Canton Patch Athlete of the Week: Colby Gavigan

COLBY GAVIGAN: Senior Goalkeeper

NAME OF TEAM:

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: “Colby is the backbone of our team and although he has many good players in front of him, he continues to make the big plays and make everyone else better. Colby is very respected among his peers, coaches and teachers. He has a great work ethic and is a player that rises to his best in the clutch. Colby is rewriting all the goalie records at Canton and has a remarkable resume of achievement.” -Dan Erickson Canton High School Boys’ Soccer Coach and Athletic Director

“I wouldn’t have achieved any success if not for the talented teammates that I’ve had in the past four years. Soccer at Canton High School has a winning and proud tradition and I feel honored being a part of it. Coach Erickson is the reason. He has led all of us in the right direction and makes us expect more from ourselves and to become the best we can be. My parents and family have supported me and have always been there for me. My coaches, especially my goalie coaches, Johnny Grolamo and Tim Fauth, teachers and school have all helped shape me as a person and have given me great memories and a lot of fun.” -Colby Gavigan-

WHY IS HE THE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK?: Colby Gavigan has been the goaltender in every game for the past three seasons for the Canton High School Boys’ Soccer team. In that time, the Bulldogs are unbeaten at home (32-0-9) in the regular season and have lost just one game in two and a half seasons. Colby has a career goals against average of under .50 and has an incredible 36 career shutouts in 58 games to set a new school record. Colby had a string of nine consecutive shutouts as a sophomore, 13 shutouts as a junior and 12 this season as the senior captain. He has led the team to a fourth consecutive Hockomock League Title. Colby led the Bulldogs to a 2-0 shutout over Franklin, this past Tuesday, for the team’s second consecutive Hockomock League Classic Cup Championship and finish the regular season 10-1-6.

FAVORITE CAREER ATHLETIC MOMENT: As an 8th grade baseball player when he and his team advanced all the way to the Junior League World Series in Taylor, Michigan.

STATISTICS: This season, Colby has 12 shutouts and had four consecutive, a week ago. He has allowed only eight goals this year in 17 games played, leading the Bulldogs to another Hockomock League title. He is a two-time Hockomock League All-Star.

FUTURE GOALS: To play college soccer and major in Sports Management/Marketing. His college choice is currently undecided.

NEXT UP: The Division-2 State Tournament. Canton has advanced to the South Sectional semifinals in each of the last five seasons, has won four consecutive Hockomock League Championships and is the defending Sectional Champion.

WHATS ON YOUR IPOD: Colby enjoys country music.

OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL: Colby also will be the captain of the Canton High School Basketball team, where he is known by teammates and opponents as a player who constantly hustles. Colby also enjoys playing video games, street hockey, pond hockey and spending time with his friends and family.

STORY OF INTEREST: Colby had never played soccer as he entered high school. Two days before tryouts, his friends on the soccer team talked him into playing and being the goaltender, since the position was unfilled, and the rest is Canton High School history, as Colby has rewritten the school’s record book.