Appreciative Area Athletes

As Thanksgiving Day passes and the holiday season is in full force, it is natural to reflect on what we are most thankful for this time of year. I know I’m most thankful for having the privilege of writing about all the great student-athletes and coaches involved with high school sports throughout Central Mass for Town Square. I have met some fantastic young men and women and wonderful teams throughout the fall season and I look forward to writing about the winter season soon.

As we close out the fall season, here is what some of our local high school student-athletes are thankful for this holiday season.

 

Chloe Kaeller is a senior captain and forward for the state champion Uxbridge High School field hockey team. She also led Central Mass in scoring with 30 goals

and 14 assists on the season. She also had six goals and seven assists in the postseason to help lead her team to the title.

Kaeller said, “I am most thankful for my teammates, my coaches, and all the support and respect from everyone cheering us on, on this amazing journey.”

 

Ryan McNulty is a senior captain and forward for the state champion Bromfield High School boys’ soccer team. He was the third leading scorer in Central Mass with 14 goals and 10 assists on the season. He also scored the title-clinching goal in overtime against Douglas.

McNulty said, “I’m most thankful for the people around me, especially my parents, who have been there for me throughout my athletic career at Bromfield. I have a lot of supporters that have really had a positive impact on me throughout the years.”

 

Marcus Reilly is a sophomore cross country runner from Northbridge High School. He won the Class A state sectional meet with a time of

16:05.47 and placed second in the state with a time of 15:37.4. Despite dealing with some early season injuries, he was able to bounce back to finish with a successful season.

Reilly said, “I am thankful for my family and all the support and encouragement they give me no matter what, and I am very grateful to be healthy and back running, and doing what I love to do.”

 

Maddy Andresen is a junior cross country runner from Northbridge High School. “I am very thankful for joining the cross-country team. Not only have my amazing coaches pushed me to become better, but over the years, I have made some friends with some of the best people I’ve ever met. I’ve created so many memories over the years of running.”

 

Dylan Reilly is a freshman cross country runner for Northbridge High School. He qualified for the state meet this season. “I am thankful

for my family for supporting me in everything I do.”

 

Nathan Williams is a junior cross country runner for Northbridge High School. “I’m thankful for my family. Whenever I feel down, my family is always here for me just as I am for them.”

 

Tony Palmariello is a senior captain and an offensive and defensive lineman for the Leominster High School football team. “I’m thankful for my linemen. I’m thankful for the cold, because it feels like football weather. It’s nice to breathe in the cold

air. I’m thankful for football.”

 

Ma’kai Newton is a junior captain and running back, strong safety, and outside linebacker for the Leominster High School football team. “I’m thankful, of course, for my mother and my brothers as well. But overall, I’m thankful for the ability to experience a sport like this to have that natural talent and strength to go out there [on the football field] and do what most average people can’t.”

 

Miguel Cabrera is a senior captain and linebacker and fullback for the Leominster High School football team. “I’m most thankful for my

family, my mom, and I’m thankful to be able to play Leominster football.”

 

Caeden Constant is the starting quarterback and senior captain for the Leominster High School football team. He scored six touchdowns this season for 36 points. He said he is thankful for “my family, my friends, and my coach, most definitely. You know they push me on and off the field to be a better person and to set my goals high and not set my expectations low.”

 

 Nico Martinez is a senior captain and outside linebacker and running back for the Leominster High School football team. “I’m thankful

for my family. I’m thankful to have a season this year with all this COVID stuff going on. I’m thankful for Coach Gates and Coach Murph to help me become the person I am today.”

 

Tim Visbeek is a standout senior wide receiver and defensive back for the Northbridge High School football team. Visbeek has been ranked top three of Central Mass receivers and has tallied more than 900 yards on the season. “I’m most thankful for my family, my friends, and football: the three F’s.

 

Ryan Boyce is the starting quarterback and senior for the Northbridge High School football team. He scored 20 touchdowns for the Rams this season, sixth best in Central Mass. “I’m most thankful for being able to step on the field because not everyone gets that opportunity. So,

it’s a blessing.”

 

Collin Falconer is a senior inside linebacker and running back for the Northbridge High School football team. He scored five touchdowns and was ranked in the top ten for total tackles in Central Mass this season.

Falconer said “I think the most thing that I’m most thankful for would have to be my family members. The reason why is because they help support me through anything. They really keep me motivated and keep me in check so I can keep being successful in these sports. They always help me out with anything they can.”