2021 Middletown High grad Zack Lombardo, pictured with parents Kristin and Tom, will play soccer at Western Connecticut State University
Zack Lombardo, a 2021 graduate at Middletown High School, will continue his athletic and academic career at Western Connecticut State University. Lombardo is coming off an All-State and All-Conference fall, where he helped captain the Blue Dragons to an 8-0-1 record in which Middletown outscored their opponents 37-3. Lombardo led the team with 16 points (9 goals). “My favorite soccer memory at MHS was sophomore year when we made it to states for the first time in three years and we’re ranked last and upset #6 East Lyme in a rainy 3-2 win,” recalled Lombardo, who also played club soccer. He was also part of the very successful Ultimate Frisbee team at MHS that won championship in 2019 and 2021. Outside of athletics, he was part of the school’s news network. Lombardo will join a soccer squad in Danbury, Connecticut that plays in the Little East Conference. The team will be ready to get back on the field after having competition cancelled last fall. “I chose West Conn because my dad played there and I love the coaches and the people I have met so far,” stated Lombardo, “I’m excited to see the competition and to ultimately win an LEC title.”
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Likhita Chanda, a 2021 graduate at Cromwell High School, will play basketball at the next level.
“I am excited to announce that I will continue my athletic and academic career at Clarkson University. Thank you to my family, coaches, and friends that supported me along the way,” Chanda stated following her commitment to the New York-based school. Chanda was a scoring guard for the Panthers the past four years, averaging nine points per game this past winter. She scored a career-high 16 points, knocking down four three-pointers, in a win over Portland on March 4. “My favorite basketball memory in high school was winning the state championship my sophomore year,” recalled Chanda, who moved to Cromwell with her family prior to grade school, “The thing I will miss most about CHS is getting to see my friends that I have known since 2nd grade everyday.” At CHS, Chanda was involved in National Honor Society, World Language Club, Social Activism Club, and CAYAC club (a group comprised of a faculty adviser and Cromwell High School students to increase school and community awareness of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs). She will join a Golden Knights team in Potsdam, NY that finished 6-5 during last winter’s shortened season. “I chose Clarkson because it felt like the best fit for me academically. It also has a good program for the major I’m doing. I also really liked the coach when I first started talking to her, and when I visited campus I knew that Clarkson would be the best fit.” said Chanda, who will major in Data Science, “What excited me the most about competing at a college level is just getting the opportunity to play at the next level and knowing that all the work I put in before is paying off.” Isabella Bruno with parents Mario Bruno and Greta Boynton
2021-GHS graduate Isabella Bruno will soon be heading to Buffalo, New York for the next phase of her life. “I’m excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Canisius College for women’s rowing,” Bruno stated after committing to the Buffalo-based school, “Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way and I can’t wait to be part of this new family.” Bruno was exceptional on the waters in Connecticut and equally impressive outside of it. She was the secretary of the Interact Club and was part of National Honor Society. Crew was her main focus in high school and where she created the most memories, saying, “What I will miss most about GHS is all the friends I have made and also my old rowing team. They were all there with me through ups and downs and I’m forever grateful.” Bruno was a captain on an accomplished rowing team at GHS, led by head coach Eleanor Dowd. “Bella is a great rower. She is consistent on and off the water and she is always able to dig deeper and find an extra push which is part of why she’s a great stroke seat. This past spring Bella was in a tough position being out for most of the season, but she still came to practice every day to support her teammates,” stated Dowd, “Bella leads by example and no matter how intimidating the workout she goes into it with confidence and enthusiasm. She’s coachable, she’s relentless, and we’re so excited for her to continue her rowing career at Canisius.” At Canisius, she will join a Golden Griffins rowing team that competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Bruno became the first commitment of the team’s class of 2025. Bruno will be a Bio and Pre-Med major, saying, “I chose Canisius because when they first reached out to me I did a bunch of research into the school and found it had the right vibe for me. Not only did the school fit what I was looking for academically, but it also had a good rowing program with other rowers around my same level that were driven and I knew I was going to have a great experience.” “What excites me most about going off to college and being a part of this new team is having more independence and finding myself as an athlete and a student. I can wait to keep improving my skills and achieving new limits.” Michaeljon Moleiro, a 2021 graduate from Rocky Hill High School, will play soccer and continue his education at Washington Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania.
