~ The Old Sachem ~ Saugus Sports in the late 90s

By Bill Stewart

We start this column with the girls soccer team of 1999. They finished the season with a record of 10 wins, 4 losses and 4 ties. They went into the state tournament in third place and won a tourney game for the first time ever. The captains were Tanya Angelone, Julie Pagliuca and Diane MacLauglin. In Conference play they defeated Gloucester, Lynn English, Lynn Classical and Winthrop twice each, had a win and loss to Marblehead, a win and tie to Swampscott and tie and loss to Beverly, Danvers and Salem.

Girls track has risen from a few last year to 27 in 1995. Teammates are Laura McLaughlin, Kristin Simonelli, Jayne Walsh, Erin McNeil, Melanie Moushigian, Patty MacDonald, Nancy Heffernan, Daisy Penny, Carmina DiVirgilio, Julie Ann Guanci, Liz Priftakis, Jamie McGrath, Erin Walker, Kristen Publicover, Dawn Osgood, Sandra DiCarlo, Val Buckley, Alexia Davis, Samantha Whitehouse, Sureya Battista, Allison Brown, Jen and Kristen Patoulidis, Bridget Cahill, Laura Bernazani, Diana Vinar and Sarah Lecaroz.

Girls basketball of 1995 was led by captains Kelly Blanchard and Jessica Ricco and included Erica Carpenito, Andrea Hendrickson, Mary Ellen Falzarano, Dena Fulchino, Michelle Gavegnano, Lisa Holmes, Jennifer Mathisen, Anne Alessandrini, Sherry Bridges, Julie Niles and Whitney Morgan. The team played in the state tournament.

The girls tennis team of 1995, led by captain Beth Manoogian, finished with a record of 10 and 8 played in the state tournament. Players were Maria Messina, Stephane and Erin Angelo, Emily Espindle, Jill Schifano, Kelly McKeever, Shannon Kelleher, Jessica Riccio and Debbie Sanchez.

Another team was added in 1999 – boys lacrosse. Players were Brian Cooper, Patrick Dunn, Brian Erickson, Tom Gould, Jason Katsos, Keith Milwood, John O’Donnell, John Phelan, Jesse and Ricky Robbins, Randy Belcher, Mike Buckley, Anthony Daigle, Brian Deon, Brian Gallant, Marc Lecouras, Anthony and Mike Mugford, Billy Robinson, Chris Yanchun, Mark Hoffman, Joe McCabe, Adam Chiaramonte, Chris Finn, Derek Hannon and Justin Watson.

The golf team of 1999 had a record of 7 wins, 3 losses and 4 ties and played in the state tournament in Cape Cod. The team was led by captains Ben Friedman (MVP AWARD) and Mark Citro, and players were Dennis Morelli (Coach Award), TJ Ryan (Most Improved Award), Mike McCormack, Sean McManus, Bryan Vitale, Jason Wiseman, Joe Pimental, Tom Villano, Todd Nichols and Mike Selbovitz.

Coach Scott Brazis led the 1995 hockey team into the state tournament with a record of 9 wins, 4 losses and a tie.

The boys track team of 1999 finished with a record of 6 and 3, and many of the athletes went into the state tournament. Captains Stan Sweeney, Bob Streeter and Brian Carlson led the team that included Mark McCusker, Ryan Brown, Mike and TJ Liberti, Mike Trainor, Todd Blake, Mike Ricci, Greg Wilker, Ed Gauthier, Jim DeMiles, Tim Rotz, Tony Pelosi, Dan Burns, Dan Wass and Craig DiCarlo.

The 1999 baseball team went into the state tournament led by captains Brian Mirasolo, Jason Kosmas and Mike Navarro. It included Joe Angelo, Mark Angrisano, Jon Cardarelli, Dan Churchill, Mark Citro, Pat Eaton, Mike Garland, Mike Gerniglia, Matt Perron and Matt and Mike Quealy.

The 1990s were among the best that Saugus High School has presented.

  (Editor’s Note: Bill Stewart, who is better known to Saugus Advocate readers as “The Old Sachem,” writes a weekly column about sports – and sometimes he opines on current or historical events or famous people.)