Three summers ago, an idea was hatched for a series that attempted to put a final bow on the athletic school years for our five Daily News area CAL schools. They would be long, school-specific articles going through each of the three seasons, reminiscing on the highlights, adding extra context if needed and quickly glancing ahead at — to our knowledge — who the top returners in each sport would be heading into next year.
Simultaneously closing one chapter, while jotting down the first few sentences of the next.
Thankfully, the series has been received positively.
So we’re back again.
And in keeping with “tradition,” this is Part 2 of a five-part series taking one last deep dive into the 2024-25 athletic years for our local CAL schools: Amesbury, Georgetown, Newburyport, Pentucket and Triton. We don’t pick favorites here, so we’re just going to go through this alphabetically.
We’ve done Amesbury, Georgetown and Newburyport, so up next is Pentucket:
FALL: Volleyball made history; Harper broke records
The Pentucket volleyball team knew it could be special.
When coach Kelly Lyons took over ahead of the 2022 season, what followed was a winless campaign as she had to rebuild the program. A year later, the Panthers nearly made the program’s first ever playoff appearance, finishing with a 6-12 record (its most ever, at the time) and as the “first team out” of the Division 3 field at No. 33 in the final rankings. But coming into this fall, with 10 seniors on the roster who had all been through the struggle, the time was now to make history.
And they did.
Senior libero Jocelyn Bickford became the school’s first ever two-time Daily News All-Star, and Pentucket (13-6) both made its first ever playoff appearance, and won its first ever postseason game when it swept Belchertown in the Division 3 preliminary round. The season also included a program-altering victory over a perennially-strong Lynnfield team, as well as wins over North Reading and Hamilton-Wenham. Bickford would finish the season with 247 digs, 65 aces and 18 kills, and fellow senior captains Mia Bartholomew (92 kills, 49 digs, 41 aces, 18 blocks) and Maisie King (81 kills, 42 digs, 11 blocks, 10 aces) were also named Daily News All-Stars.
The main question now: What next?
With those 10 seniors now gone, who will step up to take over those major vacated minutes? The Panthers should have hitters Amelia Crowe and Tey Turner back, but will need to figure out the rotation beyond them in 2025.
— Up next, we need to remember the record-breaking accomplishments that happened on the football field. Headlined by junior QB Steven Harper, who completed 146-of-221 passes for a Pentucket record 2,376 yards and 27 touchdowns. The CAL Kinney Offensive Player of the Year routinely found his Daily News All-Star top receivers in senior Aaron Ketschke (47-898-11) and junior Nick Carrion (51-935-11), while fellow junior Jackson Miller was a dual-threat option out of the backfield who recorded 577 rushing yards, 396 receiving yards and 5 total TDs.
Behind that quartet, the Panthers (5-6) averaged a stellar 27.1 points per game. They were able to beat rival Triton on Thanksgiving Day, won a wild 42-41 shootout over Salem (M.A.), and perhaps most impressively erased a 28-0 deficit to come back and stun Essex Tech, 29-28. But with only four — FOUR! — — seniors on the roster, depth and experience was an issue for the Panthers, particularly on defense where they surrendered 26.3 points per game.
But that shouldn’t be an issue this upcoming season.
With Harper back under center, and with Carrion and Miller both slated to return, the Panthers should once again have a top offense in the CAL.
— Little did we know at the time, but this ended up being the final season on the sidelines for legendary field hockey coach Ruth Beaton. After 31 years at the helm where she transformed Pentucket into both a perennial CAL and statewide contender, Beaton has stepped aside and has handed the reigns over to top assistant, Rachel Thornton. But the Panthers (9-7-4) made sure to send their coach off on a high note with another winning record, earning victories over Essex Tech, Triton and Hamilton-Wenham before beating Hanover in the first round of the Division 3 playoffs, 2-1. Two of the team’s senior Daily News All-Stars in Cat Colvin and Kat Flaherty scored the goals to power that playoff victory, and the Panthers would give Medfield a tough game before bowing out in the Round of 16.
So with all of the change coming between the new coach, and with Colvin Flaherty, Abbie Felzani, Ella Palmer and Carsen Ventola having graduated out, it’s going to look a lot different for Pentucket in 2025. But Thornton will still have plenty of returning talent to work with, starting with returning goalie Hannah Bub and continuing to athletes like Morgan Gallant, Cassidy Roche and Elle Pierce.
— Moving on, when talking about both soccer programs, the story of each had to be their grit. Yes, the boys were only able to muster four wins and weren’t able to make the Division 3 playoff field. But two-time Daily News All-Star Brayden Jennings and the Panthers were on the wrong end of four one-goal games, two of which came against rival Newburyport. Even as heavy underdogs in the popular ALS Cup, it was still a 0-0 game before the Clippers scored the game winner with 90 seconds left — after which winning coach Shawn Bleau praised the hustle, heart and determination displayed by the Panthers. Jennings will be gone this upcoming year, but Daily News All-Star junior defender Jake LaCroix will be back along with key pieces like Jayden Pabst, Mac Cole, Aiden Napolitano and goalie Owen Aalto.
