Glastonbury youth football player Noah Colon models new football uniforms. Both football and cheer got a rebranding in the offseason.
When the players and cheerleaders in the Glastonbury Youth Football Association, Inc. (GYFA) return to the gridiron this summer, they will have a fresh look and a new, yet familiar name. Following the conclusion of the 2021 season, the association decided to rebrand and authorized spending of over $60,000 on state-of-the-art helmets and shoulder pads for players, as well as upgraded uniforms for players and cheerleaders, consistent with a new brand and color scheme. “Our players and cheerleaders are some of the best boys and girls that our town has to offer,” said Joe Colon, President of the GYFA. “They deserve to wear the best.” Colon added the upgrade equipment wasn’t because the old equipment was deteriorating, but had more to do with an investment in the athletes overall well-being and the commitment to the town. As in previous seasons, Glastonbury’s players will continue to wear navy blue jerseys and pants at home game. However, for away games the players will wear Carolina blue jerseys and navy blue pants. The players previously wore white jerseys for away games. Cheerleader’s uniforms will be upgraded to reflect the new color scheme as well. Colon said the color pop is “crisp, attractive, and different” from the other teams in the conference. “We wanted to give them the best. They give us the best on the field, so we wanted to give them the best as well,” added Colon This year the teams will also adopt a recognizable moniker – the Guardians. “We are the primary feeder programs for Glastonbury High School,” Colon said. “We hope and respect that each of our boys and girls will move on to play and cheer for the Guardians in high school. When we committed to upgrade our uniforms, it only made sense for us to follow the high school’s lead and change our brand to maintain continuity between our programs and theirs.” Two years ago, GHS changed over from the Tomahawks to the Guardians and the GYFA decided it was time to align with the high school. “We want our athletes to have a sense of pride,” stated Colon. “Our athletes will ideally go into Glastonbury High School and we want our players to have a sense of who they are when they get there.” Above all, Colon added that safety is the top priority and one of the accomplishments that the association is most proud of is that the teams have had zero on-field Covid transmission since the pandemic started. He added that the new equipment, including modernized helmets, will help prevent injuries and make the players safer on the field. “We wanted to look into what the best was out there and we did a lot of research,” Colon said of the new equipment. “It’s an investment and we are an organization that is committed to our customers, which is the boys and girls when you really look at it.” Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Colon added that the number of athletes continues to increase and called this season a “banner year” because of the growing enrollment and the overall buzz surrounding upgraded equipment. “When the players see the new uniforms you can see their excitement,” he added. He credited the focus on safety, along with the commitment from the leadership from the top with changing the perception of the game. “We are committed to giving the student a great experience, but also we pride ourselves that we have great coaches and volunteers in our organization,” added Colon. “We have great coaches that go through training to learn how to teach the game the right way.” The coaches are certified by USA Football, which emphasizes proper tackling technique and contact drills to makes the game more safe. All boys and girls, in grades K-8, residing in the town of Glastonbury may register to play or cheer for the 2022 season at the association’s website www.GYFA.com with practices set to begin on Monday, August 8. For more information, contact Colon directly by emailing yobrancolon@gmail.com or by telephone at 860-680-7558.
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Vincenzo Greco, a soccer star and recent graduate at Glastonbury High School, will continue kicking it in college his fall.
“I’m extremely excited and blessed to announce my commitment to continue both my athletic and academic career playing Division I soccer at Merrimack College,” Greco announced on social media. “I would like to thank my family, friends, coaches and everyone else who helped throughout this process.” Coming into his senior season at GHS, Greco knew he wanted to play soccer at the next level but just didn’t know where. He started out with a large list of schools before ultimately committing to Merrimack after visiting the school’s campus in North Andover, Mass. “I wanted to make sure I chose a school where I could make the roster,” said Greco, who attended a soccer camp at the college in the fall. “[The team] liked what they saw there and they went to see me play a couple of games.” Merrimack plays in the Northeast Conference and is led by longtime coach Tony Martone, who has been guiding the program for over four decades – amassing 412 victories. “I loved his play-style and the way he coaches his kids,” Greco said of Martone. After moving from Glastonbury from Cromwell as a youth, Greco’s parents signed him up for town soccer and he immediately began to excel on the local fields. Once in high school, it didn’t take long for Greco to experience championship success as GHS boys soccer won a state championship when he was a freshman in 2018, bringing the Class LL title back to Glastonbury for the second straight season. Greco spent that first year learning the ropes of high school soccer, watching most of the championship run from the bench. However, he said the feeling of winning the state title set the foundation for his future success on the fields and showed him what it takes to be a champion. Along with playing all four years at GHS, Greco also played for the Connecticut Football Club (CFC) and was a Kaiser Athlete, helping develop his skills against the highest level of competition. He said his passion for the game and his belief that he could play at the next level increased following Covid-19, adding that he “started to take it more seriously and started to set and hit some goals.” His next goal is to be a regular contributor at Merrimack where he will study business administration with a concentration on corporate finance and investment. “The new opportunities are what excite me the most,” added Greco. “My goal, no matter how the season is going, is to make the most on my opportunities.” He leaves GHS following consecutive All-Central Connecticut Conference (CCC) selections as he helped lead Glastonbury to an undefeated season when he was a junior in the fall of 2020 and a state tournament quarterfinals appearance this past season. “The atmosphere of being with your hometown friends every day and being with those guys that you’ve grown up with is what I will miss the most,” added Greco, who credited soccer with his growth beyond the sport. “High school soccer definitely made a mark on me as a person.” (Left) Cromwell High School's Zachary Zajac is headed to Wheaton College (Mass.) to play baseball. Zajac is pictured with CHS head coach Christian Budzik (far left) and parents Elena and Rob. (Right) Panthers baseball star Elias DeLeon will play college baseball at Mitchell College in New London. DeLeon is pictured with CHS head coach Christian Budzik (far left) and parents Sophia and Edwin.
