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Vernon Edition April 5-19, 2011
The Sports DepartmentServing • Ellington • South Windsor • Tolland • Vernon
Also Serving • East Windsor • Enfield • Somers • Stafford
The Spring outdoors season has begun. See what Keith Colli has to say about it on page 18.
See Spring High School Sports Previews starting on page 4
Check out the camp directory and activity pageon page 23.
Inside The Sports Department
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Runners gear up for the beginning of the 2011 Spirit of Spring race in Tolland on April 2. Trevor Lafontaine won the race with a time of 16:48.48. Photo by Sherrene Wells, The Sports Department, www.wellsphotogallery.com
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… And They’re Off
Which Sports Camp is the Right One for Your Child?By Jon BuzbyThe Sports Department
The spring youth sports season has just started and summer seems to be months away. But it’s also the time of year when parents have to make decisions about their kids’ summer activities. And that includes whether or not to send them to a youth sports camp, and if so, where to and how many.
When I was a kid, there were few youth sports camps. They were usually lo-cal, held at the high school or recreation department complex and coached by their staffs. It was more or less just a good excuse for mom to get us out of the house. Very rarely did anyone leave town to go to a sports camp. And never did anyone go
to more than one.Today, you can drive for hours or even
fly to youth sports camps and be coached by the most qualified coaches in the coun-try. Entire teams can go together. They are often held on college campuses or other attractive sports venues, including profes-sional ones.
These camps give you uniforms, equip-ment and other amenities more suitable to a professional team. You are at camp 24 hours a day and get three complete meals, snacks, pool time, video analysis of your skills and a true dormitory experience.
Oh, and don’t forget, a price tag that will make you think your child is really going to college, not just going to camp on a
See “WHICH”, Page 3
April 5-19, 20112 The Sports Department
The Sports Department is published month-ly, and is available free of charge, at display stands in approved private and public establish-ments, and through authorized distributors only.
No part of this paper may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.
The Sports Department is not responsible for any editorial comment (other than its own), typographical errors from advertisements sub-mitted as camera ready or any reproductions of advertisements submitted as camera ready.
If an advertisement does not meet our stan-dards of acceptance, we may revise or cancel it at any time, whether or not it has been already acknowledged and/or previously published. The advertiser assumes sole responsibility for all statements contained in submitted copy and will protect and indemnify The Sports Department, it owners, publishers, and employees against any and all liability, loss or expense arising out
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Publisher shall be under no liability for failure, for any reason, to insert an advertise-ment. Publisher shall not be liable by reason of error, omission and/or failure to insert any part of an advertisement. Publisher will not be liable for delay or failure in performance in publica-tion and/or distribution if all or any portion of an issue is delayed or suspended for any reason. The publisher will exercise reasonable judgment in these instances and will make adjustments for the advertiser where and when appropriate.
The Sports Department assumes no responsibility for unsolicated material or repro-ductions made by advertisers.
The Sports DepartmentP.O. Box 746, Ellington, CT 06029
860-872-0TSD (0873) • 860-614-5866thesportsdept.com
Publisher: Kevin Hayes • [email protected]
Editor: Brendan Faherty
Production Manager: Brenda Donovan
Contributing Writers:Tom Ainsworth • Steve Smith • Reid L. Walmark • David Donner
Nate Owen • Jon Buzby • David Heuschkel • Amy Locandro• Tim Larew • Robert Tedford • Brendon Willis • Katy Sprout
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• 243 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon• 175 West Road, Ellington• 2 North Road, East Windsor
• 965 Sullivan Ave, South Windsor• 100 Bridge Street, East Windsor• 95 South Road, Somers
Subway Sandwich Shops• 520 Talcottville Road• 70 Merrow Road, Tolland• 175 West Road, Ellington• 90 Buckland Road, South Windsor• 1006 Sullivan Ave, South Windsor• 69 Prospect Hill Road, East Windsor• 323 Hazard Ave, Enfield• 169 Elm Street, Enfield• 786 Enfield Street, Enfield• 12 South Road, Somers• 88 West Stafford Road
This is only a partial listing of pickup spots. To see all 250+ locations, please go to www.thesports-dept.com
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April 5-19, 2011 3The Sports Department
Which Sports Camp is the Right One for Your Child?Continued from Page 1 college campus.
Does your child really need to attend a youth sports camp at a price equal to your monthly car payment (if you drive a really nice car that is)? And if so, is it really necessary to send him or her to multiple ones, especially in the same sport.
I think kids should get at least three things out of a summer sports camp: They should learn something, be active, and most importantly, have fun. For the majority of young children (elementary- and middle school-aged) the local camps directed by the high school coaches or recreation department staff fulfill all three requirements. The kids will be well coached, play against good competition, and have fun.
It’s true -- they most likely won’t have to pack their swimsuit or come home with a fancy uniform, a new ball, a DVD of their best plays, or overnight dormitory stories. But at the end of the week they’ll have priceless memories with their friends, a little more knowledge about the game, and be tired from a week of strenuous activity. All without the hefty price tag.
There could be an argument made that a player is better off going away to be coached by college coaches and players - the same ones he most likely will never see again. I make the argument that it can be just as important to be coached by the local high school coach - the same one your son or daughter might be trying out for in the future.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against the
pricier camps coached by university and sometimes professional coaches. In fact, I sent my own son to one for three con-secutive summers. (By the way, he never played that sport at the varsity level. His varsity letter in basketball came after at-tending just one summer camp – at a lo-cal high school). Many parents can afford to send their kids to the fancier camps and do, and I’m sure the experience is wonderful. I’m just a realist and know that many families can’t afford to send their kids to these camps or just don’t want to for a variety of reasons.
Like I found out firsthand, just like at-tending an expensive camp with the finest coaching staff and facilities doesn’t guar-antee future success at the high school level, not attending one doesn’t necessar-ily mean a varsity letter can’t be earned.
Choosing the right camp involves weighing a lot of issues to ensure the per-fect fit for your child. Just don’t assume because the price is higher, the quality will be. And remember the most important part of camp -- having fun!
After all, fun is priceless at any age.
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BaseballApril 6• Ellington at Bolton, 3:45 p.m.• Tolland at Bristol Eastern, 3:45 p.m.• Rockville at Plainville, 3:45 p.m.• Newington at South Windsor, 3:45
p.m.April 8• Ellington at Suffield, 3:45 p.m.• Rockville at Cheney Tech, 7 p.m.• Enfield at East Windsor, 3:45 p.m.• Somers at Canton, 4 p.m.April 9• Ellington at Tolland, 1 p.m.April 11• Ellington at East Windsor, 3:45 p.m.• Wethersfield at Tolland, 3:45 p.m.• South Windsor at Rockville, 3:45 p.m.April 12• South Windsor at SMSA, 3:45 p.m.April 13• Tolland at Hartford Public, 3:45 p.m.• Rockville at Rocky Hill, 3:45 p.m.• Glastonbury at South Windsor, 3:45 p.m.April 14• Ellington at Avon, 3:45 p.m.April 15• Somers at Ellington, 3:45 p.m.• East Hartford at Rockville, 3:45 p.m.April 16• Tolland at Stafford, 1 p.m.April 18• Coventry at Ellington, 3:45 p.m.• Conard at Rockville, 3:45 p.m.
SoftballApril 6• Bolton at Ellington, 3:45 p.m.• Bristol Central at Tolland, 3:45 p.m.• Plainville at Rockville, 3:45 p.m.• South Windsor at Conard, 3:45 p.m.April 8• Suffield at Ellington, 3:45 p.m.• Rockville at Waterford, 3:45 p.m.• Hall at South Windsor, 3:45 p.m.April 11• Tolland at South Windsor, 3:45 p.m.• Rockville at Windsor, 3:45 p.m.April 13• Ellington at East Hampton, 3:45 p.m.• Hartford Public at Tolland, 3:45 p.m.• Rocky Hill at Rockville, 3:45 p.m.• South Windsor at Glastonbury, 3:45
p.m.April 14• Avon at Ellington, 3:45 p.m.• Somers at East Windsor, 3:45 p.m.• Tolland at Suffield, 4 p.m.April 16• Waterford at Ellington, noon• South Windsor at Rockville, 3:45 p.m.April 18• Ellington at Coventry, 3:45 p.m.• Tolland at Northwest Catholic, 3:45
p.m.• Rockville at Southington, 3:45 p.m.• Bristol Central at South Windsor,
3:45 p.m.
HS Baseball/Softball Schedules
April 5-19, 20114 The Sports DepartmentEllington
Baseball Team Looks to Repeat Success on Diamond By Dan SchoferThe Sports Department
After a great season in which they finished 21-4 the Knights baseball team looks to improve on one of its best sea-sons yet. Although they graduated four starters, the team has plenty of players with varsity experience ready to step up and have a big year. Led by senior start-ers Kevin Dwire, Zach Graves, Dustin Mocadlo, Matt Janiga, and Justin Vamvilis, this team has a lot of potential. As long as they can find solid middle infielders in the younger players to replace graduated starters, the teams great pitching depth should make them a serious threat. Coach Tautkus believes that as long as they are never satisfied and work constantly to improve, they can really do some damage.
Boys LacrosseAfter a fantastic season last year, finish-
ing with a final record of 15-4 and a NCCC conference title to its name, the Elling-ton boys lacrosse team is ready to start rebuilding. They lost many key players to graduation and now have a very young, but hard working, team that includes eight sophomores playing for varsity. Led by senior captains Connor Defemia, Aaron Daley, Brian Borbas, and CJ Schiessel, the boys will face a tough conference with strong teams such as Avon and Somers. Depending on how quickly they mature as a team, this squad could have a good follow up season.
Boys Track and FieldThis year’s boys track and field team will
try to follow up a strong Winter season. After finishing 23-1 last season, this squad looks to be a little thin in some areas, but overall have a very solid group. This team should be able to win most of their meets, even though they will have to contend with strong squads from Suffield and Avon and defending champs Canton. A key to their success will be consistent efforts from
some of their key members such as Alex Smith, Alex Oliwa, Cam Waters, and Nick Alcutt. Their biggest weakness is their inexperience, but if they can get some younger members to step up, they could put together a very good season.
