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Overcoming the odds: Kamperides runs to Bryant

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Kamperides sings her letter of intent to run for Bryant University. / Photo by: Sue Moss

Whitman-Hanson Regional High senior cross country captain Myah Kamperdies will run at Bryant University.

Myah Kamperides was bullied so bad her freshman year that her mother was ready to send her to a private school. 

Then she discovered running. 

“I didn’t think Whitman-Hanson was for me and wasn’t going to come back,” Kamperides said. “But then I joined the track team that winter and later that spring I decided to join cross country and knew I couldn’t leave. It wasn’t only because of the sport, but because I was so quickly making friends on the team and had such amazing coaches I just could not leave.”

She is glad she stayed. 

Now a senior captain, Kamperides is a three-time cross country team MVP, indoor track MVP and five-time Patriot League All-Star. She recently committed to continue her running career at Division 1 Bryant University. 

“I toured it and absolutely fell in love,” Kamperides said. “They are a small school which is what I need. I also met the team and coaches and every single person was so welcoming. I even communicate daily with the other commits and love them already.”

She will run both cross country and track for the Bulldogs.

“Running has changed my life in so many amazing ways,” Kamperides said. “I eat well and am constantly bettering myself. After a rough day at school, the only thing I look forward to is seeing my team and running.” 

Rough days at school are few and far between for Kamperides, who boasts a 3.94 GPA in the classroom, while taking AP Spanish, AP psych, AP English literature, and AP statistics. She is also a member of the National Honor Society. 

“I love to challenge myself and feel it makes me work harder,” she said. 

Kamperides ran 30 varsity races in cross country since she joined the team her sophomore year. She was the Panthers’ top finisher in each one. 

“She has set the bar rather high in cross country,” said W-H head coach Steve George. “She has dominated the sport at Whitman-Hanson during that time.” 

George said it is no secret why she attained a high level of success. 

“She is not only an extremely hard worker but she has supported our training plan to the letter without question,” George said. “Myah encourages her teammates to do the same without question.” 

That is not the only reason she has been a two-year captain. 

“In a literal sense Myah has provided leadership by training at the front of the pack every day for the past three years,” George said. “But it goes beyond that. She organizes summer strength and conditioning for the team. She is a vocal supporter for all her teammates. She approaches and completes each and every training session with a smile. Her enjoyment is infectious among the rest of the squad. I’ve had many incoming athletes how they can be like Myah. I suggest they follow her around — if they can.” 

And that is just the leader Kamperides wants to be. 

“I strive to be the person the underclassmen look up to,” she said. 

Kamperides and the Panthers open the indoor track season on Thursday, Dec. 9 at 4:30 p.m. at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center. 

Season Preview: Improvement key for girls’ cross country

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The Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ cross country team is searching for improvement.

Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ cross country coach Steve George wants to see improvement from his team this fall.

“Not necessarily with respect to their win-loss record as we still have three outstanding opponents in Marshfield, Hingham and Silver Lake who all return some really phenomenal runners,” said George, whose club finished 2-3 last season. “But from an individual standpoint, I’m looking for big things from our captains Myah Kamperides, Anna Flynn and Sarah Boulger. Each is talented and has worked very hard over the summer preparing for the upcoming season. We had a good freshman class last year and with another year of experience and after a good summer of training, they too will make an impact this season.”

Kamperides legged out two first-place finishes, a second and a third last season to earn league all-star status for the second straight fall.

“Myah is one of the more dedicated and enthusiastic runners I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach,” George said. “She also follows our training plan to perfection. Well almost. On a [run last month], she was asked to run an out and back on the Rockland Rail Trail/Hanover Branch Rail Trail, 5.3 miles. When she returned to the starting point she continued running. ‘In order to get to an even six miles,’ she said. Myah loves being a runner. I expect she’ll be doing this for another 50 years or so.”

Flynn had top-five finishes in wins over Duxbury and Plymouth North last season, while Boulger was a few spots behind her in that Plymouth North win. Both will be key this season.

