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.

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Cameron Cote (Cheer)

Senior Cameron Cote is just in his first year with the LHS cheer team, but he is already making a tremendous impact.  Cameron took part in the mock cheer portion of the Thanksgiving Pep Rally late last year, giving coach Tracey Hartman a preview of just what Cameron could bring to the table for her Blue Devil squad.  

“We got a sneak peak at his gymnastics background and knew he had potential to really help our team make a state title run for the winter season,” Hartman said.  “Some of the fall members put the idea out to Cam and tried to convince him to join for winter season.  

Despite the late start, Cameron hit the ground running.  

“Since day one of tryouts through this point, Cam has brought a natural leadership and work ethic that has really helped the culture and daily habits of our team,” Hartman said.  “Cam enters the gym ready to work and is uncomfortable with down time.  He takes advantage of maximizing repetitions and detailed feedback with regard to stunting.  His physical strength allows him to learn elite skills quickly.”

“At our first competition, he was able to debut elite level coed stunting that would take others years of training to master,” Hartman added.  “Beyond the athleticism he brings, he helps our team bring it in and focus on our common goals.”

Cameron likes how being a part of the LHS cheer team connects with his past athletic endeavors.

“I used to do gymnastics for about seven years, so when I’m doing tumbling and all the other skills I used to do, it really brings me back to when I used to be in my main sport I did for half my life,” Cameron said.  

Cameron said he really enjoys being a part of the LHS cheer team as well.  

“I like the spirit everyone has about being part of the Blue Devils,” Cameron said.

He also learned a lot in the short time under the direction of coach Hartman.

“I’ve learned that almost everything in cheer is new to me, so getting frustrated over things I have trouble doing that I’ve never done before is not the way to go, but to keep practicing and being patient is key,” Cameron explained.  

At LHS, Cameron’s favorite class was precalculus with Mrs.Latarte.

Outside of school, CameronI works at Dunkin’ and enjoys hanging out with his friends.

After high school, Cameron plans to attend Worcester State University where he will major in Business.  

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Carissima Heinis (Girls' Ice Hockey)

Senior hockey player Carissima Heinis’ path to hockey started on the ice, just not with a stick and a puck.  Carissima’s first on on-ice experience came in the form of figure skating, although that admittedly didn’t go so well.  

“I started figure skating when I was eight, I was horrible at it,” Carissima said.  “The stiff posture and the long blades did not work for me.”

When she was nine, Carissima turned to hockey and the experience was much better.  

“It was a whole different experience,” Carissima said.  “Hockey skates are so much easier to skate in and the hockey stance felt so much more natural to me.  Plus, the padding and helmets made it a lot more fun when you fell.”

For Carissima, the inspiration for trying hockey came from being around the rink, something her entire family lives and breathes daily.  

“I was introduced to this sport by my brother,” Carissima said.   “I was a rink rat that ran around the rink with the other player’s siblings but more and more I would stop playing to watch what was going on out on the ice.  My mom was coaching my brother’s team and I just wanted to be out there too. The next year I tried ‘learn to play’ hockey.  It was so cool to go from being a watcher to a player. Everyone in my family plays on a hockey team so pretty much every night of the week someone always has a game.”

Carissima is now a standout senior for coach Nancy LeBlanc’s 12-4-1 team.  

“Carissima is a hardworking and dedicated player that drives to be competitive every time she steps on the ice,” LeBlanc said.  “This year Carissima’s hard work has helped the team improve and has contributed to our success with six goals and one assist.  Carissima’s dedication and hard work will certainly help her achieve her goal of playing ice hockey at the collegiate level next year.”

“I definitely want to continue playing ice hockey in college, no matter what school I go to,” Carissima said.  “I am in discussions with D3 and club level coaches.  I have been visiting some of the colleges multiple times and watching the team’s practices and games.  I want to go to a school that will challenge me academically and where I feel like I fit on the hockey team.”

Carissima also wants to find a college where she can study to enter a career in the medical field. 

“My plan is to start with a biology degree program and then attend graduate school in a medical field,” Carissima said.  “I have been accepted everywhere that I applied but I have still not made my final choice.”

