Vieira Signs NLI

Ronaldo Vieira signing his NLI with Head Coach Kevin Mellon

Bridgton Academy Soccer standout Ronaldo Vieira (Framingham, MA)recently signed his National Letter of Intent to play soccer next fall at Radford University in Radford, VA. Vieira chose Radford because newly appointed head coach Marc Reeves showed a great deal of interest, "I was waiting to hear from some schools, and Coach Reeves made made an offer and I talked with my parents and decided it was the right place," Ronaldo said of his decision.

Vieira contributes a great deal of his success to the Bridgton program, but his individual hard work is not over looked. Vieira came into preseason weighing 222 lbs, he trimmed 20 pounds off midway through the season, and in the off season he is now down to 180 lbs. Ronaldo said, "Coach Mellon pushed us as a team hard, to improve our play as a team an individually. Playing with great players allowed us all to get exposure." Vieira set his goals on playing soccer at a D-I school coming into the school year, but he also knew he must get his grades up to achieve that. He has done just that.

Radford University competes at the Division I level, in the Big South Conference.

Wolverine Strength hits the web

Bridgton Academy is proud to announce the start of the Bridgton Academy Strength & Conditioning Blog. You can find up to the minute information regarding all that is going on in the world of Wolverine Strength. You can click on the link at the lower right of this page or check it out here.

Martin Signs National Letter of Intent

Ethan Martin signs his National Letter of Intent to play at Yavapai College.


Soccer standout Ethan Martin (South Burlington, VT) signed his National Letter of Intent to attend Yavapai College next year. The Roughriders are NJCAA members of Region One. Located Prescott, AZ the soccer program has won seven national championships since 1990. Martin stated his reasons for attending Yavapai as being, "the school is in a good location, I can see new places and I will be exposed to West Coast schools now." Martin first was referred to the school by his home state university's (UVM) soccer coach. Ethan says that his year at Bridgton, "opened more doors" for him as a player and now has more East Coast exposure. Following his years at Yavapai he hopes to move on and play at the NCAA DI level.

Nice write up on the Palumbo's

Both Rob and Steve have committed to UNH for next season, it will be exciting to watch them continue to play together.

Palumbos Sign National Letters of Intent

On Wednesday, Bridgton Academy Soccer standouts Rob and Steve Palumbo (Kingston, NH) signed National Letters of Intent to play soccer at the University of New Hampshire next fall.

Rob and Steve Palumbo sign their National Letters of Intent to the University of New Hampshire. They are joined by Bridgton Head Soccer Coach Kevin Mellon.

The Palumbos, New Hampshire natives, credited the university saying, "Its close to home, they have a great coach (Rob Thompson) who we have known for a long time." Rob and Steve join a long line of family members to attend UNH, which includes their sister Diana '07, as well as aunts, uncles and cousins.

During their time as Wildcats the Palumbos have goals for themselves, Steve said, "I want to have a good soccer career, show well personally, but also make the team better so we can do well in the conference and make the NCAA tournament." Rob had similar aspirations stating, "I want to continue to succeed in soccer, but also focus on academics in case soccer doesn't follow through."

The twins chose to attend Bridgton Academy because as Rob said, "We only applied to UNH, and Bridgton was the back up plan, to increase test scores, and GPAs." Steve saw the year as one, "to grow and get better, become prepared for the college level."

Giving credit to Bridgton Steve said, "Academically, its hard not to do well here because there are so many opportunities to get work done, and there is not much else going on around here. You can do work, and then go train because we have the facilities and (Head Athletic Trainer) Sawicki does a great job with the workout programs." Rob said he has become, "more focused on school, I have increased my GPA, and physically gotten better thanks to Coach Mellon running the program well, with the right training."

Head Coach Kevin Mellon had the following to say about his players, "Rob is one of the nicest and most genuine players I have ever had the pleasure of coaching. He always wants to learn more and do more. He knows what he needs to do every day."

