Revere athletics closes strong fall, turns the page to a busy winter season

By Dom Nicastro

Revere High School wrapped up one of its most energized and successful fall sports seasons in recent memory, and Athletics Director Frank Shea is already knee-deep in preparations for what he expects to be a bustling winter slate. “It was busy,” Shea said. “Tournament-wise, we had boys soccer, field hockey and volleyball all get in. There were a lot of positives.”

Boys soccer makes statement under new leadership

After graduating 15 seniors and navigating a coaching transition, the Patriots still pushed for the Greater Boston League title into the final week of the regular season, then won a state tournament game before bowing out to three-time defending champion Oliver Ames.

Shea said the program’s choice to elevate longtime assistant Coach Gerardo Rodríguez was the right one from day one. He had been part of the staff for several years, already had strong relationships with players and impressed during the interview process. “He related well with the kids. He knew them,” Shea said. “We felt he was a great fit for the job, and it showed.”

The Patriots’ competitive effort against a powerhouse like Oliver Ames, Shea said, should give the returning group confidence heading into 2025.

Field hockey breaks through

Field hockey turned in its most exciting season in nearly a decade, winning the GBL title and qualifying for its first tournament spot since 2018. First-year Head Coach Victoria Correia, a former RHS standout and recent assistant, took over the job late in the hiring process and made the most of it.

Shea said she exceeded expectations. “Those girls competed hard,” he noted. “Finishing first in the GBL and getting tournament experience—that was huge. We look forward to her building on this year’s success.”

Volleyball continues its rise

The volleyball program continued its remarkable turnaround. Head Coach Emilie Clemons has the team back to its winning ways after inheriting a roster two years removed from an 0–season. Over the past two years, Revere has won roughly 27 matches, competed for the GBL title again and took Somerville to the wire in this year’s tournament matchup. The Patriots split the regular-season series with the Highlanders, but couldn’t quite close out the postseason rematch.

“She’s done a great job,” Shea said. “They’re right there.”

Football battles, ready for one more year under Cicatelli

The Revere football team showed flashes this fall, highlighted by a dramatic win over Everett and a highly competitive Thanksgiving Day matchup against a strong Winthrop squad. But roster depth and player commitment remained ongoing challenges.

Head Coach Lou Cicatelli confirmed to The Advocate that he will be calling it a career after the 2026 season. Cicatelli, approaching retirement from teaching, has led the Revere program for more than two decades and surpassed the 100-win milestone last season.

Winter season opens with strong participation

Day 1 of the winter sports season arrived this week on Dec. 1 — and Shea will oversee a program bringing back all its familiar coaching faces.

Boys basketball continues to be one of Revere’s highest-participation programs, with Shea expecting “above 80 kids” at tryouts. Girls basketball numbers remain thinner, likely preventing a freshman team this year, but varsity and junior varsity squads are expected. Indoor track remains one of the district’s most reliably deep programs, especially on the girls’ side; the girls team hasn’t lost a meet in “two or three years,” according to Shea.

Wrestling participation — often a challenge — saw its biggest early boost in years. Revere sends its wrestlers to Malden, the host school for the co-op program with Everett. Shea said 13–14 Revere athletes expressed interest, compared to the usual handful. “That’s huge for us,” he said.

Hockey, swimming, gymnastics updates

Boys hockey continues as a co-op between Revere, Everett, Malden and Mystic Valley, with Craig Richards coaching under host school Everett. Shea said the Patriots expect four skaters — double the original projection.

Swimming, hosted at the Garfield pool, fields a coed roster that typically lands in the mid-20s. Coach Gesar Tsering returns for his second season. The GBL scores meets coed, but tournament qualification and placements separate into boys and girls categories.

Gymnastics remains dormant. Revere technically maintains a co-op with Winthrop, but the Patriots have not fielded a gymnast for several years.