Recent Cromwell High School graduates and star baseball players Elias DeLeon and Zachary Zajac will continue to play baseball at the next level. DeLeon’s home base will remain in Connecticut. “I am very excited to announce that I have committed to Mitchell College to further my academic and athletic career,” DeLeon announced on social media. “I would like to thank all my coaches, teammates, friends, and family for all of their support and guidance.” The Mariners of Mitchell College have become a Division III powerhouse, making the NCAA tournament six times and winning an equal amount of New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) titles during 10 full seasons under head coach Travis Beausoleil. “The coach was a big, big factor. He is a great guy and he showed a lot of interest in me. The facilities are good and I felt comfortable. It was really a vibe,” DeLeon said of his decision. “On top of that, the field was wonderful and all the academics really lined up with what I want to do. Overall it was the perfect fit and the perfect place for me.” After narrowing it down from a half dozen schools, Zajac is headed to Massachusetts. “I am very excited to announce that I have committed my academic and athletic career at Wheaton College,” Zajac announced. “Thank you to my parents, coaches, and friends that helped me throughout the process.” The Lyons of Wheaton are coached by Eric Podbelski, who was named the American Baseball Coaches Association Region 1 Coach of the Year after guiding the team to a New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) championship during his 25th season at the helm this spring. “Wheaton felt like the best campus and felt like home,” said Zajac. Both departing players made immediate impacts on the field at CHS, playing on the Panthers varsity team since freshmen. They have also both played American Legion baseball for the Rocky Hill-Cromwell-Portland team during the summer months. However, each has taken their own path to college baseball. DeLeon served as a multi-tool player for the Panthers over the last four years, leading the team in hits and starring as a shortstop this spring. CHS baseball coach Christian Budzik said DeLeon was a consistent force in the middle of the lineup and was clutch in big spots. “He’s always going to get a big hit. He’s a kid that has a good approach at the plate and in the field we knew he was always going to make plays,” added Budzik. “Even as a freshman he knew his spot and he knew his role. The kids love him. The seniors loved him back then and the freshman love him now. He is going to do great [in college] and he’ll fit right in.” DeLeon credited his Panthers teammates with shaping him into the player he is today, saying, “We had a really good bond; it’s been a really good experience.” “The kids really bring a good environment here,” added DeLeon. “If you don’t have those people to support you throughout your time, it makes it more difficult and they did that for me here.” In New London, he will major in criminal justice and is leaning towards a double major in business. DeLeon added that he wants to join honors programs and focus on academics in college as he joins his Mariners teammates “I’m looking forward to the opportunity,” said DeLeon. “It’s a new chance and a new experience to do different things and I get to play the sport I love. Hopefully I can have some good seasons and we can win some games and some championships.” Zajac became an ace on the mound and added a ton of position versatility for Budzik over the years. “He’s worked hard; he is a tough kid. He lets you coach him and he takes what you say and process it and use it,” said Budzik, who added Zajac’s mental make-up should allow him to succeed at the next level. “Baseball is a mental game and he is mature for his age. He will step right in and have no problem with the mental side of things. Baseball-wise he is talented enough to make an impact right away.” Zajac has multiple interests outside of baseball, playing on the school’s ultimate Frisbee team and has a growing passion for golf. Outside of sports, he enjoys playing cards and working on cars. He leaves Cromwell with a plethora of success, including a pair of memorable moments from the spring of 2021 that stood out as his favorite. First there was his walk-off home run he hit against Old Lyme in the regular season and then there was his no-hit performance from the mound in the state tournament shutout of SMSA. “I loved the environment at Cromwell. It’s a small town, small school, and we know everybody,” said Zajac, who will double major in business and English in college “Now I’m going to compete at Wheaton, one of the best division III schools out there for baseball. I really wanted to go to competitive school and I think I can thrive there. I just can’t wait to go.” Zachary Zajac (left) and Elias DeLeon are both playing American Legion baseball for RCP and each are headed to play college baseball. Brylee Montanari, Nicholas Rivard-Lentz, and Kylee Gravel at the Indoor Track & Field all-state banquet. The three were each selected at Rivereast Standouts of the Year.
