Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Ava Mazzaferro (Girls' Soccer)

Freshman girls’ soccer player Ava Mazzaferro has hit the ground running early in her high school soccer career, earning a starting spot for coach Katie Gingras’ team.

“She has been an anchor to our defensive line and has battled with some of the top athletes in Central Mass.,” Gingras said.  “Ava is hard working, dependable and the ultimate team player.”

Gingras has high praise early on for Ava, especially considering Ava is playing with and against players older than her on a regular basis.

“She asks questions, challenges her teammates and always brings a high level of energy to her training,” Gingras said.  “It is evident her teammates respect her and she has a very bright future as a Blue Devil.”

Ava started playing soccer when she was only four, thanks to her parents wanting to get her involved in sports.  

“My parents signed me up for Leominster Youth Soccer when I was four just to see if I would like playing sports,” Ava said.  

It turned out Ava did like sports, and excelled at them too, with soccer being her passion to this day.  Ava, who also plays club soccer with the F.C. Stars ‘07 ECNL Regional Team, said her Leominster team is a special, tight-knit group.  

“I love connecting with my teammates,” Ava said.  “We have a great group of girls on the team this year.  I also like the challenge of defending and competing against great players.  Winning the ball from the other team's attackers and being able to make smart and quality passes is something I strive for every game.” 

“I enjoy how all of the girls are really supportive of one another and how we push each other to play our best,” Ava added.  

Ava said she has also learned a lot so far from Gingras.

“My head coach, coach Gingras, has taught many things this season already,” Ava said.  “One thing in particular was a skill move that would help me elevate my play.  Overall she always tells us to raise the bar and always give our best effort.”

Ava hopes to one day play Division 1 soccer at a four-year college, but until then, she’s enjoying her time at LHS.

“So far, my favorite classes are Spanish 1 and Studio Art 1,” Ava said.  “My favorite teachers are Mrs. Piragis and Mr. Doherty.”

She also plans on playing basketball at LHS and joining Student Council.  

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Delmahr Wright Jr. (Football)

Delmahr Wright Jr. started playing football when he was five years old.  He got his start thanks to his father, a football player himself, who also happened to coach Delmahr in those early years. 

 

Delmahr said he loves the atmosphere that comes along with playing football on a Friday night.

 

“I like the competition every year and the support from the fans,” Delmahr said.  “The atmosphere from the coaching staff to the fans, especially our fan section is something I really enjoy.” 

 

Leominster coach Devin Gates said Delmahr has worked his way into being a really great football player for the Blue Devils.  

 

“He did a very good job in the off-season programs, and has been a coachable and dependable player for us over the last two years,” Gates said. “This year he has also started on the offensive line, and has done a great job thus far.”

 

“Delmahr is a great teammate and has earned a lot of respect from the team for his play and leadership,” Gates added.  “I am excited to see what he does the rest of the season.”

 

Delmahr said he has learned the value of being part of a team from coach Gates.

 

“I’ve learned that no matter what you still have your teammates around you to rely on,” Delmahr said.

 

At LHS, Delmahr said his favorite class is gym and his favorite teacher is Mr. Sheehan.  

 

Outside of school, Delmahr plays basketball and football.  

 

 

 

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Kyra Forsberg (Girls' Soccer)

Junior girls’ soccer standout Kyra Forsberg has been playing soccer since she was four-years old, thanks to her father, a lifelong soccer player, getting her involved in the game.  Kyra said she has really enjoyed being a part of the Blue Devils team.  

“I love playing with a team who is supportive through both wins and loses,” Kyra said.  “The team environment is so positive and we’re close on and off the field.”

Kyra also said she has learned a lot from her coach, Katie Gingras.

“I have learned how to communicate positively with my team on the field,” Kyra said.

Gingras said Kyra has all the qualities you look for in a well-rounded soccer player.

  

“Kyra has ‘soccer smarts’, she studies the game and has a strong understanding of both the technical and tactical side of the game,” Gingras said.  “Kyra is encouraging to her teammates, always finding a way to recognize someone for their hard work.  She comes to sessions ready to work hard and improve not only her game but her teammates as well.  She is a leader on the field, controlling the midfield line. Kyra is an exceptional student as well.”

Kyra, who also plays soccer for the FC Stars club program, hopes to one day attend a four-year college and play soccer.  Until then, Kyra has a lot to look forward to at LHS, where she also plays basketball and is part of the National Honor Society.

At LHS, Kyra’s favorite class so far is Current Topics, with her two favorite teachers being Ms. Nunez and Mr. Robichaud.  

Outside of school Kyra likes to travel, hang out with friends and go on hikes.

 

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Connor Beaulac (Baseball)

Senior Connor Beaulac has lived in Leominster most of his life, moving to the Pioneer Plastics City from Fitchburg when he was just two years old.  Two years after that, Connor’s father introduced him to baseball and Connor quickly fell in love with the game.  Connor, who also plays for the Leominster American Legion Post 129 team, likes that baseball is more than just raw natural talent.

“I like the logic behind baseball, the mental toughness you need to have, and the friendships that I have built,” Connor said.

Leominster varsity baseball coach Rich Barnaby said Connor is the glue guy that all teams need. 

“He brings a relentless energy and competitiveness to every game and practice,” Barnaby said.  “There are no doubts that Connor will be successful at anything he chooses to do in life.”

Connor said he and his teammates have learned how to be competitors from coach Barnaby.  

“Something I have learned from coach Barnaby is how to be resilient, to never give up, and to fight through adversity,” Connor said.  

Connor also said he truly enjoys the comradeship between his Blue Devil teammates.

“My teammates are like my second family,” Connor said.

After his high school career is over, Connor plans on playing Legion ball this summer as well as next summer following his first year of college at UMass Amherst.  

“My post high school plans are that I am going to attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst,” Connor said.  “I was accepted into the Isenberg School of Management there and I am majoring in finance.  After college I hope to become an investment banker or an actuary.”

At LHS, Connor participates in National Honors Society, G.I.V.E., and the Chess Club.  His favorite class was Financial Topics and his favorite teacher was Mr. Robichaud.  

Outside of school, Connor likes playing basketball with friends, watching Netflix, and spending time with his family.

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.