Salem Observer : sports

Saints start to skate

Salem Editor — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:22:00 GMT

The Salem Saints began their second season in the Valley Hockey League. Nine Saints teams play there, while the Midget 1 team competes in the Granite State League.

During games played the week of Sept. 14 to 20: The Mites beat S & S, 7- 2, with Mason Drouin and Nick Peters garnering two goals apiece. Brendon Banks, Michael Drouin and Jake Wrobel also tallied. Goalkeeper Hunter Drouin turned in a solid outing between the pipes.

The Squirt 1 team played aggressively and blanked Wilmington, 4-0. Dylan Salvo, Jonathan Last, Kevin Bolio and Michael Borrelli scored the goals, with Paddy Capsalis earning the shutout in net.

The Squirt 2 team fell to the Wizards, 5-4, despite tallies from Will Bickford, Mason Healey, Hunter Healey and Owen McNamara.

Shea Kingsley and Thomas Defelice recorded assists.

The Pee Wee 1 team shut down Lowell, 3-0. Thomas Gillespie and Andrew Gosson combined for the shutout in net. Chad Desautels, Connor McCurley and Brad Brock found the back of the net for the locals.

The Pee Wee 2 team, despite strong netminding from Nick Sturgess and Evan Phair, lost to Andover, 3-1. Seth McCarthy scored the lone goal.

The Bantam 3 team lost to Greater Lowell, 8-1.

Salem man makes MMA debut Sept. 11

Salem Editor — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:23:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

For years, Tyson Akl has been called psycho. And that’s OK with him.

When your job is to step into a caged-in ring and punch, kick and grapple your opponent into submission, it’s actually not a bad nickname to have.

The 36-year-old Akl, a Salem resident for the last four years, makes his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) debut on Friday, Sept. 11, at Icecenter in Salem.

The middleweight fighter began MMA training about 15 years ago in Montreal, and in the time since became an underground street fighter on the Internet.

Near the beginning of his MMA career, the 185- pound “Psycho” took on a 400-pound opponent, pulverizing him and leading those in attendance to give him a nickname he’s had ever since.

“I’m not a person who is going to run their mouth outside the cage, I do work inside,” said Akl. “I explode inside, not out.”

Like most involved in the sport, Akl’s goal is to reach the MMA pinnacle and fight in an Ultimate Fighting Championship bout.

“The next two fights will tell the story,” said Akl’s promoter and friend Sal LoNano. “After this fight everyone will be able to see if he can go to the next level. We’ll know just how good he is.”

LoNano said Akl brings a scary skill set – and mindset – to the cage, ready to outlast opponents as well as outwork them with his boxing and wrestling skills.

But it’s his mental makeup that Akl said gives him confidence he can achieve his goal of fighting in the UFC.

“I’m a little older, but I know I can make it,” said Akl, who plans to open a mixed martial arts school in town. “If you decide you want to accomplish something, you can, no matter what it takes.”

During the Sept. 11 fight, Akl takes on 23-year-old Team Bomb Squad fighter Collin Schrader, who doesn’t have much familiarity with his opponent.

“It’s tough to prepare for someone you don’t know anything about, but I’ve fought before when I didn’t know much about my past competitors,” said Schrader. “My last two opponents have been 22 and 27. He’s definitely older, so it will be a little different.” LoNano said while Akl is at an advanced age in MMA terms, he believes “Psycho” is a force.

“Don’t let the age fool you,” said LoNano. “If I had to fight him, I’d be scared to (death).”

Fly-fishing workshop available

Salem Editor — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:33:00 GMT

Women who have learned the basics of fly-fishing and seek to build their skills can learn more about this sport at a Becoming an Outdoors- Woman (BOW) intermediate fly-fishing weekend workshop, Sept. 25 to 27, at Purity Spring Resort in Madison.

Participants learn from expert instructors about the finer points of casting: accuracy, timing and shooting the line; reading the water; picking a proper fly and knowing how to cast it; and what to do when you catch a fish. Participants fish both still and moving water.

This special “Beyond BOW” workshop costs $275, which includes instruction, meals and two nights lodging in the rustic Purity Spring Resort.

To register and read an itinerary, visit nhbow.com, or call 271-3212 to request an application by mail.

Class space is limited, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Participants must be at least 18 years old.