It was an amazing year for local teams and athletes at the four local high schools: Bacon Academy High School, East Hampton High School, Portland High School and RHAM High School. For the first time since the COVID cancelations and restrictions, complete conference and state tournaments were played, and state champions were crowned across the state. Throughout the year, the Rivereast recognized weekly standout athletes, so now we present the first annual Rivereast Standout Athletes of the Year. Boys Cross-Country - Liam Calhoun (RHAM): Calhoun broke numerous running records this year, including the 5k mark in fall when he ran a 16:26 at the State Open at Wickham Park in Manchester on Nov. 5. The departing senior, who will run at Wesleyan University, went on to break a half dozen other records at RHAM during the outdoor and indoor track seasons throughout the winter and spring. Girls Cross-Country - Jordan Malloy (Bacon Academy): Malloy wrapped up an incredible cross-country career by placing 3rd at the Class M championships at Wickham Park in Manchester in November. During her four years at Bacon, Malloy won a pair or Eastern Connecticut Conference (ECC) cross-country title and numerous races during indoor and outdoor track season. Malloy will run for Stonehill College in Easton, Mass. Football - Teddy Williams (Portland): Williams was named as one of the Top 25 football players in the state by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association after starring as a three-way player for the Cromwell/Portland co-op team that won the Class S state championship. Whether it was on offense, defense or special teams, Williams shined – scoring 30 touchdowns, including a dozen trips to the end zone during the team’s four-game title march through the playoffs. Boys Soccer - Aidan McLoughlin (Bacon Academy): McLoughlin earned all-state and was selected as an Eastern Connecticut Conference (ECC) First-Team All-Star after thriving as a dominant defender and so much more for the Bobcats, who advanced to the Class M quarterfinals in the state tourney. The recently graduated senior will continue his soccer career at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Massachusetts. Girls Soccer - Kendra Schoeps (Portland): Schoeps earned all-state and first-team All-Shoreline Conference (SLC) after captaining a Highlanders team that finished as the runner-up in the conference tourney. The senior, who will attend the University of Vermont, was also named one of Portland High’s scholar-athletes for her outstanding work on the field, along with excellence in the classroom and community. Girls Volleyball - Sarah West (RHAM): West, a junior, helped the Raptors win a state championship in the fall, leading the team in kills (284) - averaging three per set - and was second on the team in blocks (64). She earned all-state for her efforts and duplicated that achievement in the winter by also making the all-state basketball team. Boys Basketball: Eli Evison (Portland): Evison made all-state and was named to the first-team All-Shoreline Conference after averaging 15.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game as Portland won a pair of state tournament games to reach the quarterfinals in Class S. The departing senior was also part of the Highlanders state championship golf team, finishing 7th individually overall at the state tournament. He will play basketball at Eastern Connecticut State University. Girls Basketball - Valerie Luizzi (Bacon Academy): Luizzi was a team captain and floor general for a Bobcats team that won 18 of 20 regular season games and advanced to the state championship game. The senior, who will play basketball at Keene State, averaged 14.8 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, and a team-high 3.3 assists per game. She was also the team’s best defensive player, averaging an eye-popping 3.5 steals per contest. Gymnastics - Sydney Nalette (RHAM): Nalette, a recent graduate of RHAM High School, competed for Patti Dean’s School on Gymnastics in Hebron, posting incredible scores across the board. Despite the school not having a team, the graduating gymnast was coveted by multiple colleges across the country, ultimately choosing Simpson College in Iowa where she will continue her high-flying career for the next four years. Boys Indoor Track & Field - Nicholas Rivard-Lentz (East Hampton): Rivard-Lentz won the Shoreline Conference champions and the Class S championship in the pole vault, also finishing as the runner-up at the State Open. The senior took his talents to new height during the outdoor season this spring, vaulting a personal-best 14’3” at the New England championships in June. He will attend the University of Connecticut. Girls Indoor Track & Field - Brylee Montanari (East Hampton): Montanari, a senior, won the 55-meter hurdles and placed 5th in the 55-meter dash at the Class S championship this winter, helping the Bellringers to a runner-up finish at the event. Montanari will continue her track and field career at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. Boys Wrestling - Zackary Kanaitis (RHAM): After winning a state championship in 2021, Kanaitis had another incredible year on the mat, which culminated with a runner-up finish at the Class L finals in the 138-pound division. The recent graduate, who won his 100th match during his senior season, will attend Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston where he will major in architecture. Girls Wrestling - Emma Heslin (RHAM): Heslin made history, becoming the first female wrestler in school history to win a state title when she defeated Elena Quintaro of Southington at the State Invitational in February. Heslin – who will wrestle at Western New England University – along with her brother Jackson Heslin (Xavier High School), also became the first brother and sister duo to win wrestling state championships on the same day. Cheerleading - Sierra Koss (Portland): Koss was named first-team All-Shoreline Conference and then became the first cheerleader at PHS to be named all-state since 2015. The recent graduate will attend the University of St. Joseph in West Hartford. Boys Golf - Luke Stennett (Portland): Stennett followed up his fantastic freshman year with an even better sophomore season, finishing at the medalist in each match as the Highlanders went undefeated as a team and won both the Shoreline Conference (SLC) championship and Division III state championship. Stennett tied atop the leaderboard at both the SLC and state championships, helping Portland repeat as champions in both events. Baseball - Jack Novak (Bacon Academy): Novak did it all for the Bobcats, leading the team from both the plate and mound this spring. The senior led the team in hits (34), RBIs (34), and home runs (7), and finished tied for the team-lead with 24 runs scored. He was also the team’s ace, winning eight of his ten starts, pitching five complete games and one shutout, while striking out a team-high 72 batters. Novak, who made all-state this spring, will play baseball at Mitchell College. Boys Lacrosse - Sam Blumberger (Bacon Academy): Blumberger is