Assistant special education administrator Nicholas Capodilupo was named the interim head coach for the 2020-2021 NNHS football season, and health and wellness teacher Kristen Smith will fill the vacancy for girls swim and dive after the former coach retired.
Football
Capodilupo has been at North since 2006. He graduated North in 2002 and his interest in coaching student athletes started when he played football for the school. “Team football to me is an opportunity to connect with a lot of different kids that you may not come across,” he said.
Despite this year’s differences for the COVID-19 pandemic, , Capodilupo is working with the administrative staff to make sure that the students feel safe. “We are here to provide support to the student athletes in a way that is physically safe, emotionally safe, and enriches their high school experience,” Capodilupo said. “It is a positive experience and I am really appreciative of what I am able to do.”
According to athletic director Tom Giusti,Capodilupo “has the right passion and perspective, and he is able to balance sports with a kid’s education.”
Girls’ Swim and Dive
Smith has also become a new coach this year at North this year for the girls’ swim and dive team. Smith ‘’ is also an alumna at Newton North High School. Since graduating, she has coached many swim teams including the Bluefins, South, and Amherst College.
During her time on the team as a student, Smith enjoyed the “team comradery” which was an inspiration for her coaching career. “It is a great community here. The team atmosphere is wonderful and it always has been with the team spirit of being a Tiger,” she said.
According to Giusti, everyone was excited when Smith took the job. “She has a well organized and thoughtful approach towards teaching,” said Giusti. “I think that she will bring stability to the team.”
A total of 46 students have signed up for the swim and dive team, prompting much new talent for the team. “I wanted students to come and participate and build connections,” said Smith. The swim and dive team earned their first win of the season on Wednesday defeating Weymouth 136–47.
