Somerville High School has claimed its first Globe Scholastic Award in the Dalton Division 1, marking a milestone achievement that reflects years of strategic investment in the city’s youth sports programs and recent upgrades to the school’s athletic facilities. The award, which ranks schools based on regular-season win percentages across varsity sports, recognizes the Highlanders’ strong performance during the 2025-26 academic year.
Somerville posted a combined record of 215-116-7, earning a win percentage of 64.64 percent across 22 varsity programs and narrowly surpassing Chelmsford, the division runner-up with 61.38 percent. The award is part of the Globe Scholastic program’s 54th year, which compiles daily win-loss data throughout the regular season. Somerville is one of two first-time winners this year, alongside St. Mary’s of Lynn, which secured the Nason Division 3 title with a 69.28 percent win rate. Duxbury led all schools with a 71.82 percent victory rate in the Holmes Division 2.
According to Somerville Athletic Director Stanley Vieira, the award represents a recognition of sustained community effort. “This honor means everything,” Vieira said, emphasizing the collective dedication of students, coaches, and local supporters. The city’s recent $257 million investment in a new high school, completed in 2021, has led to increased enrollment and improved sports infrastructure, including a modern gymnasium, updated weight room, and a turf field previously unavailable on campus.
Mayor Jake Wilson, who previously directed Somerville Youth Soccer from 2018 to 2021, highlighted the deliberate community involvement that fueled the expansion of youth sports programs and contributed to the school’s varsity success. “It’s not an accident. This stuff takes intentionality,” said Wilson, whose daughter is among the student-athletes benefiting from these efforts. He pointed to a rise in youth sports participation and expressed pride in the Highlanders’ achievements.
The athletic progression also stems from deliberate efforts to build middle school programs that serve as feeders to varsity teams. Cross-country coach Sean Fitzgerald noted that the varsity program has grown appreciably since launching a middle school team in 2019, with both boys’ and girls’ teams finishing undefeated last season. Athletes like senior Camila Plata, who participates in multiple sports, echoed the sense of community and commitment permeating the school’s athletics.
The transformation extends beyond facilities. Several sports programs have experienced notable turnarounds, exemplified by the football team’s improvement under coach David Pereira. After enduring a 23-game losing streak and limited player participation in 2022, the team recorded a 7-3 season in 2025, doubling its roster thanks in part to enhanced training resources and heightened community enthusiasm.
Somerville’s coaching staff includes 30 alumni, reflecting a deep connection between the school’s history and its present-day programs. The high school—located on Highland Avenue since 1895—has produced prominent athletes such as Baseball Hall of Famer Pie Traynor and former NFL player Gosder Cherilus.
The current emphasis on youth development and infrastructure modernization appears to be sustaining the school’s athletic resurgence. “It takes a village to raise a kid,” said Yianny Tsirigotis, a Somerville alum and local parks and recreation official. “I think a lot of us take a lot of pride in being a part of that village for a lot of these kids.”