headed to play soccer Bloomsbury College, yet the multi-sport star ended his illustrious high school athletic career with an all-state season on the lacrosse fields this spring. The senior scored a team-best 53 points, netting 25 goals and a team-high 28 assists. Not too shabby for a second hobby. Girls Lacrosse - Sarah Newton (Bacon Academy): Newton scored 82 points, scoring team-high 60 goals and dishing out 22 assists during an all-state spring. The recent graduate also scored her 100th career goal during the season and will now play lacrosse at Springfield College. Boys Outdoor Track and Field - Jake Martino (Bacon Academy): Martino broke the school record in the discus and won the Class MM championship in the event in June. The junior also represented the school in the decathlon in New Britain on June 15, finishing 8th out of 50 athletes. Girls Outdoor Track and Field - Kaylee Gravel (East Hampton): Gravel won the 800 meters at both the Shoreline Conference finals and the Class S championship, running a personal-best 2:20.53 at the class meet on May 31. The recent graduate will now run competitively at Central Connecticut State University. Softball - Hadley Marchand (RHAM): Marchard served as the team’s pitching ace, winning a dozen games from the mound, allowing only 67 hits and striking out 165 batters. The junior also drove in a team-high 21 runs and smacked five home runs on 22 hits. Her efforts earned her all-state, along with all-conference honors for a second straight season. Boys Tennis - Patrick Gavrylchuk (East Hampton): Gavrylchuk was the Bellringers No. 1 singles player, performing at a high level as East Hampton won 10 of 14 regular season meets and a tourney qualifying match over Cromwell. The senior defeated Cromwell’s No. 1 singles player Tyler Daniele (6-3, 6-1) to secure one of the Bellringers five wins in the tourney match. Girls Tennis - Addison Brown (RHAM): Brown made all-conference, teaming with Grace Baran to create a dynamic doubles team that was nearly unbeatable. Along with doubles duties, Brown helped captain a Raptors team that reached the second round of the state tourney. The graduating senior will attend Central Connecticut State University. RHAM’s Sarah West (left) and Liam Calhoun were named the school’s athletes of the year. They also made the first annual All-Rivereast in their respective sports. Newington High School's brother and sister runners, Michael and Katie Bohlke, both made the All-Rare Reminder team for their excellence on the cross country trails in the fall. They both excelled during the indoor and outdoor track season as well.
Another fantastic year is in the books for the local high school teams and athletes. The five local public schools (Cromwell, Middletown, Newington, Rocky Hill, and Wethersfield) each brought home team titles, individual titles, or both. Here is a look at the most outstanding athletes in the area for the 2021-2022 school year. Boys Cross Country - Michael Bohlke (Newington): Bohlke won the Wickham Invitational and then placed 4th overall at the State Open to kick off a memorable final running season at NHS. The senior won the 1600 meters and 3200 meters at the Class L outdoor track finals in the spring and ran a personal best (14:39.94) in the 5k to win the CT Distance Festival in April. Bohlke will now run cross country and track at George Washington University. Girls Cross Country - Katie Bohlke (Newington): Bohlke, the younger sister of Michael Bohlke, placed 6th at the Class L championship in the fall. The junior would go on to shine during the indoor and outdoor track season, including winning the 800 meters at the Central Connecticut Conference (CCC) championship by running a personal-best 2:22.08. Field Hockey - Molly Bowers (Wethersfield): Bowers was named all-state after helping captain an Eagles team that won 15 regular season games and advanced to the state title game for the first time since 1980. The senior’s unselfish play and great field vision allowed Wethersfield to outscore their opponents by 55 goals in the fall. Football - Teddy Williams (Cromwell/Portland): Williams was named one of the Top 25 football players in the state by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association after starring as a three-way player for the Panthers, who won the Class S state championship. Whether it was offense, defense, or special teams, Williams excelled – scoring 30 touchdowns, including a dozen end zone trips during the team’s four-game championship march through the playoffs. Boys Soccer - Christian Amaral (Newington): Amaral scored 36 points – 14 assists and 11 goals – earning an all-state selection for a second straight season. The senior was clutch when it mattered most, dishing out two assists as the Nor'easters defeated Wethersfield in the regular season finale to capture their first conference crown since 2002. Amaral will now play soccer for American International College (AIC). Girls Soccer - Cameryn Wilkinson (Wethersfield): Wilkinson earned an all-state after captaining an Eagles team that won a Central Connecticut Conference (CCC) crown and advanced to the Class L quarterfinals after knocking off Foran and upsetting No. 3 seed Suffield in the second round. The senior, who was also selected All-CCC the past two seasons, will play college soccer at the University of Hartford. Girls Swimming - Alanna DePinto (Wethersfield): DePinto was a standout at WHS her entire four years, culminating with a sensational final season in which placed 2nd in both the 50-yard freestyle and 100 freestyle at the Class L finals. The departing senior earned all-state status, all-conference, and high honors in the classroom during all four of her years at the high school. She will now swim at Stoney Brook University. Girls Diving - Layla Solberg (Middletown): Solberg was one of the most accomplished divers in her conference, placing 11th at Class L state meet in the fall. The junior is also a terrific tennis player and honor roll student at MHS. Girls Volleyball - Olivia Boling (Newington): Boling was a captain on the court, playing terrific all-around volleyball for a Nor’easters team that won ten regular season games and qualified for the state tourney. The senior led the team in aces (49), also finishing second overall in digs and fifth on the team in kills. She will next play volleyball at Johnson & Wales as she studies nutrition and dietetics in Providence, RI. Boys Basketball - Gianluca Albert (Cromwell): Albert was the Shoreline Conference (SLC) Player of the Year and was named all-state after captaining the Panthers to a SLC championship following a 19-1 regular season. The senior did it all for Cromwell offensively – scoring, rebounding, distributing — and was a stout defender. He will attend Quinnipiac University this fall. Girls Basketball - Lilly Ferguson (Newington): Ferguson earned her second straight all-state selection after helping the Nor’easters advance to the state championship game for the first time since 1993. The senior, who will play basketball at The University of Massachusetts, led the team in points (16 per game), rebounds (6.2), and assists (2.4). Gymnastics - Adrianna Kenny / Sammy Charbonneau (Wethersfield): Both Kenny and Charbonneau were named all-conference following a successful winter season for the high-flying Eagles. Boys Ice Hockey - Shane Mazur (Wethersfield): Mazur was named first-team all-state as he helped guide the Eagles to a state championship this winter. The senior was particularly spectacular in the state tournament where he scored the game-winner in overtime to secure a win in the quarterfinals and then combined to score five goals with his brother, Ryan, helping send Wethersfield to the state title game where they would defeat North Haven. Girls Ice Hockey - Nicole Partridge (Wethersfield): Partridge earned all-conference and was named the Most Valuable Player on the conference championship games as the Nighthawks (multi-school hockey co-op) defeated Hall/Conard to capture the CCC crown. The junior was a major scoring threat, including netting four goals over the first two games of the state tournament. Boys Indoor Track & Field - Bryan Martinez (Rocky Hill): Martinez finished 3rd in the 1600 meters at the Class S Outdoor Track & Field finals this winter. The senior capped off his high school career by finishing first in the 800 meters at the CCC-North championships and ran a personal-best in the mile (4:34.58) at the CT Distance Festival this spring. Martinez will attend the University of Connecticut. Girls Indoor Track & Field - Nyasia Dailey (Middletown): Dailey won the 55-meter dash at Class L Outdoor Track and Field finals and then went on to run a personal-best (7.17) at the State Open, where she finished as the runner-up. The recently graduated senior will attend Quinnipiac University and will walk-on for the Bobcats track team. Wrestling - Jesse Baldwin (Middletown): Baldwin won a state title, defeating John Portley of Daniel Hand to win the 170-pound division at the Class L state championships in February. The junior will be back next year for a Blue Dragons team that will return a strong nucleus. Boys Swimming – Andrew Strickland (Middletown): Strickland wrapped up a great swimming career at MHS by placing as the runner-up at the 100-yard freestyle and 4th in the100 yard breaststroke at the Class M championship. The senior, who also excelled at baseball, set the school’s record in the breaststroke during his high school tenure in the pool and will now swim for Wagner College as he studies finance and economics. Boys Diving – Cody Schad (Middletown): Schad placed 3rd in the Class M diving finals and then went on to complete at the State Open. The sophomore, along with junior Diego Carrillo and freshman Nathan Ivans, give the Blue Dragons a formidable trio returning to the boards this winter. Cheerleading - Emily Sousa (Cromwell): Sousa was named the Shoreline Conference (SLC) Cheerleader of Year and captained a Cromwell team that won the conference outright. The junior also earned all-state as the Panthers finished 5th overall at states. Baseball - Shaun Callahan (Newington): Callahan was a captain and multi-tool player for a Nor’easters team that won 17 of 20 regular season games and advanced to the Class LL quarterfinals. The senior, who will play baseball at the University of New Haven, earned all-state after leading Newington from the plate and showcasing a powerful pitching arm from the mound. Boys Golf - Jack Wise (Cromwell): Wise continued his success on the links, earning first-team All-Shoreline Conference (SCL) for a second straight season. He capped his junior season with a 5th place showing at the Division III championship and a top-12 showing at the State Open. Girls Golf - Glorianne Pinote (Newington): Pinote followed up her fabulous first year in high school with an equally impressive sophomore season, placing top-ten at CCC championship and shooting an 88 at Division I championships. She will once again be one of the state’s top golfers heading into her junior season in 2023. Boys Lacrosse - Wil Bankowski (Wethersfield): Bankowski eclipsed the 100-career goal mark this spring, again finishing as the team’s leading scorer as the Eagles won a conference crown after winning 12 of 15 regular season games. The team captain made all-state and is again primed to be one of the state’s best players as a senior next spring. Girls Lacrosse - Morgan Hellman (Newington): Hellman was a senior captain on a Nor’easters team that won 12 of 16 regular season games. She surpassed the 100-career goal mark this spring, making her second straight all-conference team, and she is now headed to Franklin Pierce University to continue her lacrosse journey. Boys Outdoor Track and Field - Holden Speed (Wethersfield): Speed ended his high school career with a bang, winning a trifecta of titles and sweeping the Class L championship, State Open, and New England championships in the high jump. The recent graduate, who also excelled on the football fields, will continue jumping competitively at Merrimack College. Girls Outdoor Track and Field - Marina Perry (Rocky Hill): Perry saved her best for last, winning the shot put at the conference championships, Class M championships, and the State Open. The senior swept the throwing competitions at the CCC-North championships, winning the aforementioned shot put, along with setting personal-bests in both the javelin and discus to win those events as well. Perry will now attend and throw for Central Connecticut State University. Softball - Lily Kenney (Cromwell): Kenney made all-state for a second straight season, serving again as the pitching ace for a Panthers team that won the Class S state championship. Kenney was simple outstanding, finishing 21-2 from the mound and striking out 226 batters while allowing only 75 hits and 19 earned runs. The junior was equally impressive from the plate, leading the team in RBIs (39) and hammering a team-high five home runs. Boys Tennis - Marko Karpyuk (Wethersfield): Karpyuk served as Wethersfield’s No. 1 singles player this spring, helping the Eagles win 13 or 16 matches in the regular season. The play of the departing senior earned him a stop in the State Invitational, where he would defeat Lane Fiason of Shepaug in straight sets in the opening round to move on round of 32. Girls Tennis - Suhani Sheth (Rocky Hill): Sheth again shined as the Terriers No. 1 singles player, playing in the State Invitational for a second straight season and helping Rocky Hill earn a share of the conference crown. After serving in the Terriers top-spot the last two season, the departing senior will attend Indiana University. Boys Volleyball - Trey Guest (Newington): Guest was named all-state and was named an Elite Senior for the All-Star game after leading the Nor’easters with nearly five kills per set, totaling 405 total kills and adding a team-high 36 aces 36 (36). The departing senior will continue to play volleyball at Emmanuel College as he studies physical therapy. Lily Kenney was named to the All-Rare Reminder team after leading Cromwell to a softball state championship this spring. Genevieve Shadron, a 2022 Glastonbury High School graduate, will continue rowing collegiately in familiar waters.
