By David Moser and Delaney Murphy
Class of 2017
Walpole Fall Sports Overall Record (17-12-4)
Girls Cross Country (5-0) After their first two meets, Walpole Girls Cross Country is off to a fast start with a defeat to both Natick and Dedham in their first meet to make them a 2-0 record. With veterans like Alyssa Murphy, Kyra Arsenault, and Danielle Borelli, and newcomer Camille Loguidice, the girls’ pack running mentality has helped fill the void left by graduated top runner Allie Morris. The girls carried their winning momentum on to their second meet, where they defeated Wellesley, Newton North, and Framingham to make their record now 5-0. The undefeated team has no dual meets this week as they prepare for their first invitational this weekend in Wrentham.
Field Hockey (4-0) No surprise here: the Porkers are off to a strong start to the season with a 2-0 record. After two wins over Natick and Newton North, scoring is not an issue; Walpole destroyed Natick 8-0 and clearly had the upper hand over Newton North 4-1. With Captains Mel Weber, Sarah Rockwood, and Nicole Tobin leading the way, the Porkers redeemed themselves against Wellesley who upset Walpole in the first round of last year’s tournament. Most recently, the Porkers beat Brookline on September 18, with a 12-0 victory adding to their now 4-0 record. The Porker’s hope to keep their winning streak alive in their next game against Milton on Monday, September 21.
Football (2-0) Ranked eighth in Massachusetts, Walpole is expected to have a great season this year, and senior captain Steve Cuqua’s opening drive touchdown vs. Marblehead is a clear sign of good things to come. Never giving up the lead to Marblehead, the Rebels did their job and brought home the first victory of the season. The Rebels took home another victory, when they defeated Needham with a score of 20-7 on September 18 to make their record 2-0.
Girls Soccer (1-2-1) With a slow start to the season, the Lady Rebels lost to Natick (3-0) in their first game and tied Newton North (1-1). After graduating last year’s entire starting defense, veteran goalie Kaitlin Brown looks to get things in line with all new players in front of her. Once the defense hits their stride, things should turn around for the Rebels. They got their first win of the season over Brookline, 2-1, on Friday September 18. Senior Julia Sandquist and junior Tayla Randall with a goal each for Walpole.
Boys Soccer (0-1-3) Currently 0-1-3, the Rebels are still looking for their first win. During the preseason scrimmages, the boys started off strong with two wins over Westwood and Attleboro, but now four games into the season, they are still trying to find their rhythm. The team can not finish their games strong, for they tied Natick (2-2) and Newton North (1-1) after giving up the lead. Their only loss came against Wellesley (2-1). Walpole faced off against Brookline on Friday, September 18, and unfortunately could not bring home a win, and finished yet another 1-1 tying game, with the lone goal scored by senior captain Ian Fair.
Golf (1-1) Losing 98-83, Walpole Golf unfortunately lost their season opener to Newton North. Things were looking down for the Rebels until their second match against Wellesley rolled around. The match ended in victory (116-101) and proved to be a quick turnaround to even Walpole’s record to 1-1.
Swimming (1-1) In the first meet of the season, Walpole Swimming and Diving beat Dedham 97-77 to make their record 1-0. Unfortunately, the Rebels were not as successful in their second meet with their loss to Brookline to make their record now 1-1. However, even with the loss, Walpole still had a victory that day, with sophomore Andrew Gubanov becoming the first boy in the history of Walpole to qualify for states in the 100 meter free with a time of 54 seconds.
Boys Cross Country (2-3) Despite graduating the majority of their varsity team this past year, the boys started off their season strong with a 2-0 record after winning their first meet against both Dedham and Natick. Seniors Andrew Wheeler and Eamon McCarthy, as well as junior Luke Berardinelli and sophomore Johnny Benoit have stepped up to filling the looming gap in their varsity squad. However, they still lacked the needed depth to conquer Wellesley, Newton North, and Framingham in their second meet and ended up losing to all three teams. With a record now of 2-3 and with stud track runner Christian Carr-Locke on the sideline for now, the boys are still looking to repeat a Herget Championship and keep strengthening their varsity team.
Volleyball (1-4) Rebel Volleyball had a tough start this year. In their first game of the season, Natick swept three consecutive sets to beat Walpole to make their record 0-1. In their next three games, the Rebels did not fare much better, for the team lost in four sets to Newton North, King Philip, and Wellesley. Finally, the Rebel’s earned their long overdue victory by defeating Brookline 3-1 to make their record 1-4.