The girls open the season Thursday, Sept. 9 at 4 p.m. at home against North Quincy/Quincy.

“I’m really looking forward to see the results in Week 1,” George said. “Not just the final score, but even more so how our girls finish. Where they stand, relatively speaking, right now. Can somebody step up and challenge Myah? Will Sarah challenge Anna? How about Erin (Kelly) and McKenna (McCarthy) in their first year of cross country? Who else has made a big jump in competition? I honestly don’t know what to expect, but I can’t wait to find out.”

Season Preview: Boys’ cross country a ‘confident’ bunch

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The Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ cross country team, the defending Patriot League Keenan Division champion, is brimming with confidence heading into the new season.

After running the table last season en route to the Patriot League Keenan Division title, the Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ cross country team is a confident bunch.

“Last year, we went into the season thinking we could win each time out,” said head coach Steve George, who enters his eighth season leading the Panthers. “I think this year that mindset has carried forward. They are putting in the same effort and taking the same approach as last year’s team.”

The faces have changed. League MVP Theo Kamperides has graduated, as have league all-stars Liam Cafferty and Chris MacDonald.

But the Panthers do return some talent in the likes of senior captains and 2020 league all-stars Gordon Johnson and Nathan Tassey.

“Both [were] top-five runners last year [and] are really inspiring their teammates,” George said. “They got a taste of success last year and are out to prove it was no fluke.”

The sophomore class also has George really excited.

“Logan Bourgelas, Gavin McCarthy and Shane Johnson, all top-seven runners a year ago, are back,” he said. “And we’ve added Alex Kehayias and Ryan Crowley, both of whom have considerable potential. While others returning from last year’s team, Connor McCarthy, Adam Vinton and Andrew Buckley have shown dramatic improvement already. All told, we have 16 boys from the Class of 2024 who will impact our program over the next three years. That’s exciting.”

George said juniors Jonathan Young, James Molito and newcomers, Nathan Scaccia and Shaine Mwicigi should also make an impact.

W-H opens the season Thursday, Sept. 9 at 4 p.m. when it hosts North Quincy/Quincy.

“I’ve always said the most important tool in distance running is in each team member establishing and working toward individual or personal goals while being fully supported by his teammates,” George said. “If every runner does that, everything else will fall into place.”

Season Preview: Indoor track running in a virtual space

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Courtesy photo

Indoor track has a bevy of changes this Fall II.

Indoor track meets have a different look this season.

First off, they’ll be held outside instead of inside. Second, teams won’t be boarding busses to head to the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center because that’s being used as COVID-19 vaccination center.

All meets are scheduled to be held at home in a virtual form with teammates competing with each other and then their scores will be entered online after for the rest of the league to see. Finally, there will also only be three field events: shot put, long jump and high jump. Other than that, it’s business as usual.

“Our virtual meets are essentially weekly time trails run at our facility with no opponent on campus,” explained seventh-year W-H girls’ head coach Steve George. “Our athletes compete with each other and run against the clock.”

Junior Myah Kamperides knows a thing or two about running against the clock. The reigning league all-star will lead the pack for the girls’ team this season. She competed in six running events last week and posted her best time in each of them.

She’s also brought along her younger sister, Savannah, a freshman. She competed in five individual events last week and was top three in four of them.

“We’ve got some extraordinary athletes among our distance runners in addition to the Kamperides girls,” George said. “Isabelle Amado, Anna Sullivan, Anna Flynn and Sarah Boulger all have experience and would be big factors in dual meet competition. And we have a couple of very talented sprinters/hurdlers in Hailey Minicucci and April Keyes, who also compete in the jumping events as well.”

George said the focus remains on improvement, like any other season.

“Some of the kids are trying events for the very first time as a byproduct of the jamboree format,” George said. “For example, we started working with a dozen-plus athletes on the long jump and in only four sessions they are hitting their marks and jumping like veterans.”

