Canton High School senior athletes honored at annual banquet

The senior-laden CHS boys hockey team captured the program’s 5th state title this winter. (Mike Tureski photo)

The Canton High School Athletic Department celebrated the many accomplishments of the spectacular Class of 2026 at its annual senior banquet held on Thursday, June 4, in the CHS auditorium.

Of the 265 members of the Class of 2026, 165 of them — more than 62 percent — were awarded varsity letters. Fifteen of those student athletes were three-sport letter winners this year: Sony Chery, Shannon Dervan, Madi Downey, Maddie Driscoll, Chloe Dubuisson, Nora Giannacopoulos, Shane Kelleher, Lucas Le, Jack Masciarelli, Declan Monahan, Lexi Piazza, Caitlyn Reynolds, Teddy Shuman, Riley Swearingen and Matt Wright.

CHS Athletic Director Danny Erickson also gave a “big shout-out” to seniors Georgia Campbell and Charlotte Powers, who completed an externship with the Wellness/Athletic Department during the fourth quarter and spearheaded the varsity letter project.

The following were some of the notable Bulldog highlights from the 2025-26 school year, led by this year’s amazing senior class:

Davenport Division Champs: Field Hockey (2nd in a row, combined 4-year record of 65-14-6); Boys Hockey (division champs all four years, combined 4-year record of 85-12-3), Boys Swimming (2nd in a row, combined 4-year record of 25-3), Girls Outdoor Track (1st in more than 40 years, 5-0 dual meet record)

Hock Championship Meet Winners: Girls Cross Country, Boys Swimming, Girls Outdoor Track

State Tournament Qualifiers: Football, Field Hockey, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Volleyball, Boys Hockey, Girls Hockey, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Baseball, Boys Lacrosse, Girls Lacrosse, Boys Tennis

Deep State Tournament Runs: Field Hockey (D2 Final Four); Football (D4 Final Four)

State Finalists: Girls Cross Country (2nd place at MIAA Meet of Champions)

State Champions: Golf (D2 champions — 1st in program history, D2 north sectional champs); Boys Hockey (D2 champions, 5-0 postseason record, ranked No. 1 in the state in final Boston Globe poll); Girls Outdoor Track (D3 champions — 1st in program history)

Class of 2026 Individual Honors

* After a memorable fall campaign as a key starter for the CHS girls volleyball squad, Chloe Dubuisson delivered back-to-back historic seasons for the girls track and field team, advancing all the way to the National Indoor Championships during the winter and repeating as the 400-meter hurdle champion at the D3 Outdoor Championships to go along with a slew of other medals, including a combined four golds at two league championship meets.

* Four different seniors earned Hockomock Davenport MVP awards in their respective sports this year: Jake Marcell (football), Erin Bigham (volleyball), Teddy Shuman (hockey), and Chloe Dubuisson (indoor track). League awards for the spring 2026 season have yet to be announced.

* Three members of the class — Teddy Shuman, Joey Ryan, and Matt Wright — achieved the rare feat of winning two state championships in a single school year as members of the CHS golf and boys ice hockey teams.

* Bharat Ramanathan and Alexa Piazza received the Hockomock Scholar Athlete Award, given to one male and one female graduating athlete from each of the league’s 12 schools who exemplified excellence in both athletics and academics.

* Bharat Ramanathan was also named one of the first-ever winners the CHS Athletic Booster Club Award, which also includes a scholarship. This year’s other winner was classmate Meaghan Donovan.

* Shane Kelleher earned the Sammy Swardlick Spirit Cup, named in honor of the Canton hall of famer and 1936 CHS graduate and given to an athlete who exemplifies the spirit of a Bulldog.

* Riley Swearingen and Maddie Driscoll received the Track & Field Sportsmanship Cup for demonstrating excellence in track and field.

* JJ Faulk received the Paul Callahan Award, given to a senior who exhibited excellence in at least one of the sports played by Mr. Callahan (football, basketball, baseball and/or track).

* Teddy Shuman and Chloe Dubuisson were presented with the Bulldog Award, which is given to the two seniors who made the greatest contributions to their teams’ successes during their four years at CHS.

* Jake Marcell and Kate Budway received the Xavier Machuga “X” Award for her resilience, grit and perseverance — all traits exemplified by Machuga (CHS ’19) during his recovery from a brain aneurysm.

* Vlad Francoeur and Nora Giannacopoulos were honored with the Captains’ Award, given to two seniors who were exceptional leaders on and off the playing field.

* Andrew Gillis and Caitlyn Reynolds were honored with the John Horack Award, given annually to two seniors who embodied the teamwork, grit, hard work and dedication shown by former CHS teacher/coach/counselor John Horack.

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