The 2023 Fall Varsity Sports Season ended with wins, losses and a lot of heart. Here’s a wrap-up of the season.
Boys and Girls Cross Country
A small but mighty group made up both teams this season, led by captains Rachael Korowski, Olivia Downin and Alec Garry. Boys Cross Country finished 3-2 overall. The team placed 8th at the Division 3 State Sectionals at Northfield Mountain. However, Junior Andrew Klinedinst had the 2nd fastest qualifying time that day, earning him a spot at last weekend’s All-State meet as an individual. Andrew finished 37th at Devens.
“I think everyone did good and everyone was able to get big PRs and were able to give both teams some of their best seasons is several years,” said senior captain Alec Garry
The Girls Cross Country team had a regular season record of 3-2. The Hawks took 2nd place at the Division 3 State Sectionals, and qualified for the All-State meet for the first time in program history. Hawks went on to place 6th, just 1 point out of 5th place. An impressive and unbelievable showing for this team of just five athletes; each coming across the finish line within 57 seconds of each other; Rachael Korowski, Marina Salem, Julia Klinedinst, Mia Graffeo and Olivia Downin.
“Going to states as a team and then qualifying for all states all together was just amazing. Also, having two girls finish top 10 at leagues which made them automatic league all-stars.” said Downin.
Field Hockey
Girls Varsity Field Hockey finished with a record of 4-8-6 this season.
The team was lead by seniors and captains Lila Rice and Taylor Coyne. The other seniors graduating from the team include Sammie Delgizzi, Katie Szklarz, Gabby Fossile and Avani Kashilikar.
From the very first game to the last, the team showcased their commitment to sport and each other.
“Yes the sport is great but I think the team is what tied us so close to the sport itself,” said Fossile.
The GVFH came short of making the playoffs this season, but that doesn’t take into account the work they all put into the season marked by many tied games.
A saying the coaches have been saying to the girls throughout the season, even making stickers to put on the girls’ sticks,
“Full-field mindset.” It doesn’t matter where you are on the field, you are everywhere.
“Being able to inspire the younger girls is what made me wanna keep pushing myself to keep on playing,” said Rice
Golf
Golf ends their season with a 5-8-1 record.
Despite the record, Golf is optimistic about their future due to the drastic increase in players this year.
“I think the sport is growing and the positive experience last year from the players encouraged them to ask their friends to join,” said sophomore Matthew Bruce.
The team was led by captains Benjamin Perez, Riley O’Sullivan and Christopher Aucoin.
The standout match of the season was against D1 champions Nashoba where sophomore Anthony Moura tied his opponent.
“It was my highlight of the season and I was very proud of myself,” said Moura.
On a team with mostly boys, senior Leilah Mullahey hopes more girls will join the team in the coming years.
“I hope to inspire other girls to join the team and for them not to be scared to be on a team that is mostly boys,” said Mullahey.
Senior captain O’sullivan agrees with inspiring younger kids to join the team and enjoy it, “It’s about inspiration and hoping to have the younger kids be happy to continue to play.”
Volleyball
Led by senior captains Lauren Shurling, Ally Cassidy and Addison Murphy the Volleyball team wrapped up their season in the semi-finals losing 4-1 to Ipswich.
After a strong regular season, the girls were league champs for the second year in a row having an overall record of 20-4.
¨Making it to the Final Four was definitely an experience that not only I will remember forever but also something that this team will remember. Even though we did have that tough loss to Ipswich we knew that whatever the outcome came to be we were all so proud of how far we made it in the state tournament. We all made sure that we put our all out on that court for all four sets in that game because we really had nothing to lose and we were all so proud of each other and how far we made it this season having an ending record of 20-4,¨ said junior Giada Colarullo
It truly was an experience to remember because their advancement to the final 4 made history because it was something that had never been done before in the history of the Hudson Highs volleyball program.
“We’re more focused on having fun because that’s when we play better,” said Cassidy
Having fun on the court seemed to pay off because the team played in a league higher this year, which resulted in match-ups from teams in higher divisions. Volleyball was beating teams that they would lose to in previous years showing that you can still have fun whilst working hard.
“Our team is Division 4 but we ended up playing teams from Divisions 1 and 2 which was great for their power rankings and overall confidence,¨ Murphy
They played Westborough a strong Division 1 team and found that they were able to play up to their level which was huge because volleyball felt that they struggled this season with playing down to the level of worse teams but in the end, they were able to step up and win a set.
“When we took a set off of them it was definitely the highlight of our season because we knew that we could play up to their level” We knew that we were in it to win it,” Shurling said.
Boys Soccer
Filled with tough match-ups, the Boys Soccer season ended with the record of 6-11-1. However, the team camaraderie with a tight-knit crew made the season memorable nonetheless.
Led by captains senior John Kuhn, senior Rafa Barbosa, junior Nico Giorgi Woodford and sophomore Thomas Downin, the team practiced every day to improve tactical skills and make it to the playoffs. Four seniors, Joao Correa, and Brayan Carniel along with Kuhn and Barbosa will move on from the team this year.
A standout player was 8th grader Henri Sa who not only was in the starting line-up but also scored 19 goals this season.
“I just love the sport. Being on a higher-level team for the first time, and playing with seniors makes me feel proud of myself. Not everyone can do this,” said Sa.
