Everyone knew that the milestone was in reach.
Olivia Wilson was going to get 100 career points at some point over the next few days, whether Saturday night against Marblehead or this upcoming Wednesday down at Framingham. The high-scoring forward was only four points away, and most importantly: She’s still only just a junior.
But early on down at Salem State University this weekend, the Clippers knew it was going to be a special day.
Right away, during the first period, Wilson scored her area-high 19th goal of the season. The tri-captain then assisted on Newburyport’s three other goals on the night, as the Clippers not only saw one of their leaders hit a career milestone, but in the process also earned a 4-3 victory over Marblehead.
“The team and coaches are so very proud of her accomplishment,” said Newburyport coach Josh Freeman. “After the game, Olivia thanked her teammates and said she couldn’t have gotten there without their help and support.”
Even better, Wilson’s father, Dan, is an assistant on Newburyport’s staff.
So what a day it was for the entire family.
Wilson has been a member of the varsity program since the 8th-grade, and is already a two-time Daily News All-Star and our MVP last year. The only season she wasn’t named an All-Star was her freshman year, when she selflessly volunteered to switch back to defense to help the team. We’ll see what numbers she puts up over the remainder of this winter and then next when she’s a senior, but it’s safe to say that she’s earned all of the accolades she’s already received (and will in the future).
Elsewhere during Saturday’s win for Newburyport (6-6-1), Mackenzie Riley scored twice and Holly Sullivan added the final goal. Both of those athletes also had assists, as did Riley Freeman and Allie Simons.
WRESTLING: Triton takes inaugural Tri-State Cup
It’s always rewarding to see a new, fun and great idea come to life.
That’s exactly what the Triton wrestling program got to experience over the weekend, hosting the first ever Tri-State Cup. The idea spawned at last year’s New England Championship, when coaches from Triton, Marblehead/Swampscott, Pelham (N.H.) and York (M.E.) thought of a meet idea that saw schools from three different states converge to compete — with a trophy on the line going to the winner.
On Saturday, that vision came to life.
And for the first ever Tri-State Cup, the trophy stayed at home with Triton.
The Vikings beat Marblehead/Swampscott in the opening round, 51-25, while on the other side of the bracket Pelham beat York, 45-35. In the second round it was the Vikings crushing York, 53-22, while Marblehead/Swampscott took down Pelham, 43-42. Finally, the Vikings cemented their victory by going undefeated and beating Pelham in the final round, 47-30.
“It was a good, competitive day,” said Triton coach Shawn McElligott. “I hope all of the teams feel the same.”
At the conclusion of the meet, Triton had improved to 13-3 on the season.
In the opening round, Triton got pins from Braydon Lawrence at 120 (:34), Austin Scolamiero at 126 (1:13), Ben Imlach at 138 (2:33), Jake Mies at 150 (:28), Amir Alami at 175 (2:28), Nolan Merrill at 190 (5:34) and Anthony Navaroli at 215 (:23). The Vikings also saw Riley-Anne Tarmey win by forfeit at 106, and Sam Imlach earn a 15-11 decision at 144.
“Nolan Merrill really stood out with a big pin over Colin Hart,” said McElligott. “Sam Imlach also toughed one out, bumping up to 144 to win 15-11.”
Then in the second round, it was more domination from the home team.
Triton earned three forfeit wins, then got pins from Mies (:32), Merrill (1:32) and Navaroli (:10). The story of this match, though, was the decision victories for the Vikings. There was Scolamiero at 126 (18-3), Alex Sabino at 132 (13-5), Sam Imlach at 138 (9-3) and newcomer Dan Burrow at 215 (19-3).
“It was good to get Dan Burrow in the lineup,” said McElligott. “He battled a bit and got a good win.”
Finally, Triton’s closest match of the day was it’s final one against Pelham.
Tarmey got the Vikings started with a pin at 106 (1:35), and the team earned other falls from Lawrence at 120 (:34), Scolamiero at 132 (2:45), Ben Imlach at 138 (:34), Mies at 150 (:13) and Navaroli at 215 (:23). Sabino then won a 19-3 technical fall at 126, and Ebin Hogan earned a forfeit victory at 113.
Triton is now off until hosting rival Pentucket at Newburyport Town Hall on Wednesday (6:30 p.m.) for the second annual “Great Debate” event. The Vikings will then also host the CAL/NEC Championship on Saturday.