Senior Sam Blumberger signing his letter of intent to play soccer at Bloomsburg University.
Sam Blumberger, a senior at Bacon Academy, recently signed his National Letter of Intent to play soccer at Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg, PA. “I am extremely excited to announce that I have committed to further my academic and athletic career at Bloomsburg University,” stated Blumberger. “I’d like to thank all of my coaches, friends, teammates, and especially my family for helping me.” Blumberger, a four-year varsity player with the Bobcats, earned all-conference this fall after leading the team in both goals and assists. “Sam is never satisfied,” Bacon Academy soccer head coach Skip Starks said. “Sam's relentless desire to improve in all facets of his play will certainly allow him success as he begins his college level play this fall. “ Blumberger said he chose Bloomsburg because the university had an ideal blend of academic and athletic needs, adding, “It was a perfect fit for me.” He will study business and law and will join his new Huskies teammates next fall, playing for second-year head coach Mark Bassett who led the team to nine wins during his first season on the sidelines. “Coach [Bassett] reached out and I went up to camp and played well,” recalled Blumberger, who then went back for an official visit and made the decision. Blumberger’s list of athletic accomplishments at Bacon Academy is vast, also playing basketball, lacrosse, and participating in Unified Sports. “Sam's legacy, as part of the Class of 2022, will be felt for years to come,” added Starks. “The younger players have learned from his example on the field as an elite player and off the field as a top student and volunteer contributor to our community.” Outside of athletics, Blumberger is part of DECA (a business club) and PAL (personal leadership club). This past fall was both successful as an individual and from a team standpoint. Bacon Academy won 11 regular season games and two state tournament contests, finishing as the No. 3 ranked team in Class M, as Blumberger was named to the All-Eastern Connecticut Conference (ECC) first-team. His high school coach added that as good as his talents are, his drive is even better. “Very few players come back to the field after practice when everyone has gone home to improve specific aspects of their game. I have witnessed Sam do just that,” said coach Starks “Great players do the additional work without being instructed to do so and Sam is an example of that top-level player. His coaching staff at Bloomsburg is adding a player ready to play, learn, work and succeed.” Blumberger said he will miss his friends and the environment surrounding high school sports the most, but is ready for the next challenge, adding, “I’ve been dreaming of this since I was a kid.” Before leaving for Pennsylvania, Blumberger is still doing his part to help the community of Colchester and beyond. For the past four years, he has organized and ran a sock drive—”Stars, Socks & Stripes” —collecting socks for military veterans in need through the American Legion. The drive is currently collecting socks through April 18 with donation boxes at Bacon Academy High School, Craigin Memorial Library, and the Colchester Town Hall.
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Meghan Croyle (l) of East Catholic High School and Mary McKiernan of Glastonbury High School each made all-state as the Storm girls' ice hockey team won 14 games during the 2021-2022 season.
The Storm girls’ ice hockey team made the state semifinal for the first time since 2017, winning a total of 14 games this winter. Head coach Frank Usseglio has been coaching the co-op team—consisting of players from Glastonbury, East Catholic, South Windsor, Rockville, and Tolland— since it first started as a club sport a dozen years ago. The 2021-2022 season was the team’s 10th as an official varsity sport. Usseglio said this winter’s squad was a good blend of senior leadership and youthful talent, adding, “We had a very successful season. We made it to the state semifinals, which is indicative with how well we did. The girls battled really hard.” The Storm won 12 regular season games in the regular season, including a pair of out-of-state games, before defeating Trumbull-St. Joseph in the opening round and Stamford-Staples-Westhill in the quarterfinals of the state tourney. Their season came to an end following a loss to the eventual-state champion Rams of New Canaan in the semifinals. “I thought we played [New Canaan] tough. They were an undefeated team and it was a big hill to climb but that doesn’t diminish the success that we had during the season,” added Usseglio. The semifinal loss was the last for seven seniors, who will exit the program after four years of excellence. Prior to the seniors arriving, the team was coming off a 3-19 season. Over the past four years, the group helped the Storm make the postseason and win at least one tourney game in all four seasons. Seniors Meghan Croyle (East Catholic) and Mary McKiernan (Glastonbury) made all-state this season. Croyle ended her career as the program's second leading goal scorer, finishing her high school career with 106 points, including 40 points (23 goals / 17 assists) this winter. “I don’t think we have had a player that is more driven than her,” Usseglio said of Croyle. “Obviously she is a tremendous hockey player, but in addition she is a really special person. She chose to spend all of her energy making this team better. Players like that are hard to find and hard to replace.” McKiernan, a defender, earned all-state recognition for the second consecutive year. Out of necessity, Usseglio played McKiernan on offense for parts of the season and the adaptable McKiernan thrived on both ends. “Mary is an extremely selfless player. She is a great person and great leader” said Usseglio. “She has been one of our top defenders for four years and she ended up with 12 goals in her senior season. She is such a clutch player, most of her goals came in the last five minutes of games and many were involved in game-winning or tying goals.” Croyle, McKiernan, and senior goal Maren Riley (East Catholic) made all-conference. The three will be departing the program, along with Molly Edgington, Olivia Lonski, Kate Fradin, and Anna Pasterick. The seven left an impression on Usseglio, who said, “It was a special group of seniors and a special year. We’re awfully proud of them.” “They are highly skilled players and they are all really special kids that have strong character,” added Usseglio. “We had a strong locker room and in hockey or any team sport the locker room is very important. They were a cohesive group that incorporated everyone from the freshmen to their peer seniors.” Usseglio added that he had several younger players stepped up this winter, including Glastonbury High sophomore Maddie Archambault. “She was a defender last year and due to our depth she didn’t get a lot of playing time. This year she came in and her skill set translated