rare reminder Starting Five: Local Athletes of the Week

Sammy Johnson- Wethersfield (Soccer): Johnson scored the game-winning goal as Wethersfield defeated Newington (3-2) in the battle of unbeatens. The senior, who scored on a header earlier in the game, booted in the deciding goal after splitting a pair of Newington defenders and drifting right before firing the shot to the left corner of the net with 19 minutes remaining in regulation.

“Once the ball came to my foot at the top of the box I had one objective and that was to score. I knew I wasn’t going to pass it backwards and give up the opportunity. When I turned and saw the defenders in front of me, I decided that I would try to take them on myself and trusted my footwork. I did some moves and opened up some space to get by them, and right when the ball left my foot on the shot, I knew it was going in,” recalled Johnson, “It was the best feeling to help bring my team to victory, especially in such an important game against our rivals and the undefeated Newington. With all the people there it was truly exhilarating, probably my favorite game I’ve ever played in. I’m just happy we got the result we wanted, and I look forward to continuing the undefeated streak going forward in the season.”

Josh Gstell scored the other goal for the Eagles, who improved to 7-0-1.

Teddy Williams- Cromwell/Portland (Football): Williams caught a touchdown, his third of the season, and returned a punt 62 yards for the game-deciding score as the Panthers downed Valley Regional/Old Lyme 21-6 last Saturday to improve to 3-0. The senior is also a stud linebacker for the team, averaging 10 tackles per game this fall.

Michael Bohlke- Newington (Cross Country): Bohlke won the Wickham Park Invitational in the Boys Large Varsity Division at Wickham Park in Manchester on October 9, besting the second place finisher by 24 seconds. The senior ran the 5k-course in 15:54, an incredible pace of 5:08 per mile, and was the only competitor at the invite to break the 16-minute barrier.

Brayden Bayek- Rocky Hill (Cross Country): Bayek had a great showing at the Wickham Park Invitational, running a 17:14 (5:35 pace) to finish 14th in the Boys Medium Division. The junior’s effort, along with Bryan Martinez (26th) and Matthew Rostkowski (48th), allowed the Terriers to finished 7th overall as a team at the invite.

Erin Abrams- Newington (Swim & Dive): Abrams had a state qualifying time in the 100 breaststroke in a meet against Hall last Tuesday. The senior is helping lead a Nor’easters team that is prepping for the CCC tournament in early November.