low pg 8 3-28-24
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Girls’ Golf
Woodstock senior Isabella Siwiko (in front of golf cart) is joined by assistant coach Jeff Boshka (in driver’s seat), Reagan Scheck (passenger’s seat), Sophia Giourelis (in back on left) and Lily Moran during a cleanup day at the Woodstock Golf Course at Roseland Park. Photo by Marc Allard/Woodstock Academy.
Woodstock Academy girls’ golf coach Earl Semmelrock knew he was going to have to hope to have enough players just to field a team.
The Centaurs will in 2024. Barely.
The graduations of Ella Musumeci, Maya Orbegozo, Shannon Cunniff, Adriana Rojas and Abigail Owens were expected.
The departures of juniors Liliana Bottone and Sophie Gronski were not.
“They are concentrating on volleyball,” Semmelrock said. “They told me in the fall but I was hoping they would change their minds. I tried to do a little arm-twisting, but they’re concentrating on volleyball. I told everybody else that we’re moving forward, going to have a fun season, but you can’t all be sick on the same day.”
It leaves just five players on the roster led by senior captain Isabella Siwiko.
“We only have two returning varsity players but we have a lot of talent. We’ve been practicing at Bear’s (Virtual) Golf (in Danielson) and I feel like it’s going to be a good year. It will definitely be a learning year, we may not be up to where we were last year, but there is a lot of potential,” Siwiko said.
The Centaurs finished 12-3 a year ago, good enough for second in the ECC.
Junior Isabel Mawson and sophomore Lily Moran are the other two players who were with the program last season.
“The good news is that the three returners have been hitting balls at Bear’s and they appear to be better,” Semmelrock said.
There is little more to do this time of year.
“It helps because you can tell how far each club is going and the distance you hit and everything. That’s going to help us know where we’re at when we actually get on the course,” Siwiko said about the time spent playing virtual golf.
Few golf courses are open at this time.
In fact, the girls’ team spent one day last week doing community service by helping clean up around the Woodstock Golf Course at Roseland Park.
The course had a lot of tree removal over the winter and it has left a lot of cleanup work to be done.
The varsity teams play at Quinnatisset Country Club in Thompson, which will likely not be open for another week or two; the junior varsity teams have used the Woodstock Golf Course.
“I’ve been looking forward to getting back on the course all winter,” Siwiko said.
There is a bright spot. Freshman Reagan Scheck has come out for the team.
She has a huge upside, a lot of potential,” Semmelrock said. “She is a member at Quinnatisset and takes lessons at Lake of Isles (in Ledyard). We should have a pretty accomplished player right out of the gate which is going to be helpful because without her, I don’t know what I would do.”
Scheck has already impressed the team.
“She’s an incredible talent. She’s been playing since she was about 11-years-old so I’m really looking forward to playing with her. I feel like she is going to be a really strong player and I’m just excited for the season,” Siwiko said.
Sophia Giourelis is the other freshman and fifth player on the roster.
Woodstock opens the season April 2 against East Lyme at the Old Lyme Golf course and then is scheduled to play Norwich Free Academy at the Norwich Golf Course on April 3.
“Those are going to be tough, no question. We got some practice in (last) week at Bear’s, they have been very generous and accommodating with their time, and we can use that in foul weather. Hopefully, we will be able to use an outdoor range (this) week and then be ready to hit the ground running with two matches the week after,” Semmelrock said.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
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pomfret pg 8 3-28-24
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Pomfret School Honors
POMFRET — Pomfret School students named to the Honors list for the winter term include: Gabriella Nsubuga of U.S. (2026); James Lake of Pomfret (2027); Chloe Woodard of Pomfret (2025); Andrew Burnham of Pomfret Center (2025); Beatrice Foronda of Putnam (2027); Mila Ganias of Woodstock (2025); Gabriela Brown of Woodstock Valley (2026); Adam Tillinghast of Danielson (2024); Shelby Geragotelis of Brooklyn (2026); Delaney Williams of Brooklyn (2026).
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updated - fox pg 8 3-28-24
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Fox in Church Street Area was Rabid
PUTNAM --- Putnam Police Department officials said that the aggressive fox that was in the area of Church and Cleveland streets and the surrounding area was captured and euthanized tested positive for rabies.
Anyone who had direct contact with the fox should seek immediate medical and/or veterinary attention.
The fox had been aggressive toward people and animals.