Girls Track and FieldThis season’s girls track and field team,
like the boys, are coming off a good winter season. They finished the spring season last year with a record of 21-3 behind the dominant sprinting of Claiborne Jones. Like many of the other spring teams this year, they are young and somewhat inex-perienced and will have to mature quickly to match last year’s success. They will rely on strong performances from Claiborne, Natalie Snow, Jennifer Hulstein, and Amanda Scroth to beat good teams like Avon and Suffield. Claiborne is looking to finish her senior season with the 100m, 200m, and 400m school records, and if the team can develop some standout throwers and distance runners, another great year in track and field.
GolfComing off a sea-
son where they placed second in the NCCC regular season, first in the NCCC tournament and 5th in the state tournament, this year’s gold team looks to continue their success. Even though they have lost their two top golfers, they have three expe-rienced varsity players returing in Captains Nick Larew and Mike Gresh and key player Mike Thi-bodeau. In a competitive league with no clear elite team, the conference is Ellington’s for the taking if they can develop solid 4 and 5 spot golfers to help beat solid teams from Avon, Suffield and Coventry. Coach Mike Stiles says that this is a great group of kids and is looking forward to a successful and enjoy-able season.
Girls LacrosseThis season’s girls lacrosse squad
comes off a year where they went 9-8 , but finished the season well. Led by senior attack Julie Gage this squad looks to develop some younger players and build good team chemistry as they improve their record.
Boys TennisIn just its third year, the Ellington/Somers
Co-op boys tennis team (4-10 last season) looks to keep on building on what they have started thus far. Lead by Mike Thomas and Ian Grinaski, the young and inexperienced Knights will have to compete with defend-
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ing champion Bolton as well as Avon if they want a shot at the NCCC crown. “Our sea-son will largely depend on the progress our young players make, especially in doubles,” coach Richard Willis said.
Girls TennisLead by sophomore standout Han-
nah Riley the girls tennis team will look to progress from its 3-15 finish last season and compete in the NCCC. Riley was 16-2 as a freshman and lost in the second round of the state tournament. Senior leadership from Haley Moss and Rebekah Fox will be a key for the team as they try and com-pete with Avon and Suffield for conference supremacy.
Nick Larew will be a top player for the Knights golf team this season.
Julie Gage looks to duplicate her great basketball season with a great season on the lacrosse field.
April 5-19, 2011 5The Sports Department
April 5-19, 20116 The Sports DepartmentEllington
Green_Carpet_Ad.indd 1 3/31/11 4:10 PM
Ellington’s 7th Grade boys basketball team defeated Wethersfield 50-36 to win the NCTBL championship last month. Pictured front row left to right - Andrew Moller, Mark Hickman, Micah Fox, Evan Wesley, Dominic Scate, Second row - Bailey Bassett, Justin Ames, Jon Dubiel, Dave Roberts, Kevin Barrett; Back row - Head coach Vaughn Wesley, assistant coach Mark Hickman. Photo courtesy of the Hickman family.
The Ellington Unified basketball team is applauded as they enter the Tolland High School gym for the Unified games. Photo by Sherrene Wells, The Sports Department, www.wellsphotogallery.comFor more photos and information on the Unifed Basketball tournament, please see our website at www.thesportsdept.com
April 5-19, 2011 7The Sports DepartmentEllington
Parks Crew Readies Fields For Spring SeasonBy Robert TedfordThe Sports Department
Better than expected ‘weather’ has allowed the parks’ crew to get a jump start on the preparation of spring field maintenance for the baseball, softball. Lacrosse, soccer and track and field programs.
Please be considerate in regard to parking vehicles at all town parks and school locations, be cognizant of the children and adults alike that will be walking to and from their vehicles. Also, please follow the town ordinances when it involves parking in a regulated area, and animals are not allowed on town athletic sites, nor can golf be played on any town site.
Summer Program BrochureThe department’s spring brochure is
currently listed on the town’s website and the summer brochure will be mailed to all residences and businesses by May 16.
Current ProgrammingPlease review and consider par-
ticipating in some of the popular youth
programs, such as tennis, jukido, track and field, co-ed volleyball, pre-school programs, t-ball, both instructional and advanced programs, co-ed informal basketball for elementary and high school students, golf lessons.
Adult openings exist in: adult fitness, zumba, golf, tennis, co-ed volleyball, mens informal basketball, adult indoor and outdoor soccer, co-ed softball, ulti-mate Frisbee, etc.
Special events1. A Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles
baseball trip will be offered on July 8, 2011. Please register at the recre-ation office, first come, first serve.
2. The third annual Crystal Lake Sprint triathlon will be held July 17, 2011 , with a rain date of July 24, 2011. Registration is underway and slots are filling up rapidly, please register by going to either: www.ellington-triathlon.com or [email protected]
First aid/CPR/AED trainingThe next series of classes being of-
fered by the department are on: April
Ellington Parks and Recreation
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EllingtonStudent Athlete of the Month
Nickname: Jmark, PancakesAccomplishments: I made the Journal Inquirer’s All-Academic Team. I reviewed awards for excellence in Biology and AP Chemistry. I am an Eagle Scout. I was the Ellington High student ambassador to the HOBY leadership conference.GPA: 4.0How do you prepare for a game: The night before, I eat a big dinner followed by a long night of sleep. The hour before the meet/match, I talk less and start focus-ing on what I am going to do during the upcoming competition.Toughest team to play against: BoltonFavorite sports memory: During the XC season, the team normally sits around after stretching; we just talk, hang out, and share stories from that day at school.Favorite memory of high school: Hang-ing out in the science prep room after chemistry class with my friends is one of my favorite memories. Instead of working on chemistry, we would chat about every-thing and anything.Role model or inspirational person in your life: My younger sister, Danielle. She is always the positive force and most supportive figure in every facet of my life. Danielle is my biggest fan who comes to all of my meets and matches. Plus, she is the more athletic one so she pushes me to do better.Most embarrassing moment: Falling on my butt on the first day of tennis freshman yearToughest challenge I’ve overcome: I was stung by bees at a XC meet and went into anaphylactic shock. For the few weeks after, I had to retrain my body the
proper way to breath for long-distance running.Most famous (or near famous) person I ever met: Luis Tiant, Former 1970s Boston Red Sox PitcherPerson I’d like most to meet: Albert EinsteinFavorite way to relax: ReadingFavorite classes: Mrs. Avram’s AP Chemistry and Honors PhysicsFavorite snack food: Ice creamFavorite restaurant: Cabot’s in Newton, MassachusettsRed Sox or Yankees: Red SoxFavorite movie: The Lord of the Rings trilogyFavorite television show: GleePlans after high school: My plan for life after high school is to attend college to study biochemistry and French on a pre-medical track. At the moment, I would like to be a pediatric cardiologist.
Justin MarkowskiCross Country, Tennis
13; May 31; June 4. Volunteer coaches can register free of charge by going to: [email protected]
A BIG thank you to the volunteers from 2010-11
Despite or in SPITE of the weather conditions this winter, the youth and adult athletic programs were able to complete their regular and post-season competition, Thanks to all the town’s volunteer coaches, your efforts were greatly appreciated and well-received by parents, officials and staff alike.
An extended thank you to the Board
of Education’s custodial and business office staff for their ‘internal support in making the school facilities’ acces-sible and available for the residents of Ellington.
Please access the town’s website at www.ellington-ct.gov and go to parks and recreation for an updated outline of programs. An added feature that will be put into motion over the next month is the town’s website editor, a program that will allow the parks and recreation department to formulate ‘specific’ pages for newsworthy and timely information.
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April 5-19, 20118 The Sports DepartmentTolland
Upcoming Events Spring Ice Show Saturday, May 14 2 and 6 pm
Bolton’s “Fun in the Sun” Basic Skills Competition Sunday, June 5 Open to Basic Skills Skaters throughout the country to showcase their talent
Upcoming Camps
Hockey Camp: July and August Figure Skating Camp: August
BOLTON ICE PALACE
Programs Offered
Learn to Skate: Classes for all ages and levels Figure Skating: USFSA/ISI Freestyle Sessions Speedskating: Short Track classes Hockey: All ages and levels Ice Dance Social: Learn a Dance then skate it with high level coaches Stick Time: Practice your game !! Edge Out: Edge and power class for hockey players
www.boltonicepalace.com 860-646-7851
145 Hop River Road Bolton, CT 06043
Skating is SO cool !!
Spring and Summer 2011
All classes taught by certified USA Hockey and Professional Skating Association Coaches
Nick Cassarino will be hustling hard around the bases this season for Tolland.Sarah Anischik will be the No. 1 singles player on the Tolland girls tennis team this season.
April 5-19, 2011 9The Sports DepartmentTolland
Marianne Anderson
New Students Only
Must start classes by
April 15, 2011
Boys Track Looks To Duplicate Success OutdoorsBy Katy SproutThe Sports Department
The boys track team could have an excellent season if they continue to work hard. The boys placed 4th in the Class Ms only placing in a few events. With the infusion of talent and renewed emphasis on training, the boys could find themselves in contention for a Class M championship.
Top runner for the Eagles is the 2010 cross country Class M and State Open champion Bryan Fowler. Fowler ended his THS indoor track career by winning both the Class M 3200m and anchoring the 4x800m relay team to victory. Trevor LaFontaine placed 3rd in the Class M 3200m and was a member of the All-State 4x800m relay team.
Another senior, Ben Hutton has been a solid contributor in the long jump as has junior Austin Shelton in the triple jump and high jump. Junior Matt Mensher, a member of the indoor All-State 4x800 team, is a state qualifier also running the 3200m and the mile, along with junior Tim Zigmont. Ryan Possardt was also on the indoor all-state 4x800m team and is an important open 800m runner. Junior Adam Boucher is a state qualifier in the javelin.
The team’s weakness is in the sprint-ing events. However, with such a strong distance team, time will tell whether this will affect the team’s goal. Coach Brandon Elliott says that Bloomfield and E.O. Smith will be the teams to beat this season.
Girls TrackThe girls track and field team is in the
position to have a very successful season as well after finishing 6th in the Class M meet last season. The girls team has always been well-known for its depth and that tradition continues this year.
