Saugus’ dynamic scholar-athletes win NEC award, prepare for St. Anselm’s

By Dom Nicastro

Jessica Bremberg: helping make history in basketball, shining in track

  Jessica Bremberg, a standout student-athlete from Saugus High School, has had a year to remember, culminating in her receiving the prestigious Northeastern Conference (NEC) scholar-athlete award. Bremberg’s accomplishments on the track and basketball court are a testament to her hard work and dedication, both in sports and in the classroom.

“It was really great finding out I won NEC scholar-athlete,” Bremberg said. “I first heard about the award my junior year when my teammate who I had played field hockey with who’s also a good close friend of mine won it. I just think it’s a great accomplishment to earn to be able to represent your school like this around all the great athletes of the NEC.”

Bremberg’s senior year has been nothing short of remarkable. As a key player in both basketball and track, she has demonstrated versatility and excellence. In basketball, she helped lead her team to a historic victory over North High of Worcester in the postseason, marking Saugus High’s first tournament win in years.

“It’s been a while since we’ve had a tournament win for the program,” she said. “We’ve made the tournament a lot, but it’s been a while since we’ve won a tourney game. It was at home, and it was a great atmosphere and great for us to have that.”

Her track career has been equally impressive. Specializing in the 400-meter and triple jump, Bremberg has consistently excelled in competitions, setting high standards for herself and her teammates.

Bremberg’s leadership extends beyond her athletic prowess. As a captain of the track team, she has played a crucial role in guiding her teammates, a responsibility she has held since her sophomore year. Along with her co-captain, Maddie Femino, the duo combined experience and knowledge of track, which has been crucial because leading a track team is different from captaining other team sports like basketball.

Bremberg’s dedication is not confined to the field of play. Academically, she stands out as well, being ranked in the top five in her senior class and serving as class president for four years. Her involvement in various school activities reflects her commitment to her education and community.

“It’s a lot definitely,” Bremberg said of her schedule. “I had meetings three of the five days out of the week. I like to keep myself busy. It’s a lot of fun, and I think it makes everything more enjoyable.”

As Bremberg has now graduated and is on to her next chapter – studying and running track at Saint Anselm’s College in Goffstown, N.H., where she plans to major in criminal justice – she reflected on the community that has supported her journey. “I’m gonna’ miss Saugus next year,” she said. “I’m gonna be having fun in college, but I’ll miss the community that I had in high school.”

At Saint Anselm, she hopes to continue her success on the track and pursue her academic ambitions with the same determination that has characterized her high school career. With her relentless drive and passion, there is no doubt that Bremberg has set herself up to continue to shine brightly in all her future endeavors.

Braden Faiella: Saugus’ multi-sport standout that just kept shining

For Saugus High School athletics this school year, one name consistently echoed through the halls and fields of Saugus High School: Braden Faiella. Known for his exceptional prowess across multiple sports, Faiella’s high school journey was not only marked by his athletic achievements but also by his dedication to academic excellence. As he transitions from high school to college – he’ll go to Saint Anselm’s in Goffstown, N.H., to play football – Faiella reflected on the experiences and mentors that shaped him, the victories that defined his athletic career and the lessons learned that will guide his future.

What did it mean to you to get this award?

For me, it meant that I was more than just a good athlete; it shows what I can do in the classroom, too. It’s a validation of all the hard work I put in, both on the field and academically.

Tell me about your academic accomplishments and interests reflecting back on high school. What will you focus on in college and why?

All of these accomplishments mean a lot to me because they show that I put in so much effort in the classroom and not just on the field. In college, I will be majoring in accounting because my father was an accountant, and accounting is one of the main majors in the finance world. It’s something I’ve always been interested in, and I’m excited to dive deeper into it.

Take me back to each sport of your senior year and describe the top individual and team accomplishments you are most proud of and why.

For football, the top moment was beating Voke, a school we hadn’t beaten in a while. Getting that opportunity was great. For basketball, it was beating Amesbury at home, a game that people didn’t think we were going to win, but we did. For track, qualifying for the state championships meet was a huge accomplishment for me. I was blessed to have that opportunity. Also, breaking the school tackle record for a game, year and season, and breaking the state all-time tackle record, were incredible achievements for me.

What will you miss most about your experience at Saugus and why?

  I will most miss the crowds we had at Saugus High School. We had a great fan base, and a lot of my friends were there, too. They got us ready for each game every week. The support from the community was incredible and something I’ll always cherish.

Lots of great athletes in town choose other schools. If you could “sell” your experience at Saugus, what would you tell someone who is on the fence about choosing Saugus or a private school?

I would say that Saugus is unlike other schools because you get the fan base of a whole town behind you. You also get to have younger kids look up to you and see why they should stay in Saugus. The sense of community and support here is unmatched, and it’s an experience you won’t get anywhere else.

Who have served as some of your mentors along the way and how so?

My mentors have been Coach Cummings, who has helped me along the way, and also my friends and family. I also want to thank Coach Cox, or Mr. Cox, who has helped me incredibly by always keeping me positive and hopeful along the way. They’ve all played a crucial role in my development as an athlete and a person.

What’s keeping you busy over summer; when does college start and what’s in store for you athletically at the next level?

Over the summer, I am working out and working at an accounting firm. I start college on Aug. 13, where I will be studying accounting and playing football at the next level. I’m looking forward to the new challenges and opportunities that college will bring, both academically and athletically.