By Russ Ollis

Class of 2012

2009 has been a great year for sports at Walpole High.  Here’s my list of the top 10 sports moments for the Rebels in ’09.

10.  Boys and Girls Hockey make a playoff push – the Girls had their first-ever playoff game, which they won against Canton, but lost to Winchester in the second round.  The Boys won their first playoff game over New Bedford, but lost to Bridgewater-Raynham  in the next game.

9.  Cheerleaders go for 7-peat – the cheerleaders capture the Bay State League Herget Division title.  This is the 7th year in a row that the cheerleaders have won the Herget.

8.  Field Hockey- The Porkers won the South Sectional Title, but lost to Acton-Boxboro in the Emass finals.

7.  Swimming and Diving Undefeated Season- The Walpole Swim Team had their first-ever undefeated season and won the state tournament for the first time in team history.

6.  Boys Spring Track Goes Undefeated – Boys Spring Track goes undefeated for first time ever. Two athletes are sent to compete in the New England Championships at Burlington, Vermont.

5.  Izzo’s Last Game – On Thanksgiving Day, running back Ryan Izzo ’10 finished his Rebel career with a bang.  420 yards, 5 touchdowns in the 38-18 win over Weymouth.

4.  Ajemian wins it, again – Just like he did in football, Leo Ajemian ’09 scores the game-winning goal in overtime in the lacrosse sectional finals against Reading.  Early in the third quarter Reading was leading 9-3, but the Rebs bounced back – with the help of Ajemian – and won the game 11-10 in OT.  “Given the magnitude of the game, I’d say that this is probably the biggest,” said Coach Jason Andalo about the comebacks he’s coached during his tenure at Walpole High.

3.  Vinnie Lee and Chris Cameron shine at New Englands- Cameron came in first in the 300m hurdles and teammate Lee finished 4th in the 100m dash.

2.  Izzo’s Record-Breaking Touchdown – In the second quarter, in the biggest game of the year (Natick), Ryan Izzo scored a touchdown and with that he broke the EMass scoring record, which had been previously held by Nathan Sherr.

1.  Lacrosse wins State – In their first-ever state title game, the  Walpole Lacrosse Team did not disappoint.  The Rebels simply outplayed St. Johns of Shrewsbury, and won 17-8 to capture the Division 2 State Championship.