The Old Rochester Regional High School’s boys track team closed out its regular season with an undefeated record of 5-0 when the Bulldogs defeated rival Dighton-Rehoboth to win the South Coast Conference title. However, tensions were high as the Bulldogs trailed on points up until the final two events.
Leo Schiappa, Murray Copps and Tyler Trudeau started things off right for the Bulldogs, taking first place in the 55, mile and hurdles, respectively. However, D-R’s wins in shot-put and high jump, as well as an upset in the 600 meters, left ORR in a less-than-ideal position. Schiappa was earned another first-place finish in the 300, and John Kassabian was able to edge out the 1,000, but it wasn’t until Copps won the 2 mile, the second to last event of the meet, that ORR took a lead.
It all came down to the 4×400 relay. The winner of this race would take home the title. In the end, the team of Kassabian, Teddy Carroll, Sam Balsis and Colby Gross was able to pull off the win and take home the championship with a final score of 47-39.
The girls’ win was much more comfortable with a final score of 57-29. Jen Williams was a triple winner once again in the 55 dash, hurdles and high jump. Other first-place finishers were Alexia Gonsalves in the mile and 2-mile and Audrey Thomas in the 300. The 4×400 team of Jillian LeBlanc, Gabby Pinhancos, Liz Feeney and Cameran Weaver closed out the meet with one final win. Old Rochester will compete in the South Coast Conference meet on Saturday, February 12.
Girls Basketball
The Lady Bulldogs faced Apponequet at home on January 21, winning 43-19. Maggie Brogioli and Logan Fernandes led the offense with 12 points and 9 points, respectively. ORR hosted Joseph Case on Tuesday and will look to avenge an early-season loss against Dartmouth at home on Thursday, January 27, at 6:30 pm.
Boys Basketball
ORR’s boys basketball team picked up a 62-57 comeback win over Apponequet on January 21. Braden Yeomans scored 19 points, while Jacob Smith and Steven Morrell each scored 13. The Bulldogs visited Case on Tuesday and will host Norwell on Friday, January 28, at 6:30 pm.
Swimming
The ORR boys swim team defeated Durfee 86-70 on January 20. Sean Lund won the 200 and 100 freestyle, qualifying for states in both, while Skip Holmes qualified for states in his 50 freestyle win and sectionals in the 100 backstroke. Other first-place finishers were Jaymison Gunshel in the 200 individual medley and 500 freestyle and Sam Harris in the 100 butterfly. The 400 freestyle and 200 medley relay teams, both consisting of Lund, Holmes, Gunshel and Harris, also won. The Bulldogs faced Apponequet on Tuesday.
Hockey
Old Rochester’s girls hockey team played twice at Gallo Ice Arena last week, first losing 5-2 against Cape Cod on January 19 before taking a 4-1 loss against Sandwich on January 22. The boys, on the other hand, were able to defeat Upper Cape Tech, 7-2, on January 19 at Falmouth Ice Arena before losing 6-2 against Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech on January 22 at Hetland Memorial Arena.
The boys faced Diman Voke on Wednesday and will host Dennis-Yarmouth on February 2 at Taboe Academy. The girls look to bounce back against Bishop Stang on Saturday, January 29, at 4:00 pm at Hetland.
Sports Roundup
By Matthew Curry