rivereast Standout Athletes of the Week

​Here is a double dose of Rivereast Standouts of the Week for the week of Sept. 25 - Oct. 1:

Nina Jobes - RHAM High School (Volleyball): Jobes has been a sensational setter for the Raptors volleyball team that entered the week ranked No. 4 in the Connecticut Volleyball Coaches Poll. Jobes, a junior, dished up 30 assists in the team’s three set win over Newington on Sept. 26 and then added 27 more helpers in a three set win over E.O. Smith on Sept. 29. On Monday, the Raptors beat Platt to up their record to 9-1 overall and have a match against Central Connecticut Conference rival Southington coming up this Monday (Oct. 9) at Mohegan Sun Arena at 3 p.m.  

Caden Bellmore - RHAM High School (Football): Bellmore was a standout in all three phases of the game as the Raptors defeated E.O. Smith 14-7 on Sept. 30. Bellmore, a junior, caught what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown from 28-yards out in the fourth quarter and also posted a pair of tackles for loss on defense and recovered a fumbled punt on special teams. The win improved RHAM to 2-1 and this Friday (Oct. 6) the team travels to Meriden to face Platt (2-1) in an important Central Connecticut Conference (CCC) Tier III showdown at 6:30 p.m. 

Colby Butterfield - Bacon Academy (Soccer): Butterfield scored two goals and dished out a pair of assists as the Bobcats beat Windham 7-1 on Sept. 28. Butterfield, a senior, led an offensive charge that produced a season-high in goals with Sam Melino netting two, while Troy Johnson, Jean-Paul Fougerouse, and Edward Hageman each finding the back of the net once. Goalie Zach Carroll saved all but one shot in net as Bacon’s defense held a second straight opponent to a single goal.  
Alyssa Blanchette - Bacon Academy (Soccer): Blanchette scored the only goal of the match as the Bobcats beat Ledyard 1-0 on Sept. 28. Blanchette, a sophomore, supplied the offense and the defense blanked their fourth opponents this season with junior goalie Arianna Pennington in net. As on Monday, Bacon Academy is riding a six-game winning streak and has an overall record of 6-1-1.  

Eric Medvecky - Portland High School (Soccer): Medvecky, the team’s goalie, had a key save on a penalty kick and stopped all but one shot as the Highlanders beat New Britain 3-1 on Sept. 30. Medvecky also has a rare assist from his goalie position, helping a balanced offense that received goals from Alex Dawson, Gio Discenza, and Tyler Quinn. As of Tuesday, Portland is riding a five-game winning streak and next plays at Coventry High School on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 6 p.m.

Hayden Burke - Portland High School (Cross-Country): Burke placed fifth overall at the Shoreline Conference Small Schools League Meet at Old Lyme High School on Sept. 27. The sophomore finished the course in 18:43 — the fastest time of any underclassmen in the event — and his twin brother, Breckin Burke, was the second fastest underclassmen, placing seventh with a time of 18:55.   

Mackenzie Player - East Hampton High School (Volleyball): Player was both productive and consistent last week as the Bellringers swept three games, defeating Coginchaug Regional, Old Lyme, and North Bradford. Player, a senior, combined for 16 kills, 15 digs, and 12 aces in the three games, in which the Bellringers won all nine sets. To close the week, Player had a season-high six aces in the win over North Branford, which improved the Bellringers to 9-1 this season with a home match slated for today (Friday, Oct. 6) against Hale Ray at 6 p.m.

​Jocelyn Gustavson - East Hampton High School (Cross-Country): Gustavson finished sixth overall at the 64th Nonnewaug XC Invitational in Woodbury on Sept. 30. Gustavson ran a 21:03, beating out 46 fellow competitors and finishing with the fastest time of any sophomore who competed. The Bellringers will next host a meet, welcoming Morgan and Portland to East Hampton High School next Wednesday (Oct. 11), starting at 3:30 p.m.