In recent years, Lynnfield has produced some incredible athletes. Whether they’re being crowned state champions, running marathons, or setting school records, the town has seen its fair share of success stories.
Division 1 colleges have been recruiting Lynnfield athletes, and it’s easy to see why. A group of residents – from Lynnfield High and beyond – will be on D1 campuses next year and playing a sport.
According to school representatives, they include Jared Bernabei (football), Jesse Dorman (football), Jack and Luke Prokopis (tennis), Kye McClory (swimming and diving), Sarah Powers (girls hockey), Dylan Greenstein (wrestling), Madux Iovinelli (baseball), Tyler Adamo (baseball), and Maddie Migliero (gymnastics).
Pioneer stars Bernabei and Dorman will be playing football, with Bernabei committed to Marist University and Dorman heading to the University of New Hampshire.
Bernabei said it’s been a “dream” since he was a little kid. Having an opportunity to fulfill that dream means everything and he’s ready to “represent” his hometown.
“I’m incredibly excited and grateful for the opportunity to play D1 football. It’s been a dream of mine my whole life, and I’m ready to take on the challenges of playing at the next level,” he said. “I know the work only gets harder from here, but I’m prepared to give it everything I’ve got.”
From birth – and now to Holy Cross – Jack and Luke Prokopis have been with each other every step of the way. The twins, who helped St. John’s Prep capture the D1 state championship in tennis last year, have committed to play on the Holy Cross courts. The boys follow their brother, Mikey, who also played tennis at Holy Cross and graduated in 2022.
Luke believes St. John’s Prep helped put him in a great position for the future.
“St. John’s has prepared me for success in my collegiate career because they teach students how to be independent. St. John’s Prep emphasizes skills needed for college, such as servant leadership and self-advocacy,” Luke said. “The St. John’s Prep staff truly cares about educating the whole person, and because of that, I feel confident in my transition from high school to college.”
Jack remembers all of the hard work.
“It’s an exciting, rewarding, and relieving feeling to see my years of dedication materialize,” he said. “At the same time, I’m ready to internalize that same dedication in order to make the biggest impact possible at Holy Cross.”
The Prokopis twins aren’t the only St. John’s Prep seniors headed to Holy Cross. McClory will be heading to Worcester to make a splash for the swimming and diving team.
McClory helped the Eagles capture their 17th state championship in 19 years after St. John’s Prep comfortably defeated its D1 competition last winter.
Powers, a rising senior at Phillips Academy Andover, has committed to play hockey at Boston College. During her freshman year, Powers played on the Peabody/Lynnfield/North Reading hockey team before transferring.
“I’m very excited and super grateful to have the opportunity to go to such an amazing program,” Powers said. “This program gives us amazing opportunities as players to be the best, and I’m looking forward to taking advantage of all the opportunities available. Mostly, I’m looking forward to working with such amazing coaches at such an amazing program.”
The future Eagle is ready to meet her soon-to-be family.
“I’m looking forward to playing with the best of the best. Automatically, I will have the hockey team, which will become family to me,” she said. “Every player will be from a different place with different experiences, and I think it will be very exciting to meet new people and also to play with great hockey players.”
Another athlete who will be competing in Boston is Greenstein, who committed to wrestle at Harvard University.
Greenstein, an accomplished wrestler and All-American at St. John’s Prep, helped the Eagles win the D1 state championship before attending Northfield Mount Hermon, where he continued to excel.
“I’m insanely excited for next season. Starting in June, I get to start training with the team and I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to being around the team and putting my best effort forward to help the team in any way that I can. I’m really excited to be in Cambridge, starting in the summer and for the next four years.”
Iovinelli and Adamo had a connection on the football field for the Pioneers, but are pursuing opportunities on the diamond. Adamo committed to play baseball at Columbia University, while Iovinelli will head to North Carolina and attend High Point University.
“I’m looking forward to stepping onto campus and being part of a new team environment that will be pushing me to be better every day,” Iovinelli said.
Adamo believes Lynnfield has prepared him on and off the field – plus, he got a little help from his friends.
“I have to give the credit to my coaches here, especially (baseball) Coach OB (John O’Brien) and (football) Coach (Pat) Lamusta for the support and guidance they’ve given me,” he said. “They’ve had my back every step of the way while teaching me how to be a better person, which has led to success on the field and in the classroom. Whatever’s next in my journey at the college level, I know they’re both one call away and ready to help.”
Migliero, a junior gymnast at Lynnfield High, has verbally committed to Brown University.