“I chose Washington & Jefferson because of their great academic path for pre-medicine and their great rank nationally for Division III, which is 10th,” stated Moleiro, who will major in biology. Soccer consumed most his time in Rocky Hill, playing all four years at the high school and playing CFC (Connecticut Football Club), which is a year-round club that plays in the Elite Clubs National League. Moleiro said that soccer has taught him many life lessons, “Soccer has made a very big impact on my life and will continue to do so. When I was five years old, I began playing the sport and instantly fell in love with it.” He was a captain for the Terriers as a junior and senior, making All-Conference both seasons. Off the field, Moleiro was an honors student in the classroom. “The thing I will miss most about RHHS is the general atmosphere and the friends I’ve made throughout my four years,” said Moleiro At W&J College he will play for a longtime coach Ian McDonald, who is entering his 31st season leading the Presidents, making him the 10th longest tenured soccer coach in Division III. The team is coming off back-to-back Presidents’ Atlantic Conference Championships. Moleiro will join former high school teammate and 2020-Rocky Hill graduate Jake Rajotte on the defensive end at W&J. Rocky Hill-Cromwell-Portland 19U American Legion baseball finished atop the Zone 3 standings with a regular season record of 16-3. Although the season didn’t end with a state championship, it was another successful season and the end of an era for six players who battled through the turmoil of the last 18 months.
Head coach Paul Francis, who just wrapped up his tenth season coaching with the RCP family, reflected on the team and the players who will be moving on, stating, “First, I want to thank the parents. I’ve gotten to know some of you over five years. Not only do you support us every day, you’ve trusted me with something I know is difficult. You’ve allowed me into you and your kids lives. Something I’ve never take for granted, and something I know isn’t easy. I couldn’t even state how much it’s meant to me to have the support I’ve had from each and every one of you, and one day I hope I can repay you.” “As a hometown kid, every time I put the #14 on it means a little more to me. I know how special it is to be a part of this thing. This is more than winning baseball games. You get to connect with two other towns every summer and develop relationships that will last a lifetime. You get the opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime, with people that also last a lifetime.” “To my six young men who will never be able to take the field in green and yellow ever again, just know how proud everyone is of you. And I hope you know how proud of you I am. I’ve gotten a front row seat to be able to watch you guys as 14/15-year-old kids, and watch you grow into amazing young men. Just know your work ethic and leadership will never go unnoticed. You took a torch that was on fire and ran with it.” “I could care less about results on the field at the end of the day. Wins are fun, losses suck, we all know this. Bit I can’t speak enough about what you’ve meant to me. You endured a year that you lost high school baseball as seniors. You lost your prom. You lost graduation. You lost senior day and a chance to compete for conference and state titles. But all you did was respond when you could’ve easily pointed fingers and made a book of excuses. That’s not how you guys are built though.” “As a former player, as a longtime coach, and as a fan, you’ve made me proud and then some. It’s more than about baseball around here. They call me coach but every year you guys were coaching me, helping me, showed me what to be appreciative for. I hope I was able to teach you something along the way. I hope I helped you realize the white lines are temporary but that friendships and memories last forever. That’s what we’re really playing for. “Grant Collins, Nick Polizonis, Alex Inglis, Ryan Boyle, Ryan Robb, and Justin Fraleigh, thank you. Thank you for being you. That’s all I ever wanted, and that’s all I ever was given. Life’s in for a rude awakening because all you six will do is continue to beat it up. Great things happen to great people, you six have many great things coming your way.” “Try to keep the FaceTimes before midnight, your ball coach is getting older these days.” “It will always be nothing but love.” “Roll with The Winners.” RCP’s Golf Tournament is coming up on Friday, Sept 3 at Portland Golf Course. The cost is $110.00 per person, which includes 18 holes of golf, a cart, lunch, and social hour appetizers. Contact Kevin Francis (kfran09@yahoo.com) or Jay Hickey (jay.hickey54@yahoo.com) for more information or to sign up. WHS-grad Dylan Knapp with parents Eric and Eileen Knapp