George said he believes this new track format could benefit his athletes in the near future.

“The virtual format really provides an opportunity for experimentation and I expect we’ll see enormous improvement among those who have joined in,” he said. “When spring track arrives, we’ll have a group of kids who are ready for anything.”

BOYS’ TEAM

The boys’ team is led by the other Kamperides, senior Theo Kamperides, who is the back-to-back boys’ cross country MVP in the Patriot League Keenan Division.

“[He] will continue to be a dominant runner this winter,” said second-year W-H boys’ head coach Stephen Schlicting.

He is joined by cross country league all-stars, seniors Liam Cafferty and Chris MacDonald and juniors Nathan Tassey and Gordon Johnson.

“We have a very strong contingent of distance runners,” Schlicting said.

Juniors Jake Caterer and Jacob Donovan should push each other in the sprints. Senior Chris Blackman runs the 300 and 600, while junior Chase Baker will lead the way in the hurdles and long jump.

The Panthers’ mission this season is to just keep working on their skills together.

“[The] goal will be to improve and to encourage all to try new events, building a strong team culture of support and togetherness and having fun as we work this winter,” Schlicting said.

Season Review: Girls’ cross country ran tough

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The Panthers. / Photo by: Sue Moss

The Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ cross country team finished the season 2-3.

For the Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ cross country team, it did what it could with what it had. 

The Panthers had just 19 runners, but were still able to find some success, posting a 2-3 record. 

“Overall, while I was disappointed with the numbers, I was pleased with the performances, effort and attitudes of each member of the team,” said seventh-year head coach Steve George. “As a team, we had only two wins, but almost every girl improved each time out. That adds up to a lot of personal victories.”

W-H beat Plymouth North (19-38) and Duxbury (15-45), but fell to Silver Lake (25-32), Hingham (22-39) and Marshfield (17-46). 

“The level of competition in the Patriot League, especially on the girls’ side, is extremely high,” George explained. “Marshfield, Hingham and Silver Lake were all top 20 teams in the state coming into the season. Our kids competed with each of them and lost, not through lack of effort.”

Junior Myah Kamperides was the Panthers’ top runner, legging out two first-place finishes, a second and a third. Kamperides was named a league all-star for the second straight fall and George said she’s only scratching the surface of her potential.

“Myah had enormous success as a sophomore and faced better competition this year and was still an impact Patriot League runner,” George said. “She loves to run. She loves to compete. But our inability to create a consistent strength training program due to the pandemic hurt Myah as it did all our girls in my opinion. We plan to incorporate a great deal of strength training into Myah’s regimen and now, after her second year of distance running, turn it up a notch to get her ready for what I know will be an incredible senior year.”

An indoor track all-star last season, senior Izzy Amado joined the cross country team this fall and provided a big boost, finishing the year as W-H’s No. 2 runner, while earning league all-star status. 

“I was pleasantly surprised when Isabelle Amado decided to join the team,” George said. “She has been an excellent track-and-field runner over the years and I always felt that could translate to her becoming an outstanding cross country runner.”

George said the high point of the season was their victory over Duxbury on the road, but not just because of the result.

“Our girls took the top six spots for the win, followed by a classy act on the part of Duxbury which gave carnations to our senior girls and cheered our bus as we left,” George said. 

As he looks to the future, George sounds optimistic about his club’s potential.

“I expect Myah to be at the front of the pack again, and she will get some help from [juniors] Anna Flynn and Sara Boulger, who were among our top five most of the season,” George said. “We have some underclassmen with potential certainly, and I was extremely happy with our freshmen who should make an impact in the years to come.”

Season Review: A championship fall for boys’ cross country

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Led by its league all-stars, the Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ cross country team won the Patriot League title this season.

As freshmen, Liam Cafferty, Theo Kamperides and Chris MacDonald, all competed in the Patriot League cross country championships.

What was their head coach Steve George thinking watching them run?