Salem woman recognized as one of IWFL’s best players

Salem Editor — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:28:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Five years ago, when Jamie Naylor heard about an all-women’s football league, she thought, “I could do that.”

She was right.

Naylor, a 2000 Salem High School graduate, recently finished her fifth year with the Manchester Freedom, where she has filled nearly every role in a sport she had never played until she tried out for the team.

In her most recent campaign, during which the Freedom finished with a 4-4 regular- season record and earned a playoff spot, Naylor was named to the Independent Women’s Football League all-star team and traveled to Austin, Texas, with other stars from the 51- team league.

Though Naylor is predominantly a wide receiver and safety, she has also returned kicks and served as a place kicker and backup quarterback.

And Naylor isn’t the only Salem resident on the squad; captain Lauri Izzi serves as a quarterback and running back in addition to her special teams work.

It’s Naylor’s versatility that her head coach, Dave Sarvis, said has made her a key member of the Freedom.

“It isn’t a case of what one thing makes her so important to the team,” said Sarvis. “Her ability to adapt to multiple positions on offense and defense and be utilized in complex systems has been impressive.”

Before she joined the Freedom, Naylor played soccer and softball growing up. Naylor said each prepared her for football in different ways.

The training for soccer helped Naylor’s endurance, while softball helped her focus on the importance of fundamentals.

“The sports really taught me the importance of being on a team as well,” said Naylor. “In soccer and softball, you can have one player who really carries the team. In football, everyone on the team has to participate, and you have to rely on everyone else.”

When Naylor first came into the league, the season included 10 regular-season games. Teams currently play eight contests leading up to the playoffs.

Freedom players practice two or three nights a week, and Sarvis said that makes Naylor’s progress even more impressive; it shows how much she works in her spare time.

“The fact that someone can come in without prior experience and learn from the Pop Warner level right up through college in the span of three months, and grow year after year, that’s outstanding,” he said.

Naylor said one of the most rewarding aspects of playing in the IWFL is the example she can set for young females who may not have known football was an option for them.

“The opportunity is there,” said Naylor. “If we can be the forerunners for the girls to have opportunities when they’re younger, it’ll be great for them to get chances to play at the next level.”

Salem American wins four straight to take Fraser Tournament

Salem Editor — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:14:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Brett Barrett helped Salem American’s 11- and 12-year-old all-star baseball team end the Fraser Tournament in style.

Barrett, the starting shortstop, made a diving stop in the hole, then threw to first baseman Pat McCarty, who picked the ball out of the dirt, capping a 14-0 win over Manchester North and the tournament victory on Friday, July 24.

Salem pounded out the 14 runs on 14 hits, and Josh Perreault pitched four innings, striking out six batters for a mercy-rule complete-game victory. In Little League District 1 play and the Fraser and Salem tournaments, Perreault threw 19 innings and allowed no runs.

Barrett, who collected two hits and three RBI, led the offense, while Austin Hall drove in two runs, Justin McQuarrie added three hits and two runs scored, Trevor Couture delivered two hits, and Matt Meisner, Bob Dortona, Derek Britner and Dan Barbin had one hit apiece.

In consecutive losses in its first two games of District 1 play, Salem managed just two runs, but in four Fraser games the team racked up 41.

Manager Gary Barbin said his team’s approach at the plate in the Fraser Tournament was the same as during district competition, despite the run differential.

“We did everything we did in districts, except the bats just came alive,” said Barbin. “In district play if you get a tough draw and the bats go silent, you’re going to get a quick exit.”

Almost as impressive as American’s offensive explosion against North was its ability to shut down the Manchester bats, which produced 37 runs in three games entering the Fraser championship.

Perreault limited the opponents to two harmless hits during the four-inning game.

Salem knocked off Nashua, Derry National and Auburn before cruising to victory in its last contest.

“Getting them up and excited for every game and practice was easy,” said Barbin. “They still had that bad taste in their mouth after districts, and this was able to help them get that out a little bit.”

The Salem roster included Dan Barbin, Barrett, Britner, Couture, Dortona, Hall, Andrew Hulshult, McCarty, McQuarrie, Miesner, Perrault and Anthony Salvo.

While it wasn’t the trophy American players had hoped to earn entering the summer, Gary Barbin said the experience of winning the Fraser bracket still improves his players’ development.

