Hometeam All-Stars: Winter 2009 - Worcester Telegram & Gazette

PAGECENTRAL MASS. HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINEWWW.TELEGRAM.COM/HOMETEAM6GIRLS’ TRACKHannah JaneczakDoherty HighJunior, 55One of the state’s premier sprinters,Janeczak three-peated inthe 55 at the Central Mass. Division1 Championships in a meetrecord7.2 seconds. From there, itwas on to Boston, where she wonthe Division 1 state meet (7.29)before finishing second in a pair ofphoto finishes to Hingham’s MollyO’Dea at the all-state meet (7.28)and the New Englands (7.26). Janeczak wrapped itall up by placing 28th in the 60 and 34th in the200 at the Nike Indoor Nationals. She heads intothe outdoor season as the two-time defendingCMass champion in the 100, one of four events inwhich she owns school records. Janeczak considerswinning the state title in the 100 in 2007 andanchoring the 400 relay team to a CMass record in’08 to be her most memorable sports moments.She’s the daughter of Derek Janeczak and AnnmarieFinne of Worcester.Brianna KunyckyMarlboro HighSenior, 1,000The Panthers have developedinto a powerhouse program,and Kunycky has played a prominentrole in the rise to prominence.She repeated as the CentralMass. Division 1 champ in the1,000 as Marlboro was runner-upto Wachusett for the team title.Kunycky, whose sister Christinaalso was a T&G Super Teamer,just missed the medal stand at the Division 2 statemeet with her seventh-place finish in 3:14.54. Acaptain and recipient of the Marlboro coaches’award this winter, Kunycky’s most memorable sportsmoment was competing at the nationals in NewYork in 2007. Kunycky, who enjoys dancing and isclass treasurer, is leaning toward attending theUniversity of Notre Dame to study environmentalscience. She is the daughter of Neil and Mary JaneKunycky of Marlboro.Haley LairdAlgonquin RegionalSophomore, High JumpLaird is, quite literally, one of therising young stars in the region.Jumping indoors for the first time,she consistently elevated herself togreat heights week after weekdespite dealing with a nagging legailment. Laird was second to fellowT&G Super Teamer Emily Mattsonat the Central Mass. Division 1Championships. Then she headedto Boston and, in order, won the Division 2 statemeet (5 feet, 5 inches), placed second at the allstatemeet (5-6) after losing out on fewest misses,and took third at the New Englands (5-5). Sheconsiders her runner-up finish at the state meet andbeing named a Mid-Wach A All-Star to be her mostmemorable sports moments. Laird lists running andplaying lacrosse among her hobbies. She is thedaughter of Andrew and Cynthia Laird of Southboro.Meghan LeahyWachusett RegionalJunior, 300Second in the 600 a year ago,Leahy moved down to the 300and stepped up to capture firstplace at the Central Mass. Division1 Championships. She won a greatduel with fellow T&G Super TeamerAlee Wade of Nashoba while shatteringa six-year-old meet recordwith a time of 41.7 seconds.Leahy was equally impressive asthe racing shifted to the Reggie Lewis Center, placingthird at the Division 1 state meet (41.63), eighthat the all-state meet (42.14), and eighth at the NewEngland meet (41.53). The school record-holder inthe 300, Leahy hopes to add the 400 to herrésumé this spring as she pursues a third consecutiveCMass title in the event. A Mid-Wach A All-Starin soccer, Leahy enjoys watching hockey. She isthe daughter of Chuck and Jayne Leahy of Sterling.Molly MartorellaMurdock HighJunior, 2 MileWhat a marvelous run it hasbeen for Martorella. Named tothe T&G Super Team in crosscountry,she was so honored onceagain after a stellar indoor season.Martorella was a runaway winner inthe 2 mile at the Central Mass.Division 2 Championships, bestingthe field by 23 seconds. She thenwon a race within a race at theDivision 4 state meet, emerging from a tight pack tofinish second to Bromfield School great EmilyJones. Her time of 11:35 was a personal best by awhopping 23 seconds. That was, unquestionably,Martorella’s most memorable sports moment. Thisthree-sport captain concluded a fine campaign byplacing 15th at the all-state meet. Martorella enjoyscooking and playing softball. She is the daughter ofMichael and Mary Martorella of Winchendon.Emily MattsonShepherd Hill RegionalFreshman, High JumpThe transition to high school hasgone smoothly for Mattson. Shewas a member of the varsity soccerteam that went 15-4 before turningher attention indoors with equallygreat success. Mattson won thehigh jump and 600 at the SWCLChampionships, propelling undefeatedShepherd Hill to the teamcrown. Then she cleared 5 feet, 3inches to take top honors in the high jump at theCentral Mass. Division 1 Championships. Mattsonfollowed that up by tying for second at the Division 2state meet and tying for sixth at the all-state meet,where she matched her personal best of 5-4. Fifthplace at the New Englands capped a fantastic inauguralcampaign. In addition to sports, Mattson enjoysreading and being with friends. She is the daughter ofPeter and Lisa Mattson of Dudley.Sophia MercadanteLunenburg HighSenior, 600It was a sterling silver season forMercadante. She finished a closesecond in the 600 at the CentralMass. Division 2 Championshipsbefore picking up two medals and apair of school records at the Division4 state meet. Mercadante wasrunner-up in the 600 (1:38.20) andled an 800 relay foursome to secondplace (1:49.35), helping Lunenburgsecure fourth in the team standings. Her nexttwo 600s were good for eighth at the all-state eventand ninth at the New England meet. This three-sportcaptain considers qualifying for the New Englands tobe her most memorable sports moment. Mercadante,who is also a soccer standout, enjoys spending timewith her teammates and friends along with playing thepiano. She is the daughter of Nicholas Mercadanteand Jayne Glow of Lunenburg.Victoria MilesMillbury HighSophomore, 55An outstanding all-around athlete,Miles consistently racked uppoints for the Woolies in the 55,300, high jump and long jumpduring the dual-meet season. Shestruck gold at the Central Mass.Division 2 Championships, breakingthe tape in the 55 in 7.77seconds. That performance ranksas her most memorable sportsmoment to date. Miles moved up to the 300 at theDivision 4 state meet and finished 13th. A memberof the varsity soccer and softball teams since herfreshman year, Miles was a member of the 2007soccer squad that reached the state final. She isher class secretary, active in numerous schoolclubs, and a highest honors student. Her fatherplayed basketball and baseball at Worcester Academy.She is the daughter of Phil and Vicki Miles ofMillbury.