October 1, 2026
School Year a Success for East Providence High School
2025-2026 was a banner year for East Providence Townie athletics. Several East Providence High School teams advanced through post-season play including the baseball team which finished as runner-up in the Division 1 state championship. Baseball played against Hendricken and La Salle 7 times during the year and won 4 of those games including 3 against La Salle. The 2026 baseball team also featured back to back no hit pitching performances from sophomore JJ Renaud and senior Ben “Lefty” Hallene. The Townies were undefeated at home as they cruised to playoff action and made it to the Division 1 championship game for the first time since 1945. Softball, boys and girls volleyball, girls lacrosse, swimming, track and others all had winning seasons. Many athletes received All-State recognition also.
There were Track & Field state championship qualifiers with great performances. Boys qualifiers were Jack Pawlik, Justin Jardine, Julius Cortes, Julian Monteiro, Cormac Moran, Xavier Rodrigues and Jalen Jackson. Qualifying girls were Lalya Bates, Ryley Souto, Caitlin Massey and Lilian Costa. The boys 4 X 100 relay placed 2nd and Justine Jardne took second place in the 400. Julian Monteiro was third in the 300 meter hurdles and the boys 4 X 400 placed second. Many qualified for the New Englands in Maine and then the Nationals which will take place in Philadelphia.
The following boys placed at the JV Track and Field State Meet held at Hendricken: Cormac Moran 1st place in the 800 meter. Sean Black in 6th place in 1500 meter. Logan Pereira 8th place in the 200 meter. Special recognition to Daniel Lukusa who completed his high school career by running a personal best time in both the 800 meter and 1500 meter.
Freshman members of the Townie Girls Track and Field program did well in statewide competition. Jordin Peckham placed 8th in the 300 Hurdles. The 4 x 100 team consisting of Laejah Preston, Avah Dorch, Lillian Costa and Jordin Peckham placed 7th. The 4 x 400 team consisting of Lillian Costa, Jordin Peckham, Caitlin Massey and Milani Azevedo placed 7th.
Freshman members of the boys outdoor track & field team finished 5th place overall at the Rhode Island Freshman State Championship meet. Cormac Moran set a school freshman record while winning the 800 meter. Jalen Jackson placed 1st in the 110 meter hurdles, 3rd place in the 300 meter hurdles, and 4th place in the triple jump. The 4x100 meter relay consisting of Xavier Rodriguez, Logan Pereira, Cormac Moran, and Jalen Jackson took 4th place. Logan Pereira 5th place in the 400 meter, and 5th place in the 200 meter. Xavier Rodriguez 6th place in the long jump. Nathan Diaz 9th place in the 100 meter. Aiden Resende 9th place in the discus.
EPHS Girls Lacrosse Hit Milestones
As boys and girls lacrosse continues to grow at East Providence High School, the 2026 girls team made a run at repeating as division champions but fell just short of repeating their title. A highlight was senior Alyssa Karalekas who set a new school record with 173 career goals scored. The Rhode Island All-State, All-Division, and All-Academic honorees for the 2026 season were announced recently:
All-State (RI Coaches Association):
1st Team: Alyssa Karalekas
All-Division:
1st Team: Nadiyah Calouro-Vargas
2nd Team: Sydney Olson
3rd Team: Zophia Slaughter
All-Academic: Alyssa Karalekas, Rai Flynn
Alyssa Karalekas has been recognized as RI Coaches Association as First Team All-State and All-Academic.
The following East Providence High School students received All-State recognition, to date:
The following Townie graduating seniors have signed to play college or university sports. There may be additional signings which were not yet disclosed as of this issue of the Reporter:
Townie Baseball Players in Summer Travel
EPHS’ JJ Renaud Pitches Perfect Game Win in Travel Ball Tourney
Renaud fired 14 K’s in a perfect game no-hitter
Three members of the East Providence High School baseball team are continuing their baseball readiness by playing on the Ocean State Makos travel team. Chris Charbonneau, Jonathan “JJ” Renaud and Jamison Sydney are on the team. The Makos is a 16U team and is playing in the college showcase 2026 8th Annual All American Lighthouse Classic at Old Orchard Beach, Maine. The tournament is scheduled to run from 06/25/2026 - 06/28/2026 at Central Maine Community College. The team is playing in a tournament with a total of 30 teams in the 16U and 17U bracket. To date, the Makos are 3-0 in tournament play. The team averages over 9 runs a game while allowing just under 3. Through their 3 games to date, the Makos have scored 28 runs and only allowed 7.