“It’s still very good baseball,” said Barbin. “It was exciting that with the caliber of play we faced that we were able to come out on top.”

Tough start in losers’ bracket final means end to Salem National’s season

Salem Editor — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:46:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Salem National’s bats went silent in its final two games, but the locals still made plenty of noise during the Little League District 1 baseball tournament.

The 11- and 12-year-olds were eliminated following an 8-3 loss in the losers’ bracket final to eventual District 1 champion Bedford on Thursday, July 16, ending a lengthy tournament run that included four victories.

While Jeremy Bagley allowed four first-inning runs, he also showed a great deal of composure, settling into a groove in the middle innings and giving his team a chance to come back.

In its previous game, a winners’ bracket final loss to Windham, Salem was blanked without managing a single base runner.

“You just can’t start the game slow,” said National manager Paul Soucy. “This is the second game in a row, and it did us in. But I was still proud of the way we fought to stay in the game.”

John Cerretani did his best to help Salem climb back within striking distance, launching two majestic solo home runs; one landed well in the woods behind Goffstown’s Villa Augustina field.

Cerretani also delivered an RBI single in the top of the first that temporarily gave his team a 1-0 edge.

“You’d love to have a few more John Cerretanis on your team,” said Soucy. “We ran into a combination of quiet bats and great pitching. We knew that’s what we were going to be in for, and good pitching beats good hitting.”

Despite his team’s elimination, Soucy said he believed this was the best performance of any Salem team in District 1 play.

Unfortunately for Salem, the game served as redemption for Bedford after National handed the champs their only loss of the tournament, 3-2, on July 9.

After knocking off Salem, Bedford conquered Windham in consecutive games to earn a match up with Portsmouth, the District 2 representative.

Twelve-year-old members from this year’s National team were Cody Soucy, Ricky Covino, Cerretani, Bagley, Jason Michalsky, Tyler Pickett, Reed Grubbs, Jake Shepley and Jacob Genest. Paul Soucy said the deep run should help the players as they move to the 90- foot diamond.

The team also featured three 11-year-olds – Kenny Calabrese, Dominic Palermo and Zach Martineau. Soucy added these ballplayers, all eligible for all-star play in 2010, gain an obvious edge.

“We had some kids who were new to this level of baseball. For the kids staying at this level, the experience is second to none, and this season was a great way for the 12-yearolds to end their Little League careers,” said Soucy. “This was just a tremendous group of boys to coach.”

Salem National edges Bedford

Salem Editor — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:26:00 GMT

BY JERRY LIPTAK

Three days prior to their winners’ bracket setback to Windham, Salem National overcame an early 2-0 deficit to nip Bedford, 3-2, at Joseph A. Bergeron Memorial Field in Salem.

Jeremy Bagley earned the win for National, throwing a complete game for the locals.

Salem fell behind in the bottom of the first inning when Bagley surrendered a two-run home run. But he grew stronger as the game progressed. By the sixth inning, he was in complete control. In fact, it was Bagley’s lone one-twothree inning.

National tied the game in the top of the second. Cody Soucy and Dominic Palermo both walked to open the frame. After Bagley bounced into a fielder’s choice, Both Soucy and Palermo scored on Tyler Pickett’s RBI groundout and a subsequent error.

After Bagley worked around a jam in the bottom of the second – one of many he faced – Salem took the lead for good in the top of the third. With one out, John Cerretani singled up the middle.

He stole second and third, ultimately scoring on Cody Soucy’s RBI to left.

Salem National pitches, defends, hits … and wins

Salem Editor — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:13:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Salem National is making a pitch for a deep tournament run, hoping to ride its duo of strong arms past the semifinals of the Little League 11- and 12-year-old District 1 tournament.

The locals outlasted Auburn, 4-2, in the first round of the bracket on June 29 to earn a match up with Hooksett. Salem won the baseball game, 5-4, on Wednesday, July 1.

After its second-round victory, National cruised into the semifinals on Friday, July 3, by pounding Bow, 11-1, to set up a home contest with Bedford that was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, July 8.

A win sends the team to the winners’ bracket finals on Saturday, July 11.

John Cerretani allowed just one run in the two games he pitched so far this summer for National, while Jeremy Bagley held Hooksett down long enough to help set his team up for a dramatic win.

