Canton Citizen Winter All Stars

By Canton Citizen

The Canton Citizen is proud to recognize the following 23 CHS winter athletes as 2014 Citizen All Stars. See this week’s paper for a complete wrap-up of the winter sports season.

Co-MVP

Sam Larson (Boys’ Basketball)

A senior captain, Larson was the Bulldogs’ best all-around player and a bona fide league MVP candidate, averaging more than 20 points per game and becoming only the sixth player in school history to score 1,000 points for his career. He also shot 49 percent from the field and 75 percent from the free-throw line and led the team in steals with 57. “Sam has a very high basketball IQ, probably the smartest player I have ever coached,” said head coach Ryan Gordy. “But beyond that, Sam is a great person. He is a warrior, relentless in his preparation, work ethic, drive, and ambition.” An all star in three sports, Larson will play baseball next year for the University of Rhode Island.

Co-MVP

Quinn Merrigan (Wrestling)

One of the best wrestlers in school history, Merrigan followed up a dominant junior campaign with a record-setting senior season, becoming the first ever CHS wrestler to reach the finals of both the All-State and New England championships. He also won the Division 3 state title (138 lbs.) for the second straight year, making him only the second wrestler to achieve that feat. Other highlights for Merrigan included wins at the Peckham, Woburn, and Hockomock League tournaments and a second-place finish at the D3 central sectionals.

Co-MVP

Chris Sullivan (Wrestling)

A superstar since he first hit the mat as a freshman, Sullivan wrapped up his four-year career with a historic run through the postseason, winning the Division 3 sectional and state titles at 152 pounds and placing second at the All-State tournament. He also competed at the New England championships for a second straight season and took home victories at the Peckham, Woburn, and Hockomock League tournaments. A two-time state champion, Sullivan ends his career as the winningest wrestler in CHS history.

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Boys’ Hockey

Matt Lazaro

Only a sophomore, Lazaro exploded onto the scene this year to become one of the region’s most lethal scorers, finishing second in the Hockomock League with 40 points, including a team-high 24 goals. Lazaro carried the team offensively during its rough start and literally stayed hot all season and into the playoffs. He was named a Hockomock League all star and was recognized as the Underclassman of the Year by Hockomocksports.com.

Ben Lodge

A senior captain, Lodge was the Bulldogs’ best all-around player and a huge part of their run to the Division 2 south sectional finals. A consummate leader and outstanding hockey talent, he finished second on the team with 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists) and was named to the All-Hockomock team. As head coach Brian Shuman told the Citizen earlier this season, “[Lodge] is doing it all. He’s playing physical; he’s scoring goals. He’s just an all-around great player.”

Tony Francescon

A senior, Francescon was Canton’s best defenseman for the second year in a row as well as a key offensive contributor, scoring four goals and tallying 14 assists. He also scored a huge goal in the Division 2 south sectional finals against Medfield and was a force all game, according to Coach Shuman. “Like he has been all year long, Tony was rock solid,” Shuman said. “He was huge for us defensively and played very well offensively.”

Justin Slocum

A sophomore, Slocum earned the starting job in net and quickly established himself as one of the league’s elite goalies, posting a goals against average of 1.65 with a .922 save percentage and three shutouts. Cool under pressure, Slocum had some of his biggest games this season when the lights shined brightest, including a 2-0 blanking of Medway in the Division 2 south quarterfinals.

Girls’ Hockey

Jill Eckler

A senior captain, Eckler was the team’s top defenseman and its lone representative in the SEMGHL All-Star game. A fierce competitor and excellent leader, she played in all 20 games this season and chipped in offensively with a pair of assists. She was also the recipient of the Bulldog Intensity Award and a co-recipient of the Shuman Rocha Award for extreme dedication and toughness.

Caitlyn Feeney

A senior captain, Feeney was one of the Bulldogs’ most consistent players and a well-respected team leader on and off the ice. She finished second on the team in assists and “never took a shift off,” according to head coach Dennis Aldrich. At the banquet she was named the winner of the Academic Award and a co-recipient of the Shuman Rocha Award for extreme dedication and toughness.

Katie Kelleher

A senior forward and team captain, Kelleher was an important offensive contributor and finished tied for third on the team with five goals. She was also instrumental in keeping the team together through a difficult season and was named a co-recipient of the Shuman Rocha Award for extreme dedication and toughness.