The top returning runners are seniors Audrey Corbin in sprints and hurdles; Kristin Tetreault in the pole vault; Emily Isch in sprints’ Heather Kittridge in the throws and pole vault. Juniors Kristin Carr, Alli Gallo, Rachel Gedansky and Emily Howard will be a pivotal runners in the middle distance events. Kristin Schatzlein provides experience and tal-ent in jumps and throws along with Bintu Diaby in the jumps.
Teams to beat this year are Bloomfield, a strong and competitive team in the CCC East, as well as the much anticipat-ed rematch with East Lyme, the team’s only loss last season.
BaseballThe boys baseball team will compete
as always to be the best team in the conference. Coach Scott Czerwinski says that there are some new faces that are hunger to compete for playing time. A strength of the team is having kids that are eager to perform when given the opportunity. A weakness is inconsistent pitching, this will be important to improve as E.O Smith will be a tough team to beat with 2 quality pitchers, along with RHAM who is a solid, well rounded team.
Players to watch this year are seniors Nick Cassarino, Corey Keane, Troy Ci-
esco, David Ferris and Alex Clifford. Cas-sarino is a previous all conference player, and Keane’s versatility makes him a valuable option in the infield and outfield. Ciesco will see major innings as a pitcher for the second straight spring backed up by Clifford. Ferris is a solid defensive outfielder who’s also the teams best base stealing threat. Junior Ethan Sikoski will return as one of the best pitchers in the CCC East and Jamison Boucher will be an everyday player this season as well as Brett Akerley.
SoftballAfter a 10-10 record last year and and
losing only two starters to graduation, the softball team will continue to be a stand-out team in the league. Head coach Tom Drury says “we have two veteran pitchers returning and good athletes at every posi-tion. We will be tough defensively, with only 2 starters playing summer ball, the question will be whether or not we can score runs against the better pitchers in the league.” Defending conference cham-pion Rocky Hill is one of the teams with a strong pitcher. The CCC is full of some of the top teams in the state and will prove to be a challenge. The team strength lies in their speed, pitching and defense, but Drury says that it will have to manufac-ture runs on offense to be its strongest.
A top returning player is senior Alex D’Aloisio, a three-year starter and three-year all conference pitcher. Senior Brittney DeCarli is also a three-year starter and a solid .300 hitter. Juniors Jess Olson (infielder) and Alison Whitlock (3B) are both two-year starters. Olson was an all conference player the last two seasons.
LacrosseThe boys lacrosse team is planning on
having a good season, contending for a CCC East title and a spot in the Class S state tournament.The team lost 11 play-ers (8 starters) to graduation but have plenty of returning talent. Senior co-cap-tain Eric Horsefield is a 3rd year start-ing goalie and had 142 saves in 2010 with a .589 save percentage. Midfielder Kevin Kilguss is a senior co-captain on the team. He was injured all of 2010 but strongly respected by his teammates.
David Susca (attacker) and Matt Susca (midfielder) are versatile twins that feed off each other. Colton Bridge and Patrick McManaman are both juniors and remaining defensemen from last years varsity team. Another junior, Jimmy Harri-son is a midfielder and the leading faceoff player in 2010. The teams for Tolland to beat are South Winsdor, the reigning CCC East champions, and Newington. Coach Victor Hurtuk says “the team must grow and mature together as one unit.
There are no super stars but the team has adopted the philosophy that it is only as strong as its weakest link. This prin-ciple keeps the team bonded.”
Girls TennisThe girl’s tennis team looks to have a
strong season this year. As long as the team continues to build confidence and improve their offensive play they could go a long way. RHAM, the defending CCC division champion, is the team to beat.
With only one senior to replace from last year there are now five seniors capable of many things. Sarah Anischik is the leading singles player and has two years’ experience in the state tourna-ment. Katie Rhodes is the 2nd singles player and Jessi Rhodes, with a two year record of 34-6, handles the 3rd singles capably. Melissa Kenney and Alison Waterfield, the leading doubles team, are looking to return to the state tournament.
Coach Kris Coffey, going into his 3rd season coaching tennis at Tolland, said that this is a big year for the team. “Our goal is to win the state tournament and we believe that moving up to Class M makes this possible.” Coffey says that senior play and leadership are the team’s strength but self-belief will be a flaw to overcome this year.
Boys TennisThe boys tennis team lost valuable
members last year including Dan Ro-man and Scott Tardif, but remaining to compete this year are juniors Dylan Ro-man, Eric Venezia and Matt Beidleman. This team is capable of improving greatly throughout the season, as last year they started off the season 3-7, but finished 7-8. They finished as CCC East runner ups last year, an impressive feat consid-ering there were plenty of Class L and LL they were competing against. With most of the returning talent being juniors they have potential to have a great season this year and the next.
GolfThe boys golf team will be having a
bit of a rebuilding season this year, but they do have some returning talent that will continue to have impressive seasons after last years record of 14-9-1. Senior captain Bryan Dunham had an average of 42.3 last year, another senior Taylor DesRoches had an average of 47.7 and sophomore Max Boggini had an average of 46.1. Dunham has been on varsity for 4 years and a good leader which will help the team substantially. Head coach Augie Link says that the team is very young with many sophomores and freshman and teams like RHAM and Fermi have a lot of talented returning runners and will be difficult to beat.
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April 5-19, 201110 The Sports DepartmentTolland
Spring In Tolland Filled With Activities For Everyone
By Tom AinsworthThe Sports Department
The Spring/Summer Recreation pro-gram flyer will be mailed out to residents the first part of April and will be on Tolland.org. We have a wide variety of programs and activities for people of all ages to en-joy. Ranging from golf lessons, slow-pitch softball, Zumba classes, to guitar lessons, you have a lot of fun choices to choose from. Speaking of fun choices, there are a lot of fun events coming up. On Saturday, April 9th the White Elephant Sale will be held in the Hicks Gym in Tolland from 8 a.m.-noon, proceeds to benefit the Pavilion Rebuild Fund. The Hershey Track and Field Meet for ages 9 to 14 will be held on Thursday, May 19th.
All participants must preregister and submit a copy of their birth certificate to the Recreation Office by Thursday, May 12th. Everyone loves a parade so join the Permanent Celebration Committee for the Memorial Day Parade set to kick off at noon on Sunday, May 29th on Tol-land Green. For golf enthusiasts looking to support a good cause, Thursday, May 19th the Tolland Junior Women are run-ning their Spring Teezer golf tournament at Blackledge Country Club, the proceeds will benefit the Adam’s Adventure
Accessible Playground project. Call Sue at 860-870-0258 for more information. If you are looking to show support for your local library, the Tolland Book Fair will take place on Saturday, June 11th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Hicks Gym. For a $5 admission fee you can attend the Pre-Sale which will take place on Thurs-day, June 10th from 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m. That same week the American Cancer Society Relay for Life will take place at the Tolland Middle School. Contact [email protected] to find out more.
Looking to push yourself? Then Satur-day, June 18th is the date for the fourth annual Tolland Summer Solstice Sprint Triathlon at Crandall Park. Contact the Recreation Office at 871-3610 or go online to Tolland.org for complete information. Looking to find out about baseball or girls softball, contact the Tolland Little League at www.tollandlittleleague.org. For Spring Soccer contact the Tolland Soccer Club at tollandsoccer.com. If you prefer to give your brain a workout, we also offer over 300 online programs covering a wide variety of topics and areas of interest. Whatever your preference is, we hope you will take advantage of all we have to offer.
As always we look forward to seeing you out and about.
Tolland Parks and Recreation
Student Athlete of the Month
Connor FureyLacrosse
Nickname: BradleyAccomplishments: Certified LifeguardGPA: 3.1How do you prepare for a game: Get-ting pumped up with my teammates. Thoughts on the season: It’s go ing to be a tough season for us; the team will get stronger as the season progresses.Toughest team to play against: Granby is always a tough team to beatFavorite sports memory: Playing with Lucas and Patrick Halgren Favorite memory of high school: Too many to name a favoriteRole model or inspirational person in your life: My parentsMost embarrassing moment: I’ve had a lot of theseToughest challenge I’ve overcome: At the start of last year’s season a leg injury caused me to miss most of the season, but I worked hard to get back on the field. Favorite athlete: Derek JeterMost famous (or near famous person I ever met): Mickey MousePerson I’d like most to meet: My grandfather in his youth, I think it would be really cool to see what he was like growing up. Favorite way to relax: Listening to mu-sic and hanging out with my friendsFavorite class: Psychology
Favorite snack food: BBQ flavor twists and an Arnold Palmer Favorite band: I don’t really have a favorite band; I like just about any music so it just comes down to what I’m in the mood to listen to.Favorite restaurant: Anywhere with a good burgerRed Sox or Yankees: YankeesFavorite movie: Step BrothersFavorite television show: Family GuyPlans after high school: College, I want to go into the criminal justice field.
The Tolland High School Unified basketball team makes its way onto the court for the beginning of the Unified games. Photo by Sherrene Wells, The Sports Department, www.wellsphotogallery.com
David Del-laCamera and Nivel McCallis-ter deliver the pledge before the beginning of the Uni-fied games. Photo by Sherrene Wells, The Sports Depart-ment, www.wellspho-togallery.com
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April 5-19, 2011 11The Sports DepartmentVernon
Rams Baseball To Rely On The Young GunsBy Reid L. WalmarkThe Sports Department
The Rams baseball team will be depending on young and inexperienced pitchers to improve – and their strong defense and speed – in order to qualify for the state tournament, according to Art Wheelock, who begins his 33rd year as coach. Rockville went 15-7 last year, losing in the second round of the CIAC Class L state tournament after finishing tied for the second in the CCC East at 11-3.
Wheelock (406-284) is replacing seven starters. “We are very inexperi-enced,” Wheelock said. “However, our players have such a strong work ethic that it should translate to some suc-cess on the field. We expect to compete for the conference and be in the state tournament. They are confident that they can compete for the top spot in the conference.”
Senior center fielder and captain Kevin Babcock, an All-CCC East selec-tion, hit .354 last year with four triples. Seniors Kamyno Royal (left field) and Pat Witham (center field) each batted .300, and senior Bryan Leonard (second base, pitcher) had seven clutch RBI in 2010. Other key contributors should be senior right fielder Tyler Glidden, senior shortstop Taylor Botteron, senior first baseman Alex Mann and former JV players Rami Jadallah, a junior, and Kurt Annelli, a sophomore.
