They did it! Michigan has won its first NCAA title since 1997. This is quite the accomplishment. One that would not have been possible without the help of some key players that hail from Massachusetts. Massachusetts has not necessarily been a haven for professional athletes in the NFL in the past however maybe that is about to change. Look what the Pop Warner Dorchester Eagles just accomplished, winning the Pop Warner Super Bowl this year. Talented football players of all ages are right here in Massachusetts and these players on the Michigan roster deserve all the praise.
The stand out of course is Everett’s own Mike Sainristil. The defensive back intercepted Michael Penix Jr. late in the fourth quarter and returned it 81 yards. Two plays later, Michigan would be up 21 points. Mike and his family actually live in Peabody and according to his dad Raymonde who spoke to NBC10 Boston: “I would say ‘proud’ is an understatement, I have no word to describe my feeling and my emotion,” Raymonde Sainristil said. “Mikey is the type of a child that every parent would ask for.”
MICHIGAN PICKS OFF PENIX JR. ON FOURTH DOWN! 😱#NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/Kgh8ua2Rxz
— ESPN (@espn) January 9, 2024
One of Sainristil’s teammates from Everett High School was also on the Michigan team that just won a championship. Josaiah Stewart actually made five tackles in the championship game to hold Washington to 301 total yards.
Bottom line, there is a lot of talent here in Massachusetts and of course we are all so proud of these athletes. Let’s meet the 9 athletes from Massachusetts who helped Michigan win its first national title in decades.