“I couldn’t wait until they were seniors, they would be special,” George said. 

They did not disappoint. Now seniors, the trio of league all-stars paced the program to a perfect 5-0 record and its first Patriot League title since 2013.

Kamperides led the way, winning every race during the regular season and was named the League Keenan Division MVP for the second straight season.

“Theo has been consistent in practice, attentive to instruction and gives his full effort 100 percent of the time,” George said. “These traits make him an exemplary student-athlete and I’m absolutely certain of his continued future success.”

Cafferty and MacDonald, along with fellow league all-stars, juniors Gordon Johnson and Nathan Tassey, were clutch all season for W-H, especially against Marshfield. Each finished in the top-10, lifting the Panthers over the previously undefeated Rams in a nail biter, 26-29.

“It was their (Cafferty, MacDonald and Tassey’s) consistency, along with that of Theo and Gordon Johnson that made the difference this year,” George said. 

And with Johnson and Tassey back in the fold next season, George said he’s optimistic the program can sustain its success.

“Gordon Johnson and Nathan Tassey will certainly be among the best in the Patriot League,” George said. “We also are expecting [juniors] Jonny Young and Collin O’Sullivan to continue their improvement. And we have a very good group of freshmen. Just like four years ago, three of those freshmen, Gavin McCarthy, Logan Bourgelas and Shane Johnson, competed in the league championship meet.”

Changes for winter sports

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There are multiple changes to the winter sports season.

The winter sports season is a go — for some teams.

Basketball, ice hockey and gymnastics are set to begin on Dec. 14. Indoor track has been moved to Fall II, while cheerleading and wrestling were pushed back to the spring.

“The news hurts, but was expected,” said Whitman-Hanson Regional High wrestling head coach Gary Rabinovitz. “At this point in time there really is not much that we can do to prepare for the season. I will continue to encourage everyone to step up whatever workouts they are currently doing. If the season does happen, we need to be in top shape going in so that we can work technique right from the start. I’m not sure what will be possible. I will do whatever I can to keep the team informed and ready to go if or when we get the green light.”

Girls’ indoor track head coach Steve George also wasn’t surprised his season was moved. The Reggie Lewis Athletic Center, where his team participates in meets, hasn’t held events since March.

“We’re taking advantage of every opportunity to keep our kids happy, healthy and conditioned though,” George said. “We’ve asked that athletes continue to work independently until then. I’m happy to report that quite a few are doing just that.”

As for the cheerleading team, which also had its fall season postponed, it’s doing what it can to stay together during an unprecedented time.

“Of course, it’s disappointing to hear that we will not be starting our season,” said head coach Alyssa Pietrasik. “We’ve still been meeting and conditioning on Fridays so it has been nice to stay connected and continue building our team community. If you look at it that way — we have all this extra time to build a bond for whenever we can cheer competitively again. When the season does start and things open back up, Whitman-Hanson varsity cheer will be ready.”

Boys’ cross country races to Patriot League Keenan title

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The Whitman-Hanson Regional high boys’ cross county team clinched its first league title in seven years with a win over Marshfield on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ cross country head coach Steve George wasn’t sure what to expect going into last week’s meet against Marshfield with the Patriot League Keenan Division title on the line.

Junior Nathan Tassey, one of the Panthers’ top runners, felt under the weather earlier in the day. George knew they weren’t going to win without him. Marshfield, which is in its first year in the Patriot League, dominated the Atlantic Coast League before it folded, winning the league six times in a row from 2013-18. Then last fall, the Rams went 5-0 playing a Patriot League schedule.

“I was concerned when Marshfield was added to the Patriot League this year, something I advocated for actually,” George said. “Even over the past couple of weeks, each time athletic director Bob Rodgers asked if we were going to win this thing, I never expressed certainty. He however, insisted we would.”

Rodgers was right. 

W-H (5-0) placed four of the top six runners and squeaked by Marshfield (4-1), 26-29, to capture the program’s first league championship since 2013. 

