Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Nina Marchetti (Girls' Lacrosse)

LHS junior girls’ lacrosse player Nina Marchetti started playing lacrosse when she was in first grade thanks in large part to someone who had a good deal of experience and success in the sport.  

“My mom played when she was in high school and college, so when I was in first grade my mom started the U9 team and coached me, my sister, and some of my current fellow teammates,” Nina said.  “We have all been playing together since then.” 

Nina continues to blossom as part of a highly talented LHS girls’ program under the direction of coach Ken Aubuchon.  

“Nina is a third year varsity player who continues to improve as the season progresses,” Aubuchon said.  “She is a two-way player, and has significant roles on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.  She has a great left hand shot, a competitive spirit and high sports IQ which has helped the team (to our strong start).  She is a great kid and a pleasure to coach.”

For Nina, lacrosse is all about that balance between getting after it and having fun doing it.

“I like that lacrosse is both competitive and fun,” Nina said.  “We win games but also have fun together both inside and outside of lax.”

A big part of that formula is the fact that her mom started things years ago.

“I like that I have been playing with the same girls since youth lax,” Nina said  “It is and always has been something we have been able to do together.”

Nina also said that this tight-knit group has learned a lot from coach Aubuchon.  

“Coach Ken has taught us how to keep a good mindset and have good sportsmanship in any game we play, no matter win or lose,” Nina said.  “He has also taught us to have fun and work hard, which allows us to have a successful season.”

After high school, Nina plans to attend a four-year university to study Biology and then continue from there to seek further education in the medical field.  She also hopes to play club or intramural lacrosse.  

At LHS, Nina is a member of the National Honor Society and participates as an officer in the Junior Class Government.  She also plays field hockey.  

Her favorite class to date at LHS was American Studies with Mr. Robichaud.  

Outside of school, Nina enjoys playing field hockey and lacrosse.  

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Daniel Caetano (Boys' Volleyball)

Junior boys’ volleyball player Daniel Caetano is one of those players that doesn’t come along very often according to LHS boys’ volleyball coach John Antonetti. 

“Daniel is one of those talented athletes that come far and few in a coaches career,” Antonetti explained.  “He is a great kid, both on and off the court. Very humble, extremely willing to help his teammates succeed.  One of the few athletes that I've coached that genuinely loves the sport.  He (makes) all of us better.”

Daniel came to Leominster a little over a year ago after growing up in Brazil.  As a freshman in his school in Brazil, Daniel started playing volleyball.  

“I'm not sure how, but I fell in love with volleyball when me and my friends were playing volleyball,” Daniel said.  “All my friends like volleyball, that’s what makes me like this sport.  I love my teammates and (coach Antonetti) here at LHS.”  

Daniel said he would like to play volleyball after graduating from high school but is living in the moment enjoying his junior season here at LHS.  When asked what his favorite class was here at LHS, Daniel respectfully indicated it was volleyball practice with his volleyball family.

Outside of school, Daniel said he keeps it pretty simple.

“I work out, I practice, I read books, I go out with friends,” Daniel said.  

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Megan Dube and Victoria Belcastro (Softball)

Senior Megan Dube (upper photo) and junior Victoria Belcastro (lower photo) make a formidable pitching tandem for the Blue Devils softball team according to LHS softball coach Tara Witzgall.

Dube had a stellar sophomore campaign for the Blue Devils, striking out 75 batters and posting an ERA of 3.68.  Unfortunately, she missed all of her junior season a year ago coming back from a serious knee injury.  

Then-Sophomore Victoria Belcastro took over in the circle a year ago for LHS, striking out 121 batters to go along with an ERA of 3.29.  

In 2023, both pitchers are working together to give the Blue Devils one of the best pitching duos in the region.  

“Both pitchers have been working extremely hard on and off the field during the pre-season months and are ready to work together to shut down our opponents offense,” Witzgall said.  “One pitcher likes to work the zone high, while the other works the zone low.  They compliment each other in many ways and will be the key weapons as we face some of the best teams in Mid-Wach.”

Being a part of the LHS softball team has a family feel to it according to both Dube and Belcastro.  

