Good Sports: MERHS Earns Hyland Award

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Manchester Essex Regional High School seniors weren’t the only ones touting new hardware and honors this spring. 

MERHS was selected as one of the co-winners of the 2019-20 Hyland Award, the second year in a row that the school has earned the recognition.  Named after former Manchester athletic director and sports figure Joseph M. Hyland, the award recognizes schools with a high percentage of participation in athletics, while also recognizing excellence in sportsmanship, academics, and athletics.  Manchester Essex shares this year’s award with Hamilton Wenham Regional.  The MERHS Athletic Department first took home the award in 2011.

“The Cape Ann League is home to many of the top schools in the state, so earning this award is a tremendous honor,” said MERHS Athletic Director Jordan Edgett.  “We believe that athletics is an extension of the classroom - the kids are students first and athletes second.  Earning this award proves that MERHS student-athletes are committed to achieving high levels of success in the classroom, in athletic competition, and beyond.  Throughout the school year, I have witnessed students work tirelessly at their craft, both in the classroom and athletics.  It is nice to know that their hard work is being recognized by the league."

“Winning the Hyland award is an honor,” he added, “and it is even more special in Manchester Essex.”

Receiving the award helped to ease the sting that the coronavirus pandemic had on both the school year and the spring sports season.  Many athletes were unable to participate in sports like baseball, softball and spring track with the closing of schools and the cancellation of the season before it even began. 

“I think we were poised for another successful season this past spring,” explained Edgett.  “Our teams had many returning starters and could have made deep tournament runs.  I sympathize for all of the student athletes who missed out on the season, especially the seniors.  I can't imagine my senior season being cancelled for reasons that I couldn't control.”

Edgett reflected on how challenging the last few months were to navigate for the athletic department, coaches and student athletes. 

“It has definitely been tough,” he said.  “I consider myself a positive and optimistic person, and during these uncertain times it has often been tough to look at the bright side.  Dealing with adversity is nothing new in athletics, but as we all know, this spring was different.  It has also reminded me that the Cape Ann League has some of the best ADs in the state.  We were constantly in communication, drafting contingency plan after contingency plan, leaving no stone unturned.  Once Governor Baker announced school closure for the remainder of the year - and subsequently sports being cancelled - we were onto the fall.”

How the return to school and school sports will look this fall is still up in the air, with Edgett stating he and fellow ADs are waiting on word as to what it all will look like.

“We have discussed a number of different ideas that would allow our student-athletes to safely compete this fall,” said Edgett.  “At this time, we are waiting on the state and the MIAA to announce safety and return to play guidelines.  Because of the fluidity of the situation, I don't think we will have a true sense

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