Senior Sebastian Magherini, wide receiver and safety for the Westfield football team, announced his commitment to Salve Regina University on Feb. 7 via Instagram.
Salve Regina University is located in Newport, RI, consists of 2,117 undergraduate students and is a Division III athletic school. Last year, the Seahawks ended with an overall 6-4 record. “It was down to Muhlenburg or Salve, it was really neck-and-neck but I loved Salve’s location and the guys I met on the visit. They were just like me and I knew this was my spot just being with them [the team] for the night,” Magherini said.
Magherini started football his sophomore year of high school and played on varsity both junior and senior year. Junior year he had 402 yards with 5 touchdowns. Senior year he had 1056 yards, more than double of his junior year, 4 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
Senior teammate Enzo Ferrero said, “Sebby is a great teammate. He is somebody who always wants the best for his teammates and will do anything to help the team be in the best position to win. We are like a 1-2 punch. It’s pretty much pick your poison. If you try and cover me he’s open you try and cover him I’m open. It’s perfect really.”
“Westfield shaped the player I am by teaching me work ethics. It showed me accountability and all the coaches taught me everything I know. They made me want to give my full effort every practice and that’s really how I got where I am,” Magherini said.
Head coach Matt Andzel described Magherini as an athlete with “good speed” and “agility.” Playing both wide receiver and safety, Andzel said, “Sebby’s elusive. He has good hands and can play offense and defense which was solid for us. He was able to help us out in all three phases of football this year, offense defense and special teams. He’s a personal player, gets along with everybody.”
Looking forward to Salve Regina, Magherini is “excited to meet all the new guys” and be with “the team all together.” Andzel said, “He is going to bring good energy to Salve Regina. I’m excited to see what he does. There’s always gonna be a jump when you go to the next level, but I think Seb will be fine.”
Reflecting on Westfield football, Magherini made all-division and all-conference teams in both junior and senior years. Magherini feels he will always remember “the Union game this year and how the student section was packed.” He said, “Everyone was there, my whole family and that was a game down to the wire, ending on the last-second drive. Winning that game as a team shaped me to be the player I am and I will never forget it.”