March 26 the Northeast District Department of Health (NDDH) notified police that the fox tested positive for rabies.
Anyone who may have been in contact with this fox or had animals in direct contact with this fox should seek immediate medical and/or veterinary attention and let a medical professional evaluate the level of exposure.
The public is reminded to refrain from feeding or approaching any wild animals.
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that can infect all warm-blooded animals, including people. It is spread mostly by wild animals, including foxes. The rabies virus lives in the saliva and brain tissue of infected animals. NDDH said rabies can be spread by scratches from infected animals or when infected saliva comes into contact with open wounds, breaks in the skin or mucous membranes, such as the eyes, nose, or mouth. NDDH said that it is very important that anyone who may have come into contact with the fox consult with their medical provider on whether they need to seek further medical attention. Also, residents with animals need to make sure the rabies vaccinations are up to date.
Anyone with further questions or concerns may contact NDDH at (860)774-7350.
Centaurs pg 1 4-4-24
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Roundup
Centaurs
baseball team
opens on
winning note
Woodstock Academy first-year baseball head coach Connor Elliott gave out two game balls on Saturday after a season-opening, 7-1, win over Northwest Catholic.
He got one back in return.
Eric Mathewson turned in a fine pitching performance and Caleb Simoneau shined both on the field and at the plate for the Centaurs to earn their game ball awards.
The team, however, wanted Elliott to remember his first coaching victory at the varsity level so they also awarded him a game ball following the victory.
“It’s a good feeling to get that first win under the belt and it keeps the pressure off the team, we’re not going to be chasing it. It’s validation for the team as well as they have been putting in a lot of hard work throughout the preseason in less than ideal circumstances. Today was our third time on a field all spring,” Elliott said.
Most of the time prior to Saturday had been spent in a gym.
The baseball field at the Bentley Athletic Complex was soggy from 4 inches of rain in five days. Dodd Stadium’s field was also underwater so they played at Northwest Catholic’s field.
Mathewson wasn’t fazed by the move or the conditions. “There was a consistent 15-to-20 mile per hour wind, it was sunny and not all that warm, especially with the wind. We told him to pound the zone. Throw fastballs and make them hit. It wasn’t ideal weather to hit,” Elliott said.
Out of 81 pitches, 60 were strikes as he allowed just two hits, struck out nine and did not walk a batter.
The Centaurs had only five hits but benefitted from eight walks offered up by Northwest Catholic pitchers. Two of those came early in the bottom of the third inning as Tanner Graham and Mathewson both walked.
After a sacrifice bunt, Simoneau, playing shortstop for the first time at the varsity level, singled to center, driving in both runners.
The sophomore had to step in at shortstop on little notice as Elliott woke up on Saturday to a text from junior Maxx Corradi saying he was ill and was not going to be able to play.
“Caleb stepped in at short. He’s played there so I had total confidence in him but he had not had any reps there this spring. He had worked at third and second base but when I got the text from Maxx, it was a no-brainer. He hit second in between Eric and Brady (Ericson), he was 1-for-2 and his out was a line drive to left field. He’s swinging one of the best bats on the team and he also played a flawless shortstop,” Elliott said.
Keon Lamarche added a run-scoring double and Brady Lecuyer had an RBI groundout, giving the Centaurs a 4-0 lead going into the fourth.
Lecuyer got his second RBI of the game on a sacrifice fly in the fifth and Mathewson made it 7-0 in the sixth with a two-run double.
Boys’ Lacrosse
Not an easy opener. The boys’ lacrosse team knew it had its hands full on Saturday in its season opener.
The Centaurs hosted perennial ECC power, East Lyme, and the Vikings left little doubt that they will again be the team to beat in Div. I with a 19-2 win over Woodstock.
East Lyme broke out to a 4-0 lead at the end of the first quarter and extended that to 11-1 by halftime.
Senior Lucas Theriaque had the only goal off a Keegan Covello assist in the first half.
The Vikings added eight more goals in the second half with junior Gunnar Basak getting the only other tally for the Centaurs in the closing seconds.
Jack Campbell scored seven times and added four assists for East Lyme while Gabe Hanney and Drew Sager each finished with five goals and four assists.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
Senior Henry Wotton (3) passes the ball to a teammate as East Lyme’s Gabe Hanney prepares to defend.
David Genay brings the ball downfield Saturday in the Centaurs boys’ lacrosse opener vs. East Lyme. Photos by Marc Allard/Woodstock Academy.
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