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GLTS Sophomore Kyianna DeJesus Earns First Female MIAA State Champion Title in 205 Pound Weight Class

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Greater Lawrence Technical School
Superintendent John Lavoie
57 River Rd, Andover,
MA 01810

For Immediate Release

Thursday, March 14, 2019

Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

GLTS Sophomore Kyianna DeJesus Earns First Female MIAA State Champion Title in 205 Pound Weight Class

LAWRENCE — GLTS sophomore Kyianna DeJesus is hitting the wrestling mat with an air of confidence — and for good reason. She was recently named the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association state champion in the 205 pound weight class.

“We couldn’t be more proud of Kyianna in how she handled herself in the regular season and at the state tournament,” Athletic Director Michael Nelson said. “She exemplifies the core values we have here at GLTS and we’re very proud of her commitment to always do her best. This is a great accomplishment for her and for GLTS.”

On Feb. 23, the MIAA held its first Girls Wrestling Tournament at St. John’s Prep in Danvers, where female wrestlers throughout the region had the chance to either compete in the traditional mixed gender tournament or the girls tournament. Massachusetts is the 10th state in country to offer a girls tournament.

“Becoming the first girl in her weight class to earn this title is an amazing achievement, and Kyianna is not only making history, she’s unintentionally becoming a role model for other girls here at GLTS,” coach Juan Nieves said. “Our hope is that Kyianna inspires other girls who may be interested in a predominantly male sport to join and know that they too can excel with hard work.”

DeJesus, from Lawrence, joined the wrestling team last year and has excelled. At the competition, she opted to participate in the girls tournament, in the 205 pound weight class. The tournament was set up with two semi-final rounds and a finals match up.

Because of DeJesus’ strong performance throughout the season, she was ranked the number two seed and had a first round bye.

In the second semi-final round, DeJesus took down her opponent Jennifer Taverna, from Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, in the second period by quickly pinning her on her back.

During the final round, DeJesus pinned her opponent, Shannon Mitchell from Chicopee Comprehensive High School, a minute and 13 seconds into the match. DeJesus finished by placing Mitchell in a head lock and bringing her to the ground for the win.

“To win it all, I had so many mixed emotions,” DeJesus recalled. “I was shaking. I thought I was going to cry. I felt like I could do anything. Now my goal is to stay number one and be a three-time winner.”

For the last two years DeJesus has trained hard to improve her skills — taking on her male counterparts with confidence and learning from every match. During the off season at GLTS, she trains with BraveHearts wrestling and is always looking to master new moves.

“She’s one of the toughest on the team,” said assistant coach Antonio Morales. “She never makes excuses, she’s always there, she stays hungry. That’s why she’s the champ.”

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Whittier’s Cat McNulty Named First Female MIAA State Champion in 170 Pound Weight Class

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Whittier Tech
Maureen Lynch, Superintendent
115 Amesbury Line Road
Haverhill, MA 01830

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Whittier’s Cat McNulty Named First Female MIAA State Champion in 170 Pound Weight Class

HAVERHILL — Whittier junior Cat McNulty made history this year when she became the first female to win the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association state champion in girls wrestling for her weight class.

“This is an exciting and well deserved accomplishment for Cat, who has always welcomed any challenge that comes her way,” Wrestling Coach Ryan Richards said. “She worked hard throughout the season and we want to congratulate her on making Whittier history.”

On Feb. 23, the MIAA held its first Girls Wrestling Tournament at St. John’s Prep in Danvers, where female wrestlers throughout the region had the chance to either compete in the traditional mixed gender tournament or the girls tournament. Massachusetts is the 10th state in country to offer a girls tournament.

McNulty, from Haverhill, has been wrestling since her freshman year and is the only girl on Whittier’s wrestling team. She opted to participate in the girls tournament, competing in the 170 pound weight class. The tournament was set up with two semi-final rounds and a finals match up.

Because of McNulty’s strong performance throughout the season, she was the number two seed and had a first round bye.

In the second semi-final match, McNulty beat her opponent, Anya Roberts, of Warwick, in the second period with a power half nelson technique.

McNulty then moved onto the final round against, Aliceya Lopez, of Springfield. The match went all three periods and ended in the first round of overtime on a stalling call.  McNulty emerged victorious, winning 3-2 and becoming the first female to place in her weight class.

“It was really exciting to win, a rush,” McNulty said. “I was over the moon about it. It had such meaning to me that Massachusetts now has their own women’s competition. I created history.”

McNulty first got involved with Whittier wrestling her freshman year, starting off as the team manager before she decided to give the sport a try. After her first match on the junior varsity team against Greater Lawrence Tech, she went to the third round before being pinned. That was all it took — she was hooked.

“After that first match, I knew I wanted to be in the varsity lineup and be able to run out with the team to music and put on the pre-match show,” McNulty recalled. “I liked the discipline and the aggression, every aspect of it, and I just wanted to get better.”

The summer of her sophomore year she began competing with off-season wrestling clubs and joined several girls tournaments with Manchester Police Athletic League, Dough Girls, Smitty’s Barn and Maine Trappers.

This year, McNulty started off the season in the 180 weight class, but then dropped to 170 pounds. Her talent kept her in the varsity lineup for 70 percent of the season, and she looked at each competition with the same grit and determination.

“Each year, she’s gotten better and better,” Richards said. “Next year, I know she’ll work hard to maintain her title.”

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Concord Police Department Assigns First Female Detective

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MA-PD-Concord

Concord Police Department
Chief Joseph O’Connor
219 Walden Street
P.O. Box 519
Concord, MA 01742

For Immediate Release

Monday, Jan. 30, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Concord Police Department Assigns First Female Detective

CONCORD — Chief Joseph O’Connor is pleased to announce that Kallie Koppenal has been assigned as the first female detective at the Concord Police Department.

Detective Koppenal began her new role today, working in the Support Services Division’s Criminal Investigations Unit.

Left to right: Police Chief Joseph O’Connor and Detective Kallie Koppenal. (Courtesy Photo)

As a member of the Criminal Investigations Unit, Detective Koppenal will investigate criminal activity that occurs in Concord or affects citizens. While the majority of cases are related to property crimes, detectives also investigate assaults, distribution of narcotics, fraud and sexual assaults, and track and apprehend wanted persons.

“Detective Koppenal has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to professional policing and provides exceptional service to our community,” Chief O’Connor said. “She possesses traits that will make her an excellent investigator.”

First joining the Concord Police Department in 2014, Detective Koppenal has been active in the department’s community policing initiative, including the first Citizens Police Academy, which began in 2016.

A West Boylston native, Detective Koppenal graduated from Framingham State University with a bachelor’s degree in graphic arts and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in criminal justice at the University of Lowell. Before joining the Concord Police Department, she served as a police officer in Berlin from 2012 to 2014.

“Detective Koppenal will make a great detective,” Town Manager Chris Whelan said. “I’m equally happy for Detective Koppenal and our town with the selection of our first female detective.”

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