Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Priscilla Giglio (Girls' Indoor Track)

Junior Priscilla Giglio has emerged as one of the top performers on the LHS girls’ indoor track team according to Blue Devil coach Karen Marino.

"Priscilla has taken extra steps this year to step out of her comfort zone,” Marino said.  “She continually pushes her limits and it is showing in her performance.  Her leadership and hard work are infectious to the team.  I know we will see Priscilla in the state divisional championship this season.”

Priscilla moved to Leominster from Marlboro in 2016 and started running track during her freshman year at LHS.  

“My friends told me to join because I was fast,” Priscilla said.

That decision turned out to be quite fortuitous.  

“I like how the team bonds with each other and how we all have out-of-school connections,” Priscilla said.  “When we meet someone at a track meet and talk to them, it feels like a great community where everyone enjoys having a conversation with one another.”

Priscilla has also thrived under Coach Marino’s direction.

“I like Coach Marino,” Priscilla said.  “She really shows how she cares about her athletes.”

“I've learned from my coach how important it is to set clear and achievable goals,” Priscilla added.  “This helps me stay focused and motivated during my training.”

Priscilla also has her high school plans largely mapped out.

“I don’t plan on doing track after I graduate high school because I also don’t plan on going to college,” Priscilla said.  “But I still enjoy running and I’m still going to go on runs in my free time and maybe do some sprints at a public track.”

“My post-high school plans are to land brand deals with companies in the fashion industry or get sponsored by companies I love and make money off of that,” Priscilla said.

Priscilla also remains an active LHS participant.

“I played volleyball freshman and sophomore, I've been doing outdoor track since freshman year, indoor track since sophomore year, and my junior year I did cross country,” Priscilla said.  “I'm currently doing indoor track, and i'm going to outdoor track.”

“My favorite class was honors geometry in my sophomore year,” Priscilla said.  “I think it was a pretty self explanatory class and Ms. Antonellis was a great teacher for it. My favorite teacher is Mr. Billingham because I like how he’s very welcoming in his classroom and I can talk to him whenever I want and he’ll always be there to listen and just to have a normal conversation.  He’s like a friend rather than a teacher.”

Outside of school, Priscilla enjoys making videos and posting them on social media.  She also enjoys going on runs and going to the gym in her free time. 

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Jayda Caldwell (Girls' Basketball)

Senior Jayda Caldwell has been a four–year starter on the LHS girls’ basketball team and is one of three team captains for this season.  LHS girls’ basketball coach Rusty Frederick said Jayda contributes to the overall success of the team in a variety of ways.

“She is an exceptional leader and someone we can always count on,” Frederick said.  “Beyond her contributions on the (court), Jayda is an outstanding person and student, prioritizing her academics above all else.  While her primary focus is on academics, we know she has the talent and ability to play at the next level if she chooses to pursue it.”

Jayda started playing basketball when she was in kindergarten, introduced to the sport by her older brother and siblings who she played with.

“I loved the intensity of the sport,” Jayda recalled.  “The fast pace game intrigued me.”

Jayda also loves being part of the LHS girls’ basketball family.

“I love the family and friends I have made,” Jayda said.  “As well as the support I have had from my coaches and teammates.”

Jayda said she has learned a great deal from Coach Frederick.

“The most rewarding, and greatest thing you can do for your team, is not always scoring, but contributing in different ways,” Jayda said.  “This has influenced me to care more about rebounds, turnovers, steals, and assist, rather than how many points I score.” 

After high school, Jayda has decided to not continue on with basketball, setting her sights on becoming a physician's assistant specializing in dermatology.  

She also indicated she always wanted basketball to be part of her life in one way or another.  

Here at LHS, Jayda is a member of the National Honor Society and is also on the lacrosse team.  Her favorite class at LHS was A.P. Psychology with her favorite teacher, Ms. Robineau.  

Outside of school, Jayda enjoys going to the gym and visiting new and unique restaurants.

 

 

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Stacey Kwende (Girls' Indoor Track)

Junior indoor track standout Stacey Kwende has emerged as a great role model and team leader this season according to her coach, Karen Marino.  

“She has stepped up her game at practice and it is showing in her continued improvement,” Marino said.  “I can't wait to see what she can attain this season.  I am confident we will see her in the state divisional championship.” 

Stacey started running indoor track her freshman year.

