By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC shoutout is sent along to Eric Quinn of Gerardi Insurance.  Quinn is an active supporter of youth sports in the greater Putnam region.  He’s an avid follower of the Woodstock Academy football team.

The Woodstock Academy girls’ soccer team along with coach Dennis Snelling and assistant Jennifer Bruneau traveled to Hartford for the YMCA Celebrates Champions event on Thursday, October 22.  The program featured five-time U.S. Soccer Player of the Year Mia Hamm.  The team was able to attend the program thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor.

Hamm, the mother of 8-year-old twin sons and another 3-year-old boy, regaled the audience of more than 500 in attendance at the Connecticut Convention Center with stories ranging from her youth through her Gold Medal Olympic success.  The head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team Tony DiCicco served as the moderator, leading Hamm through the interview process.

Hamm related stories about growing up in a caring military family that included an adopted brother.  When asked who the biggest inspiration in her life was, she answered her brother Garrett, who died from complications related to Aplastic Anemia, a bone marrow disease.  She’s established the Mia Hamm Foundation in his memory.

“Garrett was strong, brave and courageous throughout his battle with his disease.  He battled to the end and always maintained a great sense of humor.  He was such an inspiration to me and my family,” said Hamm.

The woman named the “Most Marketable Female Athlete” by Street & Smith was named to the soccer National team at the age of 15.  She was a three-time All American at the University of North Carolina and a member f the 1996 U.S. Olympic Gold Medal team.  She told the audience that hearing the National Anthem at the 1996 Olympics was one of the biggest moments in her life.  The humble Hamm closed by stating, “I was just a player on the best team in the world.”

Members of the Centaur team on hand for the evening included Makara Sorel, Kathryn McLaughlin, Regan Stuyniski, Jessica Semancik, Ciri Miller, Ivy Gelhaus, Ashleigh Angle, Serenity Bottieri, Colette Cloutier, Heather Converse, Emily Lengyel, Irene Askitis, Deana Guilani, Broklynn Saracina, Caroline Schad, Kennedy Davignon, Kiara Ballou, Teagan Lynch and Olivia Perry.

Also on hand representing the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center were Betty Hale, Paul Kelly, Laurence and Helen Hale, Marc and Grant Cerrone, and Jim and Brooke Zahansky.  Tony Gronski, executive director of the YM CA Camp Woodstock, assisted with program arrangements.

Maple St. Madness

Putnam Science Academy will unveil its 2015-2016 basketball team on Saturday, November 14 in a program scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.  The one-hour action-packed program will feature a 3-point shooting contest, dunk contest, face painting for kids, performance by a surprise dance team, music by DJ Drew and special contests for those in attendance.  The highlight of the program will feature the introduction of the latest edition of the PSA Mustangs including UConn bound Captain Mamadou Diarra.  As part of the evening Diarra will sign his National Letter of Intent, officially becoming a UConn Husky.

According to Director of Athletics and basketball coach Tom Espinosa, the honored guest of the evening will be newly appointed Headmaster Don Cushing.  Cushing, who is the former principal of Bartlett High School in Webster, was a star basketball player at Worcester State University.

The evening filled with fun activities, contests and giveaways is open to the public.  There is no admission fee.

Another Broken Record 

at Killingly

Killingly High School’s super stick handler Alyssa Rainey now stands alone in field hockey career and season scoring at the school.  In the last regular season game, a 6-0 victory over Waterford, Rainey tallied a pair of goals, giving her 30 on the season.  Her performance helped her surpass former record holder Gina Allen who had the mark with 28.

Two weeks earlier, Rainey surpassed Allen’s career goal mark when she recorded goal number 49 of her career.  As the Redgals prepare for the Eastern Connecticut Conference postseason tournament and the CIAC championships, they close the regular season at 11-3-2 and 10-2-2 in the ECC.

On The Heal

Putnam High School soccer player Saige Morin is healing following an unfortunate incident in a game against New London in which she broke her leg.  Morin, who is a junior, was one of the Clippers offensive weapons from her striker position prior to her misfortune.  Send her some words of encouragement c/o Putnam High School, 152 Woodstock Ave., Putnam 06260.

Veteran Runner Working With Young Harriers

Putnam’s Scott Deslongchamps is recognized as one of the area’s premier long distance runners but a little known fact is the size of Deslongchamps heart.  Whenever possible he does the little things to help others with little or no recognition.  An example of his generosity was the year he ran the Deary Memorial Road Race course throughout the night to raise extra funds for the cause.

Most recently Deslongchamps has been mentoring twin brothers Luke and Dillon Lopriore, the former Ellis Tech track and cross country standouts.  In a recent race the student surpassed the master when Luke Lopriore finished first and Deslongchamps second at the Worcester 5K run at Worcester State University.  Lopriore is currently training for the Turkey Trot that is run at the site of the West Thompson Dam.  His goal is to cross the finish line ahead of the rest of the field.

While at Ellis Tech the Lopriore twins were four-year honor students.  Luke also captured the Connecticut State title in the masonry skills challenge.

Becher Watch

Former Woodstock Academy female soccer standout Emily Becher continues to impress with her scoring for the Eastern Connecticut State University Lady Warriors.  Becher’s latest feat was a two goal, one assist performance in a 7-1 win over Rhode Island College.  Her effort helped ECSU clinch its sixth Little East Conference title in 16 seasons.  

Her latest performance helped the sophomore continue her climb in the Eastern Connecticut State University Top 10 career scoring parade.  The Lady Warriors are 12-3-1 and 6-0 in the Little East as they prepare for tourney action.       

Gridiron Stats

It doesn’t seem possible but the high school football season is in its ninth week of competition as the teams roll toward Thanksgiving Day.  Killingly’s Austin Caffrey is the area’s dominant player as he’s racked up 1,180 yards and 14 touchdowns in six games for the 5-1 Redmen.  His teammate quarterback Kyle Desrosier leads the area with seven touchdown passes.  Chuck Innes of the Quinebaug Valley Pride is second in that category with five TD tosses.  Derosier’s favorite target Vasileios Politis is the leader in touchdown receptions with five.  He’s trailed by Saige Louis of the Pride with four.

A special tip of the sports fedora to Killingly coach Chad Neal who has his team in the top spot in the Class M State rankings.  Should the Redmen continue their fine play, they will enter the postseason for the first time in many moons.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Be reliable, faithful and finish what you start.  

(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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