to playing forward,” Usseglio said of Archambault, who finished with a dozen points. “She played a majority of her time on the first line and she was a good defender. She was a key component to the line, both offensively and defensively.” Along with helping build the Storm from the ground up, Usseglio has also been on the forefront of the development of girls’ ice hockey in the state. The sport began to take off around the turn of the century when a handful of teams were established in 2001. The co-op of East Catholic-Glastonbury-South Windsor were partially responsible for taking the sport to the next level when they were named co-champions after battling to a 2-2 double-overtime tie with Simsbury in the 2015 title game. Because the game ended in a tie, crowning two champions, the game received national media attention. Following the game and because of the growing popularity of the sport, the Connecticut High School Girls Hockey Association (CHSGHA) was formed and the teams were split into two conferences. The following season, the first official CHSGHA state tournament was held and over the next two years the league grew from eight teams to a dozen. There are currently 21 teams that compete in the CHSGHA. “It’s incredible how much deeper and more competitive that Connecticut girls ice hockey is now. It’s awesome,” said Usseglio. “Every game is a fight and it’s because the talent level and depth is so much more substantial than it used to be. Usseglio added, “It has really taken off and we’re proud of where the sport has gone.” Jack Petrone, a junior at Glastonbury High School, won a U.S. Skiing Junior National Championship at Utah’s Olympic Park in Park City, Utah.
Petrone called the entire experience “surreal” and added that the win was the great way to finish off a memorable couple of days in an incredible venue. “Being with all of [the other skiers] in the same spot and competing against them is something that we normally don’t do, so it is extra special when we’re all together.” Petrone defeated a strong national field in the downhill mogul, a freestyle event consisting of a timed run on a steep, heavily ridged course, stressing technical turns, aerial maneuvers and speed. In the mogul competition, skiers are judged and scored on three criteria. 60% is judged on the technicality of the turns, 25% is judged on the form and difficulty of the air jumps, and 15% is scored on speed. At the event, the top 80 males—18-years or younger—across the United States each get two mogul runs. The judges narrow the field down to the top 20 skiers, who then perform an additional run to determine the champion. Petrone edged the top-20 after completing what he called “the perfect run” adding, “It was by far my best one of my season. It all fell together when I needed to.” It was the local skiers second year in a row competing at the massive facility, which was originally built to house the 2002 Winter Olympics when they took place in Utah two decades ago. “Last year I was super hyped to ski where all the greats have skied and this year I just focused in and got it done,” added Petrone. He entered the competition with a top-five ranking, but was unsure of how well he would fare after recently sustaining a sprained Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) after taking a spill into the woods and a concussion on a jump. The setbacks had no effect and the result was the first national championship for the 17-year old. He had previously won regional competitions, but never a title on a national stage. Petrone trains at the Killington Mountain School, which is based out of Killington, Vermont. His parents, James and Mary Petrone, originally met at Killington Mountain and the family made it a tradition to frequent the resort when he was growing up. Petrone then started training at the Vermont-based school on the weekend program, eventually moving up to the one month program and has now trains in the four-month program, which he has done since entering high school. Along with making him a national champion, skiing has also allowed Petrone to travel the world, which he called “the coolest part.” Last year he skied in Finland, saying his first time in Europe was “an eye-opening experience.” Canada, Colorado, Utah, and a tour of the East Coast were also destinations over the past 12 months. Now that the competitive skiing season is over, Petrone turns his attention to the baseball diamond, where he plays for the GHS. He also plays football for the school, earning all-conference as a physical running back and linebacker for the Guardians in the fall. This summer he will train on the slopes in either Canada or Mount Hood, Oregon. He’ll ski one more season at the junior level before competing against the best-of-the-best. Petrone said that his goal is to continue to compete around the world in hopes of one day qualifying for the Olympic Games. Cromwell High School’s Emily Sousa finished the winter season with a pair of prestigious honors.
The junior was named as the Shoreline Conference (SLC) Cheerleader of the Year on February 26 and then was named to the All-State cheerleading team in March. “Being honored as the player of the year and as an all-state cheerleader felt truly amazing. It was a fulfilling experience to see all my hard work from my years of cheer be rewarded,” said Sousa. Sousa’s three years at the high school have been extremely productive. Along with helping lead the cheer squad, she has been a part of CHS’s student council for all three years as well as the National Honor Society, excelling in honors and AP classes. She is also part of the Prom Committee and Publicity Committee at the school, as well as sings in the Select Choir. When she has extra time she enjoys volunteering with the Cromwell Youth Cheer program, teaching young cheerleaders fundamentals and helping choreograph competition routines. After a year without competition due to the pandemic, Cromwell cheerleading won a conference crown by capturing the SLC championship in February. Sousa, Bridget Russ, Madison Rhodes, Makaela Wasik, and Rebecca Lewis all received all-conference recognition. “CHS cheer is special to me beyond words. My girls and my coach are like my sisters. They have been my support system for cheer and everything beyond it,” said Sousa. “The bond we have built this year will last a lifetime and I would do anything for any of them. They are all full of talent and I was so glad to be cheering by their side this competition season.” The team finished fifth at the Class S state championship on March 5 and will look to defend their SLC conference title a year from now when Sousa is a senior. Sousa hopes that next year is equally fruitful, adding, “Cheer is so special to me because it has brought me such happiness the past 11 years and has created a second family for me.” Rocky Hill senior Tyreice Dominique, pictured with head coach Rich Dance, has committed to play football and study criminal justice at Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire.
