Weekly Recap

Whitman-Hanson Regional High School Panthers Athletics Weekly Recap Week of June 1, 2026 — Commencement — Celebrating the Class of 2026 We begin this week's recap by congratulating the Class of 2026. Friday's commencement ceremony was a terrific celebration of a class that stuck together through many challenging times. Every speaker — from our valedictorian and salutatorian to all of the class officers — painted a vivid picture of what this class has meant and what they will continue to pursue. When people wonder about the importance and power of participating in athletics, it should be noted that every one of those speakers was a four-year participant in our athletic programs. We were enriched by their participation, and we believe the values they learned through sports helped shape who they are today. ✦ ONCE A PANTHER, ALWAYS A PANTHER ✦ The Whitman-Hanson Regional High School community is proud to celebrate an exceptional group of student-athletes from the Class of 2026. These twenty young men and women have distinguished themselves not only on the playing fields, courts, and courses of Whitman-Hanson, but in the classroom as well — earning the opportunity to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. — College Commitments — 20 Panthers Move On to Play Collegiately Lawson Giove Wrestling — Emmanuel College Nicholas Zaccaria Ice Hockey — Phillips Andover Jack Martin Football — East Coast Prep Louden Giove Wrestling — Bridgewater State All 20 Panther Signees: Kaden Serkiz – Golf – St. Thomas University Tyler Pruitt – Baseball – Roger Williams University Cameron McKay – Soccer – Delaware State University Brady Cocio – Football – Westfield State David McNaught – Baseball – Stonehill PJ Katz – Wrestling – Emmanuel College Shane Glover – Lacrosse – Nichols College Charlotte Wright – Cheerleading – Curry College Shannon Balfe – Lacrosse – Mass Maritime Academy Tessa Feeley – Track – St. Anselm College Dylan Hurley – Basketball – St. Anselm College Alayna Bathalon – Basketball – Regis College Emilia Cooke – Softball – Bridgewater State Anna Schnabel – Soccer – Chatham University Lilly McAlpine – Soccer – Wentworth Institute of Technology Elizebeth Kowlski – Soccer – Sacred Heart University — Athletic Awards Night — Honoring Excellence, Character & Leadership Top Senior Boy  Lawson Giove — Wrestling Top Senior Girl  Dylan Hurley — Girls Basketball Gurney Award  Leah Daley & Mason Bradley Ed Clark Award  Brett Schwede Sue Moss Award  Gianna Ruggiero Outstanding Junior  Robert Walker & Maliah Pierre Scholar Athlete  Benjamin Andrews & Shannon Balfe O'Brien Scholarship  Benjamin Andrews & Sophia Metivier Unsung Hero  William Bagley & Katherine Silva Top Manager  Paul Roback JJ Frisoli Scholarship  Leah Daley · Dylan Hurley · Abigail Nash · Catherine Novak · Brooke Steele — Sports Recaps — In Action This Week Girls Lacrosse — MIAA Tournament 200 Shannon Balfe — Career Goal Milestone 203 career goals — a record that speaks to years of dedication Whitman-Hanson 11 Shepherd Hill 16 Senior Captain Shannon Balfe cemented her legacy in Whitman-Hanson Girls Lacrosse history, scoring her 200th career goal in the Panthers' preliminary round matchup against Shepherd Hill. The Panthers showed tremendous heart and fight throughout, never giving up until the final whistle. Whitman-Hanson came out firing, taking a 4-3 lead after the first quarter and keeping the game tight at 7-8 at halftime. Even when Shepherd Hill surged ahead in the third quarter, the Panthers dug deep and battled back, outscoring their opponents in the final period to close on a high note. Balfe was brilliant on offense, pouring in 7 goals. Maeve Gavin added 2 goals, while Senior Captain Abby Nash and Leah Cranshaw each found the back of the net. Aoife Flynn and Cam MacCallum contributed with timely assists. Defensively, Kaori Peterson, Calleigh Mahoney, Madison Corrado, Keira Gavin, Senior Ava Conover, and Ally Murphy competed with intensity. Taylor McCarthy and Sammi Henchi were strong in the midfield. 203 Career Goals 8-11 Season Record 4-6 Patriot League The Panthers close out a hard-fought season with their heads held high. Shannon Balfe's historic milestone is a celebration not just of one player, but of the entire program and the dedication this team brought every single day. Girls Tennis The Panthers earned an exciting 3-2 victory over Leominster to advance in the postseason. The win came down to a dramatic final match at 2nd doubles. 2nd Singles — Sam Jacobsen   6-3, 6-1  WIN 3rd Singles — Mady Morris   6-0, 6-0  WIN 2nd Doubles — Maggie Ransom & Claire Keegan   Won in 3 sets  DECIDING POINT The season then came to a close against top-seeded Notre Dame Academy. Samantha Jacobsen capped her career in style — winning 8-0 in a pro set. Thank you to all of our terrific seniors and best of luck on your next journey. Track & Field — MIAA Division 3 Championship Eleven Panthers competed at the MIAA Division 3 Championship Meet at Merrimack College. Leading the way was freshman Gabriella Lombard, who earned third place in the high jump with a personal-best clearance of 5'2" — qualifying her for the MIAA Meet of Champions this Saturday. Senior captain Victoria Sheehan placed eighth in the javelin (100'9"). Sophomore Emily Mahoney made her D3 debut in the 100m hurdles, and sophomore Mya Andrews recorded a personal-best 2:30.67 in the 800m. On the boys' side, senior captain Mason Bradley posted a 10th-place finish in the high jump. The boys' 4x800m relay team — senior captains Benjamin Andrews and Luke Morse, along with sophomores Bryce Weckbacher and Jackson DeLue — turned in a season-best 8:55.89. ⭐ Gabriella Lombard advances to the MIAA Meet of Champions this Saturday! Her 5'2" personal-best earns her the lone Panther berth at the state's premier meet. Unified Track & Field — State Championship The Whitman-Hanson Unified Track & Field team concluded its season at the Unified Division 1 State Championship. Maeve Broderick (4th), Ava Orlandi (7th), and Teagan Frattasio (9th) delivered in the 100m dash. Hannah Wood and Kellieanne Cobb both earned medals in the shot put (6th and 7th). Additional Panthers included Elizabeth Barata, Millie Mahoney, Sophie Markowski, Devin Olszewski, and Allie Schnabel. Softball — MIAA Tournament Our softball team opens MIAA tournament play with a first-round game at Milton on Monday (June 1). We will be there with pictures, videos, and updates. Go Panthers! — Reminders — Mark Your Calendars Captains Council — Tuesday (WIN) All students welcome — captains or not, athletes or not. Learn about service leadership. Sign up on the APP. Athletic First Night — Wed. June 10 @ 6pm Mandatory for all parents and students planning to play sports next school year.