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Take a Look Back at the Fall Sports Season
Football Advances to Second Consecutive State Championship
The Nighthawks visited the Windsor Warriors in the Class MM semifinals. In a rainy battle to see who would advance to the championship game, the Nighthawks dominated the Warriors winning 21-0. They advanced to the Class MM State Championship for a second year in a row where they will face the 3 seed Wilton Warriors at Arute Field in Central Connecticut State University.
The boys soccer team celebrates in a game against Lyman Hall
The team huddles up, ready for action
The team stands for the National Anthem
Ava Carlson looks to gain a point for the Nighthawks
Alyssa DiGiovanna tries to score
Grace Battipaglia helps the Nighthawks defend
Cameron Ryan looks to score in a game against Jonathan Law
Hannah Bernardo looks to pass the ball to an open teammate
Camren Thompson makes the tackle against Prep
The Nighthawk's offense looks to score
Joey Mastroianni looks to pass in a game against Fairfield Prep
Libby D'Angelo defends in a game against Branford
Ava Chagnon tries to score against Branford
NHHS Coach Carl Jackson
Nico Boyle Wraps Up A Cross Country Season to Remember
Nico Boyle Wraps Up A Cross Country Season to Remember
Recently the North Haven High School Boys Cross Country team won the Oronoque Division title. Among the talented group of runners is SCC Athlete of the Year Nico Boyle. When asked about this accomplishment, Nico says the award suprised him. "SCC Runner of the year really came as a surprise. I had no idea I was in the running for the award until a couple of coaches from the SCC came up to me after my race at the SCC championships and told me that I had their vote." Nico also qualifed for the State Open as well as New Englands. After not qualifying for the State Open his Junior year, Nico says his "summer training was really driven by that goal." One important part of Nico's success this year was his preparation and mindset. He says, "I also try to get a good night's rest before so I can recover and be ready to run the next day. Within a few hours of the competition, I begin to block out everything else and start to focus on the race to get in the headspace of competing. I like to envision my race strategy, and picture going through the course, the start, and the finish of the race to prepare myself." As Nico prepares for his senior Indoor and Outdoor Track season, he made a point to say that he plans to continue running. "I do plan to run in college and I hope to continue running long into the future. I love the sport and it is my favorite hobby."
Simone Biles Speaks Out Against Racism
By: Olivia Coish
Simone Biles is known as the greatest gymnast of all time, with an impressive collection of Olympic medals to show for it. But unlike most athletes, her fame and success are not the only top hits when her name is put into a Google search. Her numerous efforts to advocate for the prioritization of mental health, women, and black people cloud her page, making Biles more than just a skillful athlete.
Throughout her career, Simon Biles has spoken out about mental health, and has even shared her own struggles with the intention of encouraging others to prioritize their mental well being before anything else. On the Olympic stage, she told the world that underestimating women and their capabilities needs to stop. Biles preached that no woman, regardless of who she is, should ever be told she can’t meet the expectations of others. Her message was especially directed towards young black girls who are forced to endure racism even on the mats. Our society has not learned. Black girls are still viewed as inferior to their white competitors, and Simon Biles has not only recognized this, but is also actively speaking against it.
Recently, a video was released from a GymStart competition in Ireland. Within the clip, there is a line of young gymnasts waiting to receive their awards after competing in the same competition. A woman went down the line, putting a medal around the neck of each individual. When it was time for the one black competitor to get her medal, the woman skipped her, moving on to the white individual next to her. The disappointing contents of the video made it circulate fast around social media. Various users, including the parents of the competitor discriminated against, tagged Simon Biles in the post saying, “I would love to see @Simone_Biles reach out to this girl if she’s able.” When the clip reached Biles, she responded immediately to the seemingly intentional racist actions of the Ireland hosts.
Biles replied, “When this video was circulating, her parents reached out. It broke my heart to see, so I sent her a little video. There is no room for racism in any sport or at all!” After seeing Biles call out the hosts of the competition, other well-known gymnasts, such as U.S. gymnast Jordan Chiles, addressed the incident saying, “...she was deemed hurtful on so many levels.” The video’s exposure prompted an apology from Gymnastics Ireland. They contacted the family to assure them that the official in question understands that her actions were not acceptable, but stresses that she was not intentionally trying to exclude the competitor.