Rockville’s opener is April 6 at Plain-ville at 3:45 p.m.
SoftballCoach Frank Levick will be relying
on senior shortstop and captain Bri-anna Levick, a 2010 Class L All-State selection, who led the Rams in batting average (.562) and fielding percentage (.989). Rockville has lost three start-ers from last year’s team that finished second in the CCC East, at 12-2, and 17-4 overall with a second-round loss in the Class L state tournament as the No. 3 seed.
Junior third baseman Elisa Graf hit .350 last year, right fielder/third base-man Sara Carpenter was an excellent bunter in the clutch, sophomore pitcher/right fielder Courtney Oliva had many hits to the opposite field and sophomore pitcher/left fielder Kaitlyn Lajoie should split pitching duties with Oliva. Fresh-man Emily Burg will play in center field and ninth-graders Corrine Perry, Mi-chelle Correia and Jackie Ose will see
playing time as well. Sophomore Megan Gardiner will be the starting catcher.
“Our outlook is to contend for the conference championship,” Levick said. “Pitching and defense will be the big keys to our success.”
The season begins April 6 at home against Plainville at 3:45 p.m.
Boys LacrosseCharlie Chatterton is the Rams’ new
coach. He was an assistant coach at the University of Delaware and the coach of the UConn men’s club team in the 1990s. Rockville was 1-5 and sixth of seven teams in the CCC East last year and 3-13 overall. Chris Siewersten and Bruce Gezelman are assistant coaches. Chatterton is employing a one-game-at-a-time approach.
Senior Austin Bernaiche was an All-CCC East defenseman in 2010. Senior Ian MacDonald will be one of the lead-
ers in the midfield and juniors Mike Gar-rett and Angus Deane will be the pace setters on attack.
“We’re working the players into a new system and developing roles on offense and defense,” Chatterton said. The Rams’ first game will be April 8 at home against South Windsor at 4:30 p.m.
Boys Track & Field“This season will be a rebuilding year,
we have lost a lot of our veteran ath-letes,” coach David Ferrer says about the Rams. “Success will be defined by the up-and-coming athletes who have already demonstrated commitment to their personal success, but more impor-tantly, to the success of the program.”
Rockville, which opens April 6 at Rocky Hill at 3:45 p.m., lost seven lettermen from last year’s 2-5 team but returns a core that can provide many points in dual meets. Senior Marcus Dubose placed fourth in the Class MM 400m in 2010 and fifth in the CCC East meet. Senior Demetrius Bentley was 12th in the division long jump and 19th in the 200m. Senior David Hayden fin-ished 14th in the 1,600m and 3,200m in the CCC East meet.
Thomas Shea joins Dubose, Bentley and Hayden as a captain.
Girls Track & FieldThe Rams only lost three key per-
formers from 2010’s team that went 2-5 and finished seventh of eight teams in the CCC East. Senior Olivia Botteron and junior Kelly Walker are the captains for coach Ray Owens, in his ninth year, who admits Rockville doesn’t have much depth.
Botteron was 16th in the CCC East championship 800m last year. Walker, All-CCC East last year, was runner-up in the division 100 hurdles, third in the 300 hurdles and part of the 4x400 relay that placed third. Walker placed 11th in the Class L 100m hurdles.
Rockville’s first meet is April 6 at Rocky Hill at 3:45 p.m.
Girls TennisSenior Meagan Donahue will be
playing in the No. 1 singles spot for the Rams this season. Last year, Rockville finished 5-11 overall and 1-5 in the CCC East, tied for fifth place.
“We have a large squad that with more time spent playing should develop into good players,” said Carol Hart-mann, in her 14th year as coach, who cited lack of offseason training as a team weakness. “Luck will not win you a tennis match. Skills, mental toughness and dedication to the sport will.”
Rockville’s first match is scheduled for April 6 at home against South Wind-sor at 3:45 p.m.
GolfOnly one player is gone from the
Rams team that went 7-14 in 2010 and was fifth of seven teams in the CCC East at 5-6. Seniors Andrew Nisbet and Brian Goff are each four-year starters.
See “RHS”, Page 19
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RHS Standout Honored By National College Football Hall Of FameTom Higgins of Rockville High School was honored by the National College Football Hall of Fame for his work in and out of the classroom. Pictured with Higgins at the table is Larry Olson from the Hall of Fame Football Foundation.
April 5-19, 201112 The Sports DepartmentVernon
Senior Brianna Levick, one of the top players in the area, will play her softball at Fairfield University in 2012 as she hit .562 as a junior.
Kevin Babcock hit .354 last season for the Rams and looks to continue that success this season. Photo by Andre Dumais, The Sports Department, www.imagingbyandre.com
April 5-19, 2011 13The Sports DepartmentVernon
Student Athlete of the Month
Brian GoffGolf
Nickname: B-GoffAccomplishments: I have made Aca-demic All Conference every year and I have made the All Conference All Star Team the past 2 years. Also I am the cur-rent Twin Hills Junior Club ChampionGPA: 3.5Other sports: BasketballHow do you prepare for a game: I usu-ally try to get to the course an hour before a tournament. Then I’ll hit some golf balls at the range and then practice my putting and chipping.Thoughts on the season: I think we are going to have a fun season. We have a good group of kids on the team that just enjoy playing golf. Toughest team to play against: Sims-buryFavorite sports memory: 2004 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Champions for UConnFavorite memory of high school: Being on the Golf Team and playing golf with my friends.Role model or inspirational person in your life: My dad, he has taught me a lot about how you need to work hard to achieve your goals. Most embarrassing moment: Topping my drive on the first tee of a tournament.Toughest challenge I’ve overcome: My disabilityFavorite athlete: Tiger Woods
Most famous (or near famous) person I ever met: I have met a few R&B artists from the 1960’s including the Shirelles. Person I’d like most to meet: Either Tiger Woods or Michael JordanFavorite way to relax: Watch SportsCen-terFavorite class: Any History ClassFavorite snack food: PopcornFavorite band: The BeatlesFavorite restaurant: Ruby TuesdayRed Sox or Yankees: Neither, New York MetsFavorite movie: Forrest GumpFavorite television show: Sports Center Plans after high school: I plan to go to Coastal Carolina University and major in Professional Golf Management.
Peewee Baseball Program to Teach Youth Fundamentals
By Amy LocandroThe Sports Department
A new instructional Pee Wee Baseball coed program teaches the fundamentals of baseball to young players using a variety of fun drills and activities designed to develop skills and a love for the game. Art Wheelock and the Rockville High School coaches, and their players provide instruction and discuss the importance of having fun and good sportsmanship. The program meets for 6 weeks.• Class size is limited. Deadline April 8.• Who: Coed, Ages 5-8• When: Saturdays April 16– May 21; 10:
a.m.—11 a.m.• Where: Rockville High School Baseball
Field• Fee: Residents $33; Non-Residents $38• Register at the Lottie Fisk Building in Henry
Park or call 870-3520 for more information.
Hip Hop Dance ClassThis is a dance class for anyone ages 9
or older. The dance students will learn cho-reographed routines to Hip Hop, R&B, and Latin music. The class will fuse the elements of hip hop dance which will include Breakin’, Poppin’, Lockin’ and Latin. This genre of dance is great exercise, as well as a chance to learn and use memory skills. Get yourself ready to have fun!• Fridays, April 29-June 3, 5 p.m.-6 p.m.• Vernon Teen Center• Fee: Residents $45 ; Non-Residents $50• Instructor: Loriann Garcia
PilatesPilates is an exercise option for everyone,
designed to develop a strong core (stomach, back and glutes) while maintaining loose, limber limbs. The exercises provide multiple variations to meet the needs of different body types. It strengthens the body while keeping all the joints mobile and flexible. Bring a mat, comfortable clothes, and water. This is a mixed-level class taught by a certi-fied instructor from Personal Euphoria. All skill levels are welcome to attend. This is a 6 week class. Minimum class size 8.• Mondays; May 2-June 13’ 5:30 p.m.-6:30
p.m.• Vernon Teen Center Fitness Room• Fee: $60 Residents - $65 Non-Residents• Instructor: Gina from Personal Euphoria
Tai ChiThis class is a traditional Chinese low
impact exercise. It is the best balance con-ditioning exercise through smooth execution and focus on developing the internal energy flow of the individual. Tai Chi helps numer-ous areas such as body balance, weight loss, stress release, flexibility, increase memory and much more. This is an 8 week class.• Mondays; April 25-June 20; 6:30 p.m.-7:30
p.m.• Vernon Teen Center Fitness Room• Fee: Residents $56; Non-Residents $61 • Instructor: Amy Xie
Cardio/Strength ClassThis is a cardio/strength class will improve
self confidence, speed up your metabolism,
strengthen your heart and so much more. This program is a 6 week class taught by W.I.T.S. certified Personal Trainer, AFAA Group Fitness Instructor Holly Pellegrino. Minimum 8 in class.• Tuesdays; April 26-May 31; 4:30 p.m.-5:30
p.m.• Vernon Teen Center Fitness Room• Fee: $53 Residents; $58 Non-Residents
Low Impact AerobicsThis is a low impact aerobics program is
for those ages 17 and older and will be sure to get you a good workout. Participants will move and tone their bodies to various music while at the same time meet new friends. This is a 6 week class. • Tuesdays; April 26-May 31; 7 p.m.-8 p.m.• Vernon Teen Center Fitness Room• Fee: Residents $40; Non-Residents $45• Instructor: Pat Stauder
YogaLearn to relax, reduce stress, stretch,
strengthen muscles and joints, and develop a more flexible body. Special attention is given to the spine, as the focus is on proper alignment, posture, and limbering up. Relax-ation with deep breathing is emphasized, so that both mind and body feel restored and rejuvenated. Classes are appropriate for all ages, levels of ability, and belief systems. Please wear loose clothing and bring a mat or towel for extra comfort. Classes meet for 6 weeks.• Tuesday Morning Class• April 19-May 24; 10:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m.• Thursdays Evening Class• April 14-May 19; 5:45 p.m.-7p.m. • Vernon Teen Center Fitness Room• Fee: Residents $50; Non-Residents $55• Instructor: Donna Edgarton
Spring HikingSaturday April 16, enjoy a spring exercise
hike in the scenic hills around Valley Falls Park. Moderate difficulty, about 2 hours, four miles. Meet at Valley Falls parking lot at 10 am. Led by George Arthur. Call the Parks & Recreation at 860-870-3520 to pre-register.
