RallyNorth.net

With the seven of the top eight finishers at Bradford Ski Area yesterday, St. John's Prep easily swept past Andover and Masconomet to remain unbeaten in North Shore Ski League competition.

A strong, deep St. John's Prep squad placed three of the top four skiiers to handily win its opener over North Andover, 103-32, despite Nate Miceli's seventh-place finish. The Knights recovered to beat Manchester Essex. Andover rode the efforts of Tom Suglia and Adam Risman to a split, beating Austin Prep and falling to Masconomet. Despite the best efforts of Owen Kallery, Haverhill lost to Austin Prep in its season opener.

Andover ski coach Tom Busta described the scene in baseball language.

"It was like being down by two runs heading into the bottom of the ninth," he said. "Then coming back with three runs to win it."

The top local performance at the Division 1 states was by Pinkerton's Andrew Husson, who placed seventh in the slalom. Londonderry's Cameron Rouleau placed ninth and was 12th in the giant slalom. Tyler Somen led Windham with a 32nd in the Division 2 slalom.

Nick Sherman had the fastest time of the day and teammate Matt Cummings was second to lead Andover to easy wins over Manchester Essex and Haverhill.

The top two North Shore League skiers on the day were Andover’s Nick Sherman (20.40) and St. John’s Prep freshman Bobby Holmes of North Andover (20.61).

Behind stellar outings for Nick Sherman and Matt Cummings, the Andover boys placed second as a team at the Mass. state meet.

"I've been the coach here for 11 years and this is the best finish we've had," said Golden Warriors head coach Tom Busta. "This is the best day we've had I remember. It was a great reward."

The 1-2 punch of Matt Cummings and Adam Risman allowed Andover to barely edge rival St. John's Prep in the Interscholastic Meet at Bradford. Cummings scorched the slalom and giant slalom courses for a combined 49.13 clocking, almost 1 1/2 seconds better than teammate Risman. Solid depth points from Tom Suglia and Matt Binder helped lock up the win for the Golden Warriors.

Nick Sherman (23.11) and Matt Cummings (23.48) continued to dominate, placing first and second individually as Andover topped North Andover 124-11 by lost to undefeated St. John's Prep 72-63. The Golden Warriors' only two losses of the season have been to the Eagles.