A Hall of Fame Night

A dozen of Saugus High’s best student athletes who excelled in their sport are honored at induction ceremony – including an All-American track star

By Mark E. Vogler

It was 12 years ago that a senior member of the Saugus High School track team went to New York City to participate against high school athletes from across the country and came home a Sachem sports legend.

“He was only 17 years old. He placed fifth in the nation in the Triple Jump,” retired Saugus High School Coach Steve Boudreau recalled last Saturday night as he told the packed banquet hall at the Saugus-Everett Elks Lodge #642 about Olisa Obiefuna.

“In our opinion, he was the greatest track athlete in the history of Saugus,” said Boudreau, a member of the Saugus High School Hall of Fame Committee.

Boudreau called Obiefuna “special” and “a generational track athlete.” “He was born to be a track athlete. He ran fast and jumped high,” he continued.

Then he noted the characteristics of the Sachem athlete who became an All-American track star: “Big meet performer. Student of his sport. He watched videos to study his craft. He knew his competitors. Laser focus before competitions. Walking about with his signature pacing in his hooded sweatshirt.”

Obiefuna was one of a dozen Sachem student athletes inducted last Saturday night into the Saugus High School Sports Hall of Fame. They were seven men and five women who excelled on Sachem sports teams that competed during parts of four decades. A married couple – Todd Nichols and Ashley Panzini Nichols – were among the elite Sachem athletes honored. Rob Scuzzarella, the all-time leading Saugus High lacrosse scorer who helped lead his team to a state championship, became the first Saugus High lacrosse player to be inducted. The group included a number of multi-sport athletes – several who captained their teams in two or more sports. Several of the athletes led their teams to state championships.

Saugus High School Athletic Director Matt Serino had the honor of presenting a Hall of Fame plaque to his twin brother, Craig, who is a former teammate who contributed to two state hockey championships. Matt was inducted into the Hall back in 2018.

Robert Gannon – another teammate and fellow 2005 Saugus High graduate who shared in two state hockey championships – brought his hockey jersey that he wore during the 2004 state championship season. Gannon benefitted from a legacy: His dad – Steve – is a Saugus High School senior who starred in football, basketball and track. He went on to star as a student athlete at Holy Cross as an outside linebacker for the football team. He also made the Holy Cross sports Hall of Fame.

Here’s a sketch of the 12 Hall of Fame athletes inducted this year:

• Lauren Cataldo: She is a 2002 Saugus High graduate, Diane Bena award winner, 3 sport captain (soccer-indoor/outdoor track), Agganis All-Star Soccer, NEC Record (2000) 4×200 relay, Track state qualifier in LJ, HJ, 4×100 relay, 4×400 relay). Played college soccer at Boston College.
• Rob Gannon: He is a 2005 Saugus High School graduate, a 3-time Hockey NEC All-Star, 2x hockey state champ, 2x NEC Conference Champ, played football and ran outdoor track, played football and hockey at Hamilton College.
• Marie Johnson: She is a 1995 Saugus High School graduate. She was a 3 sport varsity athlete, Fall/Winter Cheerleading and Softball, 2x NEC All-Star softball, amassed over 160 strikeouts her junior year, played softball at Rivier College.
• Kayla Vitukevich Krieger: She is a 2007 Saugus High School graduate, 4 year 3 sport Varsity athlete (Soccer-Indoor Track-Outdoor Track), SHS Record holder track (4×400 relay-4×800 relay), Diane Bena Award, Girls Soccer Agganis All-Star, 2x NEC South Track and Field Champ.
• Don Maccini: He is a 1987 Saugus High School graduate, 5th all-time leading scorer in SHS Hockey History (133 points), NEC Hockey All-Star, HNIB All-Star Sophomore year, HNIB All-Scholastic. Played college hockey at AIC.
• Ashley Panzini Nichols: She is a 2004 Saugus High School graduate and the wife of fellow inductee Todd Nichols, NEC Field Hockey MVP, NEC All-Star Field Hockey, NEC All-Star softball, NEC Conference Champ softball, played basketball, played college Field Hockey at Bridgewater State
• Todd Nichols: He is a 2003 Saugus High School graduate and the husband of fellow inductee Ashley Panzini Nichols, NEC Hockey All-Star, 2x NEC Conference Champs, 1x Hockey State Champs, 12th all-time leading scorer Hockey (105 points), played Golf (NEC Champ).
• Olisaemeka (Olisa) Obiefuna: He is a 2012 Saugus High School graduate who only participated in track during his four years as a Sachem athlete – in the winter and spring seasons. He earned All-American honors in the Triple Jump during his senior year. He has nine total state and division championships. He qualified for the state in the 55 meters, the 200 meters, the Triple Jump and the High Jump. He won seven NEC championships – twice in the 200 meter, three times in the Long Jump and twice in the Triple Jump. After graduating from Saugus High, he attended Angelo State University in Texas, where he won the conference championship and received All-America honors in the Triple Jump. He transferred to Wingate University in North Carolina, where he was a two-time All-American in the Triple Jump. He resides in North Carolina.
• Jeff Paolini: He is a 1988 Saugus High School graduate, 2x Hockey NEC All-Star, tied 11th all-time leading scorer in SHS hockey history (108 points), played college hockey at AIC.
• Rob Scuzzarella: He is a 2006 Saugus High School graduate, Hockey NEC All-Star, 1x hockey state champ, all-time leading SHS lacrosse scorer, with 278 points (149 goals, 129 assists) and was Northeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2006. He was a two-time NEC all-conference, NEC MVP, Mass. All-America Game Participant. He also played golf for two years and was a captain of the 2005 team as well as a Northeastern Conference All-Star; played Lacrosse at Lynchburg University.
• Craig Serino: He is a 2005 Saugus High School graduate, Hockey NEC All-Star, 2x hockey state champ, 5th all-time leading defenseman, D3 National Championship Hockey at Norwich University, played cross country and outdoor track. He served a tour in Afghanistan with the National Guard. He’s currently a Massport Firefighter.
• Melanie Wheeler: She is a 2003 Saugus High School graduate. She was a four-year-three sport athlete, excelling in tennis, basketball and softball. In tennis, she was Varsity doubles and singles player and a Captain during her junior and senior years and an MVP during her junior and senior years. In basketball, she was a four-year starting point guard. During her senior year, she was an MVP and leading scorer. In Softball, she was a captain in her senior year and an All-Star. She was a two time NEC All-Star 2002 (11th) and 2003 (12th). As a cleanup hitter, she led her team to NEC division champs in 2001 and 2003. She batted .356 in her senior year. In Tennis, she was captain of the team in her junior and senior years and also the MVP. After graduation, she coached and was a fund-raiser for Saugus Little League baseball. She has also volunteered with Saugus Little League softball. During her senior year, she won the Chief Drew Award for best all-around female athlete.