Then for the girls, there were similarly four one-goal losses and three other games where Pentucket was within two goals. But with only four seniors on that roster, the Panthers are in line to return the bulk of their team this upcoming fall. That will include two captains and the team’s two CAL All-Stars from a year ago in Grace Sudbay and Sofia Bellacqua, along with promising rising-sophomore goalie Maisie Costello.
— Finally, in cross country, the high-end placers and the wins didn’t necessarily come as often as both programs would have like. But projecting forward to this upcoming season, the boys are in line to return their top-4 runners from a year ago in Zack Hannula, Benjamin Pierce, Owen McDonald and Grayson Shikes, and the girls certainly have a building block with rising-senior Morgan Dewey.
Key 2025 Returners
Boys Cross Country: Zack Hannula, Sr.; Benjamin Pierce, Sr.; Owen McDonald, Sr.; Grayson Shikes, Jr.
Girls Cross Country: Morgan Dewey, Sr.
Field Hockey: Morgan Gallant, Sr.; Hannah Bub, Sr.; Elle Pierce, Sr.; Cassidy Roche, Sr.; Haylie Gagnon, Jr.
Football: Steven Harper, Sr.; Nick Carrion, Sr.; Jackson Miller, Sr.; Tedy Cloutier, Sr.; Max Cloutier, Sr.; Owen Ferrant, Jr.
Golf: Noah Meyer, Sr.; Andrew Pfifferling, Sr.
Boys Soccer: Owen Aalto, Sr.; Mac Cole, Sr.; Jayden Pabst, Sr.; Aiden Napolitano, Sr.; Jake LaCroix, Jr.; Will Cacciapuoti, Jr.
Girls Soccer: Grace Sudbay, Sr.; Sofia Bellacqua, Sr.; Maisie Costello, Soph.
Volleyball: Amelia Crowe, Sr.; Tey Turner, Sr.; Carly Foley, Sr.
WINTER: 23-year-old record broken, All-Americans, and Kamuda’s wrestling dominance
Safe to say that Sydney Trout made an epic return to the indoor track scene.
After being named a Daily News All-Star for her prowess in the sprint events two winters ago, she unfortunately had to miss her entire junior season last year with a torn ACL. But making her return as a senior this winter, she wasted no time making some history. At the CAL Open, no less, Trout shattered the previous Pentucket record in the 55-meter by running a 7.26. That performance bested former great Ashley Moulton, who’s time of 7.33 put up way back in 2002 had stood for the past 23 years.
But no longer.
Trout would go on to place second in the dash (7.35) and sixth in the 300 (42.62) at the Division 5 State Meet, ninth in the dash at Meet of Champions (7.37), then end her season breaking the Pentucket record in the 60-meter at New Balance Nationals (7.90). She was named a Daily News All-Star along with fellow senior Delaney Meagher and junior Brighton Seymour, who should be back to lead a talented group next year which also includes Regan Breen, Paige Rosario and Addison Roach.
— Then for the boys indoor track team, the Sprint Medley unit of Steven Harper, Gabe Macleod, Jackson Beauparlant and Owen Corkery went out to Adidas Indoor Nationals, and left as All-Americans. The relay team placed third overall with a new school-record time of 3:38.17, and the label of All-American shortly followed. Beauparlant (1000/Mile), Corkery (55-meter/300) and Macleod (300) were all named Daily News All-Stars for their work in their respective events, with Macleod even breaking the school record in the 300 (36.03).
— Up next is wrestling, where Tanner Kamuda followed in his older brother Trevor’s footsteps and was named our Daily News MVP. A much-deserved honor for the younger Kamuda, who finished with a 45-4 record for his senior season which brought his career mark to 123-51. At 138 pounds this year, Kamuda won titles at the CAL/NEC Open, the Division 3 North Sectional and at the Division 3 State Meet. He would then win four matches at All-States to place third and qualify for New England’s, where he would travel down and win two more matches to finish inside of the top-12.
Also earning Daily News All-Star honors this year were seniors Mason Skinner (175) and Karsyn Otero (144), along with junior Martin DeJesus (132). A Newburyport native, DeJesus will be back next year to lead a group that will also include Jackson Miller (157) and Cooper Zaneski (165).
— In basketball, the girls continued to be a powerhouse.
Offense was a struggle at times early in the season, especially in the Commonwealth Motors Christmas Classic where the team took losses to Natick and Bridgewater-Raynham. But following the holiday, the Panthers (19-6) ripped off an 11-game winning streak that would eventually see them make the program’s fourth straight appearance in a state quarterfinal.
