Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Rikervin “Ricky” Encarnacion (Outdoor Track)

Junior outdoor track standout Rikervin “Ricky” Encarnacion hoped to run track his freshman year, but the pandemic wiped out the entire spring sports season in 2020.  Undeterred, Ricky got his outdoor track career started last year, and has seen a tremendous amount of success ever since.  

Ricky, who moved to Leominster from the Dominican Republic when he was four, was first introduced to the sport by former Blue Devil track star Joachim Ennoo, who currently is on the UMass Amherst track team.  Ricky said he is driven to get better every day.  

“The competition is always against yourself, to beat your personal best every attempt you get,” Ricky said.  

“He’s a great athlete who’s shown commitment to the team this year,” Leominster track coach Cathy Harris said.  “It’s his second year on the team and he has natural talent.”

 

Ricky’s events include the 100, the triple jump, the long jump, as well as being a member of the 4x100 team.  

 

“Ricky always had a positive attitude,” Harris said.  “Great kid all around.”

 

Ricky said being a part of the LHS track team is special.

 

“The culture we have as a track team (is what I like the most),” Ricky said.  “We support all of our athletes from throwers to sprinters to long distance runners, always cheering each other on at meets.”

 

Ricky also plays football and basketball at Leominster, excelling at both.  Ricky said his favorite teacher is Mr. Noviello, who teaches his favorite class, honors physics.  

 

Outside of school, Ricky plays flag football and made the USA National Flag Football team.  He also loves spending time with friends and family.  

After high school, Ricky’s goals include going to college and studying engineering while also studying real estate.

 

“I also want to be a positive influence to other kids in some way,” Ricky said.  

 

 

 

 

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Gina Iacoboni (Girls' Tennis)

Junior girls’ tennis standout Gina Iacoboni started playing tennis back in the fifth grade thanks to the efforts of current LHS boys’ tennis coach Mark Moge.  

“Coach Mark Moge brought his tennis program to (Johnny Appleseed) and I tried it out,” Gina explained.  “Since then I have worked with him and he has gotten me to where I am with my tennis.”  

Gina said she likes the team and competitive nature of playing tennis at LHS.  

“I enjoy playing with friends for fun and use the school season as an opportunity to enhance my compete ability,” Gina said.  “(I also enjoy) the team bond that we have and the feeling of getting a winning point.”  

Girls’ tennis coach Daryl Robichaud said Gina joined the team a year ago and has been a big part of their success ever since.  

"Gina came to the team in the spring of 2021 having played a considerable amount of tennis as well as having worked extensively on her craft,” Robichaud said.  

 

Robichaud said he has also seen Gina take on more of a leadership role this year, while providing a tremendous amount of versatility.  

 

"Gina has the ability to excel in both singles and doubles which makes my job as the coach much easier,” Robichaud said.  “She is willing to do whatever it takes, in whatever role, to help the team win."

 

"With four matches left in the season, Gina has an 8-3 individual record with wins coming at 3rd Singles, 1st Doubles and 2nd Doubles,” Robichaud added.  “This is indicative of both her unselfishness and her talent level as well her value to the team."

 

As for what Gina has learned from coach Robichaud, Gina explained it was all about having the right mentality.  

 

“Be confident in yourself and your shots,” Gina said.

 

At LHS, Gina is involved in National Honor Society and STUMP.  Her favorite class so far has been TV/Media Production with Mr. Smith, a former high school tennis player himself.  

 

“He also played tennis in high school so I enjoy talking to him about it,” Gina said. 

 

Outside of school, Gina has helped coach tennis through the Leominster Rec Department and has really enjoyed that experience.   

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Christian Ocasio (Boys' Volleyball)

Junior Christian Ocasio just started formally playing volleyball last year, although it was not his first exposure to the sport.

“I would sometimes play for fun at parties and at the beach and I always found it fun and me and my friend decided we should try it out for real,” Christian said.

That decision turned out to be a good one according to his coach, John Antonetti. 

“Christian is one of our captains,” Antonetti said.  “He brings a very positive attitude to the team.  He brings a lot of heart. He's responsible for recruiting several of our players this year.”

“As far as his playing on the court, he is a very steady player,” Antonetti continued.  “He is very talented in his serving.  He has a strong floor sense knowing where to go, knowing where to hit, knowing where and when to block.”

Antonetti also said Christian is one of the most unselfish players he has ever coached. 

“During one of our games against a less talented team, he told me it was okay not to play him and to put someone else on the team in the game to give that player more playing time,” Antonetti said.

Christian said he loves being a part of the Blue Devil volleyball team.    

“I love the connection I have developed with my coaches and my teammates,” Christian said.  “The environment can be fun and even goofy at times but we all know when it is time to be serious and volleyball overall is just such a fun sport to play and there is always sportsmanship involved.”

Christian said he has learned a lot from his time on the team and at the school as well.

“Honestly this school has taught me a lot of things whether they were negative or positive things and these are things I will always appreciate and remember for the rest of my life,” Christian said.  “I enjoy the environment and being able to express who I am every single day.”

On the court, Christian said he also learned a lot from coach Antonetti.  

“What I have learned is to be consistent and to never give up or settle for less,” Christian said.  “My coach has also taught me to never let tough situations get to your head and to keep your head up at all times.”

After high school, Christian hopes to attend a four-year college and study architecture, film and photography, and criminal justice.

“As of right now my main plan is to become a photographer/filmmaker and make positive documentaries about mental health,” Christian said. 

Here at LHS. Christian said his favorite class was math during his freshman year with Mr. Mooney and his favorite overall teacher was Mrs. Nazor, who Christian said he still talks to a lot.  

Outside of school, Christian spends most of his free time listening to music, filming, writing, and at practice or games.