“I’ve always wanted to try running track,” Stacey explained.  “I just wanted to try out different sports.”

Stacey said she has really loved the sport since she started it.  

“I like the support of the track community,” Stacey said.  “Everyone uplifts and congratulates each other after a race, even if you competed against them.”

Stacey also said she loves working under Coach Marino.  

“Coach Marino is a great coach and will always do her best to make sure we reach our full potential,” Stacey said.  “Our team has great sportsmanship and we celebrate each other's wins, big or small.”

“Coach Marino has taught me that you can accomplish a lot more once you break past your own mental barriers,” Stacey added.

Stacey does not plan on running track after high school.  Once she graduates, she wants to pursue a career as an anesthesiologist.  

Here at LHS, Stacey is the Treasurer of Class of 2026, a member of the Black Heritage Club and is on Student Council.

“My favorite class was health, which I took with Mr. Boyd my sophomore year,” Stacey said.  “My favorite teacher is Mr. Doherty.  Great teacher and great guy!”

“Outside of school I’m a braider,” Stacey said.  “I began when I was 14, then started my own business and I really enjoy it.”

 

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Carson Wilbur (Boys' Indoor Track)

Carson Wilbur is a senior on the indoor track team and according to LHS boys’ indoor track coach Cathy Harris, Carson is a relentless runner who always excels.

“Carson is an athlete that gives 150% in every race he runs,” Harris explained.  “He runs a great race no matter the distance.  He runs with heart and soul and is a great example to others.”

Carson attended Frances Drake and Sky View before coming to LHS.  He has lived in Leominster his entire life and started running in the middle school program under Harris’ coaching.  

“In my many seasons with coach Harris she has taught me that in track you are competing against yourself,” Carson said.  “Improving individually is much more important than winning a race.  This mindset has helped my mentality both on the track and in other parts of life.”

Carson said success comes from the work put in.

“In track you have to put in the work no matter what,” Carson said.  “There is no one fix that will make a runner 10x better.  Every second off of my race time comes from hours of training, which is very rewarding.”

Carson also said he loves being a part of the LHS indoor track program.

“It’s a really strong and supportive community,” Carson said.  Everyone pushes each other to do better and when one person races well everyone is supporting them.”

Carson, a CTEi student, is looking to study electrical engineering in college and hopes to run track at the club level.

At LHS/CTEi, Carson also plays baseball and his favorite class is Electronics with his favorite teacher, Mr. Antonetti.  

Away from school and the track, Carson enjoys going to the gym and hanging out with friends.  

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Logan Wood (Boys' Ice Hockey)

Senior captain Logan Wood is now in his fifth year of varsity hockey with the Blue Devil program.  Logan, the Blue Devil goalie, is the consummate team player according to LHS boys’ ice hockey coach Frank Mooney. 

“Logan is very competitive and always wants to do his best on the ice, but he is also very inclusive to all of our players both varsity and JV levels and is a good role model for our other players,” Mooney said.  “Logan has also put in more time into this program than anyone else I have ever coached.  Even as an upperclassman, he has continued to go to all JV practices in addition to the varsity ones he normally attends.  He has even been willing to play JV games as a senior because we only have one goalie in our program.” 

“Overall his dedication to the team and program as a whole is a major reason why he has been named a captain of our team.”

Logan is a lifelong resident of Fitchburg and started playing hockey when he was five years old.  

“My dad was on the board for a local hockey team so he signed me up and I started playing,” Logan said.  

Logan said he really enjoys getting to play hockey against all the people he knows and has grown up playing against.  

“(Here on the LHS team I like) being able to play, learn, and teach with all groups of people who I have played with here at the high school.”

Logan also said he has learned a lot from Coach Mooney over the years.  

“My head coach has taught me how to be the most helpful to the other five players on the ice whether it’s playing the puck when needed or communicating an important aspect of the play they might miss,” Logan said.  

Logan will attend either Springfield College or the University of New England next year with hopes of playing club or varsity hockey.  He wants to study to become an Athletic Trainer.  

Logan actually helped out with the football team this past fall working as an aid to the Athletic Trainer.  Logan also plays golf and lacrosse here at LHS.

“My favorite classes so far have been Honors Anatomy and Psychology,” Logan said.  “My favorite teacher has been Mr. Robichaud.”

Outside of school, Logan likes playing golf, hockey, lacrosse and video games.