CRLS students faced an inbox overload in early November as information regarding numerous state tournament games was circulated by Athletic Director Tom Arria. While opening these various messages may have pushed students’ workload over the edge during midterm week, it is also important to celebrate these teams’ accomplishments during their crusades to greatness.
Football:
After 10 consecutive losing seasons, CRLS football has brought pride to a program that was once a laughingstock, earning a state tournament bid as the 15-seed in Division II. However, the Falcons met their match against the two-time defending Division II state champions Catholic Memorial in the first round of the playoffs, losing 48-14. This season was a resounding success, especially considering the loss of quarterback Kevin Leal who graduated last year and now attends Framingham State. While CRLS football has proved it can succeed without Leal, the baseball team will be tested next. Leal was the Falcons’ ace, logging 38 innings and a 2.03 earned-run-average en route to their first playoff appearance in recent memory.
Boys’ Soccer:
Led by captains Alex Mitarachi and Henry Bonney, boys soccer appeared poised for a run deep into November. Although they earned a bye into the Round of 32, they bowed out in their first playoff matchup, falling 3-2 to 14-seeded Natick. The future is bright for boys soccer, with a strong junior class and an ascending group of sophomores that hope to revolutionize the once-punchless program.
Girls’ Soccer:
The girls’ soccer team played well enough this season to clinch a spot in the Division I preliminary game against Plymouth North. After two scoreless halves and two scoreless overtime periods, the game was sent to penalty kicks, where the Cinderella story came to a close for the fighting Falcons.
Girls’ Cross Country:
After last year’s third-place team finish in Division I, including overall champion Aoife Shovlin, Girls Cross-Country looks to go one step further: a state championship. In the latest Boston Globe rankings, CRLS was 6th in the state, positioning them as bona-fide contenders for the Division I title.
Boys’ Cross Country:
Although the boys team often lives in the shadow of the girls’ success, they are also included in the Globe’s Top 20, coming in at 17th in the latest ranking. The CRLS Boys captured the DCL title and, behind captain Jacob Bronstein, could be in the running (pun intended) for the Division I championship.
Crew:
This fall, CRLS has captured public-school titles in several boys and girls Crew events yet again. In addition to their success in the public school circuit, five student boats and three coaches rowed in the Head of the Charles Regatta, one of the most prestigious rowing events in the world.
Now onto the winter sports season, where boys’ basketball will carry the legacy of countless league titles, eight state championships, and a NBA Hall of Famer. Indoor track will follow the footsteps of Boston College athlete and former state champion Kylee Bernard, and fencing will look to defend its state title. To borrow a phrase from Mr. Arria’s emails, GO Falcons!
This article also appears in our November 2023 print edition.
