6/15/2025 – story and photos by Joshua Ross
It is our pleasure to announce this year’s female and male Athlete of the Year presented by College Hype are seniors Grace Maroney and Matty Cummings. Both of these student athletes have shown tremendous leadership on and off the field, made huge impacts on their teams, and battled back over their careers from pretty serious injuries. It’s been a priviledge to follow them over their amazing high school careers.
Female Athlete of the Year
Grace has been a standout in both lacrosse and soccer since her freshman year. One of the few people who could have been named Athlete of the Week every week she competed. Her legacy is marked not only by her remarkable stats and accolades but also by her relentless work ethic, leadership, and character. She’s also one of the toughest players that’s donned the Hingham jersey in many years.
On the lacrosse field, Maroney was a force from the moment she stepped on the turf. This season alone, she tallied an astonishing 93 goals and 23 assists, totaling 116 points, along with 101 draw controls — a testament to her versatility and game-changing ability. Despite missing most of her sophomore year, she leaves Hingham with 296 career points, 259 goals, 290 draw controls, 78 caused turnovers, and 100 ground balls.
Her impact didn’t go unnoticed. Maroney was named a US Lacrosse All-American in both 2024 and 2025, a US Lacrosse All-Academic honoree, and was awarded the US Lacrosse Jackie Pitts Award for the Eastern Massachusetts region — a national recognition celebrating leadership, service, and academic excellence. She was also a two-time Patriot League MVP (2024, 2025), a two-time EMGLCA First Team All-Star, and the 2025 Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
“Grace is one of the best athletes I have ever coached,” said Hingham girls lacrosse head coach Carla Farkes. “She is a daily inspiration to her teammates by her work ethic and her determination to be the best she can be. She holds herself to the highest standard in the classroom and on the field. Grace is a natural goal scorer and dynamic dodger with an excellent shot. She is scrappy on the draw and aggressive all over the field. Her quickness and speed are unparalleled.”
Farkes also praised her leadership and humility. “She may have broken the career points record had she not missed the majority of her sophomore season. Regardless of all the accolades Grace gets, she remains the same humble person, focusing on how she can help her team win. I know she would give them back to still be playing with her teammates wearing her Hingham jersey.”
Grace’s excellence wasn’t limited to the lacrosse field. As a senior captain on the girls soccer team, she helped lead the program with poise and determination, playing a critical role in its success, including a D1 State Championship her sophomore year.
“Grace had an outstanding impact on the entire HHS Girls soccer team this past season,” said head coach April Tremonte. “She truly exemplifies all the qualities of a leader and captain on and off the field. While she has natural athleticism and strength, it is actually her work ethic, determination, grit and positive attitude that make her a fantastic player and person.”
She will continue her athletic and academic career at the University of Notre Dame, where she is set to compete at the Division I level. Her coaches have no doubt she will thrive in the next chapter.
“I know Grace will continue to excel and shine in all aspects of her college career as a student-athlete at Notre Dame,” Tremonte said.
With a career defined by excellence, leadership, and integrity, Grace Maroney leaves behind a legacy at Hingham High School that will inspire athletes for years to come.
Male Athlete of the Year
Matty has made a profound impact on not one, but three varsity sports during his time at HHS. As a standout contributor in soccer, basketball, and volleyball — and a captain in both basketball and volleyball — he leaves behind a legacy defined by leadership, versatility, and character.
His ability to adapt and lead in any setting made him a coach’s dream and a true team-first athlete. Whether it was adjusting his role mid-season in soccer, anchoring a young volleyball program, or guiding his basketball team through early-season adversity, Cummings did it all with humility and determination.
In the fall, he made a significant impact on the Hingham boys soccer team despite facing an early setback.
“It’s a credit to Matt to receive this award,” said head coach Dave Leahy. “In soccer, Matt had an incredible impact on our team. Early in the season, he suffered a concussion. This kept him from heading the ball the whole season, so Matt became a forward for us. He used his athleticism and size and positively affected each game he played in. Matt is smart, athletic, powerful and a great guy.”
As winter arrived, Matty shifted to the basketball court, where he served as team captain and emerged as a critical leader for a program navigating challenges.
“This winter we faced some adversity, and Matt’s leadership was a major part in our growth as a team and a program,” said head basketball coach Bob Kniffen. “Matt led us through our early season struggles with a commitment to the team’s improvement, and that showed with the team’s growth and success in the second half of the season. The growth we saw this year would not have happened without the culture Matt helped create — a positive one that led to the team’s success down the stretch. He’s a player who will be missed at our daily practices but one whose impact will be felt for years to come.”
In the spring, he helped lead the Hingham boys volleyball program, not just as a player, but as a foundational presence in its early years.
“Matthew Cummings has been a significant founding member of boys volleyball at Hingham High School,” said head coach Shawn Nugent. “I can’t imagine either the success or the enjoyment athletes and I have experienced without him. I have yet to coach an athlete that is more thoughtful and helpful than Matty. His natural ability to lead and support teammates is incredible. It has been a privilege to coach Matt.”
Across three demanding sports seasons, Matty exemplified what it means to be a student-athlete at Hingham: selfless, driven, and deeply committed to team success. His ability to positively influence every program he touched made him an obvious choice for this year’s award.
As Matty graduates and heads to Michigan State University in the fall, he leaves behind more than stats or records — he leaves behind a lasting impact on Hingham High School athletics and the teammates and coaches who were fortunate to work beside him.
Congrats to Grace and Matty, all the Athlete of the Week winners, and all the student athletes who competed this year. Enjoy the summer!