Roger Williams Zoo Bus TripCome and see the lions and tigers and
bears, oh my! The Vernon Parks and Recreation Department will be sponsoring a trip to the Roger Williams Zoo located in Providence, RI. This is the perfect trip to take your family on during the school April vacation week! The bus will depart from the Vernon Teen Center (375 Hartford Turn-pike) at 8 a.m., arriving at the Zoo at ap-proximately 9:30 a.m.. The bus will depart from the Zoo at 3:30 p.m., arriving back in Vernon at approximately 5 p.m.. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited and is on a first-come, first-serve basis.• Wednesday, April 20; Depart at 8am from
Vernon Teen Center (375 Hartford Tpke) • Fee: Residents $38; Non-Residents $43
To register for any program you can come to the P&R office, 120 South Street or register on-line at www.vernon-ct.gov
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April 5-19, 201114 The Sports DepartmentSouth Windsor
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Junior Derrick Pike uses his speed in the outfield and on the basepaths as the All-CCC player lead the Bobcats in stolen bases last season.
Local Standouts Honored By National College Football Hall Of Fame
South Windsor seniors Alex Kaczmarek and Greg Pendergast recently received the National Football College Hall of Fame Award for their accomplishments both on and off the field. The players were present-ed with the award by Dr. Gil Boisoneau, Immediate Past President of Northern Connecticut Chapter. Their names will be inscribed on a plaque at the National Foot-ball Foundation and College Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana.
Pendergast, a varsity lacrosse and football player became team captain in both sports. His outstanding academic work includes a GPA of 3.75, a class rank of 11 in a class of 406 and recognition as a member of the National Honor Soci-ety. Pendergast’s leadership has been evident through his work as a tutor to other students, as an actor and script writer in the South Windsor’s community Broken Dreams program, as a member of Student Council, the school’s Drug Free Commit-tee, the Bobcat Pride organization and our junior class executive board. He has also served as President of the Interact Club. Outside of school, he has been active as a camp counselor and has been involved in community service as an active volunteer. Greg will attend Quinnipiac University in the Fall where he plans to participate in Lacrosse.
Kaczmarek played varsity football for three years and was captain for two of those three years. He was the first football player to take on the role of varsity captain as a junior. In addition to this, he ran
both indoor and outdoor track and is an excellent student with a GPA of 3.5 and a class rank of 47. He has earned Academic Achievement Awards in both Biology and U.S. History and Academic Class Awards in Physical Fitness, English and Math. This year, Alex has served as a member of the Drug Free School Council. Outside of school, he has volunteered with the Man-chester Police Explorer Program where he holds the rank of Lieutenant. He has also volunteered his time to the Religious Education Program. He will attend the University of Connecticut in the fall.
April 5-19, 2011 15The Sports DepartmentSouth Windsor
Experienced Baseball Team Looks To Make Return To LL TournamentBy Reid L. WalmarkThe Sports Department
The Bobcats baseball team is returning three All-CCC North players from 2010 when they finished 9-12 with a first-round loss in the CIAC Class LL state tourna-ment. Senior Peter Haggerty, a second baseman and pitcher, was all-division last year when he led South Windsor in batting average. Senior third baseman Anthony Garcia (All-CCC North) was the top RBI producer and junior captain Derek Pike (All-CCC North), a catcher and outfielder, was the top base-stealer. Senior catcher and outfielder Jeff Banach is the other captain.
Junior Brian Finnegan was last season’s leading pitcher. Coach Ben Alaimo (27-35), in his second year with the Bobcats, will rely on senior outfielder/pitcher Zach
Nassau and senior pitchers Kurran Rai and Kyle Dorsey.
South Windsor opens its season on April 6 at home against Newington in an inter-divisional game at 3:45 p.m. The Bobcats will travel to Florida during spring vacation.
SoftballSouth Windsor is returning three All-
CCC North players from 2010 when they finished 8-13 with a first-round loss in the Class LL state tournament. Mandy Roczniak has taken over as coach, after coaching Central Connecticut State Uni-versity for 10 years, leaving after 2009.
Seniors Caitie Holik (catcher/first base-man), Tori Thompson (catcher/first base-man) and Shannon Martin (pitcher) were named all-division in 2010. Also returning are seniors Stephanie Rahm (infielder),
Emily Armstrong (pitcher/outfield-er) and Aubrie Mazur (outfielder).
Roczniak said aggressiveness at the plate, sound defense and solid pitching will be the keys to success. “I see a lot of talent and potential,” Roczniak said. “So far, they have been eager to learn and challenge themselves.” She likes the Bobcats’ depth. The season opens on April 6 in at Conard at 3:45 p.m.
Boys LacrosseThe Bobcats will try to defend
their 2010 CCC East regular-season title (6-0) despite losing six starters to graduation. South Windsor wound up 8-10 overall with a loss in the qualifying round of the Class L state tournament. Captain Greg Pendergast, a senior defenseman, was All-CCC East last year, as was senior goaltender Troy Kremidas and senior midfielder Sean Doolady. Also returning are senior Alex Polak, a defenseman, and senior midfielders Tim Colabrese, Dave Wolf, Tyler Woods and Kevin Doolady.
Coach Jon Giordano says defense will be the Bobcats’
strength and they’ll need to work on pass-ing quicker and better. Opening day is April 6 in a home game against Southing-ton at 4:30 p.m.
Girls LacrosseA veteran core greets Ed Duclos in his
21st year as the Bobcats’ head coach – almost all with winning records – with only four starters lost to graduation from 2010’s 6-9-2 team that lost in the qualifying round of the Division I state tournament. Senior midfielder Rebecca Libutti was All-CCC North last year. Seniors Michelle Gilligan and Meg Eremita return on attack, seniors Amy Chalmers and Tori Mitchell are back on defense and senior Avery Desrosiers returns to the midfield and defense.
“The strong commitment to the offsea-son and the team’s work ethic create a very strong upside for us,” Duclos said.
South Windsor’s first game is April 6 at Berlin at 7 p.m.
Boys Track & FieldThe Bobcats have lost four All-CCC
North athletes from 2010 but return two – seniors Tajay Morgan, a sprinter, and Will Moran, a high jumper. Moran placed eighth in the high jump (5-foot-10 inches) in the Class LL championships last year.
Coach Peter Anthony, in his 25th year, has 52 athletes at his disposal. Aside from Moran and Morgan, he will rely on seniors Brendan Gauthier (1,600m and 3,200m) and sprinter Mike Figueiredo. Anthony be-lieves Moran has the potential to surpass 6-0.
“We can be considered as young,” An-thony said. “Half the team is back from last year. I’m hoping some of the younger kids can step up.” South Windsor’s first meet is April 6 at home against Glastonbury at 3:45 p.m.
Girls Track & FieldDefending State Open high jump cham-
pion Preethi Vaidyanathan (5-4) will lead the Bobcats, who have 60 athletes on the team for coach Clint Bowman, in his fourth year.
Senior Michelle Keilich was sixth in the Class LL championships 400m in 2010. Junior Kirsten Warner was eighth in the LL pole vault and senior Alisha Barrett, the CCC North javelin champion, was sixth in the event in the class meet. Bowman has been impressed with the training of senior sprinter Cheyenne Genga, sixth in the CCC North 200, senior Kelly Panta-son in the 800, junior Abby Colburn in the 1,600 and 3,200, junior Taylor Przybylski, the CCC North pole vault champion, and sophomore pole vaulter Maddie O’Brien.
South Windsor’s first meet is April 6 against Glastonbury at home at 3:45 p.m.
Boys TennisThe Bobcats, who were 4-10 last year,
need to gain experience, said Allen Dun-bar (23-19), who begins his fourth year as coach. They lost six starters to graduation.
Three senior captains will be playing singles – Sohil Khurana at No. 1, Aamir Addona at No. 2 and Jason Chang at No. 4. Junior Adam Zimmeran is at No. 3 singles. Juniors Kyle Krol and Kevin Maki are the No. 1 doubles pair. Seniors Brandon Romano and Andrew Filkoff and sophomore Danial Roberts have secured spots in the doubles rotation.
South Windsor, which was 2-4 in the CCC North in 2010, opens April 11 at home against RHAM-Hebron at 3:45 p.m.
Girls TennisThe Bobcats have lost three starters
from last year’s team that compiled an 11-7 record and finished second in the CCC North at 6-1. Junior captains Lauren Schmidt (No. 1 singles) and KC Karasinski (No. 2) earned all-division honors in 2010. Senior Andie Earwaker returns at No. 3 singles for coach Frank Rizzuto (87-58), in his 11th year.
South Windsor’s strength, Rizzuto said, is in its singles lineup. “We should be a competitive team against most schools in the conference,” Rizzuto said.
The Bobcats first match is April 6 at Rockville at 3:45 p.m.
GolfThe Bobcats return two All-Conference
players from last year’s team that went 10-6-3 and finished ninth in the CCC Championships and 19th in the Division I state tournament. Junior Clark Robinson, a three-time All-Conference golfer, was one of four runners-up in the 2010 conference match and will compete for the No. 1 spot on the team with senior Cal Hedberg, the other All-CCC player.
Senior captain Zach Ryder is a returning starter. Senior walk-on Tyler Glassman is vying to compete, as is junior Bobby Hunt, who competed in 2010. Junior Andrew Hancock, a transfer, and sophomore K.C. Shoop are in the mix for match experi-ence.
“I’m looking for the new prospects to gain some much needed match experi-ence early in the season to make us competitive in our conference by the end of this year,” said coach L.B. Gray (35-18-4), in his fourth year. South Windsor open April 6 against Manchester at the Manchester Country Club at 3 p.m.