Renaud perfect on the mound: The Makos took the first game of the tournament on June 25th, in an 8-0 win. Twenty-one batters up, twenty-one batters went down. JJ Renaud threw a 14 strikeout, perfect game to start the tourney off with a bang. Their opponent was the 16U Blue Dirt Dawgs Prospects from Canton, Mass. The Makos opened the scoring in the top of the fifth thanks to two singles when Daniel Spearin singled, scoring one run. The team collected 11 hits in the game. Alex Labell, Dylan Slack, Daniel Spearin, and JJ Renaud each collected two hits for Ocean State Makos. Dylan Slack and JJ Renaud each drove in two runs. Jackson Spence and Alex Labell each stole two bases and Renaud and Jamison Sydney each stole a base.
Game two on June 26 was a 10-4 win for the RI based Makos over ICON 17U from Worcester, Mass. The Makos jumped out to the lead in the top of the first inning after Cam Slack doubled, scoring one run, and Daniel Spearin singled, scoring two runs. Cam Slack pitched first for the Makos allowing just five hits over six and one-third innings, striking out three and walking three. Jamison Sydney appeared in relief for the Makos, pitching two innings of shutout ball with two strikeouts. The team had 11 hits in the game. Cam Slack provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led the Makos with three runs batted in, going 2 for 4. Jamison Sydney and Daniel Spearin each had three hits.
In the second game of June 26 doubleheader, the Makos won again. This time the opponent was the 16U Powerhouse Bulldogs from East Longmeadow, Mass. JJ Renaud led the offense with three hits in four at bats in a 10-3 rout of the Bulldogs. The game was tied in the second inning when the Makos broke open the game when Renaud doubled, scoring three runs. A sacrifice fly by Cam Slack followed to extend the lead to 5-1. The Makos also turned in a nifty triple-play on defense.
The Bay Sox won again on Saturday, June 27th with an 8-0 shutout over the CT Bearcats. The Makos 16U took the lead and never looked back for their fourth consecutive win in the showcase tournament. A double by Dylan Slack put the Makos ahead early in the bottom of the first. They added to their early lead in the bottom of the second inning after Colin Goding homered to center field, and Jackson Spence tripled to left field. Three more Makos runs crossed the plate in the fifth inning to extend the lead to 6-0. Alex Labell hit an inside the park home run, scoring two runs, and Dylan Slack singled, scoring one run.
Tyler Boiani allowed three hits and zero runs pitching over six innings, striking out five and walking two. Number nine hitter, Tyler Boiani, showed the depth of the Makos lineup, by leading them with three hits in three at bats. Alex Labell and Dylan Slack each drove in two runs.
The championship game was held on Sunday, June 28th with the possibility of the Makos playing up to three games. The ReporterToday.com will post an update on the championship. After the Maine tourney, the Makos will play in a holiday summer tournament starting on Wednesday, July 1st.
Townies Aidan Martins – NE Bay Sox
A fourth key EPHS player, Aidan Martins, plays summer ball for the NE 17U Bay Sox. The team is also currently in a tournament in New Jersey. The Bay Sox recently defeated their opponent Tucci Elite 17U by a 9-0 score. A sacrifice fly by Aidan Martins put NE Bay Sox on the board in the bottom of the first. They added one run in the second after C.J. Smith singled down the right field line on an 0-2 count. Then they added to their early lead in the bottom of the third inning after Kyle Sherman Jr. walked, Karter Perreira hit a sacrifice fly, and and an error, led to each scoring a run. Reid Ulmschneider earned the win allowing one hit and zero runs over five innings, striking out five and walking none. Aidan Martins drove in two runs for the winners with two hits.