Dylan Knapp, a 2021 graduate of Wethersfield High School, will continue his academic and athletic journey at Nichols College in Dudley, Massachusetts. Knapp will play volleyball for the Bison as he pursues his degree. “I chose Nichols because it felt like a great fit for me and it is a school that really cares for the student’s academic and athletic growth,” said Knapp, “I’m excited to play at the next level so I can become a better player and keep competing for my new team.” Knapp was a four-year member of the Eagles’ volleyball program, earning three varsity letters. This past season he served as a captain, leading the team with 276 kills, and was selected All-State. He also made All-Conference and was recognized with CCC all-academic distinction. At WHS, Knapp was a versatile athlete that also played both football and basketball for all four years. “I will miss being able to play football, basketball, and volleyball with my friends and teammates and competing as hard as we could every single game,” Knapp said of his high school experience. Outside of athletics, Knapp participated in the Leadership Club, Hunger Project, and served as chairman of the Youth Advisory Board. Outside of school, he was a D.A.R.E role model, attended the FBI Academy at the New Britain Police Department, and was instrumental in organizing a clothing drive for families who were affected by Hurricane Maria. Knapp will join a volleyball squad in Nichols that is lead by head coach John Post, who previously coached volleyball at Xavier High School in Middletown. Knapp will also be joined by a local familiar face in Louis Egbuna, who was a 2019-graduate from Newington High School, also plays outside hitter for the Bison. Connor Goode after winning the 80th Junior Amateur
Glastonbury High’s Connor Goode won the 80th annual Connecticut Junior Amateur Golf Tournament at the Watertown Golf Club on July 23. Goode, who will be at senior at GHS this fall, defeated defending-champion Matt Doyle in match play to win the longstanding summer tourney. “I was very excited after I won. Playing against Matt I really thought I would have needed a lot to go my way to win that one, so it was rewarding,” stated Goode. Goode’s journey to get to the championship match was a bit chaotic. He qualified for the round of 32 by competing in a nine-person playoff hole for three remaining spots. Because of a weather delay and players finishing up, Goode had to wait four hours after his round finished before the playoff started. He shot a birdie on the first playoff hole, securing the #31-seed. In the first round, he upended #2 seed Jack Bosworth (Simsbury) on a playoff hole. “I wasn’t really concerned who I was playing, I was just happy that was I there,” Goode said of the round of 32, “My first match was really my toughest match. I was playing against the kid that beat me in this same tournament last year and eliminated me. Once I got through that, I already had two crazy ways to keep playing and I started playing better and better golf as the tournament went on.” Goode then eliminated #18 Christopher Pieper (Woodbury) in the round of 16, #10 Elias Kennon (Old Greenwich) in the quarterfinals, and #30 Bennett Ostern (Weatogue) in the semifinals. Following two-week delay because of potentially severe weather, Goode and Doyle finally faced one another in the highly anticipated final. The delay allowed Goode to squeeze in a few extra tournaments to stay sharp. “I wasn’t really stressing that much, I was pretty happy with where I had gotten to. It was just another round and I had been playing pretty solid golf, so there was reason to stress over one round of golf. I just tried to treat it like a normal round and shoot a low score,” recalled Goode. Goode was strong from the start, taking a three-stroke lead into the back nine before winning it with an eight-foot putt on the 16th hole. “My putting has always been my strength,” said Goode, “When I was younger, all the kids I would play against would hit it further than me so I would need to compensate by being better around the greens. The reason my golf game has taken a jump in the last couple of years is because I have been able to hit the ball a little better and further, so it’s starting to link up together with my putting and has allowed me to improve.” During the quarantine of 2020, Goode was able to modify his swing. “When football season was cancelled my junior year we had no tournaments scheduled, so I knew I had two or three extra months to practice and made a lot of swing changes,” said Goode, who previously played football at GHS, “When I started hitting the ball better and playing better, my confidence went up a lot. I have a lot more confidence in my swing.” Goode is making up for lost time, playing more golf than ever. Even after winning the Junior Amateur, he had the car packed and immediately drove to New Jersey for another tourney. All of the pressure-filled situations is paying off for Goode, who finished tied for 2nd in the Division I high school tournament this past spring. “When you’re playing against a kid that has less experience in pressure situations than you it definitely gives you an advantage. Earlier in the year