🇬🇷SPORTS NEWS🇺🇸

Peter Matheos of Xaverian High School proudly held up the 2024 MIAA Division 1 Agganis Trophy  celebrating a Super Bowl Championship  after their 14-7 win over Needham High School at Gillette Stadium. The talented starting 5 foot, 11 inch, 275-pound defensive lineman helped his Xaverian team capture their second straight Division 1 State MIAA Championship.The past two championship seasons he has been an outstanding defensive line man displaying a combination of strength,durability, and toughness. Peter is an Honor Roll Student has committed to Saint Louis University majoring in Molecular Biology. Peter attends Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Weston, Massachusetts. Peter is very proud of his Greek heritage.

Greek American Sports interviewed 6-foot, 4-inch, 310-pound Angelo Saroukos.

Angelo could you tell us about your senior football season?

As an offensive tackle for Newbury Park High School, I’ve had the privilege of achieving some incredible milestones in my football career. One of the highlights was helping my team win the Division 2 Southern Section Championship, a moment that will forever stand out as a testament to our hard work and determination. Individually, I was honored to be named Offensive Lineman of the Year for the Conejo Coast League, recognizing the dedication and effort I bring to every game. Additionally, receiving my first Division 1 offer from Portland State University was a dream come true, and I’m excited to share that I’ve garnered interest from multiple other Division 1 programs as well. These accomplishments motivate me to keep pushing myself, both on and off the field, as I continue pursuing my goal of playing football at the collegiate level.

GAS Interview: Angelo how do you feel about your Greek heritage?

I take immense pride in my Greek heritage which has been a cornerstone of my identity and success. Growing up immersed in Greek culture taught me the importance of resilience, teamwork, and a strong work ethic—values that translate directly to the football field. The rich history and traditions of Greece inspire me to tackle challenges head-on, much like the spirit of my ancestors who overcame great odds. Winning a championship and achieving personal milestones feel even more meaningful knowing that I’m honoring my heritage with every step I take. Being Greek is more than just a cultural background for me—it’s a source of strength, pride, and motivation to carry forward the legacy of perseverance and excellence.

Peter Vomvolakis has committed to play football at the United States Naval Academy. He plays center and defensive tackle for the Greenwich High School football team in Connecticut. He is a captain of the football team, a four-year letterman, and a three-time All-State football player. He has also played and started for the varsity football team in 49 consecutive games (a school record). During his high school career, his teams have won two Connecticut State Championships.

Peter is a proud Greek-American. He is proud of Greek traditions, the rich history, and the closeness of family. He feels an instant bond when he meets other Greek-American athletes. He also feels blessed to have a connection with this country and Greece. Peter's father is from Crete and his mother's family is from Kalamata.

Preston Alessio lead The Taft School victory over Milton Academy 2-1 and captured Taft’s first historic NEPSAC Class A Championship. Taft would win in dramatic fashion when they were awarded a penalty kick with the game tied 1-1.Preston Alessio would take the pressure packed shot and score what would be the winning goal in a 2-1,Taft triumph. Alessio said, “It was exciting and relieving after scoring on the penalty shot. I felt excited and happy.” He would also lead the Taft Rhinos to the Founders League title for the second straight season and a magnificent 17-3-1 record this season. The talented Alessio will be attending D1 University of Connecticut on a soccer scholarship.

Preston Alessio is a humble student athlete that had an amazing soccer career at Taft the past three seasons. This year he would score 16 goals and have 14 assists. Preston a High Honor Roll student culminated his career playing in the recent High School Soccer All-American Game in Charleston, South Carolina scoring two goals and being named East Team Player of the Match. Preston has played Club soccer on select teams in many tournaments in the USA and Internationally. When his family travelled to Greece in July of 2021 the Greek team Aiolikos FC&BC in Mytilini spotted Preston when he was just fifteen years old. The Aiolikos team immediately placed him on their U19 boys team and he would travel to play in the international Capelli Sport Soccer Tournament in Denmark.

The Alessio family has a close connection to University of Connecticut. Preston Alessio family members from his mother’s side the Stamos/Heerdt/Vartelas/Vlandis won UConn’s “Biggest UConn Family” contest with almost 60 members attending UConn. His late grandfather Ted Vartelas played basketball at UConn and his mother Pam Vartelas Alessio played on a National Championship Rugby Team. The Vartelas family has their roots in Sparta in the village of Vamvakou and Kefalonia. Preston Alessio enjoyed learning about his Greek culture very much when he went to Greece. Preston stated," I am very proud of my Greek heritage and traditions." 