Rob compiled the following stats over the Fall season:
- Games Played - Games Started: 15-15
- Goals: 18 (1 game winner)
- Assists: 13 (1st)
- Points: 49 (2nd)

vs. Bowdoin College JV: 3 goals (1st game)
vs. Navy Prep: 3 goals
vs. Winchendon School: 1 goal & 1 assist
vs. Bowdoin College JV: 3 goals & 4 assists
vs. Holderness School: 2 goals & 3 assists
vs.Kents Hill School: 1 goal
vs. Hyde School (ME): 2 goals & 2 assists
vs. Tilton School: 1 goal & 2 assists
vs. Winchendon School: 1 assist
vs. South Kent School: 1 goal (3-1 victory over the only other undefeated team in NEPSAC)
vs. Hebron Academy: 1 goal

- Bridgton Academy Player of the Month: September '09
- 1st Semester GPA: 3.35
- Academic Honors: 1st & 2nd Quarters
- Faculty Class Award: World War II
- Community Service: Wolverines in Training Soccer Clinic

"Steve is the true definition of a leader. It is odd for a young man to come into a program like this (being one-year) and lead the team from Day 1. He led by example both on and off the pitch. He is a great student-athlete and a play maker."

Steve had the following statistics:
- Games Played - Games Started: 15-15
- Goals: 11 (3 game winners)
- Assists: 7
- Points: 29 (4th)

vs. Bowdoin College JV: 1 assist
vs. Providence Country Day School: 1 assist
vs. Thayer Academy: 1 assist
vs. Milton Academy: 1 goal
vs. Winchendon School: 2 goals
vs. Kents Hill School: 3 goals & 1 assist
vs. Hyde School (ME): 1 goal & 2 assists
vs. Tilton School: 2 goals
vs. South Kent School: 2 goals (3-1 victory over the only other undefeated team in NEPSAC)
vs. Hebron Academy: 1 assist

- Team Captain
- 1st Semester GPA: 3.75
- High Honors: 1st & 2nd Quarter
- Community Service: Wolverines in Training Soccer Clinic

Coach Kevin Mellon is congratulated by former Wildcat, and current Bridgton Headmaster Grady Vigneau, during the signing of National Letters of Intent by Rob and Steve Palumbo.

Andrew Henshaw '08 Making Headlines

Bridgton graduate Andrew Henshaw '08 has been named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Region Team. Henshaw a standout soccer player, is at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. For the full article follow the link: http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/121109aaa.html

Student Profile: Josh Lombard

HOMETOWN: Saco, ME.

IN HIGH SCHOOL: I was a little bit lazy, I just coasted through I did the minimum amount of work and I didn’t really study a lot. School work wasn’t the biggest priority for me in high school.

HEARD ABOUT BA: My soccer coach talked to me about going to a prep school, and my guidance counselor in high school knew Mr. Webb so they made the connection.

GOALS AT BA: Just to get better grades. Learn how to be productive so I can excel in college.

BA IS DIFFERENT FROM HIGH SCHOOL: Well first, Bridgton is all boys. Here the teachers actually care about your work, and grades, and if you excel or not. In high school they didn’t really care as much. People here are also more willing to help you if you need it. In high school it was kind of intimidating to ask teachers for extra help.

BEST ABOUT BA: The atmosphere and the people here. Everyone is kind of here for the same thing, and the teachers are here to help you out. Its just a great atmosphere.

WORST THING ABOUT BA: The location, its in the middle of nowhere. Its hard to get yourself motivated with the weather outside right now (winter). Its hard to get up in the morning and actually go to classes.

ACTIVITIES AT BA: Soccer.

OUTSIDE OF BA: I play a lot of video games, pick up basketball, lift weights.

ROLE MODEL: My Mom, she is really hard working, and she can push herself to be better and always striving to be the best person she can be and it reflects on me.

FAVORITE BOOK: I just recently read The Blind Side, that’s good.

FAVORITE MOVIES: The Hangover is really funny, or Step Brothers.

FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM & ATHLETE: Boston Red Sox, Kevin Garnett.

FAVORITE MUSIC: Hip-hop.

FRIENDS WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW: That if I’m in the right mood I actually like to read books.

BA PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS SHOULD KNOW: Even though this place is up in the middle of nowhere, and its all guys, its still going to be one of the best choices you ever make because its going to get you ready for college and your future.