With the score tied at 4-4 in the top of the sixth inning, leadoff hitter Ricky Covino blasted a ball off the base of the foul pole in right field for an RBI double that provided the difference against Hooksett.

“Their ability to pick up on the execution things we’ve been doing has been a huge surprise to me,” said manager Paul Soucy. “So far it’s been pitching and timely hitting that have been huge for us.”

Covino also added a home run in the first round against Auburn, and John Cerretani jolted a home run in the tilt with Hooksett before contributing two doubles in the win over Bow.

Salem’s defense has also been a critical factor, with right fielder Kenny Calabrese backing up an overthrow and gunning down a Hooksett base runner attempting to scamper back to first late in the game.

Icenter hosts steel cagefights

Salem Editor — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:01:00 GMT

American Steel Cagefighting makes its professional mixed-martial-arts promotional debut July 31 with a 10-fight card scheduled at the Icenter in Salem.

The main event pits Lance Everson, 11-6-0 and fighting out of Mansfield, Mass., for The Boneyard, against U.S. Navy veteran and Nashua resident Woody Weatherby, 7-1- 0, representing Renzo Gracie NH.

The co-feature matches IFL veteran and Manchester resident Nate Lamotte, 10-4-0, and Doug Gordon, 9-7-0. The Super Fight matches super heavyweights who both fought in the UFC, veteran Kevin Jordan, 11-8-0, and Patrick Smith, 16-13-0.

All fights are scheduled for three 3-minute rounds; fighters and fights are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $50, $75, and $100, are available to purchase at Stateline Ticket Agency in Salem and all Two Guys Smoke Shop stores in Salem, Nashua and Seabrook, as well as by calling toll free (888) 22404272 or visiting www.AmericanSteelCagefighting.com.

Doors open at 6 p.m.; the first fight starts at 8 p.m. For details, visit to www.AmericanSteelCagefighting.com.

Woodbury rolls to pair of postseason wins, takes title

Salem Editor — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:31:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

During its regular-season meetings with Hudson and Londonderry, Woodbury Middle School won by a combined five runs.

The postseason was a different story.

After a first-round bye in the Tri-County tournament, the Warriors pounded out 33 runs in two games to cruise to the league title.

On June 2, Woodbury blasted Londonderry, 18-1, in the semifinals, pounding out 19 hits in only four innings of play against a team that took the Warriors to nine innings during the regular season. Woodbury followed that dominating performance with another mercy-rule win when facing Hudson in the league final.

Hudson jumped to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but the Warriors scored 15 unanswered runs and earned a 15-3 victory on June 5, also in four innings.

In two abbreviated playoff games, the Warriors smashed 35 hits and scored 33 runs, led by Samantha Cloutier’s 5-for- 8 performance that included eight runs scored.

Kaitlyn Arsenault was also 5-for-8 and scored five runs, while Rachel Morrissey and Amanda Bickford were each 5-for-7 and Jillian McCollgan and Rachel Murphy went 4- for-5 apiece.

Of the 35 hits in the two games, 31 were singles, and Woodbury batted .583 as a team.

“The whole focus was to start learning to make adjustments to pitches,” said head coach Rino Beninati. “If they weren’t able to catch up on the fastball or they had two strikes on them, they were just trying to make contact. They weren’t going to smash the ball, but they weren’t going to strike out.”

Beninati said he was most impressed because his offense turned in such a dominating performance against pitchers who had previously proven to be among the better arms in the Tri-County League.

Beninati was particularly pleased that 20 of his squad’s 33 runs crossed the plate with two outs.

While winning the championship was an accomplishment for his team, Beninati said he is more focused on the contributions his players can make once they leave him.

“We’ve won many titles, to the point where you don’t remember the records or who you beat. It’s about the program, and it starts before me,” said Beninati. “When I look at how well the high school does, that’s the goal. We want to prepare them to be a part of that. Winning is secondary.”

The mentor said the key to his team’s success was the focus on fundamentals and repetition.

Despite having many successful teams, Beninati hasn’t had a team swing the way this year’s Warriors did in the playoffs.

“I’ve had teams that were much more talented than this one,” said Beninati. “I’ve never had anyone who’s performed that well before.”

