Lizzy pg 9 2-5-15
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By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC column is dedicated to Brooklyn’s ‘walking man’ Jim Phaiah. Once a standout pitcher at Putnam High School who was sought out by Major League scouts, today Phaiah stays in shape by walking. A giving person he dedicates his journeys to local worthy causes, raising thousands of dollars for non-profits.
Facing competition from throughout the United States former Putnam resident Lizzy Gunsalus rode her CYCLOCROSS cycle through the mud and ruts of the Austin, Texas, course to capture the Women’s 11-12 Championship.
Gunsalus, who currently lives in Dudley, finished the two-lap event in a time of 21:30 a full one minute and 13 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Lauren Zoerner of Highlands Ranch Colo. Gunsalus fell behind Sofia Gibiete of Littleton, Colo., in the early stages of the event on the pavement portion of the course. Gunsalus came on strongly when the competition hit the slick course.
The new 11-12 year old champion demonstrated remarkable skills on the slick course, which was the difference in her victory. Gunsalus totally controlled the race once it hit the mud portion of the competition. The off-camber hills and run-ups proved little challenge to Gunsalus, who found lines to ride everywhere while the field behind her struggled to stay on its feet and wheels.
When asked how she was able to handle the rough conditions, the mud- splattered Gunsalus answered, “It helps when you live in New England.”
Gunsalus bested competitors from Oklahoma, Texas, North Carolina, the Northwest section of the country, Colorado, the Midwest and the East coast, according to her father Mark Gunsalus. The trip to Austin was a family affair. Her brother Greg finished in 14th place in his division.
“We all raced and it was quite an adventure,” said Mark Gunsalus.
Lizzy Gunsalus had another incentive in addition to capturing the National title. She raced on a borrowed bicycle. Her father promised her a new bicycle if she won the title. Dad’s now ready to fulfill his promise and has learned not to challenge his champion CYCLOCROSS rider.
Woodstock To Honor Scholars
and Athletes
Woodstock Academy will enroll 14 students into its Scholar-Athletes Society in a ceremony at Bates Auditorium on Monday, February 9 at 7 p.m. Refreshments will follow immediately in The Commons. The ceremony was originally scheduled for Thursday, January 29 but was postponed due to Blizzard Colbie.
The 2015 inductees are Kylie Barrows, Angela Caponi, Anna Fagan, Megan Feragne, Sam Fournier, Shelby Fundin, Deanna Guilani, Amanda Haines, Kara Heilemann, Lela Miller, Anna Perry, Leeann Rauls, Brooklyn Saracina and Samantha Sherman.
College Update
In a busy week on the college hardwood many former local players were in action. They also upheld the pride of the region with solid performances.
Devin Hill, the former Killingly High School Redgal who missed her senior season because of knee surgery, is fully recovered and back to her old form. Hill, who plays for Putnam resident coach Glenn Senecal at Rhode Island College, played a key role in an upset victory over Eastern Connecticut State University. Hill poured in 16 points and grabbed a bushel of rebounds for the Anchorwomen.
Four former Putnam Science Academy players helped their teams to big wins last week. Scoochie Smith was spotted on National television with the University of Dayton Flyers in their win over the University of Richmond. Smith hit a three-pointer and two key free throws in the waning minutes of the game to propel the 22nd nationally ranked Flyers to victory. He was named Player of the Game by the network.
Oscar Assie helped American International College to an 85-73 win over Assumption College. Assie was the Yellow Jacket’s leading rebounder and dropped in nine points.
Big man Paul Brooks led Worcester State University to a 79-72 win over Fitchburg State University. Brooks had 11 points and a record setting eight blocks in the win. He was the 4-14 Lancer’s leading rebounder. He was named Co-Worcester Area Coaches Basketball Association Player-of-the-Week for his efforts. This season he’s averaging 13.1 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game for the Lancers.
Shaun Lawton, who plays for coach Bobby Walsh at the University of Maine, was a big cog in the Black Bear’s 70-61 win over the University of Hartford. Lawton had four points, three rebounds and three assists before fouling out of the contest.