“I’m beyond excited to announce my commitment to row Division I at the University of Connecticut,” Shadron announced on Instagram earlier this year. “Thank you to my family, friends, coaches, and teammates for always supporting me.” Because there is no youth program for rowing, Shadron has grown by leaps and bounds since joining the GHS crew team as a freshman. She bookended her high school career with championships, powering an eight+ notice boat that won a state title when she was a freshman and duplicating that feat on the varsity boat this past spring. She called it a “wow” moment, adding, “This year was the first states that happened post-Covid, so to come back and win the state championship again made it come full circle.” After the program faced uncertainty at the coaching position during Shadron’s first year, Eleanor Dowd came in to stabilize the coaching – serving as both a coach and mentor for Shadron. Dowd, who rowed at UConn from 2016-2019, said that Shadron’s greatest strength is her resiliency. “She faced multiple injuries, which can be especially demoralizing in rowing because instead of just being on the bench you're stuck on land while the rest of your boat is miles away upstream,” said Dowd. “Genevieve was able to use her time wisely and worked hard on both her mental and physical toughness.” Prior to high school, college rowing wasn’t on radar for Shadron, who grew up playing basketball and soccer. She deciding to give the open water sport a whirl as a freshman and the rest is history. “The sport itself is not typical. It’s not like a lot of other sports like soccer or basketball where you can start in elementary school,” said Shadron, who added that her favorite part the rowing program is how accepting the athletes are. “In rowing you walk in day one as a freshman and you’re on the novice team and there are no cuts. When I started, I was thinking ‘what’s the worst that can happen’,” recalled Shadron, who was also an aulos player in the school’s chamber orchestra. “I’m an athlete at heart and thought it would be interesting and fell in love with it. Now it’s my sport.” Her younger sister, Emily, also rows at GHS and just finished her junior year. Shadron said the sisters two bridged the gap between the seniors and juniors, adding, “It inadvertently made our team more united and cohesive.” She added that because of the Covid cancellation, many rowers didn’t return the following season. What started as a large group of over 30 was whittled down to a core group of nine seniors this spring. Although small in numbers, the returning rowers came back with a renewed dedication and Shadron said the remaining seniors “got close really fast”, adding “We had our own little unit. It was like a rock support system that you could count on.” Over the past four years, Shadron has transformed into a powerful, relentless rower thanks for her dedication to her craft. She credits GHS strength and condition program, led by Zack Bohling, with helping her and the team get bigger, stronger, faster. Because rowing is the ultimate entire-body workout, Shadron likes that she can vary up her workouts, combing both strength and cardio. Dowd has seen that firsthand and called Shadron a “leader in the weight room.” “She is always looking to help out and improve the environment around her. Her questioning attitude allows her to lock into the primary purpose of things whether on or off the water,” added Dowd. “Her resilience, purposeful actions, and her overall love for the sport will push her to succeed at the collegiate level. During the recruiting process, which started when she was a junior, Shadron looked around to multiple schools, including Drexel University, Temple University, and the University of Rhode Island, before ultimately deciding that Connecticut’s largest school was the perfect fit. “It’s pretty sweet,” said Shadron. “I get to stay fairly close to home and do what I love. It’s pretty insane, it’s a dream come true.” At Storrs, she will study engineering while she joins her hydro-Huskies on the waterways. “The college schedule will work well for me. The idea of having practice and working out before I have class every day is really appealing,” added Shadron. The Hartwell Award, an annual award given to one player from each athletic team at Glastonbury High School, isn’t always given to the most productive player on the team.