Rocky Hill senior Tyreice Dominique has left a lasting impression on all of his teammates, coaches, and the community. This past season, Dominique impacted both sides of the ball—starting at quarterback and defensive back—earning all-state honors for a Rocky Hill team that won five games, the program’s most win since 2017. Rocky Hill’s ‘Human Highlight Film’ will now continue his gridiron career at Franklin Pierce University where he will join an up-and-coming Ravens football program in New Hampshire next fall. Dominique said one of the main reasons he chose Franklin Pierce is because he would have a chance to start right away, adding “I am part of a small percentage of guys that can play in college, so it’s unreal.” Rocky Hill head coach Rich Dance said that Dominique embraced and thrived in any challenge the coaching staff ask of him, even when they approached him to play quarterback. “He didn’t want to at first, but he worked so hard on his own. That says a lot, what you do when nobody is watching,” added Dance. A fter a year lost to the Covid-19 pandemic, Dominique returned this past fall in the best shape of his life, willing and ready to play ‘ironman’ football. The dual-threat field general ran for 1200 yards and threw for 661 more. He also lived up to his initials T.D, scoring seven touchdowns on the ground and four more through air. “He had no experience playing quarterback before and he put the offense on his back,” recalled Dance. “We had a great line and great receivers, but the offense ran around Tyreice.” On the defensive side, Dominique registered a team-high five interceptions and added three pass deflections. His production was vast, yet his coach said it was another trait that allowed him to flourish as a leader. “He has incredible toughness. I knew he was athletic, I knew he was fast and agile, but what I found out this year was how tough he was,” added Dance. “He’s not a big kid but he never missed a down. He took a beating, but he got up every time and played every single down.” Dominique's ability to take a hit and keep ticking bled over to his teammates. Senior captain Sean Asante recalled seeing Dominique’s football fortitude during a season-opening win over East Catholic. “He was tired and completely drained and I was thinking he definitely needs to take a break, but he just kept going and that was something that helped us win the game,” said Asante. “Looking at how hard he has worked has definitely made me a better player. It made me work harder for everything I do.” Junior captain Alex Peruta added that Dominique showed him the importance of playing with passion and about what it’s like to be a leader, saying that Dominique would text him in the middle of the night about strategy for upcoming games. “He always put his heart out there on the field and sometimes when things aren’t going your way people will give up, but Tyreice was always playing as hard as he could. That was really inspirational,” added Peruta. Dominique is leaving the comforts of Rocky Hill, yet he’ll have some familiar faces around him in Rindge, NH next fall. Franklin Pierce’s 2022 recruiting class includes Newington’s all-state gadget player Austyn Howe and Manchester’s all-state quarterback Adrian Parker, who Dominique grew up with in Manchester before moving to Rocky Hill following his freshman year. The Ravens, who are coming off a winless season, are reconstructing a roster full of local talent. “Everybody loves the underdog. I love the underdog, so being part of the team that is on the way up is cool. They really put value into the team,” said Dominique. Franklin Pierce recruited him as a defensive back and he prefers to play safety, but his position versatility and athleticism will allow him to excel anywhere on the field. Dominique, who has also played receiver, said his experience playing quarterback gives him an edge, adding, “It has helped me know or predict where the ball may be going. I can tell when the quarterback is leaning to one side or about to pump fake it, so it does help a lot.” “I can’t say how much he’s meant to the team,” Dance said of the departing Dominique. “He made the coaches better, he made the players around him better, and it’s been a pleasure to coach him.” Dominique, who will major in criminal justice in college, said he looks forward to the next-level competitions, adding, “I can’t wait to get started.” PHS sophomore Luke Stennett returns as the Highlanders top golfer after winning the Division IV championship as a freshman last spring.
