Holliston October 2016

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Page 20 Local Town Pages www.hollistontownnews.com October 2016 Sports Holliston Girls Cross Country Strives for Speed By Christopher Tremblay Last fall, the Holliston girls’ cross country team finished 10th out of 24 teams in the Eastern Massachusetts Division 4 Cross Country Tournament with an average time of 21:31.04. This year, under first year coach Jamie Murphy, the Panthers are looking to improve upon that finish. “This year, we’re looking for improvement from each runner. Losing is not fun, and a loss is a loss, but if the girls are improving it makes it easier to take,” Murphy said. “This team has a lot of talent, and they can definitely improve if they build upon their confidence.” Senior Captains Helen Dolan and Lexi Mejia will lead the 20 PLUMBING • AIR CONDITIONING • HEATING Residential and Commercial FREE Estimates Licensed & Insured JOYCE 508-497-6344 joyceplumbingandheating.com plus Holliston girls each and every meet. Through the first two meets of the season Holliston has defeated Norton, while losing a close one to Medfield, and during those races the captains have both lowered their times. Dolan reduced her time from the Norton meet where she ran a 20:06 to a personal best of 19:32 against Medfield. Mejia lowered her race time from 20:25 to 19:53. “Helen and Lexi have been running together for quite some time. In addition to cross country, they run indoor and outdoor track together,” the Coach said. “They know each other really well when it comes to running habits. They are our top two runners and should be near the top of the league.” As captains Dolan and Mejia provide their leadership through motivation and leading by example on the course. The two are always looking to improve themselves and push the rest of the team to do so as well when running. Running right up behind Dolan and Mejia is freshman Sophie Ryan, who in her very first high school cross country meet finished with a time of 20:10. While the upperclassmen may not like it that a freshman is encroaching on being the top runner on the team they have to respect her talent. “I’m pretty sure that she’ll be our best runner by the end of the season,” Murphy said. “Right now she’s pushing the top runners out of their comfort zone. Sophie has a lot of natural talent, but is not a showoff.” Another underclassman, who is running in only her second season, is Lauren Falley. Although she is not in the same ball park as Ryan is talent wise, the determined sophomore is making progress by staying focused on her running. “Lauren is somewhat of a leader in her own way,” the coach said. “People don’t realize how old she really is because of the way she carries herself on the Holliston Girls’ Cross Country made the tourney last year, finishing 10th out of 24. This year, the talented group of runners aims to improve times and tourney outcomes. course. She is one who definitely wears her passion for the sport on her face.” Juniors Emma Sayers and Kelly Irons wrap up the top six runners for the Panthers. According to the coach, the duo not only likes to run together throughout the race, but always seem to finish right behind one another. Sayers and Irons are looking to take over the roles of Dolan and Mejia next fall with a more vocal approach, despite both being very quiet by nature. Running in the Tri-Valley League is never an easy task, but Holliston is looking to make a stand this fall by knocking off some big name teams. “Westwood and Dover-Sherborn both a very strong teams, and along with Hopkinton atop the Tri-Valley League, we’re hoping to finish behind them,” the first year coach said. “I’m looking to finish in that four or five spot range (the middle of the pack) while hoping to grab a win or two against some of the top teams.” If Holliston continues to lower their course times throughout the season, they should eventually be able to secure a win by surprising someone above them in the league standings. Welcoming New Patients Comprehensive Eye Examinations Hundreds of Frames for Every Budget Sunglasses/Sport Glasses Contact Lenses • Lasik Consults Pediatric Vision Care Children's Optical Boutique Emily Pilotte O.D., Sabrina Gaan O.D. and Suzanne Rosenberg O.D. Evening & Saturday Appointments • Most Insurances Accepted Come Shop Our Newly Designed Optical Boutique 77 West Main Street, Hopkinton • 508-497-9500 • www.myeyeassociates.com