It is presented to the athlete who has made the greatest contribution to their team – considering qualities of performance, leadership, sportsmanship, and dedication. In the case of 2022 graduate Christina Guanci, she checked off all boxes. Guanci led the Guardians lacrosse team in both goals (66) and assists (46), along with having all the characteristics that a head coach could ask for. “Her level of intelligence has always been something that is her strength,” said GHS head coach Kris Cofiell, “She is a good athlete, there is no doubt about it, but she understands the game. Her game IQ is absolutely amazing.” After three productive varsity seasons at GHS – one season lost due to Covid – Guanci will now take her stick skills and supreme knowledge to Union College. “I really liked the size of the school and the distance it is away from home,” Guanci said of her decision to join the Dutchmen in Schenectady, NY. First-year head coach Alyssa Treanor takes over the lacrosse program at Union after serving as an assistant the past five seasons. Guanci said she had a “good feeling” about the program when deciding on her next destination and that she is eager to attack the challenge. “Everyone at that level loves the game so much and I’m really excited learn new things and be around people that are passionate about the sport,” she added. Guanci’s productive final high school season earned her an all-state selection in the spring, along with All-Central Connecticut Conference (CCC) honors for a second straight season. Along with leading the team in points, she also led the Guardians in caused turnovers (21) and was second on the team in both ground ball pickups (24) and draw controls (52). Despite missing her sophomore season because of the Covid cancellation, Guanci still managed to surpass the 100-career goal mark when she eclipsed the triple digit milestone in the team’s state tourney qualifying win over Stamford. Cofiell said that Guanci’s hand-eye coordination and her field vision will suit her well at the next level, but it’s those instinctual intangibles that should allow her to excel. “She is not going to be the fastest kid on the field, she is not going to be the strongest kid on the field, but I can tell you that she is going to be the smartest kid on the field,” added Cofiell. “She not only elevates her play because of her intelligence, but she also elevates those around her. She is a great teacher, and she is unselfish. She knows she can’t do it alone and knows she needs her teammates. She is willing to put in the time and effort into teaching them.” Guanci, who was also an all-conference field hockey player, said she will miss her teammates at GHS the most. “I think every team in Glastonbury is close-knit. It’s like having 20 sisters; it’s nice that you always have someone there with you,” Guanci added. Cofiell, who is also an assistant on the field hockey team, said that Guanci epitomized what the Hartwell Award stands for. “When you put the stick in her hand, she battles. She has the heart that she has the brain that that you want,” said Cofiell. “She doesn’t seem to have any fear. Maybe she does, but she never shows it.” Recent Portland High School graduate Eli Evison will play college basketball at Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU).
It’s the natural next step for the 6’6” multi-sport Highlander, who caught the eye of several college basketball programs over the last two years. When Evison was a junior at PHS he joined the Connecticut Elite, an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball team based in Hartford County. The team was coached by Fred Cardona, who described the then-blossoming basketball player as an “athletic big with good hands that showed he was able to finish through contact. [He] had a variety of finishes around the basket. [He] showed the ability to attack the basket off the dribble from the perimeter. Has consistent three-point range.” With Cardona’s mentoring and influence, schools started to reach out to Evison about playing at the next level. But it wasn’t until his senior year that Evison truly believed he had what it took to play at the next level. After averaging eight points and six rebounds per game as a junior, Evison returned for his senior year in head coach David Bradbury’s system and thrived. He led the Highlanders in points per game (15.3), rebounds per game (7.4), and blocks per game (1.5) as he became the first boys’ basketball player at PHS to be selected all-state since 2003. Evison also made first-team All-Shoreline Conference (SLC) as Portland made the quarterfinals in the Division V state tournament after defeating Coventry by 20 points at home in the first round before upsetting top-seed Terryville in the second round. He said the home tournament win over Coventry was memorable for several reasons, including throwing down an alley-oop dunk, and called it his favorite moment because of the reaction of the school’s frenzied student section. Following the season he worked out for the coaching staff at ECSU and was sold, saying, “It was a great fit for me.” But before leaving PHS, Evison was not done gathering hardware. He was part of the Highlanders golf team that won their second straight state championship on June 7. He first joined the golf team his junior year, playing on JV during the team’s title march last spring, and then made the big leap to varsity this year and played in the Highlanders top four this spring. Evison finished tied for 7th overall at the Division III championship, shooting a 78 at the Fairview Farm Golf Course in Harwinton. Pretty impressive for someone that only started hitting the links after friend, Joe LaMalfa, talked him into it in the spring of 2021. “I didn’t even know what a par was; I didn't know how golf worked,” recalled Evison. “When I started playing last year I was really bad, but I played the whole summer and I got a lot better.” Along with basketball and golf, Evison also helped out with Unified Sports, calling it “a great experience.” At Eastern, Evison will join a Warriors team that is coming off an 18-win season during head coach’s Bill Geitner’s 20th season on the bench. Over the two decades, Geitner’s has won 62% of his games, totaling 328 wins. Due to his size Evison will most likely play center or power forward, yet his versatility will allow him to play all over the court. He can dominate inside – evidenced by his gaudy rebound and block numbers – and he is coming off a season in which he made a team-high 37% from three-point range, knocking down 34 shots from behind the arc, which was second most of the team. He credited Bradbury’s spread offense and his time in AAU with helping broaden his overall game. “In college I want to try and expand my game more and think I am a good shooter right now but I want to get even better.” said Evison. “Playing with and against better competition will expand your game.” Evison said he will miss the closeness of PHS, but added that is eager for a “bigger stage.” “I know some of the kids that we played against and I’ll be playing with them next year. I talked to them at the all-state banquet and they are excited,” said Evison. “It sounds like we have a great group of guys and I think it will be a lot of fun.” Liam Calhoun pictured at his signing day with mother, Jessica, and three youngers sisters; Caelyn, Alana, Rian.
