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Can't put them in a box. Boys athletes showed what they're capable of across MetroWest and greater Milford this school year.
They brought home state championships, were All-Americans and left lasting legacies.
But who shined the brightest?
We present the candidates for the 2026 Daily News Fans Boys Ahlete of the Year:
The Boston College commit dominated distance running all year. He was the Bay State cross country MVP, finished second at the Meet of Champions, won the Divisional race and set two course records. Bianchi captured the indoor mile title at the Met of Champions and Division 1 state meet. He finished second in the mile at the outdoor Meet of Champions and won the Twilight Invitational 800.
The junior was a Dual County League All-League selection for both basketball and baseball. He averaged a double-double on the hardwood. Clarkin is commited to UMass baseball and batted .408 (29-for-71) with 2 home runs, a triple and 2 doubles while scoring 28 runs, driving in 13 and stealing 20 bags. He led the Warriors to the Division 1 state tournament in both sports.
He authored an All-American soccer season and led the Redhawks to their first state championship. Dougherty was the Bay State Carey MVP and scored two playoff overtime winners. The Skidmore soccer commit also led Natick to the D1 boys basketball state tournament and an opening round win. Dougherty was a Bay State baseball all star hitting .342 with 25 hits, 26 runs and 18 steals as the Redhawks (16-6) reached the Division 1 Round of 16.
He started his season with a Tri-Valley League cross country MVP, winning the TVL showcase and the divisional meet before finishing third at the Meet of Champions. Finnegan placed third in the indoor Meet of Champions two-mile and second at the Division 2 meet, where Hopkinton won the team title. The UMass Lowell commit won the Division 2 two-mile outdoors.
The two-time boys lacrosse All-Americanled the Warriors to the Division 1 state final. He had 54 goals and 44 assists. Friedholm also notched his 100th point for the L-S hockey team and powered a trip to the Division 1 Round of 16.
The throws specailist was the indoor Division 5 shot put sate champion before placing second at the Meet of Champions and New Englands. He finished second outdoors in Division 6 in the event and found the podium at the Meet of Chapmions and New Englands. Levine, bound for West Point, holds the school record in the discus.
'This kid is different': Ari Levine building a legacy of more than shot put at Hopedale
The Boston University commit was an All-American in decathlon. He won the MSTCA decathlon as well as the outdoor Meet of Champions Pole Vault. McCormack was the Dual County League athlete of the year. He finishes econd in doors at the Division 4 long jump and collected two top-10 finishes at the Meet of Champions.
He set school records with 2,051 rushing yards and 40 total touchdowns. Ozulumba aws the Tri-Valley League Large football MVP and a Division 4 all-state selection. He also won the Central sectional wrestling ttile and placed fourt at the state championships.
'I don't like getting tackled': Hard to tackle Kevin Ozulumba 'just starting to scratch the surface' for Ashland football
The poll will remain open for a week until noon Thursday, August 13. Vote below:
Our player of the year stories are meant as a way to highlight local high school athletes in the area. Making the list is an achievement in itself. Congratulations to all our athletes.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Vote for the 2026 Daily News Fans Boys Athlete of the Year
Continue reading...
They brought home state championships, were All-Americans and left lasting legacies.
But who shined the brightest?
We present the candidates for the 2026 Daily News Fans Boys Ahlete of the Year:
John Bianchi, Natick
The Boston College commit dominated distance running all year. He was the Bay State cross country MVP, finished second at the Meet of Champions, won the Divisional race and set two course records. Bianchi captured the indoor mile title at the Met of Champions and Division 1 state meet. He finished second in the mile at the outdoor Meet of Champions and won the Twilight Invitational 800.
Ben Clarkin, Lincoln-Sudbury
The junior was a Dual County League All-League selection for both basketball and baseball. He averaged a double-double on the hardwood. Clarkin is commited to UMass baseball and batted .408 (29-for-71) with 2 home runs, a triple and 2 doubles while scoring 28 runs, driving in 13 and stealing 20 bags. He led the Warriors to the Division 1 state tournament in both sports.
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Luke Dougherty, Natick
He authored an All-American soccer season and led the Redhawks to their first state championship. Dougherty was the Bay State Carey MVP and scored two playoff overtime winners. The Skidmore soccer commit also led Natick to the D1 boys basketball state tournament and an opening round win. Dougherty was a Bay State baseball all star hitting .342 with 25 hits, 26 runs and 18 steals as the Redhawks (16-6) reached the Division 1 Round of 16.
Sean Finnegan, Hopkinton
He started his season with a Tri-Valley League cross country MVP, winning the TVL showcase and the divisional meet before finishing third at the Meet of Champions. Finnegan placed third in the indoor Meet of Champions two-mile and second at the Division 2 meet, where Hopkinton won the team title. The UMass Lowell commit won the Division 2 two-mile outdoors.
You must be registered for see images attach
Rex Friedholm, Lincoln-Sudbury
The two-time boys lacrosse All-Americanled the Warriors to the Division 1 state final. He had 54 goals and 44 assists. Friedholm also notched his 100th point for the L-S hockey team and powered a trip to the Division 1 Round of 16.
Ari Levine, Hopedale
The throws specailist was the indoor Division 5 shot put sate champion before placing second at the Meet of Champions and New Englands. He finished second outdoors in Division 6 in the event and found the podium at the Meet of Chapmions and New Englands. Levine, bound for West Point, holds the school record in the discus.
'This kid is different': Ari Levine building a legacy of more than shot put at Hopedale
Ryan McCormack, Wayland
The Boston University commit was an All-American in decathlon. He won the MSTCA decathlon as well as the outdoor Meet of Champions Pole Vault. McCormack was the Dual County League athlete of the year. He finishes econd in doors at the Division 4 long jump and collected two top-10 finishes at the Meet of Champions.
You must be registered for see images attach
Kevin Ozulumba, Ashland
He set school records with 2,051 rushing yards and 40 total touchdowns. Ozulumba aws the Tri-Valley League Large football MVP and a Division 4 all-state selection. He also won the Central sectional wrestling ttile and placed fourt at the state championships.
'I don't like getting tackled': Hard to tackle Kevin Ozulumba 'just starting to scratch the surface' for Ashland football
The poll will remain open for a week until noon Thursday, August 13. Vote below:
Our player of the year stories are meant as a way to highlight local high school athletes in the area. Making the list is an achievement in itself. Congratulations to all our athletes.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Vote for the 2026 Daily News Fans Boys Athlete of the Year
Continue reading...
