelin, and senior captain Colin Burns also bouncing back from surgery to emerge with the top toss in the shot put.
North Reading 93, Essex Tech 52: Chris Cunha was a double winner for Essex Tech in the mile (4:58.2) and 2-mile (10:39.55). Other highlights included Makaio Bey’s first Cape Ann League victory in the 100 dash (11.75); Jeff Madruga winning the 800 (2:17.56), Griffin Taylor took second in the javelin (112-7) in his first-ever track meet; and Thomas Williamson pole vaulted 8 feet, good for third place in Essex Tech’s first ever pole vault attempt.
GIRLS TRACK
Beverly 129, Salem 5: Infinity Burns, a freshman, dominated the 100 (14.4 seconds) and 200 (28.9) meter races by taking first place in both for the Panthers. Junior Grace Galbreath also had a terrific opening meet, taking top honors in both the 100 hurdles (16.9) and high jump (4 feet 6 inches). Tessa Manderson, a senior, was also a double winner in both the shot put (24-5 1/2) and discus (68-3 1/2) for the Orange-and-Black, as was senior captain Vanessa Wiederhold in the triple jump (33-2) and 400 hurdles (76.4). In addition, freshman Adeline Abell (400, 66.5) and sophomore Grace Williams (800, 2:34) both grabbed victories as well.
North Reading 105.5, Essex Tech 39.5: The Hawks got victories from Cyndi Espino Encarcion (2-mile, 13:47.61), Olivia Feudo (200, 28.2), Maci Abbatessa (shot put, 35-2), Oneishka Cerda (javelin, 84.6) and the 4×400 relay team (4:40.48).
In addition, Nora Kiesel broke the school record in the 100 dash in 12.81 seconds (previously held by Jenny Baker at 13.01). Also, in the first ever pole vault event that Essex Tech — which had only practiced the event for nine days —has ever competed in, Sophia Capillo cleared 6 feet to finish third.
GIRLS TENNIS
Masconomet 3, Manchester Essex 2: In a non-league clash of state powerhouses, the Chieftains prevailed on the road by sweeping singles. Teagan Skulley (6-0, 6-0) won at first singles, with Taylor Mastrogiovanni (6-0, 6-2) doing likewise at second singles and Maya Klink (6-0, 6-2) also prevailing at third singles.
BOYS LACROSSE
Essex Tech 13, Haverhill 12: Down by five (8-3) with seven minutes until halftime, the Hawks ripped off nine unanswered goals to pull away for opening day triumph. Mason Gadbois scored eight times and dished out two assists, with Fisher Gadbois adding two goals and five assists. Timmy Tavares (4 assists), Tyler McHugh and Armani Booth were the other goal scorers for Essex Tech, which also got two assists from Dominic Tiberii, 19 saves in net from Damian Biersteker, and 14 faceoff wins from Hadden Amico.
Swampscott 8, Lynnfield 7: Carson Palmer and Liam Keaney (assist) both had two goals as the Big Blue scored six times in the opening half and took an opening day win. John Von Barta added a goal and an assist for Swampscott, which got single tallies from Chase Russo, Jack Hazell and Max Field, as well as assists from Sam Brodsky and Jay Domelowicz. Goaltender Timmy Sheehan made eight saves in net, and Luke Michigan and Carson Palmer combined to win 11 faceoffs.
Manchester Essex 12, Masconomet 8: Colten Russo powered the Chieftains’ opening day offensive attack by scoring three times and adding two assists under the lights in Manchester. Owen McNally added two scores and one helper, with John Miga, Myles Bernier and Colin Driscoll also scoring.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Manchester Essex 14, Marblehead 6: Ramona Gillett had a pair of goals and won three draws but Marblehead (0-1) was outgunned in the season opener. Kathryn Commoss also had a pair of goals with an assist and won three draws, Gretchen Smith and Caroline Scroope both scored once and Molly Bullard made a dozen saves; Marblehead trailed 6-1 at halftime and rallied offensively in the second half but couldn’t slow down the powerful Hornets.
SOFTBALL
Manchester Essex 7, Swampscott 2: The Big Blue dropped their season opener at home in a non-league battle with the Hornets.