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April 5-19, 201116 The Sports DepartmentSouth Windsor
TRIAL PROGRAM $49 TRIAL PROGRAM $49 TRIAL PROGRAM $49
Sucess Always Comes When PreparationMeets Opportunity175 WEST ROAD, ELLINGTON, CT 860-871-1033
Student Athlete of the Month
Preethi VaidyanathanTrack & Field
Accomplishments: High Jump State Champion (2010), All-State (2010), All-Conference (2009, 2010), Indoor and outdoor school record holderGPA: 3.7Other sports: Rec. BasketballHow do you prepare for a game: Singing classics by Lil Mama on the bus rides to meets.Thoughts on the season: It looks like it’s going to be an amazing season. I cannot believe it’s my last year of high school track and field, but I know my team’s going to make it a great one.Toughest team to play against: Glastonbury or Windsor, both teams are very talented.Favorite sports memory: Usain Bolt’s 100 meter world record was fun to watch.Favorite memory of high school: Being goofy with indoor track kidsRole model or inspirational person in your life: My wonderful grandfatherMost embarrassing moment: When I played T-Ball at the age of five, I hit the ball on my third at-tempt and then ran the wrong wayToughest challenge I’ve over-come: Maintaining school, sports, work, and other commitments is always difficult.Favorite athlete: Ray AllenMost famous (or near famous) person I ever met: I met the host
of Slime Time Live once, he was famous at the time.Person I’d like most to meet: Astronaut Bruce McCandless IIFavorite way to relax: Listening to classic rockFavorite class: PhysicsFavorite snack food: CerealFavorite band: QueenFavorite restaurant: Friendly’sRed Sox or Yankees: Red SoxFavorite movie: Back to the Fu-tureFavorite television show: 30 RockPlans after high school: I’m go-ing to MIT, where I plan on study-ing Aerospace Engineering, and competing on the track and field team.
Summer Parks and RecMagazine Are Here
By Ryan KaneThe Sports Department
The Spring/Summer version of Parks & Recreation Magazine is out and delivered to all South Windsor mailing addresses. The Magazine details upcoming programs for April 1st to September 1st, including; VMP pool, Summer Camps, Concerts, etc. In addition, the Parks & Recreation web site recreation.southwindsor.org will be continuously updated with the same program information leading up to the Magazine release.
Registration for All Spring/Summer programs and offerings began on April 1st for residents and will begin April 8th for non-residents. You can register for programs at the office, by mail or online. The recreation office can be reached at: (860) 648-6355. Office hours are: Monday through Friday 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
South Windsor Sixth Grade Boys Travel Basketball
The South Windsor sixth grade boys travel basketball team closed out the 2010 – 2011 season with a record of 16-9. Full court pressure and strong rebound-ing were the trademark of this team which finished second in the league and went on to win a league playoff championship. The playoff run was impressive, beating Plainville and Hebron to get into the finals against a strong Torrington team. All the kids made a contribution to South Windsor winning the championship, 48-44.. Shane Young and Sam Baum made the all-star team for the tournament and Shane Young, with 26 points in the championship game, was named tournament MVP.
South Windsor Girls Travel BasketballCongratulations to the girls of the 7th
and 8th grade travel teams. The 7th Grade team defeated Cromwell 54-40 for the 7th Grade division Championship. The 8th Grade team defeated West Hartford 33-30 for the 8th grade division Champi-onship. All of the girls displayed incred-ible effort, execution and sportsmanship throughout their entire journey to win their championships
Little League announces Opening Day plans
April 30th will be a very special day for South Windsor Little League and the entire South Windsor Community. It will be the Opening Day of its 55th season, and will be honoring Mr. Craig Pepin for his years of service to the South Windsor Little League. The field currently known as “Ma-jor A” will be renamed the Craig A. Pepin Memorial Field. Please continue to visit the Little League website www.southwind-sorlittleleague.org for information over the coming months.
Tennis LessonsInstructed by Todd Custer
Lessons are available for the beginner to advanced player. They meet at Wapping School Tennis Courts; Monday-Friday for two week sessions, starting June 27, July 11, July 25, morn-ings, afternoons and nights; view schedule and or register online at recreation.southwindsor.org.
Bobcat Football CampImprove your football skills for the 2011
season. South Windsor High School Football Coach Mike Bullock along with some of his staff run this football clinic that will focus on skills and drills that will help players improve their skill set and better understand the game. The clinic is open to children ages 7-14 (not entering high school). Camp dates are Monday-Friday June 11-15, 5:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. at South Windsor High School. Cost is $55 per week, add $10 for non-residents. Register online at recreation.southwindsor.org
Youth Basketball Open Gyms & Clinics at Ellsworth• Girls grades 4-8; Thursday’s 6 p.m.- 8
p.m., beginning July 5.• Boys grades 4-8; Sundays, 5 p.m. - 6:30
p.m., May 9, 23, June 6, 20.
Adult Programs and ClassesThere are many adult fitness program
offerings from Aerobics to Zumba. Boot Camp, Pilates, Yoga and more… visit our website for a listing of all adult offerings.
South Windsor Parks and Recreation
The recreation office can be reached at:
(860) 648-6355. Office hours are: Monday
through Friday 8 a.m.- 4:30
p.m.
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April 5-19, 2011 17The Sports Department
Spring Teezer To Help Benefit Construction Of Playground Tolland Junior Women, Inc. is thrilled to announce its partnership with Adam’s Adven-
ture to host the Tolland Spring Teezer Golf Tournament. The inspiration is Adam, a bright, active 7 year old soccer star, who contracted bacterial meningitis leaving him completely blind.
The mission of Adam’s Adventure is to build a playground where children of all abilities can play freely. The playground will be designed to accommodate not only Mobility Impair-ments, but also Auditory Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Cognitive Impairments, Visual Disabilities and more.
The fourth annual Tolland Spring Teezer Golf Tournament, sponsored by Advanced Per-formance Glass, Inc. will be on May 19 at the Blackledge Country Club. The tournament will be a scramble format with a 10 a.m. start. There will be awards for the winner, along with contests, raffles and a chance to win a $5,000 hole-in-one prize. $125 registration fee includes 18 holes of golf, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Ellington Girls Softball To Host Tournament The Ellington girls softball team will hold it’s first annual golf tournament on May 2 at
Ellington Ridge Country Club. There is a $135 fee per player ($30 for dinner only). The tour-nament, will be a 4-player scramble format, beginning at 12:30 p.m. with a shotgun start. Check-in is at 11:30 a.m. The tournament will include 18 holes of golf with cart, prizes for best men’s and women’s team, raffle prizes and closest to the pin contest. RSVP by April 22. Registration is limited to the first 30 foursomes.
Food Drive At Rolling Meadows Country ClubDuring the Men’s Club Tournament to be held on Saturday April 30 at Rolling Meadows
Country Club, the Hockanum Valley Community Council will be collecting donations to benefit The Tri Town Food Pantry. In these difficult times, an ever increasing number of res-idents in Vernon, Ellington and Tolland rely on the Tri-Town Food Pantry to help them feed their families. Your donations will help them meet this basic need. The Rolling Meadows Women’s Golf Association will also be collecting for this charity the following day during their tournament.
~ The Sports Department Staff
With Practice, A Beginner Can Learn Golf In Six Months
Say you’re 35 or 45 years old and you’ve never played golf. With the right teacher and time to play or practice three times a week, you could be able to make a good show-ing when you’re out with people who have played casually for many years.
Ron Stepanek, head of player development for the PGA, says almost anyone can learn to break 100 in five or six months. Someone with decent hand-eye coor-dination and any kind of athletic experience could probably be breaking 90.
With the agreement to take lessons for five or six months, a teacher and student have the time to master each fundamental and in the right order before progressing. (If anyone else wants to give you golf tips, ignore them.)
The instructors say committed beginners make faster progress be-cause they have the least to unlearn.
A program called 6/90, designed by former PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman costs only $249 for eight weekly lessons in groups of
four. It’s held at Cannon Ridge Golf Club in Fredericksburg, Va.
Beginners start with put-ting and chipping. Once they understand what well-hit shots feel like at that level, they build
up to full-swing shots. The Wall Street Journal’s John Paul New-
port says three of the six instructors he interviewed started with the short game.
He recommends relying on word of mouth to find an instructor, schedul-ing a trial lesson, and talking about your goals to determine whether the connection is right.
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April 5-19, 201118 The Sports DepartmentOutdoors / Colleges
Enjoying The Outdoors:It’s Finally Starting To Turn Green
Savino Named To All-Conference Third Team
By Keith ColliThe Sports Department
The greening of New England has begun. After this historic winter, getting out on the water will be a welcome relief. With all the cases of cabin fever subsid-ing It’s time to ready the tools of the trade. This winter we visited several of the local outdoor shows and brought in many of the newest fishing tackle innovations that should help provide for some great times outdoors.
The cost of a fishing license has been reduced to $28 for a full year and one of the best valued for family entertainment. Tales of fishing trips, trophy catches and mounts proudly displayed in our family rooms and dens rekindle stories that live through the generations.
Crystal Lake was stocked on March 23 with 4,500 rainbow and brown trout. The truck came and the workers used the pumper system to load the fish under the coating of ice along the shore. We are scheduled to receive an additional 2500 trout prior to the season. The fish should be adapted to the lake, but they will be really hungry soon. Trout have strong instincts to find food and the best lures are small casting metal that look like bait fish.
Compiled by Reid L. WalmarkThe Sports Department
For the second straight year, Western New England College sophomore Emily Savino, a 2007 CIAC Class M All-State player for Ellington High School, was named to The Commonwealth Coast Conference all-star team. Savino, a point guard, was the Golden Bears’ leading scorer at 11.4 points per game and was named third team All-TCCC.
Savino, a 2009 graduate of Ellington High, shot 88.2 percent from the foul line, but was second best in the conference at 86.7 percent in 13 TCCC games. She averaged a team-high 25.7 minutes per game for the Golden Bears (14-12).
Sophomore forward Kelly Schatzlein scored a team-high 12 points in Mer-rimack College’s 61-51 loss to American International College on Feb. 17 in the first round of the Northeast-10 confer-ence playoffs. That was the ninth time Schatzlein, a 2009 graduate of Tolland High School, led the Warriors (10-17) in scoring.
Schatzlein averaged 11.6 points per game, second best on the team. She shot 46.6 percent from the floor, tops among players in the rotation, and was second in rebounds per game at 6.6. Schatzlein paced the Warriors in blocked shots and ranked third in assists.
Roostertails, Phoebes, Rapalas and Kast-masters are the old reliables. Bait dunkers do just as well as boaters this time of year as the fish are staged in the shallow waters where bait fish seek the slightly warmer waters. Night crawl-ers, Power baits in yellow, pink, rainbow catch as many fish as any lures used. Relaxation is defined as throwing out bait under a bobber and letting the cares of the world just slip out of our busy minds.
