Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Abby Barnaby (Field Hockey)

Senior Abby Barnaby has been a steady and calming presence both on and off the field for the Blue Devil field hockey team.  Her coach Kate Phillips said Abby is an amazing young woman who has a way of being a quiet leader who all her teammates look up to.  

“She has been a pivotal part in welcoming the younger athletes into the program and making them feel welcome,” Phillips said.  “On the field, she is the anchor of our defense at center back.  She is cool, calm, and collected. Her ability to be level headed regardless of the situation brings a sense of confidence to our defense.” 

Phillips also said Abby’s play has a tremendous impact throughout the lineup.  

“Her play is contagious,” Phillips said.  “She has a solid and consistent hit that allows her to clear the ball out of our defensive end and begin our offensive attack.  She is a wonderful young woman who has developed into a great field hockey player even though her main sport is softball.”

Abby’s first love in sports is softball where she is still weighing her options as she is coveted by a number of programs.  

“I haven’t made a decision on college yet, but I am looking to study Pre-Law and Political Science,” Abby said.  “That will allow me to attend law school and become a lawyer in the future.”

Despite that love of softball, Abby said she is focused in her field hockey season, a sport she has grown to appreciate since starting in the eighth grade after becoming interested in the sport from her cousin and coach, Emma Barnaby.

“I like the fast pace of field hockey, being able to communicate with my teammates on the field and above all I absolutely love playing with this team and all my amazing teammates,” Abby said.

“What I like most about being a part of the team at LHS is the dedication and hard work everyone puts into every practice,” Abby said.  “Above all, this team is so fun to be around, everyone is kind and picks each other up everyday.”

Abby said she has also learned a lot from Coach Phillips.

“(Coach Phillips)  is such a competitor and has such high expectations and pushes me to reach them,” Abby said.  “Everyday at practice she gives the team a quote to think about during practice and I really like how that gives the practice a focus.  With our team playing a more difficult schedule this year moving up to Mid-Wach A, (Coach Phillips) has taught us the importance of hard work and resilience, giving the team the quote this year as ‘Rise Up’.  She has also taught me not only how to be a good field hockey player but also to be a good teammate and person.”

Outside of field hockey and softball where she has excelled with the varsity program since her freshman year, Abby is part of the National Honor Society.

“My favorite class so far has been physics with Mr.Esposito, and I am really enjoying A.P. Government and Politics with Mrs.Murphy right now,” Abby said.

Outside of school, Abby said sports take up most of her life but also enjoys hanging out with friends.  

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Lena LeBlanc (Girls' Volleyball)

Senior volleyball player Lena LeBlanc started playing volleyball when she was a freshman at LHS after being persuaded to play by her friends and social media.  Lena said she has enjoyed playing the sport for the past four years.

“I like making fun and challenging plays, as well as making new friends,” Lena said.  “I love playing the sport with great people.  It makes practice smoother and helps motivate me.”

LHS volleyball coach Sam Comeau said Lena brings a lot of positives to the program overall.

“Lena LeBlanc is a senior playing her second year on varsity, and fourth year in the program,” Comeau said.  “She is an extremely versatile player who you can trust in any position.  She always has a positive attitude and is completely dedicated to our program and the sport.”

Comeau said Lena has also adjusted to a new role with the team.  

“Lena recently stepped up in the rotation and began playing as an outside hitter along with her primary position of defensive specialist,” Comeau added.  “She’s been doing a great job in her new spot and has notched a handful of kills and aces during the past couple of games.  Her shoes will be hard to fill next year when she moves onto college, but she’s been a great mentor to the underclassmen and has helped me learn a lot as a coach.”

Lena said she has learned a great deal from her time with coach Comeau.

“I have learned that I will not improve if I don't challenge myself, as well as many other things,” Lena said.  

Lena hopes to play volleyball in college, ideally at WPI.

“My dream school is WPI because all of its qualities work well for me,” Lena said.

Lena is a Drafting/CAD student in the CTEi program and also plays flag football.

“My favorite class so far has been Mr. Roby's class for Honors World History,” Lena said.  “He made the class very engaging and I learned a lot.  My favorite teacher is also my coach, Ms. Comeau.”

Outside of school, Lena likes to go on runs, play football and explore.   

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Riley Morrison (Golf)

Riley Morrison is a junior co-captain for the Blue Devil golf team and is in his third year overall with the program.

LHS golf coach Daryl Robichaud said Riley’s performance on the course will play a big factor in the overall success of the team this year.  

“Riley is a member of our BIG FOUR - which also includes Luke Grebinar, Daniel Simons and Nico LaPolla - that will be the engine that drives our success this season,” Robichaud said.  “Their success will determine if, and how far, we go into the postseason."

Robichaud also sees another side of Riley away from the course.  

“Having also had the pleasure of having Riley in honors history classes each of the past two years, I have seen the same energy and tenacity that he brings to the course being applied to his studies,” Robichaud said. 
He is a leader in both arenas."

That leadership also extended this past summer to helping his teammates.  

"Over the summer, Riley spearheaded a unique fundraising endeavor that generated enough money to outfit every member of the program in a new pullover jacket for the fall season,” Robichaud said.

Riley attended Frances Drake and Skyview before coming up to LHS, and started playing golf when was younger, but not really getting serious about the sport until eighth grade.

“My entire family has been playing golf their whole lives, so it was always around me,” Riley said.  “I didn’t have any interest in it until eighth grade, which is when I realized I had the ability to compete.”

Riley said he likes the unpredictability of the sport.  

“Some days can be bad, and some can be good,” Riley said.  “But when you are playing well, it is one of the best feelings you can experience.”

Riley said he has also learned a lot from coach Robichaud.

“I have learned to not get emotional on the course,” Riley said.  “Golf is very easy to get frustrated with, but my coach has helped me through any emotions or rough patches I've had.”

After high school, Riley wants golf to be part of his life and he said he plans on going to college and potentially studying something business related.

Here at LHS, he also plays lacrosse and his favorite class has been history with Mr. Robichaud.  

Outside of school, Riley enjoys golfing and skiing when the winter comes along.  

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Abigail Goodwin (Girls' Soccer)

Senior goalkeeper Abigail Goodwin started playing soccer when she was five years old after her father got her started in a youth program.  The lifelong Leominster resident said she has enjoyed playing the sport ever since.

“I like the competitiveness of the sport and being challenged,” Abigail said.

Leominster girls’ soccer coach Todd Turcotte said Abigail is an integral part of the LHS team.

“Abby is a quiet yet effective leader on our team, someone who cares deeply about the success of the team and always keeps us entertained,” Turcotte said.  “I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her over the past six weeks.”

Abigail said she has learned a lot from her coach early in the season as well.

“I’ve learned from my coach how to use my voice positivity on the field to try and benefit the team,” Abigail said.  

Abigail also said she loves being a part of the LHS soccer family.

“The thing I like most about being part of the team at LHS is working together with the girls to fight and compete with other schools,” Abigail said.  

After graduating, Abigail hopes to continue playing soccer in college.  She wants to major in Exercise Science and become an athletic trainer.  

Abigail also enjoys basketball and volleyball and is part of the Best Buddies program at LHS.  Her favorite was junior physics with Mr. Sheehan.  

Outside of school, Abigail likes to work, cook, bake, draw and paint.