Ian Converse, who led Woodstock Academy to the Connecticut Class L Tournament two years ago, recently had a breakout game for Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Converse had eight points for the 15-2 Engineers in a 92-68 victory over Wheaton College.
Catching Up with High School
and Prep Stat Leaders
Steve Jankowski of Plainfield has taken over the scoring lead among northeastern Connecticut high school basketball players. Jankowski is scoring at 20.7 points per game clip and is the three-point leader with 33. Oliver Simon of Woodstock Academy is right behind Jankowski with 31 hoops from beyond the arc.
The prep scoring leader is Cam Winston of Pomfret School with an average of 19.2 points per game.
He’s followed by Tom Horvat of Marianapolis (18.4), Putnam Science Academy’s Hamidou Diallo (16.4) and Kealen Ives (15.7) and Adrien LaFleur of Marianapolis (15.0).
The PSA Mustang’s Andrew Robinson leads the way in three-pointers with 45, followed by his teammate Ives with 42. Horvat occupies the third slot with 32, LaFleur 30 and Diallo and Josh Wallace of PSA with 29 each round out the Top Five.
Trayniece Mims, the Hyde-Woodstock scoring machine, is the top female scorer with 30.5 points per game. Juliette Lawless of Pomfret School is second at 14.9 ppg. and Killingly’s Meagan Bianchi at 14.3.
Madeline Lorange of Plainfield is the top gun from three-point range with 34, followed by Marianapolis VI guard Caroline Soucy with 27.
Super 'Deflategate' Bowl Attendees
This year’s Super Bowl lost some of its luster with the over blown (or is it underinflated) matter of deflated footballs that created ‘Deflategate.’
In this columnists opinion it’s as Shakespeare would say, “Much Ado About Nothing.”
Despite the entire unnecessary hullabaloo, some people from the area traveled between snowstorms to Glendale, Ariz., for the matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and our beloved New England Patriots.
Among the throng on hand was Westview Healthcare administrator David Panteleakos. Also spotted in Glendale was Danielson attorney Nick Scola.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “It’s on to Glendale and Seattle.” Bill Belichick, New England Patriots coach.
(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
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Snowballs pf 9 2-5-15
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By Ron P. Coderre
Blizzard Colbie’s team took center court this week, postponing or delaying much of the hoop action in girls’ basketball. When action did resume, sometime about 48 to 72 hours after the snow had stopped and been pushed aside, there was a surprise.
The biggest news of the week was the victory posted by the Ellis Tech Ladies over Cheney Tech following a 13-game losing streak to begin the season. Tourtellotte continued to rule the Eastern Connecticut Conference Small Division with two wins. The Plainfield Lady Panthers qualified for the CIAC Tournament with a victory over Waterford.
Putnam picked up a win as the Lady Clippers moved to within one victory of qualifying for the postseason. Woodstock Academy, which needs two wins to make the postseason, was dropped by Norwich Free Academy.
Prep action was also light. Only Pomfret School and the Marianapolis V1 and V2 teams saw action on the hardwood.
Ellis Tech Avoids Winless
Season with OT Win
Ellis Tech, which opened its season with 13 consecutive losses, many by large margins, finally hit the Win column with a 35-33 overtime victory over Cheney Tech. The Lady Eagles survived a second period scoring drought in which they scored only one point to persevere. Tied at 30-30 after regulation the Lady Techsters outscored Cheney Tech 5-3 in the final five minutes. Sarah Tellier with 13 points was Ellis Tech’s high scorer.
Later in the week the Lady Eagles were felled by Grasso Tech 52-30 despite 12 points by Hayley Evans. ET is now 1-14 on the season.
Tourtellotte raised its record to 12-3 overall and 6-0 in the Eastern Connecticut Conference Small Division with a pair of victories. The Lady Tigers opened with an easy 42-15 win against Griswold behind 15 points from Allie Ablondi who tallied all her hoops from beyond the three-point arc.