This accomplishment was one he trained for diligently.
“I did my job, I went to practice every day, I showed up for my team, I was part of a family. I’m proud that my hard work is getting recognized,” said Sa
The accomplishments also came with some upsets. Team captain Kuhn tried to take the losses in stride, and reflected honestly on the season.
”I hate losing. I don’t play sports for fun, I play to win. I feel embarrassed when I walk off a field knowing we could’ve won the game, and it’s what pushes me to do better.”
Even with the disappointments, Kuhn showed up every day for his team.
“My teammates would describe me as a dedicated and supportive leader. During every game, I would give my 100%, and they would notice that,” said Kuhn. “I think they just really appreciate my commitment to the game.”
That commitment of the whole team was apparent during the last game of the season. With a 2-1 win over Keefe Tech, the team looks forward to next season.
“We’ll get better next year,” said Sa.
Girls Varsity Soccer made their way to the first round of playoffs and they reflect on their winning fall season with 9-6-3 record.
The team was led by 3 senior captains Ashley Fahey, Savannah Gao, and Erica Korowski and three more seniors TT, Olivia Fahey, and Ella Oberachker.
Among their 9 wins included a 2-1 win against Marlborough High School.
“We’ve lost to Marlborough every year since I’ve been in 8th grade.. Marlborough came in so confident.” said senior Savannah Gao.
GVS made the Division 3 playoffs but lost in the first round against Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School 0-1.
Even as the Class of 2024 seniors move on, the bond and foundation of the team will continue to grow throughout the next seasons coming up for all players.
“I really like the spirit, like how we are all motivated and eager to win,” said Gao.
With that foundation, Captain Gao hopes that her leadership had an impact.
“I want them to remember me as someone outgoing. I work hard to keep traditions alive and want them to experience what I did,” said Senior Savannah Gao
Football
The football team finished with a 9-3 record and made it to the Final Four of the MIAA Division Six Playoffs.
The Hawk’s team was highlighted by captains Owen Nanartowich, Jake Attaway, Garrett Giorgio, juniors, and senior JJ Senske.
The team beat Sandwich and Lynnfield in the playoffs to advance to the Final Four for the first time in a while.
“It was the first time we broke the curse that held our team back from multiple Final Fours,” Attaway said.
After a successful season, the players have high praise for each other.
“Nothing can top his actions, him on the field is like watching an angel,” junior Brandon Figueiredo said, describing Attaway.
“Garrett is really hard-working, he knows when to be serious and when to joke around,” Attaway said.
“He’s a down-to-earth guy, you can have a good conversation with him on and off the field,” junior Garrett Giorgio said, describing Attaway.
Dance
When it comes to dance it takes a lot of patience, creativity and hard work.
The dance team performed at the varsity football games and did an amazing job. When going out on the field at halftime they show their all and their hard work at practice pays off in the end.
This past season the JV dance team placed 1st in their Hip Hop division.
Captain Hailey Pearlstein states “The screams from my girls hearing that they were 1st were unmatched.”
The dance team practices after school for about 2 hours a day during the season and works hard to be the best they can be.
Pearlstien reflected on how being on the team for her senior year has been different from the previous years.
“I believe that this year has been different from past years. But not in a way I would say is bad, this year was the first year we have been able to split our team into JV and Varsity. We were able to show our real talent in the sport by doing this, not in the way that people think, as in the JV is worse than Varsity, but able to perform to the best of our abilities with the dance changed to the level of our team. Every year feels like this is my family, it sounds cliche but I’m not just talking to them during dance. They have become true friends with everyone. I do not have any cons on this team. This team has been different from other years because our JV has made history by placing first in our last competition!! We are all very proud of them and are working to better our dance to place higher and to get another first-place trophy.”
Pearlstein has been on the HHS dance team for five years now.
Cheer
The cheer team season had a successful season, cheering during all the home games and the playoffs, playing in 3 competitions, getting 2nd in regionals, and making it to states. This was the team’s first time competing with this style of cheering and competing in 3 consecutive competitions.
“This being our first competition season in this unfamiliar style of cheer, and being eligible for leagues, regionals, and then states, and placing top 3 at an invitational competition is something we should be proud of,” said Julia Olivera.
For seniors Lizzie Styn, Nicole Dejeus, and Jordan Morse this is their last season
The highlight of the season for Jane Yates is ending the last season in a good spot, and being excited to come back for another successful year with a new coach. For Julia Oliveria, the highlight of the season was being able to support the football on the field and show school spirit.
“Football games are not only fun to watch, but it was also fun to be a part of, it allowed me to form many new friendships with the girls on the team,” she said.
The team has a special connection with how much time they spend with each other having practice almost every day after school. Everyone had their motivation for why they went to practice but for Oliveria, it was the people who stuck by her side through everything, and who were always there for her.
“They were my go-to cheerleaders to get ready with for football games and they were always by my side during practices.”
Cheer can seem underrated and not many people have much respect for the sport but the effort that the team and coach put into it should be recognized more.
“Cheer seems so different to the outside world but inside the gym, cheer is both a mental and physical sport. It comes with lots of determination. I’m very proud of the hard work that was accomplished this season,” said Oliveria.