Crystal Lake should have large numbers of the salmon holdovers and many of the 3-5 pound Browns that were stocked this fall when we were dealing with the low river depths. Crystal Lake re-ceived and extra 150 of these brood stock trout because the lake is considered to have some of the highest quality of water in the state.
The DEP said the fishing guidebooks will be delivered just prior to the season.
Junior forward Kelly Slattery, a 2007 graduate of Somers High, was named first team All-NEWMAC. She ranked in the top 15 in the NEWMAC in four categories – scoring average (13.4 ppg), field-goal percentage (48.5), rebounding (6.1 rpg) and foul-shooting accuracy (73.4 percent).
Sophomore Ben Schoeneberger, a graduate of Rockville High in Vernon, finished in a tie for fourth in scoring on the Castleton (Vt.) State men’s ice hockey team (22-4-1) with eight goals and 15 as-sists for 23 points.
Senior midfielder Bill Greider, a 2006 graduate of South Windsor High School, has 14 ground balls in four games for WNEC. … Freshman midfielder Nate Tembi, a 2010 graduate of Ellington High, has four ground balls and two shots in four games as a reserve for the Golden Bears. He was a CIAC Class S All-State defense-man for the Knights last year.
Senior midfielder Allie Duclos, a 2007 graduate of South Windsor, has seven goals for the University of New Hampshire women’s lacrosse team (5-3). She was a 2010 first team America East selection, after being named All-America as a junior and senior for the Bobcats. … Sophomore midfielder Amber Casiano, a 2009 gradu-ate of South Windsor, has 11 goals and seven assists for the Wildcats.
The information is available on the web on Ct Dep/fishing. A fishing license can be obtained online. There is a credit available
to those who paid the higher fee last year and the instruc-tions to apply for the credit is explained there. The DEP says you have to mail in your application 4-5 days ahead of getting the license or you can drive to the Hartford office for onsite rebates but can’t get them online.
I tend not to use this site as a soap-
box and use this column to provide all the local news for all our local waters, but the DEP’s decision to not plow any of the boat launches and parking lots due to costs had a negative impact on winter fishing and small stores in particular. I personally plowed and maintained all the parking and pull offs around Crystal Lake to help out.
Even when we had manageable snow cover there was no place to park to get on the ice.
Small stores are the ones that were open everyday at 6 a.m. for those who tried to get out. After the doubling of the license fee last year there was 30% drop in licenses, mostly amongst casual fisher-men. These anglers are the lifeblood of the small tackle store. We’re there to help out the novice and equip the new fisher-man with the right gear, so you’re buying what you need not just a cheaper rod or lures. We are the source that keeps you informed of stockings and fish activity so your valuable time on the water can be as productive as possible. This will be a criti-cal year for the small retail tackle shops. In the small circle of local bait and tackle owners we have a passion for the sport and promoting the future of families shar-ing time together.
Keith Colli an experienced outdoor writer, fisherman and hunting guide is the owner of Crystal Lake Outfitters store at the south end of the lake, 292 Sandy Beach Rd. Ellington
Crystal Lake was stocked on March 23 with
4,500rainbow and brown trout.
April 5-19, 2011 19The Sports DepartmentHealth & Wellness
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Keep Safety Up Front In Backyard Sports
You’re It, Get Fit
RHS Golfers Gearing Up For New Season
We’d be mighty unhappy if our kids came home from school athletics with broken bones, sprains, or other injuries. But we think there’s not much that can happen when kids are playing on the soft grass at home.
Not so.Plenty of things can happen, to adults
as well as children. Prevention is the key, and you should be mindful of that whenever a sporting activity takes over your backyard.
Basketball: Pad the post that supports the basket so energetic players aren’t hurt when they slam into it. Are you play-ing on a concrete slab? Be sure the grass is level with it so players (including you) don’t step off of it and suffer a sprained or broken ankle. Save yourself from a strained muscle by warming up and stretching before a game.
Touch football: Be sure it’s “touch”
The weather is fine and the outdoors are calling. What better time than May to get out there, have fun and get fit by do-ing things you enjoy?
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month is a great time to promote the ben-efits of physical activity.
No matter what your age and fitness level may be, getting active increases your chances of living a longer and better life: It also helps to control your blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight, and raise your “good” cholesterol.
Here are some tips:Aim for at least two hours and 30
minutes of moderate activity a week. This includes things like walking fast, dancing
football. Tackle football without proper equipment can lead to all kinds of injuries. Both kids and adults should warm up before playing. Be sure not to over reach and strain a muscle. And don’t play to the point of exhaustion. More injuries occur when people are tired.
Baseball and softball: Use a softer ball for young players. Batters should always wear helmets. Use breakaway bases to reduce ankle and knee injuries. Tell play-ers not to slide head first. Have the “on deck” hitter stay far away so he won’t be hit by foul balls or a thrown bat.
Volleyball: Tell them to avoid awkward movements that can cause strained muscles. Show players the proper way to serve and return to avoid jammed fingers and thumbs. Have them protect their faces and heads with their hand when returning a ball. Warm-up is important.
~ Staff Reports
or biking. If you can’t walk fast at first, set your own pace. Walking with a friend is enjoyable.
Do muscle-strengthening activities at least two days a week. Try to strengthen muscle groups in your legs, hips, back, chest, stomach, shoulders, and arms.
Though you may not have thought of it this way before, these are three important pieces of fitness equipment: a pencil, a paper and a clock. Good intentions do little for your health unless you make a plan, one you will enjoy and that can fit into your schedule.
All it takes to get fit is 150 minutes a week to lengthen your life and improve its quality.
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Continued from Page 11“We don’t try to beat a team as much
as we compete against par,” said Christian Stevenson, in his third year as coach. Stevenson also will rely on Brad Gale, a 10th grader. Two of the 17 ath-letes on the team are girls – sisters Jill Eitelman, a senior, and Amy Eitelman.
Rockville’s first match is scheduled for April 7 against South Windsor at Twin Hills Country Club at 3 p.m.
Boys VolleyballThe Rams graduated three start-
ers from a 2010 team that went 0-8 in
the CCC East and 0-18 overall. Junior middle hitter Vince Desilets is the stron-gest returning hitter, said coach Kim Marinan, in her third year. She will rely on junior setter Kelvin Colon as well. They are the only returning players for Rockville.
“I’m looking forward to the develop-ment of these younger players,” Mari-nan said.
Boys TennisRockville went 8-6 overall last year.
The Rams were 1-4 and fifth of six teams in the CCC East in 2010.
April 5-19, 201120 The Sports Department
Michael Bidwell ATC, LAT CSCSThe SportsDepartmentWith golf season right around the corner, most of us are either dusting off the clubs or looking at the newest equip-
ment thinking, “This is the year it’s all going to come together!” Let’s face it, we all want to improve our golf game, but unless you work on all of the ele-ments that contribute to success, you may not reach your potential.
1. Make sure you use the right equip-ment. Ask a golf professional to assess the “fit” of your clubs. The pro at your local golf course can fit you with the equipment that best matches your swing.
2. Take a lesson. It’s always a good idea to take a couple of lessons before you head out on the course. Your local teaching professional can help you determine the best drills and swing techniques you need to practice to improve your score. You can also learn how to manage your competitive
3. Get in shape. Since faults in the swing are often faults of the body, learning how to properly prepare and train for golf can give you greater potential to improve than skill practice alone.You’ll want to perform the right exer-
cises to make sure that your “golf body” is ready for the long season.
Research has found that warming up prior to play will improve perfor-mance. Don’t waste your time with static stretching because golfers who performed dynamic stretching exer-cises five times a week for five weeks improved their club-head speed by up to 24 percent with no improvement for the group of golfers who performed static stretches or hit balls at the practice range.
Neither warm-up strategy adequately prepares the body for the demands of the game. If you have flaws in your swing and hit balls to warm up, then you reinforce those flaws during your
practice round at the range. In addition, static stretching before the round mim-ics neither the speed of the swing nor warms the muscles.
Instead, golfers who what to enhance their performance should invest their time in performing dynamic movements that have been proven to work.
Our recommended golf warm-up includes three dynamic movements specific to the golf swing performed in the address posture. Perform these exercises to improve your body aware-ness, mobility, and flexibility. Begin these exercises now and you’ll realize the gains when the season begins.
Address PostureStand with your knees
slightly bent, back flat. Maintain this position while reaching one hand to your opposite knee, then repeat on the other side and continue by al-ternating for twenty reps to each side.
BackswingBegin in a normal
stance, then step forward onto the right leg then turn the trunk to the right. (lefties step forward with left and turn trunk to the left). Step back out of the lunge and repeat twenty times.
Follow ThroughBegin by placing
eighty percent of your body weight on the left leg (right leg for lefties). Maintain this balance position while swinging the right arm from the backswing to a “tall” finish position.
Repeat “swinging” for twenty rep
Mike Bidwell is a Certified Athletic Trainer at Integrated Rehabilitation Ser-vices. For more information on our Golf Conditioning Program, contact Mike at (860) 645-3810 or [email protected].
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April 5-19, 2011 21The Sports Department
shots on net lead to the Lady Flames winning the championship. The SQA ended the season with a 5 game unbeaten streak (4-0-1).
