DiGiulio, squad net bronze

Peabody's Jamie DiGiulio, a standout goaltender who played two years at Bishop Fenwick before transferring to the Tilton School in Tilton, N.H., in 2003, helped Team USA New England earn a 3-3 record and a bronze medal in the junior division of the Czech Challenge Cup in Prague.

DiGiulio, 18, played with a squad of high school all-stars in the hockey tournament, which featured teams from the United States, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Slovakia, Norway, Canada, Finland, Germany, and Russia.

''I really learned a lot going over there," DiGiulio said. ''There was definitely some serious culture shock. They play on black ice and there are windows in all the rinks. It's so different than anything I've ever experienced."

Things looked bleak for DiGiulio's squad in the early stages of the tournament, as Team USA New England dropped its first two games to Czech squads. Jet lag may have been part of the problem -- the players went straight to practice from the airport after arriving in Prague on the morning of Aug. 8 and played their first game the next day. But the New Englanders were able to regroup and even their record before falling 1-0 to eventual gold medal winner Team USA Midwest. In the bronze medal game, New England took on the Czech team Valke de Popovic and earned a 1-0 win.

''They stayed in position, took a lot of long shots and crashed the net," he said of the Czech foes. ''It seemed like all of their goals were off of rebounds or came out of scrums in front of the net."

DiGiulio, who played five games for the North Shore team in a Hockey Night in Boston tournament before making his transatlantic trip, will return to Tilton for his senior year early next month. He said that he will never forget his experience playing in Europe and would love to go back next year.

Moulton reaches semis in golf event

Steve Moulton of Danvers made it to the semifinal of the RE/MAX Junior World Long Drive Championships last weekend in Blaine, Minn. Moulton, along with fellow Danvers High grads John Mandalka and Gary Langlais, took part in the 16- to 18-year-old division while another Danvers native, 9-year-old Trent King, participated in the 9 and under group. Mandalka, Langlais, and King qualified at the Sun 'N Air Driving Range last month while Moulton earned an invitation thanks to his eighth-place finish at the event last year.

''I never thought I'd get the opportunity to compete," said Langlais. ''Last year I just went to support Steve and this year was pretty much the same, only I got to hit some balls in between."

The three 18-year-olds made the first cut in a bracket of 64 long-hitters. Despite drives of 301 and 309 yards, Mandalka and Langlais were eliminated in the second round. Moulton advanced to the semifinals with the help of a second-round drive of 351. King, who has been golfing since age 4, had a long drive of 205 yards and finished second in his age group. His next task will be a drive, chip, and putt tournament sponsored by the Golf Channel next month in Orlando, Fla.

''He's got such a nice swing," said Trent's father, Brian King, of his son, who beat out 800 competitors for the right to play in the 11-and-under division of the Golf Channel event by qualifying at Mount Hood golf club in Melrose last month. ''I've never been a long hitter, but Trent's a pretty big kid. He's a natural."

Conlon swim meet set for next Sunday

The Michael J. Conlon Swim-a-Thon will be held next Sunday at the Peabody-Lynnfield outdoor YMCA from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. Conlon, who was born and raised in Lynn, died in a car accident in 1996 at the age of 22. The event, which benefits the Michael J. Conlon Scholarship Fund, routinely awards $1,500 scholarships to one senior from each of Lynn's high schools as well as $3,000 to a senior at Babson College, Michael's alma mater.

''We also give to the Peabody YMCA, the Lynn youth soccer program and other things we think Michael would appreciate," said his sister Michelle Conlon. ''This event is our way to keep Michael's memory alive and reminisce with family and friends."

The event is informal, with all levels of participation welcome. Those unable to participate may send a donation to the Michael J. Conlon Scholarship Fund, 133 Commonwealth Road, Lynn, MA 01904.

Semipro football league in full swing

If you can't wait for Patriots season, college football, or even high school games, perhaps you should check out the New England Football League. Based out of Salisbury, the league is the largest semipro football league in the country.

Founded in 1994, the NEFL initially consisted of four teams but has expanded to a 28-team league, including squads playing in Haverhill (the Merrimack Valley Crush) and Amesbury (the Hampton Hurricanes).

''Football is so popular, which is a big reason why our league has grown the way it has," said league cofounder Tom Torrisi. ''I don't think we've hit critical mass yet."

Games will continue through the first week of October, with three weeks of playoffs to follow.