The Bay Sox lost a close game in their next tourney play, 7-6. A late comeback cost the team as they lost a lead late in the game. The game was tied at six in the top of the seventh when a single knocked in a run. Earlier Aidan Martins singled down the right field line, which helped the Bay Sox tie the game at one in the bottom of the first. A sacrifice fly gave away the lead, 2-1 in the second inning. Jack Bouchard grounded out, which helped the Sox tie the game at two in the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the third, Aidan Martins doubled, scoring one run to break the tie. Then a single by Kyle Sherman Jr. followed to extend the lead to 5-2.
But in the top of the seventh inning, the opponent went back into the lead after a double to right field, and a single down the left field line, scored again.
Kyle Sherman Jr. and Aidan Martins were a one-two punch in the lineup, as each drove in two runs for NE Bay Sox, with two hits each.
World Cup Games Grip Townies’ Attention
The 2026 World Cup soccer – or football – games have made an impact in East Providence as they have across the nation. Locally, those involved in soccer teams and organizations have celebrated the success seen by teams USA, Portugal and Cape Verde. But it just may be the Scottish team, with its world famous “Tartan Army” followers, who have captured the fervor of Rhode Island and the region. With the Scots playing initial matches in Foxborough at the temporarily named Boston Stadium, home of the N.E. Patriots, the East Providence area has been awash with fans of and from Scotland.
The Tartan Army is the nickname for supporters of Scotland’s national football team. The name comes from tartan, a traditional Scottish symbol, and has been used since the 1970s to describe fans who follow the team at home and abroad. Known for colorful displays, songs, large tournament turnouts and charitable work, the Tartan Army has become one of football’s most recognizable supporter groups. They are famous for their enthusiastic and vocal support during matches, both home and away, although Scottish soccer fans were once known for rowdiness at matches, especially against rival England. However, the Scots, led by their Tartan armies have won numerous accolades for benevolent behavior lauded by host countries they visit.
The Tartan Army consistently makes financial donations to charities, especially those dealing with children. The Providence Tartan Army raised more than $10,000 for Hasbro Children’s Hospital. The group also donated $6,500 to the Rhode Island Highlanders Pipe Band and $5,000 to local youth soccer charity, Project Goal. The funds were raised through the group’s charitable efforts during their time in Providence for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, reflecting their deep-rooted tradition of giving back to the communities that welcome them (MSN.com). This contribution marked the largest donation the Tartan Army has made to date. Over the years, the group has supported local causes on over 100 trips around the world as they travel to cheer on their national football team.
Groups representing businesses and organizations in the Providence area were so moved that money was raised to make a donation to Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity in Scotland. "To say thank you, GoProvidence and the Rhode Island Sports Commission are proud to make a $5,000 donation to Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity. In addition, local bars, restaurants, hospitality partners, and supporters have contributed more than $5,500 toward the effort, bringing the total to more than $10,500 and growing. "This has never just been about soccer. It’s been about friendship, community, and the connections that happen when people from around the world come together. "Thank you to the Tartan Army, the Providence Tartan Army, and everyone who helped make this special. We’ll never forget your time here. No Scotland... No Party," said the executive director of the Rhode Island Sports Commission, Jonathan Walker.
Summer Youth Meals Program
With summer right around the corner, it’s time to think about keeping children healthy while school is out. East Providence Recreation provides free meals for children during the summer.
This summer, meals will be served at Pierce Field, 201 Mercer Street, Onna Moniz- John Park, 11 McCausland Ave, and Providence Avenue, 49 Sunset Avenue on June 29- August 28,2026 at 11:00am -1:00pm. There are no income requirements. Any person 18 years old and under may come to eat. For more information, contact The Recreation Department at 401-435-7511.
Each year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture partners with local organizations like East Providence Recreation to provide free meals to children when school is out for the summer. For more information about the national Summer Food Service Program,
visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/summer For more information on summer feeding sites near you including locations and serving times around the state, contact the United Way by dialing 211.
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