Locals Compete in Bay State Games

Reading and North Reading residents competed in the Bay State Games recently. Here is some information about the local athletes.

Softball

The Northeast team won the softball crown at the games with help from North Reading's Terri Ferrazzani (pitcher) who hit a two-run homer, Meghan Riley (outfielder) who also played field hockey in the games, Shelby Carney (outfielder) and Meredith Moise (short stop). The team had a perfect record of 5-0. 

"I had a really good time playing. I played last year too, they're fun," Ferrazzani said. 

Ice Hockey

The Northeast hockey team won the gold medal with help from Reading's Evan Morelli (goalie), Robert Devaney (forward) and Joseph Czarnota (forward). The team had a 5-1 record.  

Baseball

The Northeast baseball team took the gold medal and baseball title at the games. The team's record was 4-0-1. North Reading's Ryan McAuliffe (pitcher), Mike Driscoll (pitcher), Keith Linnane and Reading's Sean O'Neill all played on the winning team.

Soccer

Reading's Paul Magazzu, striker and midfielder, played soccer at the games. He scored one goal and had five assists for the Northeast team who won two games, and lost three.

"I enjoyed the games so much and felt it is an excellent opportunity for anyone that really enjoys playing soccer," Magazzu said.

Magazzu will be a sophomore in the fall at St. John's Prep where he plays soccer.

Weightlifting

Reading resident Marie Garcia, 26, competed in the weightlifting portion of the games and came in first in her weight class. She hit two personal records, one in the snatch and the other in the clean and jerk. Garcia competes regularly and works out at CrossFit Woburn.

"It's probably the best community (Olympic lifting) that I've ever experienced. Even my competitors are super supportive, it's more of a family community and even the people that you compete against, they all cheer for you," Garcia said.

Wrestling

Assistant Wrestling Coach Matt Leahy challenged the RMHS wrestlers at their year-end banquet to get them to wrestle in the off-season. According to parent Valerie Ross, Leahy said that if at least 10 Reading wrestlers competed at the Bay State Games, he would wrestle in the open format portion of the games.

Last year only three Reading wrestlers competed, but this year 13 wrestlers participated and so did Leahy. He won is first match and lost two.

The students that participated from RMHS were Jim Bedingfield, Brendan Byrne, Tommy Dambrosio, Michael DeMild, Brendan Ford, Kevin Ford, Griffin Killian, Nicholas Makrys, Alec O'Brien, John O'Shaughnessy, Joe Penna, Nathan Perry, Jonathan Ross, Jack (john) Shea and Alexander Webb.

North Reading's John Elliott, Philip Bishop and Matt Foss also particpated in the wrestling portion of the games.

Swimming

Three Reading swimmers participated in the games as members of the Northeast team. Brothers Nicholas and Russell Stevens along with Nathaniel Smith. Russell Stevens competed in the 200 Meter Individual Medley Trials [3:21.14] and Nicholas Stevens made it to the finals of four individual events including the 200 Meter Individual Medley [2:40.03], 100 Meter Freestyle [1:03.95], 100 Meter Backstroke [1:08.39] and 100 Meter Butterfly [1:08.82]. Nick won a silver medal in the 100 Meter Backstroke and a gold for the backstroke leg on the Northeast's 400 Meter Medley Relay Team. Smith won six Gold Medals: 100 Meter Backstroke [1:13.40], 100 Meter Breaststroke [1:26.78], 200 Meter Individual Medley [2:44.56] and 400 Meter Individual Medley [5:49.27]. He also swam the backstroke leg on the Northeast's winning 200 Meter and 400 Meter Medley Relay Teams.  

The following local athletes also participated in the Bay State Games:  

North Reading

Raymond Acciavatti, Track Field

Tim Corcoran, Shooting-­‐Trap

Stephan Goldstein, Shooting-­‐Pistol

Morgan Maiola, Basketball

Geoffrey Neiley, Shooting-­‐Rifle

Emily Paladino, Field Hockey

Reading

Joseph Kajander, Shooting-­‐Rifle