Portland High School golf is coming off a state championship last year and hopes to duplicate that performance this spring. Head coach Joseph Santavenere is entering his 10th season coaching the Highlanders, leading them to four state titles during his tenure. Last spring he guided a young group to a Division IV state championship, defeating runner-up Immaculate by eight strokes. “I thought we’d be competitive but I didn’t know to what degree and the depth that we’d have,” Santavenere said of championship last June. “A lot of the kids we have from the top down worked really hard.” Three of the team’s top four golfers from last season’s title team will be returning with an added offseason under their belts. Sophomore Luke Stennett is back and better than ever after finishing first overall, shooting even-par to win the Division IV individual championships as a freshman. Stennett said the team’s overall support allows him to succeed as an individual, adding, “Just being a part of this amazing team gives me the confidence to be me and play the best I can.” Along with winning the state title, Stennett was also named the Shoreline Conference (SLC) Player of the Year. “What I have seen so far is he is on another level than he was a year ago. I am expecting a really good year from him,” Santavenere said of Stennett. Quinn Lapinski also flourished during his first season on the high school links, making first-team all-conference and finishing tied for 15th overall at the state tourney. Sophomore Joseph Lamalfa, now a junior, tied for 17th at states. Santavenere said both Lapinski and Lamalfa worked hard in the offseason and are shooting really well entering this spring. The seasoned coach said he knew he was getting a strong group entering the program because he teaches at Brownstone Intermediate School in Portland. He recalled having Stennett in his class in the fifth grade while the golfing prodigy was already competing in local tournaments. This is a unique year for boys’ golf in the state. Many high school golf programs shifted to the fall this school-year when the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) gave the option for programs to compete in either the fall or spring. Recently there has been discussion that the CIAC may want to move all of golf to the fall. It’s a notion that Santavenere opposes. “In a small town like Portland we have multi-sport athletes and I don't want to put those kids in a position where they have to choose. We get a lot of soccer players and football players, and if we moved to the fall we would potentially lose those kids,” said Santavenere, who added he has seen the number of golfers nearly double since he took over the program. “We started out with 8 or 9 my first year and now we’re at 15 to 16 kids in the program.” Athletes like high-profile twins Owen and Hannah Brunk, who are all-conference players in football and soccer respectively, would have to choose between golf and their respective fall sports. Both Brunks are back for their senior year on the links, as is Eli Evison who just wrapped up an all-conference season on the basketball courts. Santavenere said Evison joined the program just last year and now looks like a more complete golfer, adding, “He was pretty raw last year, but his ball striking has come a long way. He put in the work in the offseason.” If golf were moved to the fall, Santavenere fears that he might lose some of these top-end talents. “We have really good athletes. I encourage them to play as many sports as they can and I’m not one of those coaches that wants them to focus just on golf,” added Santavenere. “I think you’re better off when you’re well-rounded and working different muscles and doing different movements in the offseason,” The Highlanders have a full slate of matches this year, including three straight at home to begin the season when they welcome Coventry (April 5), North Branford (April 14), and East Catholic (April 14) to Portland Golf Course. Santavenere said coming into the season as the defending champs has its benefits, adding, “It’s been nice because there is a confidence with the kids and it’s about who wants to be a part of that next run.” Sennett added that he’s excited to get his second season on the high school links underway. “Our main goal for this season is to get better every day and keep lowering that score one shot at a time,” added Stennett. “I'm so proud to be a part of this amazing team. We can’t wait to show everyone what we are capable of.” Gyanna Russell dominated the local basketball courts from 2014-2017, finishing as the all-time leading scorer in the history of the East Hampton High School girls’ basketball program.
Russell recently wrapped up a five-year college career at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), duplicating the success she had on the high school courts. “It has been everything I wanted. I have nothing but great things to say about my five years at SNHU,” Russell said of her time in Manchester, NH. “I honestly could not have gone through it if we didn’t have such a great support system in regards to my advisors, professors, and coaches. It is very sad that it is coming to an end.” This past winter she enjoyed her most productive college season to date, averaging a career-high 13.1 points to go along with 5.5 rebounds per game as the Penmen finished with 21 wins and made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1990. They also won the regular season conference championship and hosted a regional tournament for the first time in school history. “This season has been the best time I have had playing basketball. I have never been on a team as close and I’ve never felt such a family atmosphere as I do with this team,” said Russell, who called her teammates her best friends. Unfortunately with five games left in the season, Russell’s college career was cut short in a game against Bentley on Feb. 12. The 5’9” senior was hit from behind on a layup attempt, tearing both her Anterior Crucial Ligament (ACL) and meniscus in her knee. Despite the fact her final collegiate season ended abruptly, Russell remained positive and an active member of the team “Even being on the bench and being able to cheer on my team and being with them through the historical season we had was absolutely amazing,” added Russell, who joked she would have given her left leg in order to play out the season. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Russell had a gap year in 2020-2021 when competitive basketball was halted at the college. The fortunate part for Russell—along with the rest of college athletes— is that she was given an additional year of eligibility and could take graduate level courses. Russell took full advantage of the situation, making lemonade out of lemons. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with concentration in organizational leadership and this June she will be graduating with my Masters of Business Administration (MBA) with a sports business concentration. On the courts this winter, the prolific Russell also earned Northeast-10 all-conference honors and joined an elite class, becoming a 1,000 point scorer in both high school and college. Her 1,478 points is the program’s high mark at EHHS and in early February she eclipsed the four-digit milestone at SNHU, finishing with 1,022 points in college. “I had a lot of support from my coaches and my teammates,” Russell said of the achievements. “It’s been overwhelming the amount of support and backing that I got.” Russell added that one of her favorite moments at SHNU was when her college roommate Karlee Ziliak also reached the 1,000 point mark. The teammates achieved the feat within two weeks of one another. She added that her college success is the result of many long hours in the gyms and at the parks while growing up in Belltown, crediting her parents, friends, teachers, and support from the East Hampton community. Russell specified longtime East Hampton resident Deb McKinney as someone that not only showed support when she played for the high school, but also came to many of her games in New Hampshire. In high school, Russell made all-conference all four years and was named all-state following her junior and senior seasons. She was also named the Shoreline Conference (SLC) Player of the Year following her senior season in which she averaged 26 points and 12 rebounds per game. “Having the career I had at East Hampton really helped me in college,” she said. “I really can’t thank my parents and high school coach for all that he did.” East Hampton girls’ basketball head coach Shaun Russell (no relation) remembers the 2017-graduate as an incredibly hard worker who never took plays off, adding, “Gyanna was one of the all-time great teammates that we have had in our program. She made everyone around her better and was willing to do whatever the team needed to give us the best opportunity to win.” “Gyanna is a great role model for her younger teammates and all young people in general and she has represented herself, her family, her team, her school and her community in the best possible ways over the years,” added coach Russell. “I am thankful for everything she has done for me and our basketball program and I look forward to watching her continue to achieve in the next chapters of her life.” The Russell family legacy continues to this day at EHHS. Gyanna’s father, Todd Russell, played for the school and now her sister, Jackie Russell, was recently earned all-conference following her sophomore season at the school. “I love watching [Jackie] play and I love being that older sister that gives her a little push here and there and support. I can’t express how proud I am of her,” Gyanna said of her younger sibling. “To hear now that she is getting the college exposure that she deserves is the icing on the cake and I can't wait to see where her future goes.” Upon graduating with her master’s degree in June, Russell eventually plans to pursue a career in the hospitality field. However, she hasn’t completely shut the door on her career on the court. “Going through this whole process, both mentality and physically of being hurt, I don’t know if I am quite ready to give up basketball.” After rehabbing from the surgery to repair the torn knee ligaments, she will reassess her roundball future. Russell said she may consider continuing her education and play basketball overseas, possibly in Ireland, adding, “I’m not sure if I’m ready to hang the shoes up yet.” Christian Kaverud will return as the Guardians top singles player. Kaverud, a junior, has committed to play college tennis at Southern New Hampshire University after graduting from GHS in 2023.
Boys Track & Field Head coach Mark Alexander has a senior-filled team returning for the spring season following a solid 8th place finish in the Class LL championships during winter’s indoor season. The winter season was highlighted by the 4x400 relay team earning all-state and qualifying for the New England Championships. Alexander said the winter season was a good measuring stick for the athletes heading into the outdoor season. Michael Sardo and Joseph Accurso lead a deep group of runners, spanning all the distances. Sardo and Accurso are joined by fellow seniors Jackson Stone, Jack Schaffner, Kevin Clarke, Thomas Ryen, Alex George, Michael Maciolek, and Cody Stone. Juniors Dominic Pena, Harrison Krause, Ben Yalof, Jackson Boyd, Cameron Colletti, Kalym Richards, Jonathan Wihbey, Max McCurdy, along with sophomores Aiden Katzman and Tye Karpicky will also be counted on this spring. “I am looking forward to this spring and watching these guys improve as track and field athletes. There is a sense of motivation and excitement this spring. We had a lot of younger athletes get a lot of experience last spring and are ready to make the jump up to the varsity level,” added Alexander. “Our conference is the toughest in the state with Hall, Conard, Avon, and Simsbury and the team will be ready to put their best foot forward against tough competition.” The Guardians are slated to have four home meets, starting with a showdown with Southington at GHS next Tue., April 5 at 3:45 p.m. Girls Track & Field Head coach Brian Collins is hoping his team can duplicate the Class LL title from last spring—which also included a runner-up finish in the State Open. The Guardians are also coming off an indoor winter season in which they capture a Class LL championship in February. The Guardians are again stacked in all areas with plenty of runners, jumpers, and throwers. Key athletes returning will be: Lucy Bergin, Hannah Caiola, Jackie Caron, Riley Carroll, Sarah Christina, Kate DeSousa, Liv Dickson, Jackie Dudus, Alex Edwards, Haley Evans, Jenna Fradin, Lila Garbett, Ava Gattinella, Alyssa Healy, Anna Hilary, Kylie Hilliard, Annika Hurley, Brianna Jordan, Rebekah Kilgore, Allie Lips, Kelley MacElhiney, Anna Morris, Mikayla Nedder, Sarah Ongley, Annika Paluska, Cici Ryan, Meghan Smith, Layla