CARDINAL Nation

Fall Sports

The fall and winter seasons brought plenty of excitement for our student-athletes and school community. We enjoyed our largest and loudest crowds during regular season games and the excitement peaked during the playoffs. Cardinal pride is strong at Pope Francis Prep!

Our community was delighted by the addition of GIRLS VOLLEYBALL to our fall sports season. Under the direction of Coach Justin Dalessio ’95 and Assistant Coach Santino Giordano ’20, the team had a tremendous first season, finishing with a 7-1 record. The inaugural season captains were seniors Katelyn Horky ’23 and Jillian Scott ’23. We are grateful to all who worked to bring volleyball to Pope and we cannot wait to see the program continue to flourish!

GOLF finished the regular season with a record of 10-2 and finished 2nd in the Western Mass Championships. Lily Frost ’25 won 2nd place at the Western Mass Girls Individual Championship. League All-Stars included Zach Buffone ’24 and Rocco Pericolosi ’24. All-Western Mass first-team honors were received by Zach Buffone, Rocco Pericolosi, Matt Bolduc ’25, Michael McGrath ’25 and Ryan O’Leary ’23. Second-team honors were presented to AJ Holl ’23 and Jack Wassung ’23.

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY finished with a record of 11-4 and were the runners-up at the Springfield City Championships. The team finished 13th overall at the Western Mass Championships. League All-Stars included Jack Day ’23, Wesley Smith ’23, and Matthew Streck ’26.

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY finished the season with a record of 10-4 and earned first place at the Springfield City Championships. Jessica Kenyon ’23 led the team with a first place finish at the Springfield City Championships, a sixth place finish at the State Championship, a 19th place finish at the AllState meet and was named first-team All-Western Mass. League All-Stars included Jessica Kenyon, Kaitlyn Ondrick ’24, and Mia Paradiso ’25.

BOYS SOCCER finished the season 10-3-5. The team qualified for the Western Mass tournament and won 6-0 over Mahar in the quarterfinals and lost a tough 1-0 battle against Frontier in the semifinal round. The team qualified for the State Tournament and made it to the quarterfinal round for the second straight year. Ryan Davis ’25, Cody Martins ’23, Bryce Russ ’24, Alberto Truoiolo ’23 and Jack Turmel ’23 were named League All-Stars. All-Western Mass first-team honors were presented to Cody Martins, Alberto Truoiolo, and Jack Turmel. Second-team honors were received by Ryan Davis, Ryan Vedovelli ’25 and Bryce Russ. Michael Wolanski ’23 earned honorable mention.

GIRLS SOCCER finished the season with a 16-1-1 record and captured their first Western Mass title with a 1-0 victory over Southwick in the championship game! The team qualified for the State Tournament and won 6-0 over Mashpee in the round of 32. The team lost a tough 1-0 decision to Milbury in the round of 16 to end their magical season. Isabella Meadows ’24, Stephanie Cesar ’24, Maeve O’Sullivan ’23, Brenna Sears ’23, and Gabriella Stirlacci ’25 were named League All-Stars. All-Western Mass first-team honors were granted to Stephanie Cesar, Isabella Meadows, and Gabriella Stirlacci. Second-team honors were presented to Keira Fitzgerald ’24, Eden Kornacki ’26, Maeve O’Sullivan, and Maeve Turmel ’26. Brenna Sears ’23 earned honorable mention.

Rocco Pericolosi had a hole-in-one on his first swing at the PVIAC Invitational.

Winter Sports

Girls Soccer wins the Class C Western Mass Soccer Championship with a 1-0 victory over Southwick.

Congratulations to Isabella Meadows, Stephanie Cesar, Alberto Truoiolo and Jack Turmel who were honored at the All-State Soccer Banquet.

GIRLS INDOOR TRACK had another strong showing this year. Brenna Sears ’23 placed 3rd in the 600 meters at the Division 4 State Championship, breaking the school record. The 4x400 team of Stephanie Cesar ’24, Norah Walsh ’25, Sarah Szalai ’23, and Brenna Sears along with the 4x200 team of Maeve O’Sullivan ’23, Norah Walsh, Hannah Keeney ’24, and Stephanie Cesar also placed in the top 8 and scored points at the Division 4 State Championship. Jessica Kenyon ’23 finished 9th in the 2-mile at the Division 4 State Championship meet. The Sprint Medley Team of Stephanie Cesar, Hannah Keeney, Norah Walsh, and Brenna Sears broke the school record and qualified for the New Balance Indoor Track and Field Championship meet. Saniyah Calhoun ’24, Brenna Sears and Norah Walsh were named to the All-League Team.

ALPINE SKIING competed at Berkshire East under Coach O’Neill and Coach Sears. Keegan Sears ’24 and Matthew Streck ’26 both qualified for the State Championships.

BOYS INDOOR TRACK compiled a record of 10-3. Sam Graham ’25, Wesley Smith ’23 and Jack Wassung ’23 each qualified for the State Championship and were named to the All-League team.