As a junior, Amelia Crowe was named our Daily News MVP after averaging 15.9 ppg with 50 total 3s. She would help the Panthers beat fellow CAL powers North Reading (x2) and Newburyport during the regular season, Newton North in the Spartans Classic tournament, then both Stoneham and Apponequet in the Division 3 tournament. Fellow juniors Allie Gagnon (8.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2.5 spg) and Sofia Bellacqua (5.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.8 spg) where also named Daily News All-Stars, and nearly led the team to a victory over Foxborough in the Elite 8. Between those three All-Stars, forwards Chloe Dancewicz and Devyn Walsh, and guard Carly Foley, the Panthers are in line to return their top-6 scorers this upcoming season.
Then for the boys, seniors Matt Pipan (15.1 ppg, 46 3s) and Dylan Scott (11.9 ppg, 32 3s) were a strong 1-2 combo despite the team not earning as many wins at it would have liked. Watch out for names like Tedy Cloutier, Michael Torrisi and Gavin Jalbert to have prominent roles for new coach Tim Kelly come next season.
— Lastly, boys hockey had it’s share of memorable moments.
The first of which came in early February, when Daily News All-Star forwards Chase Pelletier and Aaron Wirwicz combined for three goals to lead Pentucket (9-13-0) to its first win over Newburyport since 2004. The Panthers would then ultimately make the Division 4 playoffs as the No. 22 seed, and get an incredible 5-goal performance from Pelletier to stun No. 11 Lunenburg in the first round, 5-2. Both Pelletier and All-CAL selection Mac Cole will be back to lead the forward room next year, and Josh Yoon is in line to return as the team’s starting goalie for the fourth straight year.
Also, we need to shout out Paige Nottingham for helping the HPNA co-op team make the program’s first ever trip to the Division 1 Final Four. The electric senior defenseman was named a Daily News All-Star for the second straight year after scoring 12 goals with 19 assists.
Key 2025-26 Returners
Boys Basketball: Tedy Cloutier, Sr.; Gavin Jalbert, Sr.; Michael Torrisi, Jr.
Girls Basketball: Amelia Crowe, Sr.; Allie Gagnon, Sr.; Sofia Bellacqua, Sr.; Chloe Dancewicz, Sr., Carly Foley, Sr.; Devyn Walsh, Jr.
Boys Hockey: Chase Pelletier, Sr.; Mac Cole, Sr.; Josh Yoon, Sr.; Owen Case, Jr.; Sam Escobar, Jr.
Boys Indoor Track: Gabe Macleod, Sr.; Steven Harper, Sr.; Zack Hannula, Sr.; Holden Choma, Jr.
Girls Indoor Track: Brighton Seymour, Sr.; Regan Breen, Sr.; Paige Rosario, Sr.; Addison Raoch, Jr.
Wrestling: Martin DeJesus, Sr.; Jackson Miller, Jr.; Cooper Zaneski, Jr.
SPRING: Softball dominated, while both lacrosse teams stayed steady
It’s one of the better seasons in Pentucket softball history.
Maybe the best?
A statement that’s not completely out of the question, after the Panthers (19-3) won their first CAL Kinney title since 1990 and made it to the Division 3 Round of 16. With four-year starter and three-time Daily News All-Star pitcher Molly LeBel dominating in the circle, the Panthers opened the season with a flawless 14-0 record. LeBel would finish the spring with an area-best 0.81 ERA, while also striking out 193 to bring her career total up to 774.
And beyond the pitching, this was a lineup that could hit 1-through-9.
Fellow senior captain Kayla Murphy wrapped up her own stellar three-time Daily News All-Star career, as the UMass Boston commit and elite shortstop hit .451 (37-for-82) with 29 RBI. Junior second baseman Sarah Freitas (.395, 18 RBI) was also named a Daily News All-Star, and Kallie White (.342), Caitlyn McCoy (.364), Mia Bartholomew (.356), Michaela Gabardi and Ciara Pennie all had strong seasons. Then, the cherry on top was freshman phenom Kam Bonneau, who was named a Daily News All-Star after hitting a ridiculous .581 (36-for-62) with 36 RBI and 10 home runs.
Yes, losing LeBel next year will hurt. But the Panthers are in line to return the bulk of their lineup, and Pennie has been ready and waiting to take over for the team in the circle.