Senior captain Theo Kamperides took first overall with a time of 16:34, finishing the regular season unbeaten. 

“I was really nervous, but that’s normal,” Kamperides said. “I thought we had a chance, and our coaches were very motivational and positive. I’m so proud of my team for winning the league title.”

Said George: “[Theo] is a workhorse. He simply loves running and puts in the time and miles necessary to excel. The adage is it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill. Theo is putting that to the test.” 

The Panthers seniors. / Courtesy photo

The Rams placed the next two runners before Panthers senior captain Liam Cafferty (4th, 17:04) and Tassey (5th, 17:09) crossed the finish line neck-and-neck. 

“I really was concerned when Nathan (Tassey) couldn’t practice on Tuesday, the day before the meet,” George said. “He had some doubts about his ability when he arrived prior to the meet, but that ended when the gun went off.”

Senior captain Chris MacDonald (6th, 17:37) and junior Gordon Johnson (10th, 18:18) rounded out the scoring for W-H. 

“Until this season, I was never certain every athlete bought into what we were trying to accomplish and how to get there,” said George, who took over the program in 2014. “With so many fourth-year runners and dedicated captains, it wasn’t just the coaching staff trying to impress the team, it was their peers also. We had three adult coaches and a couple dozen student-athletes coaching as well. I’ve looked forward to this year as the season when we could go wire-to-wire.”

George said he hopes this season’s success will help shine a light on the cross country program moving forward. 

“Seeing our athletes, who are a very happy and cohesive group has to have an impact on some of them who may think cross country is worth a try,” George said. “We’ve got room on our teams for anybody interested. I’ve never met a cross country athlete who regretted the decision to run.”  

And you don’t have to look any further than Kamperides.

“Joining the cross country team was the best decision of my life,” he said. “The chemistry on this team is like no other. Everyone worked so hard in order to win and they all truly deserve it.”

‘Tis the season: Panther athletes get set to play on a very different field

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The fall sports season starts on Friday, Sept. 18 at Whitman-Hanson Regional High.

The wait is almost over.

After nearly six months without high school sports, the fall season is finally set to get underway tomorrow at Whitman-Hanson Regional High.

Cross country, field hockey, boys’ golf, soccer and girls’ volleyball will all begin practice. Football and fall cheerleading were moved to February.

“These have been difficult times for all of us, but especially our kids,” said W-H athletic director Bob Rodgers. “I am so excited to see them back with their coaches and teammates. I’m not sure people truly understand how much being part of a team means to our students but I know this will help them deal with these uncertain times.

“Our teachers have been working so hard for the return to school and the same holds true for our coaches. I hope everyone remembers that this is uncharted territory for all of us and we will do the best we can to serve our students the best we can. We will learn as we go and adjust when necessary.”

There are a few major changes coming to some sports. Field hockey will be played 7-on-7 instead of 11-on-11. There will be no throw-ins, slide tackling or heading the ball in soccer.

“This season is most certainly challenging, but we will meet this challenge with a covered smile,” said boys’ soccer head coach Dave Leahy.

That feeling is universal.

“I’m very excited that we get the chance to play this season,” said girls’ soccer junior Kelsee Wozniak. “It’s definitely going to be a challenge with the new rules, but the fact we even are allowed to play is great.”

Said girls’ volleyball junior Lily Welch: “All of my teammates and I are super excited about having a season. Even though it’s hard under the guidelines, we have all been getting together and training with each other. We have also had the chance to be teachers and work with the incoming freshman and I love that.”

There also won’t be a state tournament, but Wozniak said she’ll have no issue staying motivated playing in the Patriot League.

“We play in a very strong conference with talented teams,” she said. “Our goal is to compete and win our league. That will drive us every day to work very hard as a team.”

Regardless of what this upcoming season will look like or even how it may play out, one thing is certain heading into it.

