12 - November 4, 2011 Salem Patriot
by Chris White Salem’s volleyball season came to an end in the
Division 1 quarterfinals last Saturday afternoon. The third-seeded Blue Devils fell to sixth-seeded Bishop Guertin in five games. The quarterfinal contest was played at Salem High School. Salem started out strong, winning the first two games 25-17 and 25-15. Bishop Guertin stormed back, however, winning the final three frames by scores of 25-16, 25-22, and 16-14. Salem’s statistical leaders included Jackie Cone (12 kills,12 service points, four blocks), Steph Long (14 service points), Olivia Burke (four blocks), Jenn Merrill (three blocks), Rachel Morrissey (21 digs, 13 service points, four aces), Kelsey Card (18 assists), and Sam Larosa (16 assists). Salem had previously beaten fourteenth-
seeded Timberlane in a first-round home game on Wednesday, October 26. Timberlane knocked off Salem 27-25 in the first game, but the Blue Devils regrouped and earned wins of 25-9, 25-13, and 25-22 to prevail in four games. Leaders for Salem against Timberlane were Cone (25 kills, 22 digs), Amanda Bickford (23 service points, 15 aces, three blocks), Long (17 digs), Burke (three blocks), and Card (24 assists).
A couple of Salem seniors also reached milestones in the opening round contest. Cone recorded her 500th career kill, while Long earned her 500th career dig. The Blue Devils ended the
Salem Patriot Blue Devils Defeat Concord on Gridiron
by Chris White The Salem High football team earned an all- important 22-6 victory at Concord last Friday night. With the win, the Blue Devils improved their league record to 4-3 (6-3 overall) and locked up a spot for the 2011 playoffs. They also snapped a two-game losing skid. Concord started strong, rushing for a
touchdown 40 seconds into the game, but that was all the Crimson would be able to score. After Concord’s opening drive, the Salem defense locked down and did not allow another point for the rest of the contest. Salem’s offense also found its rhythm, scoring
touchdowns in each of the final three quarters. Jerickson Fedrick rumbled in for Salem’s first score, Steve Bemister caught a seven-yard pass from quarterback Jon Soldano for the second, and then Mike Downing rounded out the scoring with a 30-yard touchdown run. Punching in for two-
point conversions were Fedrick and Soldano. Salem relied much on its ground game to move the ball downfield. Leading the Salem rushing attack were Fedrick (108 yards on 26 carries), Abner Rodriguez (93 yards on 16 carries), and Mike Downing (54 yards on six carries). Meanwhile, Salem’s strong defensive effort was
led by its secondary. Defensive backs Ryan Foster and Joe Lemenager each picked off two passes, while Fedrick also had an interception. The Blue Devils have clinched the fourth seed for the Division 1 tournament, as they own a potential head-to-head tiebreaker over both Manchester Central (3-4) and Manchester Memorial (3-4). A Salem win tonight (Friday, November 4) against Londonderry at 7 p.m. will secure the fourth and final playoff spot without the need of a tiebreaker. It will be senior night in recognition of the seniors playing their last home game in a Salem uniform.
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At the beginning of the season, the Salem boys cross country team had one ultimate goal in mind: qualify for the Meet of Champions. And with five of their top seven runners returning from last year’s team, which placed 10th overall at the Division 1 Championships, the goal was certainly attainable. The Blue Devils worked hard all season and returned to Manchester’s Derryfield Park last Saturday for this year’s Division 1 Championship Meet. They needed a top-eight finish to advance to the following weekend and they got it. The Devils pushed through the pack and secured the eighth spot in the team rankings, earning a trip to the Meet of Champions for the first time since 2002.
Salem was led by Ben Dutton (sixth overall, 16:24), who individually qualified for the Meet of Champions last year with a top-30 finish (17th overall, 16:40) at the Division 1 Meet. Also placing in Salem’s top five were Joe Settineri (33rd overall, 17:04), Mitch Dutton (46th overall, 17:27), Dan Schmidt (56th overall, 17:34), and Tyler Breen (64th overall, 17:46). Alex Fredette (84th overall, 18:12) and John Rheaume (108th overall, 18:56) ran for the Devils as well. Prior to the boys’ race, the Salem girls earned
13th overall in their competition. The Blue Devils did have one individual qualifier, though. Alyssa Lambert (24th overall, 20:43)led Salem’s runners, placing in the field’s top 30 to advance to the Meet of Champions. Rounding out Salem’s top five were Samantha
Volleyball Season Ends in Quarterfinals
Sports Sports
Salem volleyball seniors Jackie Cone (left) and Steph Long are recognized for their career accomplishments by Coach Dan Young after playing Timberlane. Cone registered her 500th kill, while Long reached 500 digs.
season with a record of 16-4. The season also featured an 11-game win streak for the Devils, which was snapped with their final loss to Bishop Guertin.
Elisha Farris (#6) prepares to pass to a Salem teammate against Timberlane
Blue Devils Qualify for Meet of Champions
Ben Dutton (sixth overall, 16:24) led the Blue Devils to an eighth-place finish at the Division 1 Championships last week. It was the team’s best finish in nine years and qualified the Devils for the Meet of Champions.
Hutchins (51st overall, 21:34), Kimberly Kiplagat (66th overall, 22:28), Rachel Mastrogiacomo (97th overall, 23:40), and Jeanna Gigante (99th overall, 23:58). Also representing the Blue Devils were Leah Morelli (100th overall, 24:15) and Mackenzie Hanninen (117th overall, 26:16). Bishop Guertin took the title in both Division
1 races. The Meet of Champions is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, November 5.
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Staff photos by Chris White
Staff photos by Chris White
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