It was no surprise that after championship seasons for both the Peabody boys and girls outdoor track teams that two of their individual standouts would be recognized as the best in the Northeastern Conference when the league announced its annual year-end awards.
Nationally ranked shot put and discus ace Alex Jackson was named the NEC’s Male Athlete of the Year for outdoor track while Tanner teammate Alessandra Forgione, who throws both the discus and javelin, was chosen as the NEC Female Athlete of the Year.
Fernando Braz, the legendary head coach who guided the Peabody boys to the NEC Dunn Division crown at 4-0 and a perfect 9-0 record ovreall, was picked as the NEC Boys Coach of the Year. Four of his athletes were picked All-Northeastern Conference: Peyton Smith (110 hurdles, 15:44), Riley Michaud (triple jump, 43 feet 7 1/2 inches), Areno Saint-Victor (discus) and Jackson in the shot put (62 feet 11 1/2 inches).
Additionally, Smith, Michaud and Jackson were first place winners at the NEC Championship Meet, with Jackson capturing both the shot and the discus (181 feet 3 inches).
The Peabody girls shared the NEC crown with Marblehead after each went 3-1 in Dunn Division competition and 8-1 overall. Forgione led the All-Conference selections for the Tanners while being recognized for her top discus throw of (132 feet 8 inches); she also won two other events at the NEC Championship Meet: the shot (35 feet 1 inch) and the javelin (120 feet 2 inches).
Four other Peabody girls were named All-Conference: Ella Braz (2-mile, 11:32.76), Makayla Kokonezis (triple jump, 35-9 3/4), Madison Holleran (shot put), and the 4×400 relay foursome of Lauren Foley, Ava Champigny, Avery Marcus and Lilah Trombley (4:18.17).
BOYS
Masconomet, which captured the NEC Sportsmanship Award, saw five of its athletes chosen as All-Conference. They were Arbri Halilaj (100 dash, 11.13), Tim Lull (400, 49.97), Adam Staffier (400 hurdles, 56.82), Adam Toleos (javelin, 152 feet 3 inches), and the 4×400 relay of Lull, Edward Keifer, Nicco Cefalo and Staffier (3:39.69).
Close behind was Marblehead with four All-Conference selections, all in the distances: Jacob Szalewicz (800, 1:55.60), Will Cerrutti (mile, 4:27.94), Nate Assa (2-mile, 9:13.36) and the 4×800 relay of Cerrutti, Henrik Adams, Assa and Szalewicz (8:16.32).
Danvers was represented on the All-Conference team by Luca Tirella (high jump, 6 feet) and the sprint relay team of Owen Shanbar, Josh Downey, Zachary Dunn and Randall Martin (44.23). Swampscott’s Noah Bascon was also an All-NEC pick (long jump, 20 feet 11 inches), as was Winthrop’s Nicholas Cappuccio (200, 22.41).
GIRLS
Marblehead, which shared NEC titlist honors with Peabody, saw Paige Tredwell honored as All-Conference in the 110 hurdles (15.68), as well as its 4×800 relay team of Norah Walsh, Marion Grace Ladouceur, Marri O’Connell and Geneva Becker (10:42.47).
Beverly claimed three All-Northeastern Conference spots of its own. They came from Lily Judge (400 hurdles, 1:08.89), Reese Kwiatek (javelin) and the Panthers’ 4×100 relay of Jane Cosmas, Samantha Hayward, Olivia Anketell and Infinity Burns (52.04).
Three standouts from Masconomet earned All-Conference nods in Amanda Schneider (400, 1:00.73), Savannah Stevens (800, 2:22.29) and Mara Siewko (long jump, 17 feet 10 inches).
Tess Ryan of Danvers was All-Conference as well in the 200, as was Swampscott’s Annabelle Everett in the mile (5:27.15). Her Big Blue were also given the Team Sportsmanship Award.
Saugus’ Soraya Mathieu was All-Conference in the 100 (12.68) and also captured the 200 at the NEC Championship Meet (25.85); Sachems teammate Destiny Okeye was another All-NEC pick in the high jump (5 feet 2 inches). Head coach Joe Alba was picked as the NEC Girls Coach of the Year, too.
NEC ALL-STARS
The following athletes were chosen as NEC all-stars by school:
Beverly: Evan Wong, Grace Galbreath.
Danvers: Will Conklin, Grace Conklin.
Marblehead: Noah Jackson, Marri O’Connell, Lucy Flynn, Sarah Munroe.
Masconomet: Hunter Rossi, Finn Eberhardt, Piper Testa.
Peabody: Mohamed Lhassouani, Omar Mishal, Delcan Smith, Jane Haight, Kayley Bunn, Avery Marcus.
Salem: Brooks Workman, Madyson Eichel.
Swampscott: Simon Brown, Amthony Colella, Collette Heil, Kassidi Francis.
Gloucester: Samuel Heanue, Jeferson Do Camo, Seamus Linehan, Meghan Hurd, Ali Spencer, Cia Donohue.
Saugus: Kaeleb Mathieu, Peyton DiBiaso.
Winthrop: Thomas D’Amico, Hailey DeMarco.