THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – WEDnESDAy, nOVEmbEr 27, 2024 Page 13 Hunter Arsenault: A rising star on the Saugus golf team H By Dom Nicastro unter Arsenault, a junior at Saugus High School, has been a standout on the golf course this season, earning recognition as a Northeastern Conference (NEC) All-Star and stepping up as a leader for the Sachems. Despite a challenging season for the team overall, Arsenault’s impressive development and dedication to his craft have not gone unnoticed. Arsenault began his golf journey as a freshman and has made significant strides since then, both in skill and leadership. This year, he moved into the highly competitive number one spot on the team, a role that tests even the most seasoned golfers in the talent-rich NEC. “He was with us last year and golfed in the four spot,” said Saugus coach Dan Bertrand earlier in the season. “He has moved up to the one spot this year, which is always difficult because of the impressive talent our conference has, but he has handled it well, collecting points in each of his matches. Hunter has an impressive short game and putts very well.” BREAK BREAD | FROM PAGE 10 “Play it like it’s your last game. Create those memories with the group of guys you grew up with,” he said. Collins urged the seniors attending the banquet to embrace that “last opportunity” and “play your ass off.” Peabody Tanners’ Coach Mark Bettencourt, whose team includes 23 seniors, noted that he’s attended 17 Lions Club senior football banquets – 12 as head coach and five as an assistant. “For me, this event is one of the biggest nights of the year,” Bettencourt said. “Any time you get to sit down and break bread with the opposition – it doesn’t happen very often,” he said. “It’s a tradition I admire as a forReflecting on the challenges of playing in the top position, Arsenault credited his growth to consistent practice and a commitment to refining his technique. “Since freshman year, I’ve had a little trouble with hitting my driver, but this year I cleaned it up. Now I’m hitting it dead straight,” he said. Arsenault’s efforts culminated in his selection as an NEC All-Star, a recognition that came as a pleasant surprise. “It was an honor to get AllStar for the NEC tournament,” Arsenault said. “I did not expect to get it—it was a big surprise when my coach called me up at the banquet and handed me the paper. Thank you to all the coaches that voted for me.” Coach Bertrand noted the strides the team made collectively this year and how Hunter’s leadership helped elevate the group. “I saw great leadership from the older athletes on the team setting good examples and good habits,” Bertrand said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how everyone’s game develops over the next year.” For Arsenault, leadership meant encouraging his teammates to focus on improving their techniques and building mer player and coach,” he said. Sachems’ Head Coach Steve Cummings experienced his first Lions Club senior banquet in 2019. After attending his sixth one last week, he urged the seniors of both teams not to take the event for granted. “Not everywhere does things like this. How special it is,” said Cummings, who goes into the Thanksgiving Day showdown with five seniors playing in their final game. “It’s a rivalry that people care about and want to keep going. For some of you, this is the last week you get to do the greatest thing on this planet,” Cummings said. Playing in their final game tomorrow are • Samy Chahid – running back and defensive back a stronger team culture. “The team was looking good this year. We definitely need some work, but I pushed the kids as much as I could to work on their golf techniques,” he said. “Next year, we should have a good team if we get all the kids we had this year back.” Among the season’s highlights for Arsenault was competing in the NEC Open at Tedesco Country Club alongside teammate Artie O’Leary. The tournament brought together the top players from across the conference, offering Hunter a chance to test his skills on a beautiful and challenging course. “The Northeastern Conference was a great time. I got to play with some great kids from Salem and my buddy Artie O’Leary,” he said. “Even though we came in last, it was a great time playing at Tedesco.” Another memorable moment for Arsenault was the team’s lone win of the season against Salem. “The best I shot this year was a 39,” he said, reflecting on his efforts to contribute to the team’s success. Off the course, Arsenault is a multi-sport athlete and an active participant in Saugus High’s Ski and Board Club. Sachems Captain Hunter Arsenault is flanked by coaches Joe and Daniel Bertrand. (Advocate file photo) “The rest of the school year, I’m looking forward to Ski and Board Club,” he said. “My sister and I love hitting the mountain together. There’s such a big group of us who love to ski and snowboard. We all truly have so much fun together.” When the snow melts, Arsenault transitions to lacrosse in the spring, another sport he’s passionate about. “I always look forward to it— it’s one of my favorite sports,” he said. Hunter also plans to spend the summer working in electrical and other jobs to save for his future, balancing his • Wilderson LaFortune – defensive tackle and offensive guard • Kiki Raymond – offensive and defensive line • Cody Munafo – running back and linebacker • Connor Bloom – kicker, punter, defensive back and wide receiver Veteran Saugus Lions Club A SAUGUS LEGEND: Eugene Decareau, a 1948 Saugus High School graduate and football standout – shown here in his senior year – played against Peabody in three Thanksgiving Day football games. He has attended all 52 Saugus/Peabody Lions Club football banquets. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) Member John Smolinsky, the master of ceremonies for many of the Lions Club banquets, recognized a Saugus High football Hall of Famer, Eugene Decareau, who celebrated his 95th birthday last Wednesday. Decareau, a 1948 Saugus High School graduate and a veteran Lions Club member who spent more than half a century involved with the organization, played in three Thanksgiving Day games. All three games that Decareau passion for sports with practical goals. As the Sachems linksters look to rebuild and strengthen their roster for next year, Arsenault is optimistic about the team’s potential. “Being captain this year was nice and such an honor,” he said. For Coach Bertrand, Arsenault’s growth exemplifies the dedication and perseverance he hopes to see across the program. “I’m looking forward to competing next year,” Bertrand said, “and seeing how everyone’s game develops.” played against Peabody were low-scoring shutouts. Peabody beat Saugus 6-0 in 1945. A year later, Saugus won 7-0. Decareau played end and tackle, on both offense and defense. During Decareau’s senior year, the Sachems were 7-3 going into the game. But Peabody won 13-0 that year. “It was bitter cold; the ground was like cement. It was difficult. I missed more tackles in that game than I missed in the entire year,” Decareau said in an interview several years ago. “He played with Harry Agganis in the Northeastern Conference All-Star Game,” Smolinsky said of Decareau. Agganis was a Lynn Classical High School sports legend who went on to play for the Boston Red Sox before dying at a young age.
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