Let the games begin

Region - Maybe it is not the Olympic games that some have promoted Boston for, but the Bay State Games, which are set to kick off next week, are an ambitious bi-annual event that is a big hit with thousands of Massachusetts athletes of all ages.

The games kick off Thursday July 12 with Olympiclike opening ceremonies at UMass-Boston.

Many local athletes will be showing their talents again at this year's games. Events are held for athletes of all ages.

The games are run by the Massachusetts Amateur Sports Foundation (MASF), a nonprofit organization. The summer games will feature 25 individual, team and festival sports. Sports included will be archery, badminton, baseball, baton twirling, diving, fencing, field hockey, gymnastics, ice hockey (yes, in the summer), judo, juniors basketball, lacrosse, shooting, soccer, softball, swimming, synchronized swimming, table tennis, tennis, track and field, volleyball, wrestling, 6v6 field hockey, and 7v7 soccer.

The event, now in its 26th year, has grown, running from Monday through Sunday July 9 to 22, including nearly 7,000 athletes. While most of the venues are in the Boston area, Marlborough will again host the ice hockey competition in boys and girls divisions at the New England Sports Center (NESC) July 17 to 22. NESC will host the girls and boys gold medal games July 22, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. respectively.

MASF is in place to promote personal development, education, physical fitness, teamwork, sportsmanship and mutual respect and is part of 42 states nationwide that conduct Olympic-like sports festivals.

Good luck to the many local athletes in their bids for Bay State Games gold, silver and bronze medals!

Shrewsbury girls

win title

Shrewsbury's Hurricanes GU14 soccer team dominated as U12s, winning the 8x8 state title a year ago, but proved that even moving up to the U14 division, they could still compete with the best. Last month the team won the Midland Area Youth Soccer (MAYS) league tournament U14 title.

The team, consisting of sixth- and seventh-graders (competing against many teams that include eighthgraders), were the youngest of the 13 teams in their age grouping.

Shrewsbury, coached by Jim McKinley, finished the regular season with a 7-1 record earning the top seed. Shrewsbury defeated the Mountain Soccer Club, 1-0, and then defeated Sutton, 2-1, for the MAYS title. The victory earned the team a trip to the Mass. Tournament of Champions (MTOC) competition.

At the MTOC competition held in late June, Shrewsbury defeated Maynard, 2-0, but then lost a pair of tough, one-goal games, to Woburn, 1-2, and to Dartmouth, 2-3.

Team members include Alicia Allard, Meghan Burke, Sarah Campos, Lindsey Card, Carolyn Egan, Evynne Gartner, Katelyn Hanam, Lizz Jiang, Stephanie Kalinowski, Brittany Laramee, Caralyn Logan, Kelan McCann, Maddy McKinley, Jessica Morana, Alexis Nystrom, Jenna Racine and Kayla Shea.

Marlborough High

sports camps

A series of summer athletic clinics is set for Marlborough High School, running in July and August. The program is opened to children entering grades 3-8, with the exception of the basketball program, which is open to grades 3-12.

The programs are led by the High School's coaches. Programs include basketball, soccer, track and field, field hockey wrestling, softball, and baseball.

For more information, contact Marlborough Athletic Director Rich Riley at 508-460-3500, ext. 7410.