Here on the LHS hockey team, Carissima said she has learned a lot from coach LeBlanc.  

“Coach Nancy LeBlanc wants to make all of us better players,” Carissima said.  “She has definitely shown us how passionate she is about the sport.  Coaching the team is not just a ‘job’ for her.  A few teammates and I made it to (club) state playoffs in the fall.  She came to the games and cheered us on.  She wants us to all play the game the best we can.”

Carissima also enjoys being part of the Blue Devil team, one that has players from a variety of schools from the region.  

“I really like all of the girls on the team,” Carissima said.  “We are a huge Co-Op team so in some situations that could be a bad thing, to have girls from so many different schools.  Not only are my teammates that are from Leominster very supportive and friendly in school but everyone from the other schools are great also.  We all are working very hard and we all get along.  Some teams do not have that friendly dynamic.  I love team sports where everyone is working towards a common goal.”

Carissima’s success and enjoyment comes after a setback earlier in her high school career.

“When I was born we lived in Oakham, Mass, a small rural town,” Carissima said.  “We moved to Harvard, Mass when I was in preschool.  Harvard had a Co-Op girls hockey team with Acton-Boxborough.  I was on their team starting in seventh grade.  I took ninth grade off from hockey to have my ACL reconstructed from a piece of my hamstring. I was back on the ice with them in 10th grade.  We moved and I started school here last year and joined Leominster’s team.”

Battling back from that injury made Carissima realize just how much she loved the sport of hockey.

“I love everything about ice hockey,” Carissima said.  “I love putting on my equipment and getting those first few strides on the ice.  It doesn’t matter what happened during the day or what will happen tomorrow, it all goes away on the ice.”

“Ice hockey is a very fast sport,” Carissima continued.  “You don’t have time to think about anything else when you are out there.  You are fully in the moment.  I could go on for pages and pages about what I love about ice hockey: the smell of the ice, a smooth dry sheet with no blade marks yet, power skating drills where your legs are on fire but you feel so strong, the ping of the puck when you hit a bar-down shot, always knowing that your teammates have your back in any situation, the camaraderie, summer hockey in a cold rink on a hot humid night, back-checking and beating your opponent to the puck, icing it on purpose during a penalty kill…. I just love everything about hockey.”

Here at LHS, Carissima said Early College Academy Academic Counselor Shaunti Phillips has made a major difference in her time as a Blue Devil.  

“She has been there for me since day one on making sure my transfer has gone accordingly,” Carissima said.  “She also had written one of my college recommendation letters.  She was definitely the main teacher I knew I could go to if I needed help with anything and saw the best in me.  But my favorite class is definitely the college writing course through Mount Wachusett that Leominster offered.  I took it my junior year and I definitely liked the structure as well as the scheduling throughout the course.”

Outside of school, Carissima likes working out and going to the gym and getting together with friends when times allows.  She also works as a skating coach in Worcester and enjoys cooking. 

“I used to cook with my mom but recently I have been cooking on my own to find my own cooking style and favorite recipes,” Carissima said.  “My dad restores vehicles so I helped him put an engine in a truck. I am also on my dad’s men’s league team for ice hockey.”

 

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: William Parker (Boys' Ice Hockey)

Senior boys’ ice hockey captain William Parker started playing ice hockey when he was in the fifth grade after his father urged him to try out the sport.  Since then, William has been working on his game, evolving into one of the top forwards on coach John Mooney’s team this year.

“He plays a strong two-way game, has good playmaking abilities and a strong shot,” Mooney said.  “As a teammate, he is our captain and always leads by example.  He is a player other guys on our team can look up to and ask for advice.”

William said what he likes most about the game is the feeling of skating around and the tight-knit group of seniors on the team.  William has also learned a lot from Coach Mooney. 

“I have learned to always play with confidence,” William said.  

After graduating from LHS, William plans to attend a four-year college and study Sports Management.  He also plays lacrosse here at LHS and his favorite class was Sociology.  His favorite teacher is Ms. Piragis.  

Outside of school, William enjoys playing dek hockey.