Spann-McDonald, Zoe Spann-McDonald, Amanda Steckler, Sophia Urban and Jocelyn Wolf. Collins said that although they have lots of pieces coming back, they graduated a lot of experience from lasts spring’s championship team. “It will take a lot of commitment, hard work daily and dedication from all of the athletes to have the same type of success that the team had last year,” said Collins, who added he likes how well-rounded the team is. “It’s a talented group of returning athletes and with some development of some new athletes it could be a very successful season.” The Guardians are scheduled to have five home meets, beginning against Southington at GHS next Tue., April 5 at 3:45 p.m. Boys Lacrosse Head coach Scott Hinchey brings back a hungry bunch that helped win 10 games, including a state tournament contest a season ago. Hinchey believes the team is equipped with strong leadership and enthusiasm from the senior class. On the field, he added on the team will rely on speed and athleticism in the midfield and a lot of balance on the offensive end. Senior captain Kayden Hinchey, who led the team in scoring in 2021, will return to lead the attack. Coach Hinchey called his field general the “QB of the offense providing balance with both scoring and setting up his teammates.” Senior Warren Channing and junior Brady Stone will also play important roles on the attack this spring. Senior Cole Cummings, a long stick midfielder, will head a talented group in the middle. Coach Hinchey said Cummings is, “great at ground balls [and an] aggressive defender and vocal leader of defense.” Senior Colin Hersom and junior Liam Doyle will be reliable starting midfielders, along with junior Parker Wallace and senior face-off midfielder Zach Caporale Senior Tyler Heaney is a returning starter on defense that will help protect senior goalie Ryan Bell. Hinchey called Bell a “vocal leader and backbone of defense.” "I'm looking forward to this season. I've coached many guys in our senior class since they were in 1st and 2nd grade. We expect to compete for a conference championship and play our best lacrosse heading into the states,” stated Hinchey. “We play a great schedule with many of the top teams in the state along with two strong out-of-state games. Our goal is to improve as a team each and every day and compete as hard as we can every time we hit the field." The team’s first home game is against an out-of-state opponent when they welcome Iona Prep from New York to GHS on Sat., April 2 for a 1:00 p.m. face-off. Girls Lacrosse Head coach Kris Cofiell returns a motivated group that helped the Guardians win 13 of 16 games in the regular season last spring. Christina Guanci, who earned all-conference after scoring 36 goals and leading the team in assists (31), along with Mary McKiernan (17 goals, 26 assist) and Hannah David (21 ground balls) will be the team’s senior captains. Guanci and McKiernan will head the offense, while David will anchor the defense. Returning starters Bridget Clarke (goalkeeper), Sydney Norman (defense), Sydney Shaw (defense), Avery Olchefskie (midfielder), and Steph Koppy (attacker) are back with a season’s worth of experience. Seniors Amelia Carroll (attack) and Grace Mooney (defense) will also play major roles. Cofiell will need to fill some voids, after graduating what she called “a very influential class in 2021”. She added that her seniors “have shown excellent leadership thus far and with their continued efforts we will be having very focused practices so that we can get everyone up to speed and identify each player's important role on the team.“ “We expect that as the season progresses some of our younger returning athletes and those new to varsity will get up to speed and contribute to our success. As always, we will work hard, honor the game, and demonstrate good sportsmanship,” added Cofiell. “Guanci and McKiernan will lead on the attack end as both play integral roles in setting the pace and sets in the attack end. David will be tasked with leading the defensive unit along with Clarke in goal. Clarke continues to shine in goal. She is tough and tenacious.” Cofiell added that Olchefskie will see an expanded role in the midfield and has demonstrated incredible growth in the offseason. The team welcomes RHAM to GHS for the season opener on Thur., April 7 for a 4:00 p.m. start. Boys Tennis The Guardians won 14 of 15 regular season matches and a pair of tournament matches a as team a year ago. #1 singles player Christian Kaverud is back for his junior season and will be tasked with the same duties on the court, as well as assume more of a leadership role. Kaverud said his expanded leadership responsibilities have also helped his confidence and added that he put in a lot of work, on and off the court, during the offseason by hitting the gym to improve his strength. “The offseason was great,” said Kaverud, who recently committed to Southern New Hampshire University for collegiate tennis. “Going Into the season I am very excited and I feel I will do a lot better than I did last year.” The Guardians graduated a great group of seniors last spring, including three all-conference players, but have some experience coming back. They also welcome a robust freshmen class that may be asked to fill some key roles this spring. Kaverud has been impressed with the incoming freshmen, calling them “talented and athletic”, adding, “100% I think we’ll have a good season. We have a very solid team this year with 20 kids on it.” Girls Tennis Head coach Sharon Murphy brings back an experienced line-up that played pivotal roles as the team won all 16 regular season matches and a conference title last spring. Catie Zak, who played in the State Open a year ago, along with Annee Bess Blair, Zoe Gates, and Olivia Lee will be Murphy’s court captains this year. “I believe we will be a strong contender in our conference this year and hope to win it as we did last year. I believe we will have a strong singles lineup this year,” stated Murphy, who added that her captains will battle in training camp to determine the order, “We have a number of other girls to team up for a strong doubles line up as well. I’m looking forward to a winning season with a driven team.” The Guardians welcome Maloney to GHS for the team’s first home match on Mon. April 11 at 3:45 p.m. Girls Crew Head coach Eleanor Dowd brings back an experienced team that had a strong performance during the fall season, setting a program record by placing atop all of Connecticut’s