Due to their athletic efforts during the fall sports season, the following Marblehead Magicians were named Daily Item All-Stars. A celebratory ceremony will be held Thursday at the Lynn Museum beginning at 6 p.m.
FOOTBALL
Ryan Commoss – Senior
The Magicians couldn’t have had their end-of-season turnaround without Commoss (Marblehead won five of its final six games).
The receiver hauled in 39 catches for 366 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored a 21-yard touchdown in Marblehead’s upset win against Middleborough in the state tournament.
VOLLEYBALL
Megan Parkman – Junior
A defensive specialist, Parkman defined the words. She was also named to the All-Northeastern Conference first team. The Magician had 31 aces, was one of the top defensive players in the conference with 146 digs, and “was just, all around, Marblehead’s best player,” according to coach Killeen Miller.
“Megan moves quickly to read the ball and was the anchor on serve receive,” Miller said.
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Brian Heenan – Coach of the Year
Due to strong Marblehead showings at the Ocean State, Frank Kelley, and NEC State Championship – among others – Heenan captures Coach of the Year in boys cross country.
Heenan was named Northeastern Conference Coach of the Year, coached its MVP in Isaac Gross, and his Marblehead boys finished third in the Division 2 State Championship at Fort Devens – only the third boys team from Marblehead to finish in the top three across the last 25 years.
Isaac Gross – Senior
Well, first place was a common spot for Gross this season. The NEC MVP placed first at the Ocean State Invitational, Junior-Senior 3K at Frank Kelley, NEC Championship, Division 2A Championship, and second in the Division 2 State Championship.
On top of a 15:47 against Masconomet and Danvers, in the state championship, Gross led the Magicians with a time of 16:04.
“He is only the third boy from Marblehead to finish in the top five in at least the last 25 years,” Heenan said. “The race caps off his senior season – one of the best seasons ever by a runner from Marblehead.”
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Marietta O’Connell – Sophomore
O’Connell, the NEC’s Runner of the Year, impressed from beginning to end this fall. She won the small school state race with a time of 10:51.2 (2nd place was 20 seconds behind). In the NEC Championship, O’Connell placed first with a time of 18:25, leading Marblehead’s girls to a second-place finish with 72 points.
“She got out fast, getting separation from the pack, and never looked back,” said coach Will Herlihy.
GIRLS SOCCER
Talia Selby – Senior
One the best readers of the game, it’s no surprise that Selby was a four-year varsity player and three-year starter. She was also extremely unselfish, willing to change positions when the Magicians changed formations.
Selby was voted Marblehead’s team MVP, described as its “anchor,” according to coach Lisa Wales.
FIELD HOCKEY
Maggie Beauchesne – Senior
When looking at the words brick wall, they’re probably right next to Beauchesne. The Magician won four games and made 198 saves this fall.
GOLF
Charlie Grenier – Senior
Grenier played a crucial role in the Magicians going 14-1 and winning the North Sectionals. As the team’s number one, Grenier faced the opposition’s best every match. Despite going toe-to-toe with the best golfers in the area, he finished the season with a 9-3-2 record.
Grenier’s stroke average on the year was an impressive 37.5, which was good for an average of 5.4 points per match. Head coach Bob Green described his ace as “the unquestioned leader of the team” and a player with “great mental toughness.”
Marty Ryan – Junior
Ryan led the Magicians with a stroke score of 36.1, which included a great round to start the season against Peabody when the junior shot 2-under-par. Ryan finished the season with a 12-1-1 record, including 6.1 points per match.
Ryan’s mental toughness couldn’t be understated, as he fought through adversity when the stakes were at their highest. During the state tournament – after double and triple bogeys – Ryan dug deep and finished the day with an 8-over par 80.
“His steady and outstanding play carried throughout the season,” said coach Bob Green.