Fall 2024 Athletic Awards

St. Sebastian's School is proud to recognize its student-athletes for their performance on the Arrows varsity cross country, football, and soccer teams. Awards and letters were given at the Fall Athletic Awards Assembly on November 19. 

Cross Country

All-NEPSAC
John Joyce ’27, Sebastian Culleton ’26

All-ISL
John Joyce ’27

Coaches Award
For the Runner who in his performance, leadership, and example best contributes to the success of the St. Sebastian's Varsity Cross Country Team.
John Joyce ’27

Captains-elect
John Joyce ’27, Sebastian Culleton ’26, Joseph Koh ’26
 

Football

All-ISL
Justin Bourque ’25, Kaelan Chudzinski ’25, Ty Ciongoli ’25, Jake Mulrey ’25, Marky Walbridge ’26

ISL Honorable Mention
Lucas Candiotto ’25, Ace Ciongoli ’25, Matthias Ogrinc ’25, Manny Pereira ’25

ISL Souza/Healy Lineman of the Year
Marky Walbridge '26

Ennis Award
Presented to a senior who displays the qualities of commitment, teamwork, and dedication to the football program.
Declan Carroll ’25 & Paul Armstrong ’25

Big Hit Award
Presented to the player who makes a positive impact on our opponents.
Kevin Bresnahan ’25 & Manny Pereira ’25

Tom Stratton Award
For Grit, Resilience, and Enduring Passion for St. Sebastian’s Football
Jake Mulrey ’25

Special Teams Award
For Outstanding Performance in and Commitment to Special Teams
Cooper Bolton ’25

Captains-elect
Tedy Frisoli ’26, David Hahm ’26, George Kelly ’26, Dominic Scioli ’26, Marky Walbridge ’26  

Soccer

All State for Massachusetts
Griffin Collins ’26

All-ISL
Griffin Collins ’26, Alex Perkin ’25

ISL Honorable Mention
Sebastian Martinez-Moule ’26, Luc Olivier ’25, Jacob Pichay ’25

Peter Kerr Memorial Coaches Award
Presented to the soccer player who displays sportsmanship, dedication, and commitment to the soccer program.
Alex Perkin ’25

Captains-elect
Sebastian Martinez-Moule ’26, JD Munro ’26, Griffin Collins ’26, Finn Noonan ’26
 

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During the Assembly, Director of Athletics Jon Bartlett delivered the following remarks:

Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Nerbonne, Fr. Arens, Faculty and Staff, Students of St Sebastian’s: Welcome to the 2024 Fall Sports Assembly. We are here this morning to recognize the young men who represented the Varsity Programs from this Fall. Before we announce our student-athletes, a few Thank you’s to the individuals behind the scenes that make our team succeed.

To the Athletic Department for all of their work that goes on behind the scenes, unnoticed by many, but recognized and appreciated: our Athletic Scheduler Matt Duffy, our Trainers Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr. Carpino, and our Strength and Fitness Coach Carr. Mrs. Joyce in the Nurse’s Office, and the Facilities staff getting the fields ready at moment's notice.

I would also like to recognize our outstanding Fall coaching staff, at all levels, and thank them for their dedication to the school, and remind our students once again Why the teacher/coach model is so valuable to our school:

1. Our faculty prioritizes what is important: Teamwork. In sports, Team is family, and in a world where outside travel teams focus on the individual, our coaching staff teaches you the power of team-first and teamwork. How to problem solve with people around you, a trait you need in life, and taught by our coaches
2. Teachers who coach, know you better, and you trust them. They care how you perform in the game, but more importantly, they care how you perform in the classroom and in life. They put an emphasis on the big picture.
3. Teachers coach multiple sports and encourage you to play multiple sports. Get involved, play multiple sports, especially early on: it helps with your overall wellness and well-being.
4. The teacher/coach model is why we have such a tight knit St. Sebastian’s Community. It promotes tight bonds, a Brotherhood.

Our Head of School, Mr. Sullivan, selected "Witness" as our word for the school year. This Fall, what we did "witness" was many great achievements by our Fall Teams. It was a successful season not just because of the overall results and effort made by our athletes, but how the season evolved for each program. We are all very proud of you with how you performed.

If there was one common trait among the Fall sports teams, Football, Soccer and Cross Country, it was their ability to persevere and overcome early season adversity.

By the end of the Fall season, each varsity program was competing at their highest level of performance. So Fall varsity athletes, think back to how you overcame adversity. We have heard many seniors talk about perseverance and adversity in Chapel Speeches, overcoming setbacks. In these speeches, you have talked about getting through many of these ordeals with the assistance of your family – in sports, your family is your teammates and coaches. Faith is also an important component to overcoming adversity, which seniors have also highlighted. Here at St. Sebastian’s, God plays a major role in our lives, a strong faith also helps overcome adversity.

