~ The Old Sachem ~ Saugus High Sports, 1975 to 1979

By Bill Stewart

The 1975 Sachems football team tied for first place in the league. The 1977 football team won the Northeast Conference Championship with a 9 and 1 record. There were major contributors by Captains Dan Hashem and Frank Dole.

In 1976, the soccer team had a 14-4 record and six players represented Saugus in the all-star game: Mike Celata, Jeff Fioravanti, Paul Galvin, Roy Skidmore, Bob Stewart and Paul Dancewicz. Fioravanti led the conference in scoring with 26 goals and 11 assists. Celata was second with 8 goals and 12 assists.

The 1975 golf team in its third season included Brian Christie, Will Stewart, Jim Duplisea, Dan McLean, Dan Westaway, Charlie Pollack, Bob Burns and Dino Fabrizio.

The boys’ track team of 1975 had 7 wins and 3 losses. Among the high scorers were Doug Mackie in the discus and Bob Smith in both the one and two miles. Newcomers were Steve Gannon and Paul Galvin.

Saugus High’s wrestling team had its best season in 1977, compiling a 15 and 3 record. Captains were Craig Warren and Bob DePesa. Seniors on the team were Pat Barb, Rick Brunnell and Darwin Myers. In six seasons the team had a winning season. In 1978 Bob DePesa had second place in the State Meet in the 10 pounds category. Bill Mitchell, Mat Wall, Walt Cordeau and Kevin Bard contributed wins.

The 1975 swim team included Doris Nolan, captain Jim Maccario, Bonnie Holt, Laurie Otte, Janice Wolfe, Bernie Furlong, Liz Lumsden and Frank Price.

In 1975, the Sachems hockey team came back to a winning record: 12 wins, 8 losses and a tie. The captains were Jim Scannell and Scott and Dave Couterier. Scott Anderson was the league leading scorer for Saugus. The 1976 team had a record of 13-3-2 led by senior captains Tom Heaney and Bill Grenara. In the State Tournament they beat South Boston in Boston Garden. I have written previously about the 1977 team that went all the way to the semifinals in the State Tournament.

Saugus High’s baseball team of ’75 finished third in the N.E. Conference with an 11 and 7 record. Standouts for the team were Joe Markowski, Steve DesLoges, Marc Corson, Mike Burt and Paul Carbone.

The Sachems girls’ cross-country team of 1978 finished fourth in the conference at 6 wins and 3 losses. The team was led by captains Carol DiVaio and Michelle Forni. Seniors were DiVaio, Julie Ludwig and Eileen Kane.

In 1978, the girls’ field hockey team made history as they came in first in the Northeastern Conference, finishing the season at 10 wins, 2 losses and 2 ties. League All-Stars included Julie Fahy, Debbie Serino and Katey McCormack. The 1979 team went to the quarter-finals of the state, and goalie Chris DeSantis had 11 shutouts. Mary Lee Wall led the league in scoring.

The girls’ gymnastic team of 1975 had Andrea Pelosi and Kathy Cargill as captains. Many of the members competed in the All-Star meet at Salem High School, and Kathy Cargill competed in the State Competition.

Girls’ basketball had a successful season in 1975, as the team finished second in the Northeastern Conference with a 15 and 3 record. Captains were Joan Barnes and Katrina Cash. The team made the quarter-finals of the state tournament. The 1977 team had a 15 and 3 season with captains Cheryl Mancuso and Vallerie Cassella. Senior Andrea Occhipinti scored 261 points and 187 rebounds, and Terry Dancewicz scored 123 points. Maureen Glynn and Occhipinti were named to the conference all-star team. The 1978 season had a very good season and made the state tourney.

The 1975 girls’ softball team had a record of 12 wins and 1 loss and were co-champs of the Northeastern Conference. They lost to Methuen in the quarter-finals of the states. Nancy Barrett was captain, and the team included Ellen Walker, Cindy Hashem, Linda Shell Occhipinti, Pat Carter, Cassella, Glynn, Diane Alimonti, Catrina Cash, Robin McQueen, Norma Barnes and Dawn Henderson.

  (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.)