Observer Department: Sports
NECC welcomes Melanie Tarbox
A new face will be leading the Track and field team in 2023, Melanie Tarbox. Special educator and a nine-year Haverhill high coach will join NECC as their next head coach. The hiring was announced on Sept 6th by athletic director Dan Blair. In addition, to her nine-year stint as Haverhill…
Women’s basketball returns
After a 13-year hiatus, women’s basketball is back in Northern Essex. Head coach Malaquias Canery and NECC athletic trainer, Nicole Curry hosted a meeting last Tuesday at the fitness center. Several team members were in attendance. First, physicals within the last 13 months and insurance cards must be submitted by…
Women’s Volleyball cruise past Roxbury in home opener
In Northern Essex's first home turf match, The Knights (5-0) claimed a win over Roxbury community college on Sept 16th. They breezed past Roxbury in three best of five sets by scores of 25-3, 25-4 and 25-10 at the fitness center. Vielika Sanchez and Abigail Heredia, both of Lawerence, led…
NECC baseball places sixth in weekly NJAA rankings
For the second week in a row The Knights baseball moved up a spot in NJCAA weekly poll rankings. They received a total of 70 votes. The Knights had a record of 4-0 that week. The Knights have boasted exciting talent at both the plate and on the mound this…
The beauty and excitement of sports: Forming connections and friendships on the field
When we think about sports we mostly think of the game and the athletes playing it, but it is so much more than that with many ways to be involved with a sport. First, I want to introduce myself and my situation. When I was about two years old, I…
Coach promoted to full-time in new role
Darren Stratton, the current Men’s basketball coach has been given the newly created role of Assistant Director of Auxiliary Services for transportation and athletics. Athletic director Dan Blair announced the promotion this week, NECC newsroom reports. In this new role Stratton will manage NECC’s new transportation program between the Haverhill…
Francesca Nival named next Volleyball head coach
NECC has found its next Volleyball head coach, Franchesca Nival. Athletic director, Dan Blair announced the hiring earlier this year. “My goal is not just be a coach but being but a mentor” said Nival. Nival will be taking the helm of a Knights volleyball team that finished 7-11 overall…
Knight defeat SeaWolves 12-5
On April 19th Northern Essex (22-6) tops Southern Maine community college (16-12) 12-5 at Trinity stadium. Starter Alex Sweeney of Raymond, NH (3-1) struggled with his command in the first two innings yielding three walks. He settled in and cruised in the next six innings. Richard Matos De La Cuz…
Knights sweep double header against CCRI
Northern Essex completed a doubleheader sweep vs The community college of Rhode Island on April 15th at Trinity stadium by scores of 6-1 and 5-4. The Knights improve to (20-5) and CCRI falls to (14-11). Each Knights starting pitchers, Tristan Ciampa (6-0) and Jagger Lovinelli (4- 1) picked up the…
Student athletes can learn valuable lessons through participation
A person who is proficient in sports and other forms of exercise is considered an athlete. All over America throughout history much of our youth has been driven to participate in a sport while they are growing up. I really want to stress that I think you can learn a…