They followed that game with a convincing 58-43 win over Lyman Memorial. Sophomore point guard Abbie Poirier led with victory with 21 points, while the hot shooting Ablondi added 16 markers, with three coming from downtown.
Plainfield rode a pair of double-double performances in squeaking by Waterford 53-50 in a home victory. Adrienne Lorange was the Lady Panthers high scorer with 14 points, while also corralling 14 rebounds. Her teammate Julie Jordan contributed 11 point and 11 boards. It was Jordan’s three-point play late in overtime that clinched the victory for the Lady Panthers. Plainfield is 8-7 on the season and 2-4 in the ECC Medium Division, as its now qualified for the State Tournament.
Putnam, which has been lacking in offense of late, managed just enough points as it beat visiting Norwich Tech 29-21 to pick up its seventh win of the year. The Lady Clippers are 7-7 overall and 5-2 in the Constitution State Conference – East. Woodstock Academy with an eye on qualifying for the States was beaten at home by NFA 54-20. The Lady Centaurs at 6-9 need two .
Light Week for Preps
Pomfret School traveled to Rivers School and walked away with a disappointing 71-59 loss at the hands of the hosts despite placing three players in double figures. Juliette Lawless, who’s been hot of late, had 23 points for the Lady Griffs. She was joined in double figures by Alyzae Davis with 20 and Deja Ross with 14. The defeat broke a four-game winning streak for Pomfret, which is now 8-5 on the year.
The Marianapolis V1 team dropped to 9-8 on the season when it lost to BB&N on the road in Cambridge 55-47. Rachael Aho recorded a double-double in the loss with 13 points and a career-high 20 rebounds. Sophomore Jordan Frye chipped in 10 points for the Lady Knights.
The MPS V2 squad picked up a 52-26 win over Worcester Academy thanks to Shauna Harney’s double-double, 10-point and 23-rebound performance. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak and lifted the Little Lady Knights to 3-6 on the season.
Education briefs pg 11 2-5-15
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Honored
DOYLESTOWN, Penn. — Kristy Poisson, a resident of Pascoag was honored for academic achievement by being named to the Dean’s List at Delaware Valley College for the fall 2014 semester.
On dean’s list
WEST HARTFORD — Local students on the University of Hartford’s dean’s list for fall 2014 include: Gregory Roto of Eastford, Zachary Bartolomei of E. Woodstock, Abigail Orn of Putnam, Matthew Baronowski of Thompson, Jessica Musto of Woodstock, Andrew Partlow of Pascoag.
Honored
BRISTOL, R.I. — The following local residents are among those to be named to the Roger Williams University dean’s list for the fall 2014 semester: Sarah Gilloran of Pomfret Center, majoring in architecture; Emma Guillot of Dayville, majoring in architecture; Zachary Morin of Woodstock Valley, majoring in international business; Mikayla Pasco of Dayville, majoring in Management; Garrett Ponte of Woodstock; Carly Quinn of Danielson, majoring in engineering; Ian Waldron of Danielson, majoring in media communication.
On dean’s list
NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. — Kaitlynn Thayer from Woodstock has been named to the UMass Dartmouth fall 2014 dean’s list.
Hockey pg 10 2-5-15
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Hockey loss
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Academy ice hockey team lost Jan. 31 to Suffield/Granby/Windsor Locks by the score of 6-2.
First period scoring:
Suff.. Jake King assist Dan Bahl 11:36
Suff. Austin Rupp assist King 5:25
Suff. King assist Bahl 4:33
Second period:
Suff. Corey Walsh assist Brendan Looney 13:34
Suff. Mitch Bbielonko assist King
7:03
Third period:
WA Austin Beaupre assist Ryan Black 14:44
WA Nathan Deluca assist Black and Beaupre 13:22
Suffield Jake Bourdeau assist King 2:10
Goalies
Suffield Shane Kertonis 17 saves 2ga
WA Tucker Johns 14 saves 3ga
WA Cal Wilcox 16 saves 3gaHockey loss
WOO