public schools during New England Championships at the Head of the Charles competition. Returning rowers are Brooke Beighau (coxswain), Nicole Jasmin, Meghan Jeroszko, Nora Printy, Emily Shadron and Victoria Serrambana. “These girls were key players last fall and they've really been putting in the work this winter. In regards to the whole team, we have been training hard on the ergs throughout the winter and we are excited to start rowing on the water at Lake Pocotopaug for the start of the season,” said Dowd. “With our continued momentum we are hoping to make an impact at states. Due to Covid, the majority of our team has never participated in a state championship before so the excitement and accompanying stress is a new challenge for us. Riverfront Boathouse will host the Crash 2G 2k Rowing Challenge on Saturday, April 2 at and then the Guardians will host the Mahoney Cup (the team’s official home race) on Sunday, May 8. Girls Golf Ken Barse, the longtime coach of the GHS ice hockey team, takes over the girls’ golf program that finished 7th overall in the spring of 2021. Senior captain Caitlyn Garland, who participated at the state championship a year ago, will head a group and mentor a talented quartet of sophomores in Morgan Peterson, Maya Manzotti, Riley Savidge, and Neeyor Devtale. Barse, a self-described “golf addict”, said he is excited to get started, adding, "This group of girls are so much fun and have worked hard in the off season. I am really looking forward to walking the fairways with them and helping them achieve all their goals.” The team’s season tees-off on Wed, April 6 when they host South Windsor at Glastonbury Country Club. Softball Head coach Karen Costes returns every starter from a season ago when the Guardians won 15 of 20 regular season games, including all six conference contests, and won a pair of state tournament games to advance to the Class LL quarterfinals. Senior pitcher Brooke Tracy, senior catcher Sadie Scurto, senior Molly Edgington, and junior Rayah Snyder will captain the team. Senior Natalie Lessard and sophomore Nabia Crawford will anchor the outfield, while sophomore Gabby Lambert will play infield and spell Tracy on the mound. Costes said the team is looking to build off of last year’s achievements behind the arm of Tracy, the spirit and leadership of Edgington, and the bats of Scurto, Snyder, Crawford, Lambert, and Lessard. “This team is special because we are not just a team, we are a family,” added Costes. “We would give anything for one another and always put the success of our team above the success of ourselves as individuals.” The Guardians open the season at home, hosting Stamford at GHS on Saturday, April 2. First pitch is 12:00 p.m. Baseball The Guardians won 14 games a season ago and will need to replace a strong senior class from last spring. College commits Dan Beagle (Muhlenberg College), Dan Cantafi (Keene State College), Elliot Hamilton (Salve Regina University) and Owen Stephens (Babson College) are slated to return for their senior season, giving the Guardians a deep rotation on the mound and power at the plate. Senior Luke Fahey (outfield) will also play a major role. Juniors Jayden Sgro and Owen Peterson could also make an impact after having great Legion baseball season this past summer. "On paper the potential for a great year is there. Guys just need to step up and perform the way they are capable of," said head coach Dennis Accomando. "The team will be led by a group of seniors, some of whom have great varsity experience." The team starts with three straight road games before returning to Riverfront Park for a bout with Southington on Mon., April 11. First pitch is 4:45 p.m. Boys Volleyball The Guardians have a seasoned senior class returning, all of whom contributed to a 13-win regular season and a state tournament quarterfinal appearance following a pair of tourney wins. Stephen Dayton, Eric Rose, Trey Tennyson, Ryan Hoffman, and Paul Giliberto are the five seniors who will be tasked with picking up where the team left off a season ago. Giliberto led the team in assists (385) and aces (56). Dayton led the team in digs (56) and Rose and Hoffman finished first and second on the team in blocks. Rose, Tennyson, and Hoffman finished third, fourth, and fifth respectively in kills last season. The Guardians open the season at home, welcoming Southington to GHS on Mon., April 4 for a 6:00 p.m. start. Wethersfield seniors (l-r) Ryan Mazur, Anthony Zabielski, and Shane Mazur after helping the Eagles win their first ice hockey state championship since 2007.
Wethersfield ice hockey did the improbable, winning a state championship just two years after transitioning from a co-op team to a town team. The Eagles won the Division II championship game, defeating North Haven 3-0 at People United Center on the Quinnipiac University campus in Hamden on Monday, March 21. It was the program’s first state title in 15 years, dating back to when they defeated New Milford in the Division III championship in 2007. “I forgot how good it feels. You lose your memory after a while,” joked longtime head coach Dennis Tulimieri, who has been coaching the program for nearly four decades. “I’m just very grateful that I have this group of kids to coach.” The underdog—No. 3-seed—Eagles played spectacularly from start to finish, matching intensity with the top-seeded North Haven team from the opening face-off. Goalie Matthew Ruck was particularly brilliant between the pipes. Ruck made 28 saves to register a shutout against a normally high-octane offense that had scored at least one goal in the previous 23 games this season. Ruck, a sophomore, gave credit to the stout defenders that protected the crease. “The defense played amazing; I just made the saves,” said Ruck. “I stayed calm and stayed in my groove. I knew if we don’t let in any goals we would win a state championship.” With under a minute to play in the first period, Ruck thwarted a North Haven attack by making consecutive saves as the teams battled to a scoreless stalemate through the first 15 minutes. Seven minutes into the second period, Jack Millen broke the ice when he found the back of the net (assist from Will McCarter and T.J. Mayfield) at the 8:07 mark. Colby Quinn duplicated that feat five minutes later, scoring a power play goal by weaving through multiple defenders and firing a blast past goalie Jared Anderson with 1:05 to play in the second. Shane Mazur was credited with the assist. Quinn said a 