Joe Gianino is headed to Springfield College this fall, where the talented Burlington High senior will compete for the men's gymnastics team. His senior season at Burlington was one to remember. In his final meet, Gianino won four individual events (floor exercise, pommel horse, high bar, and parallel bars) and the all-around title with a score of 52.65 to propel the Red Devils to their fifth state title, a thrilling 180.3-164.05 win over Braintree, avenging last year's loss in the state final. Gianino has been training in the Olympic Development Program for three years.
Midfielder Mike Maggio of Winchester finished second on the Lasell College men's lacrosse team in scoring last spring with 20 goals and 8 assists. In the first 12 games this year, the junior attack collected 40 points on 31 goals and 9 assists. Derek Allan and Dave Bulhoes, both of Billerica, also play attack for Lasell.
Former Lowell High standout Laurie Tanguay is off to a stellar start in her season for the softball team at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. A four-year starting outfielder, she opened the season hitting .458 (44 for 98) with 4 homers, 9 doubles, 2 triples, 34 RBIs, with a .719 slugging percentage, powering the River Hawks to an 18-12 start. Tanguay has 19 career home runs.
Playing in its first season at the varsity level, the Wilmington High boys' lacrosse team won its season opener, downing Manchester-Essex, 10-9. The Wildcats look to senior attackmen Sean Fay and Kevin Fitzpatrick and midfielder Sean Tavarez to anchor the offense. Sophomore keeper Josh Townson shares time in net with junior Matt Kincaid for Wilmington, which competes in the Division 3 Cape Ann League.
Billerica High sophomore Jimmy Holland pulled out some late-game lacrosse heroics against Andover last week. He stole the ball from a Andover defender in the final seconds of the matchup to secure a 9-8 win for the Indians. It was the eighth one-goal game in the last 11 meetings between the two Merrimack Valley Conference squads. Junior attackman Greg Melaugh led the unbeaten Indians with 4 goals, 3 assists, and 12 ground balls.