Phantom gymnasts earn state titles

Salem Editor — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:17:00 GMT

BRENTWOOD – The Phantom Gymnastics prep optional division recently won two team championships at the state meet at Gymnastics at Brentwood Commons in Brentwood, taking the advanced division with a score of 109.575 and the intermediate division with a score of 111.3. The novice team placed second with a score of 113.775.

Ten teams participated in the third state meet for the prep optional gymnastics program, which allows more athletes to remain in competitive gymnastics without the time commitment of the traditional Junior Olympic program. For details, visit phantomgymnastics.com. In addition, Phantom gymnasts took five individual all-around state championship titles, as well as 15 individual event championship titles.

In the advanced level, senior 14+ division, Sammy Graziani was the all-around state champion and bar champion. Chloe Ouellette of Atkinson placed second in the all-around. Lilli Oliveri of Salem was the vault state champion, second on floor and sixth in the all-around.

In the junior 11- to 13-year-old division, Maddy Theodore was the all-around state champion and first on floor. Sam O’Connell of Salem earned the state title on vault and placed fourth in the all-around.

In the intermediate level, senior 13-year-old division, Amanda Holden was the all-around state champion, also winning bars, beam and floor.

Ally DeCloux took second in the all-around. Mel Fenton of Windham was the vault state champ and fifth in the all-around.

In the junior 12-year-old division, Nicole Faber of Salem took third in the all-around and tied for second on floor. Alexandra Cave took third on floor, Shealyn Redmond of Salem was fourth on beam, and Anna Fallisi of Salem was eighth on bars.

In the 7- to 11-year-old division, Bailey Dodge finished third on vault and fifth in the all-around, and Emily Cambra took second on floor.

In the novice level, junior 11- and 12-year-old division, Toni Schena was crowned all-around state champ, led by first-place finishes on beam and floor. Amber Chopelas of Salem placed third in the all-around, including second on beam. Ashley Iannuzzi took fifth in the all-around, followed by Samantha Milone of Salem in sixth.

In the 10-year-old division, Corinn Szostkiewicz tied for the all-around crown, winning the floor exercise outright. Gemma Schena won the beam and took second in the all-around.

In the child 6- to 9-year-old division, Julia DeCloux was second in the all-around. McKenzie Hughes of Salem took third on floor and sixth in the all-around.

Christina Giannopoulos finished seventh on bars and third on beam. Kirstin Klimkofski earned the state championship on bars and fifth on vault.

RAYS shine at state swim championships

Salem Editor — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:22:00 GMT

The largest team in the nine years of the Rockingham Area Youth Swim (RAYS) club competed at the New Hampshire State Swim Association state meet, March 20 to 22, at Phillips Exeter Academy.

Facing 14 other teams, the RAYS not only fared well in many individual events, but also scored well in all of the relays. In particular, the 8-, 9- and 10-yearolds scored well.

The team’s local athletes included Olivia Thrower, Emily Martsolf and Donovan Hopkins, all Windham residents competing in the 8-and-under girls and boys divisions. Hopkins took second in the 25-yard freestyle.

Among 9- and 10-year-olds, Alexis Sawyer, Thomas Draper and David Hume, all of Windham, raced for the RAYS.

Meghan O’Connor of Windham took fourth in the 50-yard backstroke among 11- and 12- year-old girls. Windham’s Samuel Lynn and Andrew Dalencourt faced fellow 11- and 12-year-old boys.

Among 13- and 14-year-old girls, Windham residents Courtney Smith, Julia Enos and Julia Bushell all collected top-10 finishes, while Tricia Caiati of Salem and Brian Dalencourt of Windham also competed for the Rock.

Angela Bleeker of Windham led the 15- and 16-year-old girls with top-10 finishes in the 500 free and 100-yard backstroke. Ashley Thrower, Katie Schmidt and Alex Hennessy, all of Windham, competed as well. Stephen Chau of Windham raced for the boys.

Jane Tighe of Windham took third in the 100 free, one of three top-10 finishes among 17- and 18-year-old girls. Mark Bacigalupo of Windham was second in the 100-yard butterfly and third in the 100 back and fourth in the 100 free for the boys. Michelle Kalil of Windham also competed for the girls.

