By Tim Dolan, with collaboration from Joel Hebert, Dave Boschetto, Liam Brandt, Eddy Puello, Jane Whitesides, and Jayden Mael.
Bedford fall sports had a strong showing this year, with five teams qualifying for postseason play, and two having historic seasons. Details on where these teams finished and what they achieved are listed below.
Girls Cross Country
The Girls Cross Country team finished, according to coach Joel Hebert, with “the best season since he has been coaching.” They won the DCL Small School League with a 6-0 record, led by captains Anna Massaro, Michelle Wong, Grace Niu, and Addi Poulter.
They also came in 5th at Divisionals on November 9 in Devens, advancing to All-States. The following qualified for All States: Anna Masaro, Addi Poulter, Gace Niu, Zadie Buckley, Vivian Liu, Madeline Ota, and Michelle Wong.
There on November 18th they finished 6th out of 103 teams in Division 2 for the season. Both Massaro and Poulter were chosen as DCL All-Stars. The following runners earned a place in the Bedford Girls Cross Country Record Book:
Platinum Tier (sub 19 minute 5k): Anna Massaro
Gold Tier (sub 20 minute 5k): Addi Poulter
Silver Tier (sub 21 minute 5k): Zadie Buckley and Grace Niu
Field Hockey
Capping one of the strongest seasons in the team’s history at 14-3-2, the Bedford Field Hockey Team beat Gloucester 4-2 on Saturday 11/2 to advance to round of 16 in the state tournament, where they then beat North Reading 3-2 on Thursday 11/7. They finally ran up against a dominant Watertown team that has won the last three state championships and is on a 95 game unbeaten streak. Here, they lost 8-0. The team was routinely led by stars Sophia Demeo and Stella Day.
Cheer
The cheer competition team of 11 athletes placed 3rd at Wilmington Invitational on Oct 13th and 2nd in the DCL Competition on Oct 20th. The team was led by senior captains Stephanie Kezima, and Larah Maldonado, DCL All Star Senior Norah Watson, and Sophomore Taylor Lykins. As a co-ed team, the Bedford team competes against similarly constructed teams in categories, such as stunt, tumbling, jumps, formation, pyramid, motions, and showmanship, which make up the total team score. The team is excited for fall coach and BC High English Teacher Nikkie Melanson to also begin coaching the Winter Cheer team.
Boys Soccer
The Boys Soccer team finished the season 5-6-8, and defeated Sharon in the round of 32 state tourney game on Monday 11/4 before falling on penalty kicks to Revere on November 7.
Football
The 5-4 Bedford Football Team entered the state tourney, losing @ Grafton 42-8 on Friday 11/8. They will play Burlington at 10 AM on Thanksgiving.
Photos courtesy of The Bedford Citizen’s Mike Rosenberg and Bedford High School’s Yearbook Advisor Christine Lennox