At that point, the video had already gotten over 40 million views, many speculating the apology did not seem genuine and that the video is too clear cut for Gymnastic Ireland to say the deliberate exclusion of the girl was not intentional. In a story conducted by “The Irish Independent,” the mother of the competitor expresses her disappointment by saying, “We are often the only Black family at gymnastics events and this has been very hurtful for us. Now eight million people have seen the video. From Pakistan to Ethiopia they can see this was wrong but Gymnastics Ireland still can’t accept it and say sorry.” This incident is only one of many that demonstrate the prevalence of racism in athletics. Simone Biles’ uses her involvement in the athletic community to show society what exemplary leadership looks like. She embodies the idea that change can only be made if we as a society call out those who exercise discriminatory behavior and condem their actions.
Predictable Outcomes and Some Surprises Dominate 2023 MLB Postseason
By: Matthew Campbell
For many teams, the postseason is a way to showcase their skills and talent and, most importantly, to etch their name in MLB history. A vigorous 162 games later, a total of 12 out of 30 teams made it into the 2023 MLB postseason. In the American League, the Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, and the Toronto Blue Jays made it into the postseason. In the National League, the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies, Miami Marlins, and the Arizona Diamondbacks squeezed their way into the postseason.
“The playoff bracket looks a lot different from what was predicted in the preseason,” NHHS Freshman RJ Valentino stated how he felt about the teams that made it in and who he thinks is going all the way. “I think the Braves and Astros are both going to the World Series. They are both solid teams, and I think the Braves will be unstoppable and win the whole thing.”
The postseason is full of surprises, and not every prediction is right. Early on, the favored Tampa Bay Rays were swept in the AL Wild Card match-up against the Texas Rangers. After the Wild Card match-ups were all said and done, a total of eight teams remained. The Twins faced off against the red-hot Astros, and the Rangers went up against the number one seed Orioles. Last year's World Series runner-up Phillies took on the Braves, while on the other coast, the Diamondbacks went up against the Dodgers, who are making their 37th playoff appearance this year.
The Divisional series was one for the ages, as both number-one seeds failed to move on. The Orioles were swept by the Rangers in three games, and the Braves lost to the redemption-seeking Phillies. Houston swept the Twins, and the Diamondbacks did the same to the Dodgers.
“I am excited to see the Championship Series,” said Nick Hernandez, NHHS freshman. “The Phillies offense is one to really pay attention to, especially with Bryce Harper leading them. The Rangers are another one to look out for with their extremely strong pitching staff. This Championship Series is going to be fun to watch!”
The Championship Series was one to remember. Both match-ups went to the seventh game. Texas was victorious against last year’s World Series champions, the Astros. Adolis Garcia was named ALCS MVP after carrying the Rangers with 14 RBIs (Runs Batted In) in just the ALCS alone and two home runs to secure the game-seven win against the Astros. The Diamondbacks also won in seven games against the Phillies. Ketel Marte was named NLCS MVP after batting .387, with four doubles, a triple, and three RBIs.
Game One of the World Series starts on Friday, October 27, at 8:03 pm ET between the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks. After this postseason, it's anyone's game.
Coach Lauren Perrone brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to NHHS
Greater New Haven Boys' Swim and Dive Team Finds New Head Coach
Greater New Haven Boys' Swim and Dive Team Finds New Head Coach
Coach Lauren Perrone will start the Swim and Dive season as the Greater New Haven Boys' Swim and Dive Team head coach. Before joining the Greater New Haven team, Perrone coached the Hopkins Club Swim Team, as well as the assistant coach at St. Joesph's High School. In addition to coaching the Greater New Haven Team this winter, Lauren Perrone is the coach of the Amity Regional Aquatic Club. She also is the assistant coach for the Southington High School Girl's Swim and Dive Team. Coach Perrone swam competitively at Amity High School for four years. Last season, she worked with Southington's Swim and Dive head coach to create the "Whole Athlete Initiative" which motivates athletes to train their minds as well as their bodies. The North Haven High School Atheltic Department is looking foward to the upcoming season with Coach Perrone at the helm.