— Staying on the diamond but moving to baseball, Pentucket (12-10) had a solid season that included winning the Bert Spofford Tournament and also a preliminary round game in the Division 3 playoffs. But projecting forward, next year could end up being special for the program, as it only losses one senior in Tanner Kamuda. The Panthers could have two aces leading their rotation next spring, as the team’s top pitchers from this year, Patrick Stewart (2-3, 1.69 ERA, 47 Ks in 49.2 IP) and Luke Pergola (5-3, 1.98 ERA, 54 Ks in 56.1 IP), will be back. Pergola was a Daily News All-Star who could also hit (.328), and fellow Daily News All-Star shortstop Julien Powers (.362) will be back as well alongside Tedy Cloutier (.303), Donovan Yoder (.278), Noah Meyer (.271), Max Cloutier and Jayden Pabst.
— Up next, the girls lacrosse team finally got the monkey off its back and beat rival Newburyport for the first time since 2015. Led by its five Daily News All-Star seniors in Kate Conover (55g, 43), Ella Palmer (85g, 21a), Sydney Trout (38g, 46a, 91 dc), Cat Colvin (60g, 39a) and Kat Flaherty — who are all committed to play in college — the Panthers (17-6) were able to make it to the Division 4 quarterfinals. Once there, they battled two-time state runner-up, perennial power and CAL foe Ipswich to the final buzzer, but were on the wrong end of a 9-8 heartbreaker.
Still, it was a senior class that won an impressive 58 games with three Elite 8 appearances during its tenure. The Panthers will look quite different next year without them on the field, but it’ll definitely help having their final Daily News All-Star from this past year, Katherine Wisniewski, back in the lineup. The draw specialist won an area-best 122 of them this spring, while also scoring 16 goals with 8 assists.
— Moving over to the boys lacrosse team, it was a little bit of a slower start as Pentucket had to adapt to life without the program’s all-time leading scorer, Ben Turpin. The Panthers did win their opening three games of the season, but would drop four in a row and six of their next seven to sit at 4-6 midway through the year.
However, the light eventually turned on.
Starting with a 17-7 victory over Woburn on May 7th, Pentucket (13-7) would proceed to go on an eight-game winning streak to end its regular season and head into the Division 4 playoffs. That would continue with a 17-6 win over South Shore Tech in the opening round, but the run for the Panthers would end in the Round of 16 with a heartbreaking 9-8 overtime loss to CAL rival Manchester-Essex.
All told, though, not a bad season at all for a team that only had one senior in faceoff specialist Alex Lamattina. The Panthers are slated to basically bring back their entire roster next year, which will include the team’s three Daily News All-Stars in Aiden Napolitano (29g, 12a, 150 gb, 54 TOF), Mac Cole (72g, 10a) and Nate Stys (56g, 19a), along with other key pieces like Michael Torrisi, Jacob Haynes and Owen Ferrant.
— Finally, in track, Holden Choma now only sits behind one former athlete in school history when it comes to the high jump. As just a sophomore this spring, Choma incredibly cleared 6-foot-6 at the CAL Open, which sits second all-time for Pentucket track behind 1987 State Champion Andy Hirsch (7-0.25). Choma was fifth in the high jump at the Division 5 State Meet (6-0) and 16th at Meet of Champions (6-2), and after the season was named a Daily News All-Star. Also earning that title was senior Jackson Beauparlant, who was 17th in the Mile at Meet of Champions (4:21.98).
Then for the girls, it was an excellent sophomore season for Daily News All-Star Susan Wisniewski. The elite distance runner ended the year going out to Nike Nationals in Oregon, and would post her personal-record time in the Mile (5:06.26) to place 34th in the Emerging Elite Division. That time was the fastest of any MIAA Division 5 athlete this spring, as Wisniewski was also 17th in the event at Meet of Champions (5:06.73). Graduated senior Delaney Meagher, who will continue her track career at Colby College, was also named a Daily News All-Star after placing second at the CAL Open in the high jump (5-0).
Key 2026 Returners
Baseball: Luke Pergola, Sr.; Julien Powers, Sr.; Patrick Stewart, Sr.; Tedy Cloutier, Sr; Noah Meyer, Sr.; Jayden Pabst, Sr.; Donovan Yoder, Soph.
Boys Lacrosse: Aiden Napolitano, Sr.; Mac Cole, Sr.; Nate Stys, Jr.; Michael Torrisi, Jr.; Jacob Haynes, Jr.; Owen Ferrant, Jr.
Girls Lacrosse: Katherine Wisniewski, Sr.; Allie Gagnon, Sr.; Haylie Gagnon, Jr.
Softball: Sarah Freitas, Sr.; Kallie White, Jr.; Caitlyn McCoy, Jr.; Michaela Gabardi, Jr.; Ciara Pennie, Jr.; Kam Bonneau, Soph.; Evelyn Howell, Soph.
Boys Track: Zack Hannula, Sr.; Max Coppola, Sr.; Gabe Macleod, Sr.; Holden Choma, Jr.; Rowan Weinberg, Jr.
Girls Track: Brighton Seymour, Sr.; Paige Rosario, Sr.; Susan Wisniewski, Jr.