October 2016 Local Town Pages www.hollistontownnews.com Page 21 Sports Holliston’s McKenna Displays True Grit on The Gridiron By KEN HAMWEY Mike McKenna is a Holliston High football player who personifies desire, determination and true grit. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound senior is a dependable starter at tight end and defensive end. But, the road he traveled to become a mainstay for the Panthers came with a detour. Highly regarded as a freshman (he suited up for some varsity games), his sophomore season on the jayvees lasted less than two quarters. A devastating injury in Holliston’s opener against Duxbury ended his season and left him facing surgery for a dislocated and fractured ankle that involved five long months of rehabilitation. “I was at running back, took a handoff and ran off guard,’’ McKenna recalled. “I was in a pile and hit the ground. The next think I remember was pain and agony. I looked at my left foot and saw that it wasn’t straight.’’ What followed was stabilization of his ankle, a boot and crutches, surgery that included a plate and screws, a cast and physical therapy three times a week. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and during the spring that followed his injury, McKenna was playing jayvee and varsity lacrosse. A burning desire to compete again was a high priority and he was acutely aware of the price he had to pay in rehab. “I was itching to get back to football,’’ he said. “My mindset was that if I did all the right things, I knew I would heal. I’d get back to being almost 100 percent.’’ His junior season of football was a transition — he was in a reserve role at tight end and defensive end but he played solidly on special teams. He competed so well he didn’t miss a beat in Holliston’s Super Bowl victory over Chicopee Comprehensive. “I was playing at about 85 percent,’’ McKenna said. “I never thought about my ankle during the game. I was playing on kickoffs and punts, all aspects of special teams. What a thrill to be part of a Super Bowl championship. That’s been my top moment in sports.’’ When the winter began, McKenna competed in indoor track, and he placed on occasions in the shot put. “I got a lot of support from my parents (Mike and Kathy), friends and teammates,’’ McKenna said about his road to recovery. “As a senior now, I’m 99 percent back and I’m looking forward to another Super Bowl. My goals are to focus only on our next opponent, win the Tri Valley League Large Division and win the Super Bowl. For me individually, I want to be an impactful player, and I want to go a full season healthy.’’ Holliston coach Todd Kiley admires McKenna’s dedication and speaks in superlatives about his character and ability. “Mike had a long road back, and he handled his rehab very well. He’s one of our fastest and strongest players. He’s versatile, tough, athletic, humble and extremely coachable. His progress had led to confidence and enabled him to reach his potential.’’ McKenna knows another Super Bowl appearance takes work and leadership. And, he John’s family owned and operated for 45 years An injury drove Mike McKenna to take a detour on his way to his senior year in Holliston football, but he’s back and has grown from the experience. understands the Panthers may not be as experienced as last year. But he likes the team’s depth and the leadership of its four senior captains. “Mark Mulvaney never quits at tackle, Jack Barrett is a great leader at QB, Sam Athy is a passionate player at receiver and safety and Sam Radcliffe is a workhorse at running back and linebacker,’’ McKenna Birkenstock repair center Superior Shoe & Boot Repair 21E CharlEs strEEt, holliston, Ma 01746 839a Main strEEt (rt. 20), WalthaM, Ma CErtifiED in PEDorthiCs/orthoPEDiC shoE MoDs sPECializing in laDiEs high hEEl tiP rEPlaCEMEnt tall Horse riding Boot Zipper specialist www.superiorshoerepair.com John ElhiloW, C.PED, o.s.t. (508) 429-2038 Gardener Plus Your old fashioned perennial gardener Planting Pruning Weeding Mulching ~Call for our full list of services~ Washington Barbalho Owner 508.881.2264 said. “And, coach Kiley is a great motivator and teacher of the game. He’s the best in terms of strategy, and he’s got tremendous passion for the game.’’ Whether McKenna is at tight end or on defense, he relies on strength, speed, quickness off the ball, and instincts. “Where I can improve is running better routes and being more aware of figuring out alignments on defense,’’ he noted. “To be a good football player, it takes work ethic, versatility and being smart in a variety of situations.’’ McKenna played end in Holliston’s opener against Millis. He scored a touchdown on a 29- yard reception, helping the Panthers down the Mohawks, 28-7, in their opener. An honor-roll student, McKenna isn’t sure if he’ll pursue football in college. He plans on majoring in engineering. For the present, however, his sights are on football. Relying on a philosophy of playing to one’s potential and giving 100 percent, he also strives to win. Fully cognizant that athletics teach life lessons, McKenna knows the value of working with teammates, setting goals and developing bonds and friendships. “You learn things through sports that you don’t acquire in a classroom,’’ the personable McKenna said. He also learned a difficult but valuable lesson when he suffered his ankle injury two years ago. Mike McKenna learned how to overcome adversity. “Good health can be fragile,’’ he said. “It’s there, but in a split second you can lose it.’’ $ CLEANOUT COUPON 25 ONE COUPON PER CLEANOUT. *$100 MINIMUM. $ OFF 25 OFF We load & take everything! 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Holliston October 2016

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