So let us reflect back on a great season, with many memories that you will take with you. Our head coaches will soon discuss the season in more detail, but here are the ‘big picture’ takeaways from the Fall season:

Teamwork: All 3 Fall sports had to figure things out early in the first few weeks, to finish where they did. Creating team chemistry is not easy, there needs to be buy in. With the increased emphasis of off-season Clubs, AAU, Travel, where the individual is prioritized, we at Sebs offer the alternative. Here it is about the team. The Sebs athlete cares for one another. They care for their teammate, no matter who gets the accolades. And a major reason for this, is our commitment by the Fall coaching staff, reminding you of Team-first.

Sportsmanship: Sportsmanship in society is unfortunately viewed negatively today. However, Sportsmanship is a strength. On Unity Day, Fr. Arens started the Day discussing the word Mr. Sullivan chose for the school year, ‘Witness’ – Father told us that as children of God, we must look for, ‘Witness”, God in other human beings. We can do this in the classrooms, in the hallways, and at Mass. But how do we Witness, and find God, in sport?  Mother Theresa stated that the one virtue the devil fears most, is humility, “that he is not even terrified of deep faith, as he is of someone with Humility.” Humility is a strength, and in the sports arena, Humility is called Sportsmanship. You can still be an elite athlete, competing at a high level, while also playing the sport the right way. Brady, Mahomes, Jalen Brown, all great examples of this. At St. Sebastian’s this Fall, we witnessed many examples of Sportsmanship by our athletes, coaches, and spectators, on the fields in competition. This is a great strength to have, especially where we see it lacking more and more in the sports world.

Overcoming Adversity: Former Heavyweight Boxing Champion, and now celebrity fighter, Mike Tyson, described adversity this way: “Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth.” Each of the 3 Fall varsity teams could have detoured during the season, But as true Arrows, each team re-focused, became tighter as a group, and shined the remainder of the season. On Unity Day, our guest speaker Aaron Golub did not ask us to feel sorry for him. What he did say, is that each and every one of you-if you believe in yourself and put time into it-can reach your potential. And what helped Aaron achieve his goals in life after setbacks occurred? His family of course, but also the teachers and coaches who believed in him, who gave him an opportunity. Each one of you has that same structure set up to achieve success here at Sebs. Family, teachers, coaches, and teammates, who believe in you, and are here to help you handle adversity, whether in the classroom or on the playing fields.  It took Mr. Golub many years to finally achieve his goals. Same can be true for some of you, who might initially not get much playing time. Take the advice from Aaron and keep working hard towards your goals. Listen to our seniors during Chapel Talks who explain their long road to success. We also witness our student-athletes who get sidelined during the season because of injury or illness, some for days or weeks, and some for the entire season. There is nothing more frustrating for a teenage athlete, then not being on the field with your teammates. What is impressive, and what our younger Arrows should note, is how these students handled these setbacks with resolve and a positive attitude. You were great examples  to all of us.

Hard work and Passion: Also for the younger Arrows sitting in the pews this morning, the main takeaway on what it means to be a Sebs student-athlete, is the ability to work hard and have passion. Whether it is in the classroom, in athletics, in the real world when you get a job, hard work and passion will separate you from the pack.  It’s what some people call “Grit”.

In a joint study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan, and the US Military Academy at West Point, researchers found that as a trait, ‘Grit’, which was defined as the combination of perseverance and passion for long term goals, has a better predictability for success than IQ.” Now, this does not mean not to study for your next Math test.

However, if you have both, which you do, as you are attending one of the top High School academic institutions in this region, then you have an even greater ability to achieve success in this world. Our Fall teams did show grit.

In closing, I want to thank you the Fall student-athletes, not just varsity, but at all levels, for your commitment to Sebs. You are the ones

in the front lines. You are the ones wearing the Sebs uniform and giving your all, representing the school and showing Sebs pride, modeling to be the best in the ISL.

To Henry’s Corner, always cheering for our athletes, no matter if we win or lose. There is such great school pride wherever you go. Keep it up. And remember We need to continue to exhibit good sportsmanship. Cheer for Not against. Do not target opponents or refs with verbal attacks, that is not who we are.

And so with that, let us call up our outstanding Fall Varsity Coaches, to celebrate their season, and recognize our fall varsity lettermen.

Before we call up Mr. Sullivan, I would like to recognize a senior, who exhibited hard work and passion. He comes fully prepared each game, including all the stats for the visiting team. Multiple ISL Coaches, have said, “That kid who does your play by play is really good.” and, “I love hearing that kid call a game”. This past weekend, he was invited to call play by play for one of the NEPSAC Bowl games. To be presented with the AD’s Appreciation Award for his contributions to Sebs Athletics, Jack Knight.

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