“The part I like most about being on a team is that the team becomes like your second family,” Megan said.  “I feel like I can talk to anyone on the team about anything and they won't judge me.  We even do a five-minute circle at the beginning of all our practices and games where everyone gets to say one thing about their day.  It can be happy or sad and the whole team will support you.”

“What I like most about being a part of the LHS softball team is the culture we have and the love and support we all have for each other,” Victoria added.

Both Dube and Belcastro credit Witzgall for creating and fostering that strong team culture.

Victoria was introduced to the sport by her mom and dad, starting to play softball when she was in kindergarten.  

“When I was younger my dad was a part of a men's softball team and he was a pitcher, so he has always been a role model for my pitching,” Victoria said.  “My mom was the one who signed me up for softball and began bringing me to all my softball events.”

“What I like most about softball is the thrill you get when playing and the support from your family and teammates,” Victoria added.

Megan was influenced by her family as well.  

“My dad had played baseball his whole life, so he put my sister and I into softball as early as he could,” Megan said.  “I have played other sports but softball was the one that I stuck with.”

“I like the highs and lows of the game,” Megan added.  “The feeling of winning a game when you know you played your hardest is unbeatable.  Everyone on the team is so excited, and you just don't want to stop talking about it.”

Victoria wants to attend college after high school and get a Master’s Degree in Business.  Megan will be attending Clark University next year and pitching for the softball team there.  She plans to study Political Science and wants to attend Law School.  

Megan is a member of the STUMP Club, and  was also a member of the Quiz Show team, the Math Team and the Mock Trial Team while at LHS.  Her favorite class at LHS is A.P. Language and Composition with Mr. Oxford.  

Victoria’s favorite class was American Studies and her favorite to teacher is Mrs. Letarte.  

Outside of school, Megan likes to read, watch movies, and go shopping with her friends.

Victoria likes to practice softball, go to the gym and hangout with friends.  She also likes to volunteer at her local church, Our Lady of the Lake.  

 

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Ryan Garner (Baseball)

Senior Ryan Garner, who will be attending and playing baseball at Husson University next year, has always been a leader and someone who performs best when the pressure is the highest according to LHS baseball coach Rich Barnaby.

“Ryan is always at his best under pressure and in the biggest moments,” Barnaby said.  “We had so much confidence in him his sophomore year that we put him in the game to close out the State Semifinal game where he struck out the final batter of the game with a runner on second.”  

One of those pressure moments came in the season opener earlier this month for the Blue Devils, a 12-inning marathon where Ryan came on out of the bullpen with the game tied, pitching six shutout innings of one-hit relief while striking out seven before Angel Baez ended the game with a walk-off single.”  

“We know that in the key moments this season, Ryan will be the difference that helps us win those close games,” Barnaby said.  

Ryan started playing baseball when he was four years old, acquiring a love for the game watching baseball games on television with his father, Chad, who is currently the varsity baseball coach at Fitchburg High School.  That same year, Ryan started his baseball journey playing tee-ball for Leominster North.  

Since that time, Ryan has developed a deep passion for the sport.  

“I have always liked the competitiveness of the sport,” Ryan said.  “I like being in the big moments when the tensions are high.  The baseball field has also been a place of comfort, where I only need to focus on the game and my teammates around me.”

Ryan particularly likes being a part of the LHS baseball team, a team that coach Barnaby sets very high standards for year after year.  

“The culture of winning is what I like most about our team,” Ryan said.  “There is a set standard that requires lots of hard work and dedication to the sport.  We all share the same goal, which is why our team is so close.”

Part of that standard for the team is working together to overcome adversity.  

“Coach Barnaby has taught me that mistakes are a part of life, but how you bounce back from that error is what defines you,” Ryan said.  “Staying positive after something bad happens keeps the team calm, and we play with less pressure on ourselves.  Coach tells us to be confident that the person next to you will make that play when you need it the most.”

Before attending Husson in Bangor, Maine this fall, Ryan will play summer baseball with his American Legion team, Post 151.  