Preston has received many awards including being named three years in a row 1st Team All- Confernce, 1stTeam All-County, 1st Team All-Region, 1stTeam All-Region, 1st Team All-State among his awards. Preston Allessio was honored on December 11, 2025 in Chicago at the United Soccer Coaches Convention being named ALL-AMERICA. His parents Anthony and Pam along with his sister Sara are so proud of Preston’s accomplishments.

Greece’s Fencing Coach Giannis Notaras was in Boston for the World Junior Fencing

Championships on January 18, 2025. Coach Giannis Notaras arrived from Greece with talented Alina Kouroussi the number one ranked fencer in the junior category. Kouroussi won first place in the junior championships in 2023 and was the Champion of Europe. While enjoying his time in Boston Coach Notaras visited Boston College and Boston College Fencer senior Artemis Christeas. Christeas trained at the Apollon Fencing Club since 2013 under Coach Notaras prior to becoming an Eagle at Boston College. Coach was very proud to see Christeas hard work and improvement at Boston College’s athletic facility. Artemis Christeas has worked hard on her fencing skills and has improved tremendously over the past four years. She was BC Fencing’s Most Improved last season as a junior and was 7-2 at the Tar Heel Invitational. She finished a respectable 28th in the NCAA Regionals in 2023-2024 and is looking forward to this season. ‘En-garde’

Sally Hunter had a great start to her freshman year playing Division 1 Field Hockey for Bucknell University. Sally made an appearance in all 17 games for the Bisons, including starting 15 games. In her first game her career got off to a great start scoring a goal  against the University of Miami. (OH) She would finish her strong freshman year scoring six points and has a very bright future leading Bucknell. 

Sally is from Beverly, Massachusetts and attended Philips Exeter Academy where she was an excellent student-athlete. She lettered in field hockey and lacrosse. She was a very well respected and valuable member of both teams. Sally would receive many awards including being named NFHCA All Region, All NEPSAC First Team, MaxField Hockey All Region for New England and a DCL All-Star her senior year. Sally has her roots on the beautiful island of Mitiline and she is very proud of her Greek heritage. She is majoring in Economics.

The St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church of Orange, Connecticut community attended the Yale  University basketball victory over Dartmouth College on Monday, Martin Luther King day, in New Haven.

The junket was sponsored by the Order of AHEPA , Chapter #98, which treated the Greek Orthodox youth organization (GOYA) to the game, to cheer on the Yale Bulldogs and its’ star forward, John Poulakidas. Chairman of AHEPA’s Hellenic Athletic Hall of Fame Greg Stamos, AHEPAN and St Barbara’s parishioner, organized a post-game meet and greet of John Poulakidas with the GOYANS, where he encouraged the Church’s youth to remain true to their Orthodox faith and Hellenic values. Father Peter Orfanakos and members of Chapter 98 and St. Barbara attended as well.

AHEPA is very proud of AHEPA Hall of Famer University of Texas great Bill Atessis. Atessis

graduated Jesse Jones High School in 1967 where he starred in football, basketball, and baseball. He is considered one of the greatest athletes in Texas High School History. Atessis would play left defensive end from 1967-70 for Coach Darrell Royal’s Epic Texas Longhorns. Atessis established his dominance as one of the most feared players in college football with his size, strength, and athleticism. In his three years as a starter Texas would win back to back National Championships in 1969 and 1970. Atessis teams would set a school record 30-game winning streak one of the best in NCAA history. Bill (Vasili) also played in what sports experts called “The Game of The Century” which featured #1Texas vs #2Arkansas which took place on December 6, 1969, which Texas won 15-14. Atessis would win numerous honors including first team All-American his senior year. Bill played in several College All-Star senior games including the Senior Bowl and the Coaches’ All-America Game in Lubbock, Texas, June 28, 1971. Bill was recognized for his “tremendous game” at the Coaches All-America Game by the NCAA and won the Player of the Game Award. Bill had many career accolades but it is best summed up in The History of Long Horn Sports, Bill Atessis was the best defensive player on one of the ten greatest teams in college football history. Bill would play for several professional teams including the Colts, Patriots, and Cardinals but had several injuries that shortened his career. Bill is a very proud member of AHEPA’S Houston Chapter 29 and also on the AHEPA Athletic Hall of Fame Committee.

