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Honored

The Woodstock Academy 2016-2017 gymnastics team was named the Team of the Year in Connecticut. Courtesy photo.

 

 

Academy 

gymnasts

named CT

team of year

WOODSTOCK — The Woodstock Academy gymnastics coach Kasey Fillmore is already preparing for the upcoming season.

So when she received a call from her athletic director, Aaron Patterson, recently that the 2016-17 gymnastics team was being honored as the Team of the Year by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association, she was a little surprised.

“I never expected that. It’s an honor and it’s nice to get. It was such an exciting season, but it seems like so long ago,” Fillmore said with a laugh.

The Centaurs captured their third New England gymnastics championship in March and did so, for the first time, on their home floor as The Academy hosted the event for a first-time ever. The Centaurs also captured their sixth consecutive Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference State Open championship.

“It was a team that set the standard for years to come, across New England, across the state and, for sure, at The Woodstock Academy,” Fillmore said.

The Team of the Year honor, according to CHSCA organizer John Fontana, is selected in the following manner. Each sports committee of the organization names a Team of the Year for its sport. Fontana then sends out applications to the schools that have been chosen asking for further information. From the applications returned to the CHSCA, a group of sports journalists make the final decision, naming male and female athletes and teams of the year.

It’s the second time that The Woodstock Academy gymnastics program has received the honor. It was also named as such in 2011-12. Academy graduate Paige Stuyniski was also chosen the 2016 Female Athlete of the Year by the CHSCA.

“It’s a gem of a program,” Patterson said. “Think about all of the female athletic teams just in the Eastern Connecticut Conference and then think how many programs there are across the state. To be No. 1 among all those, that’s pretty impressive.”

Stuyniski, now at Texas Woman’s University, and Grace Logan, who attends Fillmore’s alma mater, Bowling Green University, carried the torch for the Centaurs.

“They led by example,” Fillmore said. “They made the sport, which can be stressful when you consider the hours and the dedication involved, fun for the whole team.”

The 2016-17 team included Paige Stuyniski, Allison Crescimanno, and Emily Arters of Brooklyn, Jenna Davidson of Canterbury, Madelyn Grube of Eastford, Grace Logan and Abigail Vaida of Pomfret, Lydia Taft of Putnam, and Elise Boisvert of Woodstock.

“These gymnasts are outstanding representatives of The Academy, in their character and dedication during competition and as students,” said Holly Singleton, associate head of school at The Woodstock Academy. “Our team receiving this honor makes the season a perfect ten in my books.”

“For the team’s consistent high-caliber performance to be recognized with the singular honor of Team of the Year is really special for the gymnasts, coaches, and the whole of The Woodstock Academy,” said Christopher Sandford, The Woodstock Academy’s head of school. “We are pleased to provide an environment for our student-athletes to thrive.”

The Centaurs will be honored on Nov. 16 during the CHSCA Hall of Fame banquet at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington.

 

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