'A bird in the hand is worth...bragging rights'

Ursuline is first girls' school to participate in Kiss 108 Turkey Toss

Throwing a bird in the oven may be the conventional start to Thanksgiving, but launching a frozen gobbler across Medford's Meadow Glen Mall parking lot rang in the holiday just fine for the hundreds of local high school students who showed up for Kiss 108's Annual Turkey Toss on November 24.

As the sun rose, so did the frozen turkey. Though the 'tossers' and 'receivers' are required to be members of their school's football team, the 'Matty In the Morning' crew decided to open this year's competition to welcome their first ever female competitors from Ursuline Academy. As strong athletes and member's of UA's unofficial Powder Puff Football Team, seniors Jill Lawler and Cassandra Sadd knew they had the skills to compete with the ten other boy's teams in attendance. "We practiced with a 12 pound turkey," said Cassandra.

The preparation was half the battle, according to Jill Lawler, who admitted that the toss would be her first chance to 'shot put' a turkey. Though students listened each morning as  host Matt Siegel shared his doubts about the team's potential to beat the strong competition, the girls were determined to make their mark in Medford. "It will only make them try harder," said Student Council rep Nicaela Chinnaswamy, who took the bold first step of getting her school into the competition.

"[She's] about to make history here," said Boston sports anchor Mike Lynch, as he introduced Jill just before the throw. A few feet away stood 'catcher' Cassandra, ready to snatch the 22 pound bird from mid-air. On the sidelines, a man dressed as a turkey stood in quiet anticipation. On the radio, we heard Kiss 108's Lisa yelling "Let's go girls," as the crowd roared. And then...the throw!

"Long story short...they beat the Marines," said Ursuline's Principal Mary Jo Keaney, who watched the girls complete a flawless pass to nab 4th place. "The Mighty Bears," as they were called by host Billy Costa, may not have won, but they certainly gobbled up a good chunk of the competition, which included football quarterbacks and military men.

The girls, who will never look at Thanksgiving dinner the same way again, plan to pass their techniques along to Ursuline's next team of talented turkey tossers. 

Click here to see the recap video! [Fast forward to 19:00 for Ursuline's throw]

Or, check out some great photos from the Toss!

 

The wind up...

...the pitch...

...the catch!

Good Form!

Cassandra with the one and only, Billy Costa!

Jill with Mike Lynch...give him a 'high five!'

That turkey looks scared...

Many students came out to cheer!

Good work, team!

Good Sports 
Ursuline athletes recognized for clean play

Grantland Rice, the great sportswriter once said, 'It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game." Though most players shoot for victory in the face of opposition, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association has made a point to recognize those high school teams who are able to keep their cool in the heat of play.

This year, Ursuline Academy's Varsity Soccer Team received the MIAA Sportsmanship Award for their commendable attitude toward opposing teams and officials during the fall 2010 season. The team was the only girls squad chosen from a multi-division pool of nominees, and athletic Director Mike O'Connor was happy to nominate the girls for the honor.

"I think they only got one yellow card this season, and it was debatable," he said, with a smile.

According to the MIAA website, "the awards are presented to those teams who have demonstrated a sincere commitment to the highest ideals and objectives of sportsmanship during their season of play."

Upon investigating statistical information about each team, such as number of cards presented, the MIAA takes into account each team's nomination to determine which group is most deserving of the recognition. Mr. O'Connor says that the most vibrant example of sportsmanship occurred during a game in which Ursuline could have won by many goals, but worked to keep the score low so not to embarrass the opposing team. During the game, one of Ursuline's goalies had a chance to score her first high school goal, but made a decision to play fair and kick the ball away.

Since the team could not attend the state championship final game held this weekend, captains Kiki Shea and Mikaela Prego, as well as Coach Forte, ventured to the MIAA Headquarters in Franklin to receive the honor on behalf of their teammates.

"Congratulations," said MIAA Asst. Director Dick Baker, who presented the plaque. "Your team should be very proud, this is a very important award."