Squirt B’s Finish SecondThe Squirt B’s lost a 3-1 heartbreaker for the Smythe Divi-
sion title to New Haven after trying the six man advantage to-ward the end of the game in an attempt to tie the game. First row from left to right: Cooper Olson, Luke Meola, Dillion Cas-tro, Nick Lapore, Justin Bailey, Matt Jonas, Chris Conforto, Raymond Tonioni. Back row - left to right: Justin Menze, Matt Fritz, Calvin Beck, Michael Autorino, Connor Hartnett, Andy Crowl, Matt Mulry, Carrie Coyle, Coaches: Kevin Mulry, Tim Olson, Andy Alleman
Two Titles for ECHO TeamsThe ECHO Mite A team capped off a spectacular last
two months of the season with a thrilling 2-1 overtime vic-tory over the Baystate-Griffin Sharks (Auburn, MA) in the championship game of the Grafton Lakers Youth Hockey Tournament in Worcester, Ma. ECHO Mite A was the only Connecticut team in its division as the team also battled the Holy Name Stars (Springfield, MA) along with the host Laker team from Worcester. All the kids played great and repre-sented themselves and the ECHO organization with pride. The players are, M. Abery, A. Borrusso, J. Budnick, M. Calderoni, D. Coughlin, A. Fogarty, J. Hanville, R. Masse, R. Olson, N. Segar, Z. Thomas, A. Tonioni and A. Zwick. Coached by Scott Segar, Tim Olson, Nancy Thomas and JC Zwick. … The Peewee A team won the annual Grafton (MA) Lakers’ Spring Tournament on March 20, beating CliftonPark, 3-1. The ECHO Stars battled and defeated teams from Massachusetts and Rhode Island to earn a spot in the finals. In the Championship game, ECHO faced a talented and physical team from New York, who had not given up a single goal during its own advancement to the finals. ECHO’s team consisted of A. Lassen, M. Calderoni, P. Bates, C. Tonzi, C. Rapoza, C. McGrath, C. Lauzon, C. Swanson, N. LeGeyt, N. Mayer, C. Morton, H. Poulin, E. Valenti, K. Bishop, C. McGrath and K. Williams. The team was coached by Mark McGrath.
Conference To Feature Olympian and Golf InstructorOlympic swimmer Amanda Beard and local golf instructor Nicole Damarjian will be among the
speakers at the fourth annual Greater Hartford Women’s Conference (GHWC) on April 27 at Manee-ley’s Banquet and Conference Center in South Windsor. The conference is a program of the South Windsor Chamber of Commerce and for the second straight year is presented by Signature Spon-sorEastern Connecticut Health Network (ECHN). Beard, the morning keynote speaker, has earned seven medals in four Olympics. At the age of 14, Beard won a gold and two silver medals during the 1996 Summer Olympics to become the second youngest U.S. swimmer to earn an Olympic medal.
Continued on Page 22
Junior Falcons Send Two Teams To NationalsThe New England Junior Falcons Hockey Orga-
nization sent two teams to the USA Hockey 2011 in Anaheim,California. The U16 Massachusetts State Champi-ons and the U12 Massachusetts State Finalists participated in games March 30-April 3rd. This is the first time in the history of the girls programs that the Falcons organization has sent any team to this national event. New England Junior Falcons U12’s roster Stephanie Maiolo, Samantha Aube, Abigael Lally, Annika Hildebrandt, Becca Richard, Laura Garvey, Jenna Greenbaum, Brenna Hoar, Angelica Mushenko, Mackenzie Pelletier, Madison Pelletier, Gabriela Jones, Maddison Dexter, Anne McKeown, Julia Benjamin. New England Junior Falcons U16’s roster: Miranda Gohh, Krissie Aikins, Sarah Benson, Victoria Bortolussi ,Jessie Egan, Cheyenne Franz, Hannah Gilman, Amy Haggerty, Madeleine Hatch, Cora Hirschfeld, Olivia Mathieu, Emma Norden, Monique Rondeau, Amanda Torcia, Lindsay Vose, Marysa Warzyski
Pee Wee Minors Successfully Defend NEHL TitleIt was a fitting end to another dream season for the 99 Jr.
Falcons in Nashua, New Hampshire on March 19, as they defeated archrival Assabet Valley Patriots 6-3 in the NEHL title game for the second year in a row. In the semifinals, the Falcons had beat the Valley Junior Warriors, 5-1. In the championship game, the Falcons drew first blood on a power play goal in the 1st period and never looked back in a dominating performance that avenged a double OT loss to Assabet in the final of the Bell Capital Cup in January. The Falcons finished with a #11 final ranking in the polls. Roster: Keith Petruzzelli, Jake Corcoran, John Al Fiallo, Patrick McCoy, John R. Peloso, Riley Prattson, Kyle Glenn, Asa Wint, Dylan Klopfer, Brian C. Scoville, Drew Wiesel, Owen Coochi, Michael Kinnear, Kyle Kazeroid, Devan Tongue, Joshua J. Decarolis
98s won The New England Hockey League American Division Championship
SQA Falls Short In FinalsThe SQA played with passion unseen throughout the season as they outscored their opponents
14-0 through the first two rounds. In the finals, they ran into a strong Lady Flames U10 Major team, who were coming off a 2010 Polar Bear Championship. Although the SQA had one goal lead three times, the Lady Flames never gave up and tied the game with 4 minutes remaining. After a scoreless OT where the SQA has several quality opportunities, the game ended in a tie and the tiebreaker of
Local Digest
April 5-19, 201122 The Sports Department
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10 Important Coaching LessonsBy Chris CorkumSpecial to The Sports Department
As we get ready to start another sea-son, it is important for us as coaches to reflect back on drills and techniques that produced desired results. More im-portantly we should recognize what basic principles of coaching brought us some suc-cess in the past and we should be ever conscious of in the future. Contained in this article are 10 lessons/principles that have helped me and my players move in positive directions over the last 35 years.1. Be Organized. Develop a coaching
mission statement. Also develop a set of yearly objectives for your season. List and distribute simple team rules as well. Finally, every practice should have a written plan of what you are go-ing to do. Remember if you fail to plan you plan to fail.
2. Define for all involved the respon-sibilities of the coach and the player. The coaches’ main responsibility is to provide the players information and the proper environment to enjoy the learning process the game entails. The player’s responsibility is to practice hard, improve and repeat the actions the coach is teaching.
3. Make the players responsible for tak-ing part in their own learning. A coach can only hit players so many ground-balls/fly balls and throw so much batting practice. Even though it may be a little slow going at first, teach and demand that the players assume some of the burden. Who knows, maybe then they may do more on their own when practice is not scheduled.
4. John Wooden said “ I want no activity without achievement! “ This means you want your drills to result into posi-tive skill improvement. There are a lot of drills teams do that are just busy work. Get back to what matters.
5. Constantly self evaluate and answer this question “Could I and would I want to play for me?”
6. Baseball should be fun! The environment we create should be one where we all derive some level of enjoyment. That is why we do this. Remember however baseball should be fun not funny. There is no room for the silly stuff. The fun comes from improving oneself and win-ning as a team.7. Keep expanding the base of your knowledge. Read, watch, listen, go to clinics and keep a constant flow of new informa-tion coming your way.8. Judge a practice, game and season by how close you came
to doing your best. You may have had some of your greatest coaching sea-sons with a sub .500 record.
9. You the coach are on a solo mis-sion. The players/parents that play the most will probably like you. The ones that play less probably will not. That is just the way it is. We must continue to make decisions on how to improve as a team and then how individuals can improve.
10. Above all else, coaching gives us a platform to teach and exercise positive values thus giving us the opportunity to make the world better.
East Windsor resident Chris Corkum has been actively providing youth base-ball training programs since 1984. Chris can be reached at 860-623-1027 or at www.corkumsbaseball.com
Continued from Page 21Damarjian, LPGA director of instruction at Willow Brook Golf Course in South Windsor, will pres-ent a workshop – using golf as a parallel – that explores nine key fundamentals for both athletic and personal excellence. Damarjian holds a Ph.D. in sports psychology, has been a member of the LPGA since 1992, and is a four-time winner of the Southern New England Women’s Golf Association Cham-pionship. In addition to Beard and Damarjian, the full-day day conference will offer various speakers, workshops and exhibitors, and includes breakfast and lunch. Registration is $125 through March 31 and $149 afterwards. To register and for more information, go to www.greaterhartfordwomensconfer-ence.com or call the South Windsor Chamber at 860-644-9442.
ECHO Announces Full Season Midget Program ECHO is pleased to announce the formation of a full season Midget Hockey Program:The Connecticut Junior North Stars, a high quality hockey option for high school aged skaters in
Eastern Connecticut. The team will be led by current ECHO Director of Coach and Player Develop-ment, Mark McGrath and Galen Byram, a long time volunteer coach in the region. Coach McGrath has over 12 years of USA Hockey coaching experience, and extensive playing experience includ-ing four years of Division III varsity hockey at SUNY Fredonia. Coach Byram has numerous years of coaching experience, several at the Midget level. His extensive hockey experience also includes several years of junior hockey. Additional experienced coaches will be added to the staff as well. The team will hold tryouts in early April. On-ice and off-ice pre-season training camp will begin in August.
Figure Skaters To Compete at Ron-A-RollLocal figure skaters will compete at the Northeast Pre-Pregional Championships to be held at
Ron-A-Roll Indoor Roller Skating Center in Vernon on April 16-17. The event will feature some of the top artistic roller skating talent in the Northeast region, including many current regional and national champions. Over 100 competitors are registered to participate.
National Karate TournamentThe students of American Karate Center in Ellington competed
at the Foxwoods Casino National Karate Tournament last month. Pictured back row (L-R) – Sara Mateya, Diana Robert, Liam Shepard, Rose Karvandi, Alexis Bigelow, Mike Dettore; Front Row (L-R) Ashlyn Cartier, Cadence Pincince, Ryan Dieterle, Brianna Charette, Andrew Main, Joshua Mudano.
Local Runners Spring Forward At Spirit Of Spring Road Race
Trevor Lafontaine crosses the finish line first, over a minute faster than the second place finisher. Photo by Sherrene Wells, The Sports Department, www.wellsphotogallery.com
To Submit a note or photograph for the Local Digest, please email us at: [email protected]
Local Digest
Race winner Trevor Lafontaine (left) and fourth place finisher Connor Lafontaine get hydrate themselves after the race.
Katrina Johnson is presented with an award for being the first female finisher in the race. Photo by Sherrene Wells, The Sports Department, www.wellsphotogal-lery.com
April 5-19, 2011 23The Sports Department
Tolland AprilVacation CampApril 18-22 • 9 AM to NoonCross Farms Field Complex, Tolland(boys and girls 5 - 16)
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To learn more contact:Dane Brenner at 336.240.8486
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860-623-1027 • [email protected]
Corkum’s Private/Semi-Private LessonsAll lessons in hitting, throwing, pitching and fielding
are personally instructed by Chris Corkum at Scott’s Sports in WindsorPrivate lesson: $85/hour • Semi-private (2 players): $100/hour
Semi-private (3 players): $115/hour • Group lessons (4 or more): please call
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