Liam Calhoun, who rewrote the running record book at RHAM, is packing up his racing shoes and headed to Middletown. “I can’t wait to continue my academic and athletic journey at Wesleyan University,” Calhoun posted on social media. “Thanks to all my coaches, friends, teachers, and family who have supported me along the way. Wesleyan is the place to be!” Calhoun said many factors went into his decision – taking academics, athletics, music, and family into consideration. “Wesleyan just fit the mold of all of that. I love Middletown. It’s a great college town and they have great academics,” added Calhoun, who was hooked after his official visit. “I knew when I walked out of [Wesleyan] that it was the right place. When you have that feeling, you just have to trust it.” The Andover native is leaving high school with a mountain of accolades. After breaking the school’s mile mark as a junior, he returned for a senior season with a goal to shatter even more records. He re-broke his own mile record along with setting new marks in the 600 meters (1:27.36), 800 meters (2:02.21), 1000 meters (2:41.51), 1600 meters (4:18.89) 3200 meters (9:49.62), the cross country 5K (6:26), and was on the outdoor track and field team that broke the 4x800 relay record. Calhoun was also named as one of RHAM’s two senior scholar-athletes, earning the distinguished honor with Molly Bellmore. To say he made a lasting impression would be an understatement. “Liam is one of the finest human beings that I have ever had. Not only is he a good runner, but he is a good person,” RHAM cross country coach Paul Steiner said. “I’ve had some great kids over the years, but Liam is right up there at the top. He is always focused on what he wants to accomplish and I think he ran some of those events just so he could break the record.” Steiner first met Calhoun at a baseball camp when Calhoun was in the fifth grade. After playing soccer in the fall as a freshman, Calhoun joined Steiner’s cross country team as a sophomore and quickly moved up the leaderboards. “He never took a day off, every single day he was a leader,” added Steiner, who was also the longtime baseball coach at RHAM prior to stepping down last offseason. Steiner recalled a time when Calhoun informed him that he may be late to practice due to a dentist appointment, but added that he was going to “run to his appointment” so he could try and make it back in time to practice. Calhoun’s dedication not only plastered his name all over the school’s record books, it also made him a state champion. Following a top-five finish in the cross country championships in the fall, he then had a 4th place showing in the 3200 meters and a runner-up finish in the 1600 meters at the Class M Indoor Track and Field finals in the winter. His senior year culminated by winning the Class MM state championship in the 3200 meters, winning the event by nearly eight second at Willowbrook Park in New Britain on June 1. Steiner said that Calhoun’s goal-oriented approach to everything that he does will suit him well at the next level, adding “He’s already thinking about what he needs to do to be successful [in college]. He’ll do whatever the coach needs him to do and that is why he is successful.” Calhoun said it is bittersweet leaving his hometown roots, where he literally and figuratively tore up the roots on the cross country trails. “I will miss the environments of RHAM,” said Calhoun. “RHAM breeds success and they have great athletes. I will definitely miss the team and the guys on the team. We had a huge bond that we will share forever.” His three younger sisters – Caelyn, Alana, and Rian – are still at RHAM, so staying close to his family was an important element when he made his final collegiate decision. Calhoun goes from being a running Raptor to a soaring Cardinal at his next location in Middletown, joining a program led by cross country and track distance coach Leo Mayo. The Cardinals are coming off top-ten finishes in the NCAA Division III Mideast Regional in back-to-back seasons. Calhoun said he is looking forward to the next challenge of a longer distance in college where they run a competitive 8k instead of high school’s 5k, adding, “I wanted to be on the team that I was going to be challenge and I feel like a sport like running and track and field you can go to a school like Wesleyan and be challenged right away.” He has yet to declare a major and said he may end up double majoring. He is an accomplished guitarist and participated in RHAM’s band, so he wants music to remain a part of his life in college and beyond. “Wesleyan is the definition of a liberal arts school, so they are really open,” said Calhoun. “I don’t have to be narrowed into one focus. I’m excited to dive in and let my interest fly freely.” Kate DeSousa, a 2022 Glastonbury High graduate, thrived as a high jump specialist for the GHS track and field team and is now leaping to the next level.
“I am very excited to announce my Division I commitment to Bryant track and field,” DeSousa, who will attend Bryant University in Rhode Island, posted on social media. “I am so grateful for all the family, friends, coaches, and trainers for helping me get where I am. Go Dawgs!” DeSousa is no stranger to competition, having competed from a young age in Irish Dance and various other forms of dance, including tap and ballet. She said that dance provided a “good structure” and that it was a springboard for track and field, which became her new competitive obsession over the last four years. “I just really like competing,” said DeSousa. “There are so many great people on the track team and we have really awesome coaches. It’s been enjoyable to go to practice every day.” DeSousa delivered this spring, placing first in the high jump during a handful of regular season meets before finishing as the runner-up at the Central Connecticut Conference (CCC) finals on May 23 and third place in the Class LL championships on May 31. The Guardians won both the conference and class team titles this spring. In 2021, she placed top-five in the high jump at the state meet during both the Indoor and Outdoor seasons. She also participated in the long jump and triple jump during her tenure at GHS. Bob Gemske, the jump coach for the track and field teams at GHS for the past nine years, said that DeSousa was consistent and competitive. “She strived to be better, always,” said Gemske, who added that DeSousa helped mentor the younger girls. “It always helps to have someone who knows the technique really well and she certainly did that.” In Rhode Island, she’ll be joining a Bulldogs team at Bryant that is led by head coach Mitchell Switzer. Assistant/Jump coach Chandra Kao will be helping DeSousa reach new heights in the field. DeSousa, who will major in business, said she liked the size of the university, adding, “The campus was really pretty and when I did my overnight I really bonded with the members of the team.” She will also have family on campus. Her brother, Will DeSousa, is entering his junior year in Smithfield. |
AuthorSports Editor for the Rare Reminder, Glastonbury Citizen, and Rivereast News Bulletin Archives
December 2023
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