By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC shoutout is sent along to Chris Bowen of Woodstock.  RPC extends a tip of the sports fedora to Bowen in recognition of his personal salute in honor of my military service.  Much appreciated, Chris.

They say records are made to be broken.  Whoever comes along in the Killingly High School field hockey program in the future will have a mountain to climb as senior stick wielder Alyssa Rainey is setting the bar very high.

In a recent 10-2 win over the Windham Whippets Rainey tied and broke the Redgal’s field hockey career goals record.  Rainey took care of business early as she broke the existing record of 46 goals set previously by Gina Allen, who played from 1981 to 1984.

Entering the contest against Windham with 45 career goals, Rainey scored four times, giving her 49 career goals with seven regular season games and postseason play still remaining.  The high scoring Rainey has proven that she’s not a selfish player as she’s also been credited with 13 assists this season.  The Redgals are currently 7-1-2 overall and 7-0-2 in the Eastern Connecticut Conference.  They’re tied at the top of the conference with Stonington.

According to sources close to Rainey, she’s received a number of letters of interest from NCAA Division I and II schools.    As she continues her assault on the career and single season scoring records, Rainey, who is the daughter of Dan Rainey, is primarily concentrating on Killingly’s season.

Mustangs Ranked in Top 

10 Preseason Poll

The National Post Grad Top 10 rankings according to NextUp Recruits were released on Wednesday, October 7.  The Putnam Science Academy Mustangs coached by Tom Espinosa are ranked No. 7 in the first poll.

Many familiar names are in the Top 10 with most on the Putnam Science Academy 2015-2016 schedule.  Hargrave Military Academy of Virginia holds down the top spot followed by Brewster Academy of New Hampshire.  Next in third place is Elev8 of Florida with South Kent School of Connecticut fourth, St. Thomas More of Oakdale, in fifth and Northfield Mt. Hermon of Massachusetts one spot in front of the Mustangs.  IMG Academy of Florida, New Hampton School of New Hampshire and Spire Institute of Ohio are in the 8th, 9th and 10th spots respectively.

It’s only the preseason and regular season action doesn’t begin until November 17 but the fact that the Mustangs are recognized as National quality is thanks to the diligence and hard work of coach Espinosa and his staff. 

Running Shorts

The Eversource Hartford Marathon organized by Beth Schluger of the Hartford Marathon Group, the people who run the O’Putnam 5K in March, was a huge success again this year.  The day included a full marathon, half-marathon and 5K and attracts thousands of runners combined for all events.

A local product broke the Top 10 in the marathon as he looks forward to the Boston Marathon on Patriots Day in 2016.  Michael Stadolnik of Plainfield, who’s a familiar face at the O’Putnam 5K and the Deary Memorial Road Race, finished ninth in the prestigious field.  Stadolnik posted a time of 2:34:33.  The winner of the event Jonas Hampton of New Britain broke the tape in 2:15:58.

Another familiar name, Nick Magani of Higganum, formerly of Brooklyn, finished seventh in the 5K.  He had a time of 15:46 only 45 seconds behind the winner Brian Biekert of North Stonington.  Biekert’s time was 15:01

Meanwhile in Worcester, two Putnam runners fared very well in the weekly Central Mass. Striders 5K at Worcester State University.  Scott Deslongchamps finished second to winner Rob Auger.  Deslongchamps’ time was 19:34, while Auger crossed the finish line in 19:19.  Veteran runner Alan Rondeau finished eighth with a time of 20:50.

Happy Birthday?

A large gathering of relatives and friends from throughout South Central Massachusetts and northeastern Connecticut gathered Friday, October 9 at the Courthouse Restaurant in Putnam, surprising Mike Madden of Woodstock on his 50th birthday.

Madden, who was an Olympic caliber weight lifter as a young man, was totally taken aback and speechless.  The event was planned and pulled off flawlessly by Madden’s wife, Heather.  RPC sends along birthday wishes.  You can now officially become a member of AARP now, Mike.

Get Well Wishes

Home from the hospital and recuperating from hip surgery is Sam Markley of Dayville.  The energetic Markley, who’s been instrumental in raising funds for St. James School with the St. James Golf Tournament, is a little edgy but moving better every day.  As a former Killingly High School athlete he’s cognizant that he must take it one day at a time if he wants to get back in action.

Send Sam a get well card and help him along with the recovery process.  He’s at 102 Island Road, Dayville, CT 06241.

Q School

Former Putnam resident Nicole Scola is currently a junior at Quinnipiac University in Hamden.  Scola is one of the Bobcats standout scholar/athletes and a member of the women’s golf team.

In the three-day Quinnipiac Invitational, which was played at the par 72, 5,896-yard New Haven Country Club, Scola was the top finisher for her team in the 11-team field tournament.  The Bobcats finished fourth behind champion Albany University.  In the individual competition Scola posted a three-day total of 79-75-77-231, five strokes off the winning pace of winner Annie Lee of Albany University.   

Scola is the daughter of Danielson attorney Nicholas Scola and his wife Jill, who currently reside in Watch Hill, R.I.

Still Running

Last November Mae Flexer was running around northeastern Connecticut in her effort to capture the Connecticut 29th Senatorial District seat.  Almost a year later Sen. Mae Flexer, who was successful in her bid for the seat, is still running but with a different goal.

On Sunday, Flexer undertook a venture that she’s never done previously when she ran in the Hartford Marathon.  She was in the field of the thousands who participated and is proud of the fact that she completed the 26-mile 365-yard run.  And she wasn’t last.

“I’m pleased that the race is over and I can say I did it.  I don’t think I’ll ever do a full marathon again.  Running the race it was amazing that at one point along the route I was running one way and the leaders were heading toward the finish line.  They were at the 20-mile marker and I was at the 10-mile marker.  I’m proud that I finished,” said Senator Flexer.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “First say to yourself what would you be, and then do what you have to do.”  Epictetus

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