University of Michigan Slammed With Cheating Allegations
University of Michigan Slammed With Cheating Allegations
By: Will Sagnella
About a month ago, the University of Michigan's football program was given a shocking blow. The school announced that the NCAA is investigating the program because of allegations against sign stealing and cheating. The university and the Big Ten football conference were notified. In response, the Big Ten will continue to monitor Michigan and all the investigation. According to a report done by Yahoo Sports, the Wolverines had people attending the games of upcoming opponents. Not only did these people attend games of future opponents, but they also attended the games of possible College Football Playoff opponents.
At these games these scouters allegedly gathered information on the signs other teams used to call plays on offense and defense. Although the NCAA does not have a rule set specifically against stealing other teams signs, they do prohibit in-person scouting of opponents ahead of the actual game. The NCAA also has bylaws against any unsportsmanlike conduct or behavior, which this act could fall under.
If all these allegations are true, then Michigan would have violated NCAA Bylaw 11.6.1, which says, “Off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents (in the same season) is prohibited” (ESPN and NCAA).
Head coach Jim Harbaugh has been in a similar situation before. This season Harbaugh had already served a three-game suspension because of allegations of recruiting violations during COVID-19.
Recently, the NCAA released a statement that told Head Coach Jim Harbaugh that he would be suspended from his job for the rest of the 2023 regular season. Harbaugh denied having any knowledge of what was going on, and he said he did not tell any member of his staff to participate in the scandal. Right now most of the blame seems to have fallen upon Connor Stalions. Stalions, 28 years old, has been a member of the Wolverines staff since 2022.
North Haven Athletes Sign National Letter of Intent
Nick Harkins
Nick Harkins
Committed to playing football at Springfield University
Brendan Ryan
Brendan Ryan
Committed to playing football at Bowdoin College
James Tobin
James Tobin
Committed to playing baseball at Salve Regina University
Congratulations on this great accomplishment!
NH Football Returns to Vanacore Field
NH Football Returns to Vanacore Field
The football team has officially returned to Vanacore field. After the stadium was out of use last season because of renovations to the track, the field is back in action. In the teams first game back they hosted Notre Dame High School, and won 56-0. The fans packed the bleachers to support the Nighthawks. In the second game back this year, the Nighthawks faced off against Fairfield Prep. Once again fans and students packed Vanacore field and cheered the team on as they beat Fairfield Prep 28-6. Prior to the game against Fairfield Prep, the team dedicated the Press Box atop the bleachers to Rob Pethick. With the help of the Pethick Family the team unveiled the new sign that deems the press box as the Rob Pethick Memorial Press Box.
North Haven Claims SCC Tier 1 Championship With Win Against Hamden
Team steps closer to the BIG win! (See front page for full coverage)
On Thursday, November 16th, the Nighthawks football team traveled to play against Hamden with a chance to claim the SCC Tier 1 Championship. To say the least, they got the job done, winning 38-7 against the then 3-5 Hamden Dragons. When asked the reason why the team was able to accomplish this feat, Head Coach Anthony Sagnella said this has been a goal of the teams since they lost the SCC Championship to Fairfield Prep last year. The team had to win a string of tough and competitive games against Notre Dame, Fairfield Prep, West Haven, Shelton, Chesire, and Hamden. They came out of these games with a 5-1 record, which was good enough to claim the SCC Tier 1 Championship. "It's an important accomplishment because we're a small school playing against much bigger schools, so it's an accomplishment to win those games that are [all] in a row." Sagnella stated. Next up the team heads for the postseason looking to repeat as Class MM State Champions. This brought the team one step closer to the BIG win! (See front page for full coverage)
Rangers Soundly Defeat Diamondbacks to Win 2023 World Series
In early November, the Texas Rangers faced off against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 5 of the 2023 World Series. The Rangers had a 3-1 series lead when they faced off against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. Coming off a Game 4 victory where they scored 11 runs, the Rangers were able to channel this momentum and defeat the Diamondbacks 5-0, and claim the 2023 World Series Championship. After the game, Corey Seager was named the World Series MVP after his tremendous performance at shortstop.
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