With the biggest field in the history of the event, Haverhill High School hosted another successful John Ottaviani Invitational on Saturday. In the 35th year of the popular track meet, the event expanded to include girls teams this year. More than 900 student-athletes competed in the event. Central Catholic was the team winner for the boys, while Andover claimed the inaugural girls team title. Many thanks to the Haverhill Track Booster Club and the coaching staff for making this event a success.
For Haverhill, Jackie Solimine won the girls 800-meter run while Riley Gilmore and Bridget Twomey came in second and third in the one-mile run, respectively. Alex Mayhew came in second in the 100-meter dash and Michael McNaughton was second in the 800-meter run for the boys on their home track.
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With an 11-5 win over Shawsheen on Saturday morning, the boys lacrosse team improved to 4-0 on the season. The squad has also picked up wins over Methuen, Lowell and Tewksbury. The Hillies will travel to Manchseter Essex for a non-league contest on Thursday. The girls lacrosse team suffered its first loss of the season at the hands of Shawsheen, falling 15-12. The girls return to action on Tuesday at Methuen.
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The boys volleyball team snagged a huge early-season win over rival Lawrence last week. With a convincing 3-1 win over the Lancers, Haverhill has a 3-0 record. The squad hosts Billerica on Thursday and then travels to the prestigious Holyoke Tournament of Champions on Saturday.
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After reeling off three straight wins, the softball team has dropped two straight to fall to 3-4 on the year. The Hillies will travel to Presentation of Mary on Friday morning and return home for an afternoon game against Lowell on Monday.
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The Hillie baseball team gave state power Lowell a scare on Tuesday morning, but was unable to hold on. Lowell came from behind to edge the Hillies 4-3. On Monday, Haverhill downed Masconomet 4-2. Haverhill has a 2-3 record heading into Thursday's Merrimack Valley Conference game at Billerica.
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For all of the current spring schedules and information on Haverhill High athletics, please visit www.hillies.org and click on "Athletics.''
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The Athletic Department will host its second Haverhill High Athletics Golf Tournament on May 21st at the Renaissance Golf Club. The entry fee of $175 per player includes golf, lunch, dinner and gifts. Play one of the premier golf courses in New England while also helping the student-athletes of Haverhill. For more information, go to www.hillie.org. Please contact Tom O'Brien at tobrien@haverhill-ps.org or (978) 374-5732 to reserve your spot today.
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Tom O'Brien is the athletic director at Haverhill High School. He contributes this regular column.