in April I had a playoff in a different tournament and lost that one so it was definitely a learning experience coming into this tournament,” said Goode, who has learned to play with more tranquility, “Staying calm is definitely the most important thing on the golf course. It’s something that has come along in the past few years. I’ve gotten better at having a better mindset on the golf course. When I’m able to stay calm and not lose it over one shot, I can play my best golf.” Starting this school year, boys high school golf has been moved from the spring to the fall, meaning that Goode is only weeks away from the start of his final high school season. He believes that the move to fall should improve the quality of play because players will be coming in fresh from summer tournaments. “Right now I’m working on my shot selection. I am starting to get to the point where I can hit the shots I want to but it’s picking the right shot to hit at the right time. That also has to do with confidence, being decisive about what you are going to hit.” Bryce Karstetter and Ricky Montalvo will be position captains at WNE this fall
From 2013-2019, Ricky Montalvo and Bryce Karstetter became household names around the area thanks to their excellence on the high school football fields. Montalvo was an All-State linebacker for Rocky Hill, before graduating in 2017, and Karstetter was an All-State quarterback from Cromwell, before graduating in 2019. Over four high school seasons, each were part of 36 wins, as both Rocky Hill and Cromwell averaged nine wins per season during their tenures. Now the two former high school rivals are college co-captains for the Western New England University football team in Springfield, Massachusetts. “In high school you see those kids as they bad guys, but then you get into college and you become friends with them and realize we’re all the same,” said Karstetter, who recalled his high school coaches having to prepare for Montalvo, “He was a big part of our game plan. He would just get through any gap and he was just so fast. Our coaches would have trouble figuring out the system and I don’t know if those where the gaps he was supposed to go to or if he did it on his own. He was everywhere on the field.” Montalvo twice played Cromwell, coming out of the winning side both times in the first two Shunpike Showdowns, “There was nothing like those Thanksgiving games, everyone is home from either college or work, so we got big crowds. Being the next town over it was a huge rivalry.” Montalvo, who was known for his instincts and unrelenting motor, made All-Conference three times at Rocky Hill before committing to WNE following his All-State senior season. “Going to at Western New England was the best decision of my life, both football and academic-wise. The brothers I’ve made throughout the years and the culture of the program is unreal,” said the senior linebacker, who credited WNE defensive coordinator and Connecticut recruiter Alex Bresner, “Coach Bresner is a great guy. As soon as he to recruited me, he made me feel like I was wanted, and made me feel like I was one of his sons.” Karstetter, who was a three-year starter at quarterback in high school, had a similar experience with Bresner. “I loved the campus, I loved the facilities. Also they were a winning team and I loved he coaches. It was kind of the whole package,” Karstetter said of his WNE decision, “It’s a great culture here, it wasn’t what I expected it to be. Our coach [Jason Lebeau] says every year that the #1 priority is that we know the name of every kid on the team. Its little things like that that make you realize it’s not what you expect college football to be, it’s more like the family that we had in high school.” Bresner, who has been coaching at WNE since 2016, referred to both Montalvo and Karstetter as terrific young men. “Ricky has impressed us since day one with his motor and energy every day. Ricky made a position switch from ILB to OLB his junior year and has got to a point headed into the fall where he can do it all for what we ask of the position,” stated Bresner, “Ricky has tremendous character, and our players really gravitate to his leadership ability. We have all the confidence in Ricky that he will be one of the best defensive players in New England this fall.” Bresner added, “What impressed me the most about Bryce during the recruiting process was his maturity and his love for the game. Bryce is a football guy and a real student of the game. We got a feel early in the process that he had a winning mentality and he wouldn’t be scared to come in and compete right away. The culture we have established at WNEU is built on hard work and competition and I know that was a big factor in him deciding to join our program.” Prior to his college commitment Karstetter was coming off an All-State senior season at Cromwell, throwing for nearly 3000 yards and tallying 33 total touchdowns. His final regular season game with the Panthers was a memorable 30-0 win