Eight of Marblehead’s best athletes were honored at Lynn City Hall Auditorium on Monday evening at the Item All-Star award ceremony. This year’s event was the first in the newspaper’s history to feature every fall sport. In total, 76 student-athletes and eight coaches were recognized for their efforts.
Each all-star was introduced, followed by the players and coaches of the year in respective sports. Selections for each sport were made based on how many players play at a time. In other words, five golfers, 22 football players, and so on.
The last award of the night, the William F. Connell Scholar-Athlete of the Year award for football, went to Marblehead’s Miles O’Neill.
Every all-star received plaques with their name and school on it, and posed for a big group photo once every name was called. Applause filled the air one last time, and as said, it was a night for the best of the best.
Below are the individuals who were selected from each sport for Marblehead and a description of their accomplishments this season.
Football
Miles O’Neill – Marblehead – Jr.
O’Neill was calm and poised in the pocket this season – playing the position very well. He completed 152 of 210 passes for 2,181 yards and 23 touchdowns for the 8-2 Magicians.
Connor Cronin – Marblehead – Sr.
Cronin is someone who the Marblehead faithful loves to watch on game day. He snagged 41 balls for 758 yards and entered the endzone six times this fall. Marblehead went 8-2, to which Cronin was a star.
Boy’s Cross Country
Harrison Kee – Marblehead – Sr.
Kee was second overall at the Northeastern Conference championship with a time of 16:09. The senior captain was also named to the NEC All-Conference team. Kee also placed 12th at Division 1C states in 16:38, and 17th at the Division 2 Ocean State Invitational (17:09).
Girl’s Cross Country
Marrietta O’Connell – Marblehead – Fr.
O’Connell was undefeated in regular season dual meets against Northeastern Conference opponents. The freshman finished 1st overall at the Ocean State Invitational. O’Connell recorded two 2nd place finishes at the NEC Championship and the Division 1C meet, where she ran her personal best time of 18:35.20 over a 5K course.
Volleyball
Keira Sweetnam – Marblehead – Sr.
Sweetnam was named the Northeastern Conference MVP and made the all-state team for the second consecutive season. The senior outside hitter recorded 293 kills and 181 digs leading the way for the Magicians, and finished her high school career with more than 500 kills.
Field Hockey
Peighton Ridge – Marblehead – Sr.
Ridge was named a First Team All-Northeastern Conference player and took home the program’s Breanna Carey Outstanding Player award. The senior captain tallied four goals and seven assists for a total of 11 points.
Girl’s Soccer
Cait Mullins – Marblehead – Sr.
Mullins was named an NEC all-star. The senior captain was a true dual threat, as she was a key part to a stingy Magicians defense and was also excellent at attacking the midfield (two goals, seven assists). Mullins led Marblehead to a 9-4-5 overall record into the Division 2 state tournament, and plans on playing collegiately at Saint Anselm.
Golf
Matt Weed – Marblehead – Sr.
With a nine hole stroke average of 36.9, captain Matt Weed was named MVP of the conference. Weed qualified for the state tournament by shooting a 77 in the Division 2 North Sectionals, and shot a 78 in the state tournament, earning him a share of 16th place.