EASTHAM – “There’s a whole group that are antsy to take your spots,” Nauset Regional High School Principal Patrick Clark told the school’s seniors who are bound for college competition at a ceremony on May 23, “and they’re ready to pounce on these seats right now. In a year or so, we will be doing this with them.
“That is the nature and the blessing of what we are doing here,” Clark continued. “You have been superbly well prepared because of the support of your parents and what happens around here with this faculty.”
The honorees included Olivia Avellar (Boston University soccer), Damian Bebber (West Point track and field), Chase Beach (Bridgewater State baseball), Owen Blanc (Bridgewater State football), Rebecca Cahill (Springfield College track and field), Charlie Cushing (Wheaton College soccer), Gabby Foster (Framingham State lacrosse and basketball), Ryder Holm (Curry College lacrosse), Caroline Kennard (Ball State soccer), Logan McWilliams (Plymouth State football), Sienna Reeves (Nichols College ice hockey and lacrosse), Colby Smith (Mass Maritime lacrosse), and Jordyn Streitmatter (Mitchell College basketball). All were recognized for their achievements by their teammates, coaches, and parents.
Avellar and Kennard were previously honored during the fall signing period, while Bebber will be joining his classmates competing at the highest level of collegiate athletics in NCAA Division I. He will head to the United States Military Academy at West Point in New York.
Bebber emerged as a top athlete in track and field for the Warriors over the last four years, setting multiple schools records while maintaining the same standards in the classroom with a 4.0 grade point average.
Foster and Reeves are the only two graduates who will be multi-sport athletes at the next level.
“Being at Nauset gave me a really good foundation for what I’m going to be doing next, so I’m excited to be able to continue playing both sports,” said Foster, who will study elementary education at Framingham State. “All the teachers and coaches at Nauset really support athletes — they want us to succeed.”
Over the last two years, 32 Nauset student athletes planned to continue their athletic careers after high school, mostly at the Division III level. This year, three students signed national letters of intent; junior Logan Poulin will add to that list next year following his commitment to Vermont lacrosse.
“It speaks volumes not just of the athletic department but our school as a whole,” said Athletic Director John Mattson. “We have amazing coaches and teachers who challenge our student athletes to be the best that they can be, prepare them for that next level, and make them feel like they’re ready.”
Beach, who was part of two Cape and Islands championships in baseball, has left his mark during his senior season by lifting the team back into the postseason after they missed out a year ago.
“I’ve loved to be a mentor and a leader for the team,” said Beach, who will follow in his brother’s footsteps to play at the college level. “I’m hoping that we’re leaving behind a group of good young leaders with a lot of good seasons still to come.”