“I can’t wait to get started,” said boys’ and girls’ cross country head coach Steve George.

Hurley a double-sport star this winter

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Senior Ryley Hurley starred on both the mat and track this winter.

Ryley Hurley was feeling ambitious this winter and wanted to try something different. So, she did.

Already a four-time state champion cheerleader, you weren’t going to keep her off the mat. But with the cheerleading team opting to be noncompetitive for the season, that opened the door for Hurley, a senior at Whitman-Hanson Regional High, to flash her talents as a double-sport athlete. She knew it and joined the girls’ indoor track team.

“I really enjoyed being a part of two teams,” Hurley said. “It kept me fully involved with the school spirit and I love that. I had track practice every day after school, including days with meets. On days where we had to cheer at the basketball game, we would have a practice beforehand.”

Despite the busy schedule, she flourished. In addition to being named the MVP of the cheerleading team, Hurley was one of the girls’ indoor track team’s top point-getters.

“I am so proud of what I have accomplished not only this past winter season, but all four years of high school,” Hurley said. “Being a part of a team is so special. Even if the outcome was not what we hoped for, the bonds that I have made along the way make every practice and moment worth it.”

Hurley’s track career began middle school, but she didn’t participate in high school until last spring after some persuading.

“I recognized her athletic ability previously after watching the cheerleading practices, which took place in the gym while we practiced on the indoor track,” said W-H girls’ indoor and outdoor track head coach Steve George. “She was, in my opinion, that team’s most athletic member and its best gymnast. I felt she could be a very good track athlete.

“I asked a couple of our team members who had been cheerleaders, Dorothy DiMascio-Donohue and Allison Bartlett, to encourage Ryley to join the team.”

Hurley made a statement, qualifying for states in both the 400-meter dash and 400-meter hurdles. This winter, she excelled in 300-meter dash, high jump, long jump and as a leg on the 4×200 relay team and racked up the third most points on the team. She was unable to participate in the pentathlon after having her wisdom teeth extracted.

Ryley Hurley in track. / Photo by: Sue Moss

“She has the gift of speed and that along with her natural athleticism make her a track athlete with unlimited potential,” George said. “She also brings with her a genuine enthusiasm and willingness to take on any event when asked, adding the long and high jump to her resume.”

Hurley said picking up track last spring benefited her when the cheer season rolled around this fall.

“Doing track last spring and continuing the training all year really helped improve my stamina,” she said. “I was in shape and ready to go for the start of my fall season.”

Hurley’s passion for cheerleading began in second grade and has never wavered.

“From the first moment that I took the mat to compete I knew I was in it for the long haul,” Hurley said. “I loved learning new tumbling skills as well as learning new stunting positions throughout the years.”

She wrapped up her high school cheerleading career with four state titles, an NCA National title and a New England title.

“She is an athlete that has in one two-minute routine quite literally been in almost every stunting position,” said W-H cheerleading head coach Alyssa Hayes. “I would say that’s a rare feat, especially for high school cheer. She is our best jumper. She is one of our captains. She motivates the team. I could go on and on.”

Hurley and head cheerleading coach Alyssa Hayes. / Photo by: Sue Moss

Hayes said Hurley’s grit and determination make her special.

“I have seen her encounter obstacles in both youth and high school cheerleading, academics, tough losses, and regardless of each problem she pushes through until coming through to the other side,” Hayes said.

One of those obstacles is a tumbling block, which is a mental hurdle that keeps you from completing a tumble kill that you’ve done — even moments before.

“Mine has surfaced throughout the years usually after a fall of some sort,” Hurley said. “When the block would appear, I never gave up, not even once. Through multiple tumbling classes and talking myself through it I continue to try and push past it.”

Hurley said when she looks back on her time at W-H, one day comes to mind before any other.

“My greatest high school athletic memory so far was winning States for the first [during] time winter season of my freshman year,” Hurley said.

*This story will run in the Express’ print edition on Thursday, May 7.