over Rocky Hill, marking the Panthers first Shunpike Showdown victory in 2018. “I love every second of high school football, I miss it all the time,” recalled Karstetter, “I love college football too but being with the kids you grew up with and playing on Friday nights was always a good time.” 2019 was the first season that the former high school foes were teammates. It was a historic season for the Golden Bears, who finishing 9-2 and hosted a playoff game for the first time ever. Montalvo was a defensive stud, racking up 52 tackles, three sacks, a pair on interceptions, and a blocked kick as a junior. Karstetter was a freshman learning the ropes behind quarterbacks Alec Coleman and Brendan Smith. The 2019 season ended with a 33-28 loss to Brockport State in the postseason. For Montalvo, the home playoff loss left a bitter taste in his mouth. “It was a really good game and it came down to the last drive of the game. We played hard all four quarters but couldn’t pull through,” Montalvo recalled about the NCAA Division III tournament game played on November 23, 2019, “Leaving that game I had a lot of motivation coming into the next year. We just kept working and trying to get better each and every day.” Little did the team know at the time that it would be nearly two years before they would compete again. The COVID-19 pandemic cancelled 2020’s fall season, leaving both Montalvo and Karstetter without competitive football for the first time since they were in grade school. “We went through the phases. It was really good because we were able to practice but at some points it was tough because you’d start to think you were practicing for no reason,” recalled Karstetter, “Luckily our coaches stayed really positive, and they did tons of things to keep us engaged and stay focused. By the end we were having fun and enjoyed it.” Montalvo added, “It was pretty heartbreaking, but every great athlete faces adversity so it was just something that we had to push through.” 2020 would have been Montalvo’s senior season but thankfully WNE granted an additional year of eligibility for all athletes, as well as offering two paid graduate classes for seniors who would be graduating. The cancelled season turned out to be a quasi-redshirt seasons for both Montalvo (senior) and Karstetter (sophomore). All told, 13 of the 14 seniors from 2020 chose to return for one last ride. “I never lost motivation knowing that I was going to get another year of football. It was definitely hard mentally knowing that we weren’t going to play any games but we just had to keep getting better,” recalled Montalvo, who graduated with a degree in finance and will take grad classes this fall. Montalvo will captain the outside linebackers, who are the core of a talented defensive unit at WNE, “I think we’ll be really good defensively. Two years ago we were a young crowd but with everyone coming back we have a lot of experience and leadership.” Karstetter was named the captain of the quarterbacks as he preps to potential take over an offense that will be loaded with playmakers. “Everyday gets better and better, luckily we have a lot of kids returning,” said Karstetter, who is also a finance major, “Having that COVID-season, with all the negatives that surrounded it, there were a lot of positives that we took away from it. Being with each other and practicing for a whole year was so positive.” The Golden Bears first time back on the field for an official game will be against Springfield on September 4. The schools share the same city limits and will renew an annual showdown that was put on hold during the delay. “It’s going to be awesome,” said Karstetter, “We can’t wait to play them again and line up against someone else other than ourselves.” Montalvo added that the Western New England vs Springfield battle is like the Rocky Hill vs Cromwell games from high school, “We’ve been looking forward to it. They’re in the same town as us, so it’s a huge rivalry.” Montalvo and Karstetter are putting in the work this offseason at the Golden Bears aim to capture more conference crowns Owen Peterson on the mound / Jack Dolan at the plate
Starting pitcher Owen Peterson started the game at the mound and then finished at the plate, drilling a sacrifice fly, allowing Jayden Sgro to sprint home as Glastonbury Legion 19U defeated Tri-County 4-3 last Wednesday night. “I trust Owen,” said head coach Michael Habzda, “He had a walk-off last year and a walk-off this year. He’s been good in those situation, we trust him with the bat.” With the game tied in the bottom of the seventh, Sgro single and then advanced to third on a throwing error. Peterson then connected on a deep shot to left field, allowing Sgro to tag up and score the game-winning run well before the throw reach home base. Peterson had a solid outing from the hill, pitching a complete game, allowing five hits and three runs. Habzda has witnessed Peterson’s growth this summer, “I had him in the fall last year and he pitched in some spots, but he’s