The 8-and-under girls 100- yard freestyle relay took second place behind the efforts of Windham’s Emily Martsolf, who joined with Halle Hamilton, Gillian Connors and Caroline Russell. The 100-yard medley relay team of Hamilton, Madison Martin, Martsolf and Connors took third.

Donovan Hopkins and Grant Dixon, both of Windham, teamed with Asa Runge and Hunter Angione to place third in the 8-and-under boys 100-yard medley relay.

Julia Bushell of Windham, along with Jessica Martin, Alyssa Boccia and Shelby McKenney, took second in the 13- and 14- year-old girls 200-yard freestyle relay.

Jane Tighe of Windham, Mandy Avella, Haley Bowen and Abby DeWitt placed second in the 15-and-over girls 200-yard medley relay.

The RAYS offer sign-ups for the spring-summer season in early May. For more meet results or team information, visit www.mv.com/org/rays-nh.

Salem’s deep gymnastics team takes another state title by big margin

Salem Editor — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:14:00 GMT

BY JERRY LIPTAK

The Salem girls gymnastics team followed Pinkerton throughout the state gymnastics championship meet at Salem High on Saturday, Feb. 21. Yet ultimately, each New Hampshire team found itself in a familiar place – following the Blue Devils in search of the state title.

The hosts won their third straight crown and eighth overall with 136.2 points, and they did it handily, defeating Pinkerton, the No. 2 seed entering the meet, by nearly four points. The Astros’ total of 132.625 was precisely two points better than Central.

Pelham, which placed 12th as a team, received a fine performance from senior Chelsea I’Anson, who was seventh in the all-around among individuals and won the beam (please see the story on Page B-2).

SHS head coach Ginnie La- Vallo said the Blue Devils generally perform well on beam and dominate the floor exercise, but they struggle at times on vault and uneven bars.

Salem, paired with Pinkerton throughout the afternoon session, began its title quest on vault, then moved to bars. If the Blue Devils stumbled on either or both, the Astros and Little Green were waiting to pounce. They’re still waiting.

“The vault has always been our downfall,” said LaVallo. “But they sure came through today.”

Salem won the vault with four top-20 efforts. Junior Shireen Kirata posted a 9.025 to take fourth, and senior captain Leeann Vadala was sixth. Those two competed in the all-around for SHS and joined with senior captain Jessica Maffeo, back from mononucleosis, and freshman Jamie Maffeo to tally 34.725 points in the event.

Vadala, sporting two knee braces to stabilize her from further injury, then posted the day’s highest score, earning a 9.4 on uneven bars. Jamie Maffeo finished sixth, Kirata tied for seventh, and sophomore Geena Terino also scored as Salem won bars as well. The rout was on.

“We’re certainly going to enjoy this one because who knows what happens next year,” said LaVallo, who added that the team’s depth ensured this season’s crowning achievement.

The program loses Jessica Maffeo and Vadala, who finished second to Spaulding’s Kaitlyn O’Brien for the individual all-around title, to graduation. In addition, Windham’s high school welcomes Jamie Maffeo and fellow freshmen Christy Theriault and Giana Contrada; all contributed in Salem’s pursuit of the championship, with Theriault’s ninth-place tie on floor and 12th-place tie on beam adding to the SHS score.

Vadala was sixth on beam, and Contrada and Kirata, a strong eighth in the state among all-around competitors, pumped up the team score. Jessica Maffeo and Taylor Buatti, a junior, competed on beam as well.

Buatti joined Vadala and the young Theriault among top- 10 finishers on floor, and Jamie Maffeo, 11th, also scored. Juniors Kirata, Jess Theriault and Buatti are eligible to return for Salem, as is Terino. LaVallo, though, said her two seniors, Jessica Maffeo and Vadala, are difficult to replace.

“They have been great leaders, even role models,” said the coach. “They do their own work and find time to help others. They’re exactly what you want in a captain.”

Meet notes
Spaulding’s O’Brien also scored a 9.4 on floor to match Vadala’s tally on bars. Salem was within one-half point of sweeping each team event, taking second on beam to Pinkerton before closing the tourney with the usual strong performance on floor.

In rough-and-tumble battle, Salem hockey loses to Bishop Guertin, falls to .500

Salem Editor — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:43:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Salem and Bishop Guertin hit hard all afternoon, but the Cardinals saved their biggest blows for the back of the net, skating past the Blue Devils, 5-2. BG scored twice in each of the first two periods and added an empty-netter in the final frame, dropping Salem to 5-5- 0 on the season following the contest on Saturday, Jan. 31.