“My planned major is in Environmental Science, and if baseball doesn't work out I would want to work somewhere in that field,” Ryan said of his future plans.  

At LHS, Ryan’s favorite class was Honors Physics with Mr. Noviello.  

Outside of school, Ryan is a very big collector of sports cards and memorabilia, mainly football and baseball.  He also likes to work out at Cressey Sports Performance in Hudson.

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Victoria Miele (Girls' Tennis)

Junior Victoria Miele started playing tennis her freshman year of high school and has been driven to improve each and every time she steps on the court.  In fact, that drive to improve is what she likes the most about the sport of tennis.  

“My favorite thing about playing tennis is how everyday I can see my improvement and I always leave practice feeling like I accomplished something,” Victoria said.

As a sophomore, Victoria was named a Mid-Wach B All-Star along with her doubles partner, Isabella Nevard.  That doubles team posted a 12-3 record in the regular season and advanced to play Danvers in the Massachusetts State Playoffs.  

LHS girls’ tennis coach Daryl Robichaud said Victoria has an infectious spirit both on and off the tennis court.

“Her teammates gravitate toward her while looking to her for her guidance, insight and expertise,” Robichaud said.  

Robichaud also praised Victoria’s leadership and her ability to be flexible.  

"Victoria is the epitome of what a leader should be,” Robichaud said.  “Not only does she hold herself accountable, she holds her teammates accountable as well."

"With her partner from last year going through the rehabilitation process for a knee injury, Victoria has made a seamless transition to a new partner and will once again look to lock down the first doubles position during the 2023 campaign,” Robichaud added.

For Victoria, being a part of the LHS girls’ tennis team is a place she loves to be.  

“The tennis team is my absolute favorite group of people,” Victoria said.  “Everyone is kind and it is such a safe, encouraging place to be.  My favorite part about being on the tennis team is getting to see the most encouraging people everyday.”

She also has taken a lot away from Robichaud, with particular attention to maintaining a mental edge when out on the court.   

“Something Roby has taught me to remain calm and reset when I am getting too hard on myself,” Victoria said. 

Victoria hopes to attend Providence College where she wants to study English and pursue a career in editing.  

At LHS, Victoria also plays varsity volleyball, and is a member of a number of clubs and school organizations including STUMP, student government, National Honor Society, Best Buddies, and the BDN Cultural Committee.  

Victoria’s favorite class at LHS to date has been A.P. Language with Mr. Oxford.  

Outside of school, Victoria plays club volleyball and enjoys snowboarding.

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Casey Carlin (Boys' Tennis)

Casey Carlin has only been playing tennis for two years, but in that short time, he has already accomplished quite a bit.

It was fall of Casey’s junior year when the idea of playing tennis was planted in Casey’s mind, ironically, by LHS golf coach Daryl Robichaud.  

“During a ride to a golf match, coach Robichaud mentioned that we should all try tennis, so I tried it out junior year,” Casey said.

Casey made the tennis squad as a junior and proved to be a quick study, a player who always works hard to improve his skills on a daily basis according to boys’ tennis coach Mark Moge. 

“Casey always practices good sportsmanship and carries himself with pride whether he wins or loses a match, because he always puts in his best effort,” Moge said.  

Casey is currently playing at the top singles position for the Blue Devils and was selected by Moge to be a team captain this season.  

“He's the type of guy any coach would love to have on their team and I'm happy he's on mine,” Moge said.

Casey said he has focused on improving his tennis game each day.

“In order to get better you have to have an open mind and want it,” Casey said.

Casey also said he really enjoys the sport of tennis and being a part of the LHS team.  

“I enjoy the challenge of facing harder opponents throughout the season,” Casey said.  “I enjoy how my teammates push me to be a better player every practice and game.”

Casey hopes to continue playing tennis in college, whether that be intramural or club while studying Business Management with an intent to get his Master’s Degree within five years.  

Here at LHS, Casey was a four-year member of the Blue Devil golf team.  His favorite class was A.P. Statistics during his junior year and his favorite teacher was Mr. Noviello.  

Outside of school, Casey enjoys golfing, working out, working and hanging out with friends.