really improved. Even if he has a couple of rough spot, he finds it and is been able to get through it.” Peterson is part of a young group that experienced growing pains early this summer but are starting to shine late in the season. The team, who finished the regular season 7-14, lost six of eight to start the season before winning two of the last four prior to postseason play. “We’re a much younger team. More of 50% of team is Class of 2023, so sophomores going into juniors. The at-bats the first couple of weeks you could see they were a little slower with their hands. They have been progressing through the season, being competitive and not putting their heads down when we were losing,” said Habzda, “It’s the little things we’ve improved on. If they made an error or mental mistake early in the season, they are not doing it any more. The progression in the last month and a half has been awesome.” Sgro, who is part of the class of 2023, has led the team in hit this season. “He’s a five-tool player, he can do it all. It’s great that he’s getting time up here at this level,” Habzda said Sgro. Fellow class of 2023 players C.J. Butera, John Petrone, and Drew Curto have also been reliable from the plate. Veteran do-it-all player Jack Dolan, along with fellow 2020 GHS graduates/twins Cam and Shaw Pedemonti have helped stabilize the young group. “It’s me and Tom Daley, our assistant coach, so we don’t always see or hear things because we are focused on the guy at the plate. So what they have been doing has been unreal, just mentoring and teaching them.” Habzda said of the older players. Habzda credited Dolan for his adaptability, “He’s a true gamer. He was always telling me that he could pitch, so we got him some innings this year and he’s done really well. He’s an awesome guy.” This season has been a transition year for the team and the playing time the young players have received sets up the Legion team for success over the next couple of summers. Habzda added, “All these guys can play multiple positions, so that really helps. They’re all flexible.” Charlotte Bassett, a 2021 graduate of Glastonbury High School, will play basketball and continue her education at the University of New Haven.
“I chose New Haven primarily because of Coach Buff and Bower and the competition of the NE10, but being close to home where my family, especially my dad, can watch the games was a huge bonus,” said Bassett, who will play under Debbie Buff and Steve Bower in the Elm City. Bassett leaves GHS as one of the most productive players in the program’s history, earning All-Conference three times and scoring over 1,000 career points. This past winter, she was selected All-State after averaging 17 points per game and captaining the Guardians to a conference crown. "Charlotte has meant so much to our basketball program. She was so integral in everything we did on both sides of the ball. She was a dynamic threat as a freshman and continued to develop new aspects of her game every season. It's a true testament to hard work and growing as a player," stated GHS girls basketball coach Chris Vozzolo, “"Charlotte held herself to such a high standard within our basketball program. I know so many of our underclassmen saw this and learned from it. She will continue to be a leader and ambassador for the GHS basketball program." Whatever sport Bassett played, winning followed. She was the school’s soccer goalie in the fall, protecting the net as Glastonbury won a state championship in 2019 and then won a conference title after finishing undefeated (14-0) this past fall. Bassett praised her coaches at Glastonbury for their support over the years, saying, “GHS will forever be home to the best coaches I’ve ever had. [They] were always there for me, going through even the toughest times together.” Outside of athletics, Bassett maintained a 4.0 GPA and was part of National Honors Society as well as the President of the Business Honors Society. She also participated in Best Buddies, which she called “the best experience ever.” Bassett, who has a passion for math and business, will major in accounting at UNH as she joins a Chargers basketball program that posted back-to-back winning season prior to the COVID cancellation. “I’m most excited about playing in college because I’ll have competition that will, yes, kick my butt at times, but I’m just so ready to learn more about the game from my older teammates and everything I couldn’t possibly learn in high school,” stated Bassett. Vozzolo believes that Bassett is ready for the next challenge, "She will continue to flourish at UNH. She is extremely coachable and driven to succeed. She is going to make the staff very happy and have an immediate impact on the court and on campus." Charlotte Bassett pictured with head coach Chris Vozzolo after scoring her 1000th career point |
AuthorSports Editor for the Rare Reminder, Glastonbury Citizen, and Rivereast News Bulletin Archives
December 2023
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