Boys’ Basketball

Matt Kelley

A senior, Kelley was one of the league’s top three-point shooters and was named an All-Hockomock first team selection. He averaged 14.3 points, four rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game and shot 76 percent from the free-throw line. He was also an excellent defender. “We call him ‘Iceman’ because he had ice in his veins at all times,” said head coach Ryan Gordy. “In his mind, he could always make the next shot. But his improvement in his defense made us a successful team. Matt is the ultimate competitor. He will go to the wall for you.”

Tristin Morris

A senior captain and All-Hockomock honorable mention, Morris was a terrific leader and also one of the team’s most complete players, posting averages of 13.1 points, five rebounds, and two assists per game. He shot 47 percent on two-point field goals, 36 percent from three-point range, and was an excellent free-throw shooter. “He was our engine, our catalyst, our emotional leader,” Coach Gordy said.

Girls’ Basketball

Gabby Kenefick

A junior captain, Kenefick was the Bulldogs’ leading scorer and best all-around player, earning All-Hockomock honorable mention honors for the second straight season. She also played excellent defense and was selected to participate in a three-point shooting contest sponsored by Hockomocksports.com.

Eileen Khoury

Also a junior captain, Khoury overcame a slow start to become one of the Bulldogs’ most consistent and valuable contributors. She formed an effective one-two punch with Kenefick and regularly scored in double figures. She also embraced her role as captain and became one of the team’s most vocal and respected leaders.

Wrestling

Rob DiCalogero

A junior captain, DiCalogero emerged as one of the very best wrestlers in the state at 145 pounds, earning All-Hockomock honors as well as a bid to the prestigious All-State tournament. A gifted athlete with incredible strength for his size, DiCalogero captured his first ever Hockomock title and reached the finals at both the Division 3 central sectionals and the D3 state championships.

Swimming

Tiffany Ha

A two-time league all star and still just a sophomore, Ha was the Bulldogs’ leading point scorer and the only Canton swimmer to qualify for the postseason in an individual event. She finished fourth in the 100-yard backstroke and sixth in the 200 IM at the Hockomock championships, and she competed in both events at the Division 2 sectional and state meets. She also swam at sectionals as part of two relay teams. “She is a true natural that is not only skilled but listens and applies technique each time she enters the pool,” said head coach Lori Mooney.

Julia Guerini

A member of the state-qualifying 200 IM and 200 freestyle relays, Guerini also excelled in two of the toughest individual events — the 500 free and the 200 IM. She shaved an incredible 30 seconds off her 500 free time over the course of the season, and she consistently placed in the top three in the 200 IM and scored numerous points for the team.

Kim Frazier

Another member of both state-qualifying relays along with Ha and Guerini, Frazier also swam the 100-yard breaststroke and 100 free and finished in the top 10 in both events at the league championships. She posted her best time in the breaststroke in the last meet of the season and consistently placed among the top two in most meets.

Sean Mitchell

Only a freshman, Mitchell was one of the team’s leading point scorers and excelled in multiple events, including the 100-yard breaststroke and 200 IM. He placed eighth in the breaststroke at the league championship meet and was also an important part of the Bulldogs’ top two relays (200 IM and 200 free). “We could add him to any relay and expect great places,” Coach Mooney said.

Diego Ferstler

Another talented freshman, Ferstler shined in the 50-yard freestyle and ended the season with an outstanding time of 25.12 seconds. He competed in numerous events for the Bulldogs, including the 100-yard backstroke, and was an important part of the 200 free relay that posted a program-record time of 1:43.44 and placed fifth at the league championship meet.

Indoor Track

Rachel Campagna

A senior captain, Campagna placed in the 55-meter dash and the long jump at the league championship meet and qualified for states in three individual events and two relays. “Rachel is a tremendous leader for our team, both vocally and setting a great example with her work ethic in practice every day,” said head coach Dan Ashman. “I think she will continue to dominate the sprinting and jumping events in the spring outdoor season.”

Liam Collins

A junior, Collins gave up basketball to run indoor track this year, and he ended qualifying for states in the mile and also placed in the mile at the league championship meet. “He is improving faster than any kid I have ever worked with,” Coach Ashman said. “His goal is to break the school record in the mile. I’m confident he can achieve this goal.”

Somto Ofonagoro

A senior, Ofonagoro qualified for states in the 55-meter dash, 300, and as a member of both the 4×200 and 4×400 relay teams. Although he missed several meets in the middle of the season, he still kept himself in great shape and finished strong. “Somto is a versatile athlete who can win any event from 100 to 400 meters,” said Coach Ashman. “We’re also hoping to get him jumping and throwing in the spring.”

Written by Jay Turner and Mike Berger

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