4-1 loss in the regular season finale to North Haven on Feb. 26 added a redemption element to the already emotional-filled title game. “That was huge motivation,” said Quinn, who added the team diligently studied the film from the loss. “We knew we could win this game and it feels absolutely amazing.” McCarter put the finishing touches on the title game, adding an insurance goal with 1:17 left in regulation on an assist from Mayfield and Jay “The Mayor” Socha. It was only fitting that the final goal in the title tilt was scored by the multi-sport McCarter, who achieved a championship double-dip. In the fall, McCarter scored the game-winning goal for the WHS soccer team in the semifinal triumph 1-0 over Gilford, advancing the Eagles to the state championship where they would defeat Fitch in November. “It’s better each time,” McCarter said of his two state titles in a four-month period. “The first one was awesome, but to do it again is absolutely unbelievable.” Wethersfield’s ice hockey championship performance was nearly flawless, but that wasn't the case at multiple points this season for the Eagles, who overcame early-season woes and had to rally from a massive deficit in the quarterfinals of the state tourney. Midway through January, Wethersfield stood at 4-2-2 and had struggled in losses to South Windsor and Sheehan. The tide began to turn after a 4-3 overtime victory over Glastonbury on Jan. 15, prompting a seven-game winning streak. “We just worked hard every day and we kept getting better each day and it showed. We all came together and kept pushing.” said Millen. Then things again looked bleak when the Eagles trailed the co-op of Watertown/Pomperaug 3-0 in the quarterfinals on the state tourney on March 11. Goals from McCarter, Quinn, and a pair from Shane Mazur—including an overtime game-winner—erased the deficit, keeping the Eagles title hopes alive. “I think it was a big wake up call for us. Being down 3-0 we turned our whole game around. We went hard after every puck and won every battle we had to win,” Quinn said of the epic comeback. “That translated to [the rest of] the tournament and now we are state champions.” With all the peaks and valleys this season, coach Tulimieri credited the players for staying resilient through the tough times. Tulimieri has been with the program through several transitions, taking them from a town team to a co-op team and back to a town team during his tenure. “I am of the opinion that this is the greatest sport in the world. Ice hockey is a fraternity of brothers,” said Tulimieri. “The co-op taught us a lot and when you go away from a co-op there are some support functions you lose.” Tulimieri stated that he could tell the team was going to be special this season, adding the team’s eight seniors helped that transition from the co-op to the town team, “The seniors were critical; they did a great job. They made me a much better coach.” Quinn, McCarter, Socha, Mayfield, [Shane] Mazur, [Ryan] Mazur, Charles Martindale, and Anthony Zabielski were the elite eight that celebrated together on the ice as Queen’s “We are the Championship” played over the loudspeakers. “We are a brotherhood here and we all wanted to fight for each other. Nothing was going to stop us,” said McCarter. Quinn added, “After four long years of high school with COVID breaking up the tournaments, it’s unreal. I’m at a loss for words.” Rocky Hill senior Sarah Butler, pictured with parents John and Shannon Butler, signed her letter of intent on March 10 to play college soccer at Lycoming College in Pennsylvania.
Rocky Hill senior Sarah Butler wrapped up four amazing years on the soccer fields at RHHS this fall and will now continue her passions at Lycoming College in Pennsylvania. “I am excited to announce my commitment to Lycoming College to further advance my academic and athletic career. Thank you to my family, coaches, teammates, and friends who have helped me get here,” Butler announced on social media. On March 10, Butler made her commitment official by signing her letter of intent in front of family and friends at Rocky Hill High School. Butler originally sent a video of her playing soccer to the coaches at Lycoming and then invited them to a tournament she played at in New Jersey. “I was looking at schools that have my major,” said Butler, who will study astronomy and astrophysics. “I loved how the coach talked about the program and I liked the school.” The feeling was mutual and the school offered her a chance to play soccer for four more years. Rocky Hill girls soccer coach Annmarie Catania believes that Butler has the tools, on and off the field, to succeed at the next level. “Sarah just has that personality that is inviting to every type of person. The girls gravitate to her, she’s magnetic,” said Catania. “She’s respected by every teammate and has great leadership skills.” Catania stated that she has seen Butler’s confidence grow every season, adding, “She is a highly-skilled player and her [new] team will love her personality and the rest will fall into place. She’s very likable and coachable.” Butler’s senior season at RHHS was special for multiple reasons. The Terriers won their final four games—outscoring the four opponents by a combined score of 26-0—to qualify for the Class S state tournament and then won a memorable tourney game at Tolland on penalty kicks in overtime. Butler, who earned all-conference, described the team as “a family”, adding, “We always supported each other. Through wins, losses, and ties we always stayed close and brought each other up.” Outside of high school soccer, Butler also played Premier travel soccer and participated in indoor track to stay in shape for soccer season. She is also on the school’s Green Team, which is an environmentally conscious club that discusses environmental issues, along with cleaning up parks and beaches. Butler also taught herself to play the ukulele, playing the stringed instrument for the last three years. Next fall, Butler will join a Warriors’ team in Williamsport, PA that is led by head coach Kenny Fern. Fern is entering his sixth year with the program and is credited with turning around the program, leading them to 11 wins a season ago. Butler said is looking forward to all aspects of college life, particularly the increased competition on the soccer fields. |
AuthorSports Editor for the Rare Reminder, Glastonbury Citizen, and Rivereast News Bulletin Archives
April 2024
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