Throughout the game, both sides delivered thunderous checks on their opponents, and several times players exchanged words after an official’s whistle blew. The physical play eventually hurt the Blue Devils; three Guertin goals were scored on the power play.

“That’s what happens when these two teams play each other,” said Salem’s head coach, Mark McGinn. “They’re a physical, strong team, and … I was happy with how we were able to keep up with them. Even the little guys were getting physical with them.”

Already trailing, 2-0, Salem missed an opportunity to cut the deficit late in the first period. The Blue Devils, with a 5-on-3 opportunity and subsequent man-advantage, produced five scoring chances. They couldn’t capitalize.

“They don’t give you many second chances when it comes to being down in front of the net,” said McGinn of BG. “You really have to bear down in front of the net and find the puck.”

Salem senior forward Aaron Mackey broke up the shutout with 9:02 remaining in the game, and Cory Lavallee added a second tally three minutes later, breathing life into the previously lethargic Blue Devils. Michael Frahm and Michael Rocheleau assisted on the two Salem goals. And with 40 seconds left, Salem’s last chance to climb within a goal, with the puck bouncing dangerously in front of Guertin’s net, was foiled by a crease violation.

The Cardinals’ empty-net tally quickly followed. McGinn said his team came out with a different – and better – attitude in the third period.

“They took it personally in the last period,” said McGinn. “They went to the net more and were able to catch a bounce or two.”

The Cardinals, now 7-0-0, top the Division I standings, and McGinn said it was a welcome challenge for his team to play the defending state champions.

“I needed it more to see how we would play against a top team. They responded the right way. We just need to play with that intensity versus everyone we play,” said McGinn. “Hopefully we’ll get another crack at them in the finals.”

Money from Obama could be used to improve Salem's bike-ped corridor

Salem Editor — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:19:00 GMT

BY DERRICK PERKINS

Part of President-elect Obama’s economic stimulus package may fund a series of bicycle and pedestrian paths throughout town, though Bike-Ped Corridor Committee members caution against being overly optimistic.

“It’s not a guarantee that funding will be there, but we are looking at it in the sense of if it does come to pass where could the moneys be used,” said David Topham, who serves as vice chairman of the Salem committee as well as director of the Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire. “It’s definitely been figured in. Whether or not it happens is the key question.”

While construction has not yet begun on the proposed bicycle and pedestrian paths that follow the abandoned Boston and Maine railroad line, Topham said work on the project could start at any time with the funding.

Already reviewed and approved by the town and with the engineering portion complete, the only thing left to do would be to talk to abutters and work out the details in each of the path’s four segments, according to Topham.

Without funding from the president-elect’s proposed $775 billion economic stimulus package, financing for the bike-ped corridor would come from a combination of impact fees companies pay Salem when they move into town and donations from private citizens and organizations.

Even with the potential federal funding, Topham said there would be no guarantee that it would speed up the committee’s timeline for completion, which he anticipates would be three to five years.

With the state’s transportation commissioner indicating that they would like to see $300 million go toward railway improvements between Manchester and Lowell, Mass., Topham said there would be no way of knowing whether the federal funding would end up in the Salem bike-ped corridor until after the money had been allocated.

Connecting Salem by bike and pedestrian paths to existing trails in neighboring Windham and Methuen, Mass., and then up to Manchester would have a positive economic and environmental impact on the region, according to Topham.

“This would tie things together for the whole length of Route 28 from Methuen up to Windham where it then becomes a recreational (path). Further north, the Derry rail trail alliance would then connect to downtown Derry for more of an economic impact,” he said. “People can bike from homes or for recreation right up the whole corridor.”

By bringing together the added traffic mitigation, health and environmental benefits of encouraging motorists to get off of Route 28 and onto their bicycles, Topham believes that the project may see some federal funding in the future.

“The Salem section is for everyone, everyday – kids going back and forth from neighborhoods, getting to school, people getting to work and short shopping trips where (residents) don’t want to walk across Route 28,” he said. “The funding would not be directed toward just a plain recreational trail out in the country that doesn’t have a direct economic benefit.”