Norton student sets records winning title
John Norcott is an 18-year-old power lifter who pushes himself. He does not have a coach or a trainer. He creates his workouts and he sets his schedules by himself. It is hard to argue with the results.
Last week, Norcott claimed the USAPL New England States Open Power Lifting Championship for the 18/19-year-old division at 198 pounds. He lifted a total of 1,510 pounds (600 squat, 570 dead lift, 340 bench press) to win the title and set a record with his overall score and in each of the three events.
Norcott says that if he continues to excel, he may begin working with a trainer, but until then he will continue reading and researching the latest training techniques on his own.
"I like to do things my way, so if it's not broke why fix it?" asked Norcott, a Norton High senior.
Weight lifting began as a way for Norcott, then a freshman, to prepare for the football season. A friend mentioned he could use his strength off the field as a power lifter.
Norcott has flourished in the sport ever since. Last year he won a national title after lifting 1,371 pounds (551 squat, 297.5 bench press, and 523 deadlift) in the 16-and under division.
In March, Norcott qualified to return to the national championship. This year, his brother will go with him to the event June 8-10 in Kalamazoo, Mich.
"It's what I want to do with my life," Norcott said. "The only thing that would bother me now is failure. I hate not winning."
Norcott also competes in other sports to keep himself in shape year-round. He was a 6-foot, 190-pound running back last season for Norton.
This spring, he proved he has speed after he qualified for the states in the 100 meters. He also qualified for the shot put.
This fall, Norcott will attend Bridgton Academy in Maine, where he will play football.
Oliver Ames coach happy with progress
While the playoffs begin for many teams this week, there are others who will be thinking about next season.
At Oliver Ames, softball coach Bob Huckabee could not be more excited about his team's accomplishments even though it did not qualify for the state tournament. Oliver Ames secured an 8-11 record, improving on its 4-16 record in 2006. Oliver Ames also was recognized with the Hockomock League's sportsmanship award.
This is the first varsity head coaching position for Huckabee, who retired from his career as a marketing executive this year. He was a softball assistant for four years at New Bedford, which was a Division 1 South Sectional finalist last season.
"I've been to the state tournament, and I know how much fun it can be and how good it feels," Huckabee said. "I was disappointed for my kids, but we just weren't quite ready to take it to the next level."
When Huckabee joined Oliver Ames, he met an enthusiastic group willing to do what was needed to be successful. That included players such as junior captain Molly Cotter, who offered to give up shortstop to a freshman, while she moved to second base.
"That's the attitude I've gotten from everyone on the team," Huckabee said. "They're hungry to win."
The team also rallied around pitcher Kelly Volger, who was the team's only senior. Rather than rely on strikeouts, she mastered pitches that forced ground balls and let the defense do the work.
"She was instrumental in giving us a chance to win by keeping us in games," Huckabee said.
Volger will be attending the University of Nebraska next year, and Huckabee said he has no doubt the team will be calling Volger next season to celebrate their success.
"She's been a part of building this program," Huckabee said.
Swir balus wins gymnastics crown
Nicole Swirbalus of Westwood recently won the state gymnastics title in the Level 6, 10-year-old division.
Swirbalus collected an all-around score of 37.625 to win the event. She scored a 9.6 on the floor, 9.65 on the beam, 9.25 in the vault, and a 9.125 on the bars. Her floor score was good enough for first place, while she earned second in the beam and vault and fourth on the bars.
Swirbalus's scores also went toward the team's overall score, leading to a first-place finish. She competes with the New England Sports Academy in Westwood and is a fourth-grader at Milton Academy.
Caldwell selected by Parade Magazine
Braintree senior Amy Caldwell is one of three players from Massachusetts to be selected to the Parade Magazine All-America High School Girls' Soccer team.
Caldwell, who will play at Boston College this fall, is listed in today's Parade Magazine that features the boys' and girls' teams. Bianca D'Agostino of Longmeadow is also on the girls' team, while the boys' team includes Sheanon Williams of Boston.
Caldwell helped Braintree earn back-to-back Division 1 titles for the first time in school history. She has been the Globe's player of the year two straight seasons. She scored 112 goals and 58 assists in her career at Braintree.
Caldwell is one of 38 girls to make the team, which is determined by coaches, scouts, and recruiters. Players must play soccer for their high school or club to be eligible for the team.