Alex Klapes a native of Newton, MA, with roots in Sparta and Kozani, Greece.Alex Klapes

graduated from Newton South High School in 2020. While at Newton South, Klapes was a two-sport varsity athlete in hockey and baseball, serving as the captain of both teams. He was named a league all-star during his senior hockey season, and a Boston Herald ‘Top Player to Watch’ as he entered his final high school baseball season. Furthermore, while in high school, Klapes was notorious for his excellent leadership. He received the school-wide recognized Sportsman of the Year Award, the Dual County League Sportsmanship Award, and the ED Aronson Award, which are all given to athletes who display exemplary sportsmanship, character, and leadership. He continues his baseball playing career in the Boston Yawkey Baseball League, where he was named Gold Glove winner as a first baseman in the 2024 season.

After graduating from Newton South, Klapes was asked to come back and serve as the assistant coach for both the hockey and baseball teams. Since 2020, he has been coaching at Newton South while simultaneously attending Bentley University. In 2024, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Bentley University with a degree in Business Management. Recently, as a young 22-year-old, Klapes was named Head Coach of the Newton South varsity baseball team. While coaching, Klapes is known to foster great relationships amongst his players. They will open their season this spring against cross-town rivals, Newton North. Finally, Klapes never forgets his ancestral roots and stays in close touch with his Greek heritage. He is a proud member of the Order of AHEPA Athens Chapter 24 and is greatly involved in his church, the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Boston.

The Saint Nectarios community recently honored their first GOYA basketball team captain Atty. Nick Kourtis. Kourtis was on the first Agios Nectarios GOYA basketball team in 1976, which entered the GOYA League in Boston which was a highly competitive league. The games were played at Hellenic College in 1976, under the directorship of Bill Souris. Current dedicated GOYA Coaches Mike Condakes and Tony Kariotis introduced Nick Kourtis to this year’s team members. Nick Kourtis is a role model that has set a great example as an Archon, Ahepan, Alpha Omegan and Hellenic community leader for these young men. Kourtis has also worked closely with the Hopkinton 26.2 Foundation on Marathon Essays which promotes the Hellenic roots of the marathon.

Every Kuriakee ON AIR WNTN Grecian Echoes WNTN1550AM from Boston “The Athens of

America” The one and only Greek-American Sports show “THE BENCHWARMERS”

Hosted by Greek radio legend Ted Demetriades, Bill Galatis, Nick Ypsilantis, and Nick

Markopoulos.

Greek Hoop Scoop- Check it out an amazing site about all things about Greek Basketball. They cover Greek and Orthodox basketball tournaments individual players, teams, and much more. Editor Terry Poulos, is a long-time sports columnist for The Greek Star and Windy City Greek.com as well as a Greek American media journalist.

The 95 th NHIBT-National Hellenic Invitational Basketball Tournament will take place in

Chicago on March 28-30th, for High School and Senior Divisions. The tournament will be here before you know it. NHIBT President Dr. Peter Petrovas is urging community leaders to enter a team from their community. For more information go to NHIBT website.

OLI MAZH STO CHICAGO! OPA!

Greek Idiom- Kane to koroiido - He plays dumb

Greek Philosophy- The beginning is the most important part of the work. Plato

Greek American Sports wants to thank everyone who has supported all of our grass

roots effort this past year on our platforms on the web, Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook, and other Greek-American, Greek and Cypriot sites that shared our Greek-American athletes stories and accomplishments. The response has been amazing! We have been told by community leaders that the Greek American Sports Initiative work is incredibly important to our community and is really important for our young Greek American Athletes to be featured, promoted, and finally have a voice. As we look ahead to 2025 our commitment remains unwavering to our youth and we try to bring positive messages for our children, families, and our world wide Hellenic community through sports. Our next post in February will  feature many sports with a focus on basketball. Please share our Facebook and Instagram Posts. Keep sending athlete and sports community submissions to our E-MAIL

 greekamericansports@gmail.com   GAS is now collaborating with many other sites and organizations helping to unify our community and to enrich the tapestry of Greek American life.

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