By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sporty shoutout is sent along to Putnam Middle School teach Curt Prochowski.  One of the most respected and adored teachers in Putnam, Prochowski enjoys his off time with family and assisting with veteran programs.

The annual Turkey Trot 5K Trail Race and 3K Walk, which started in 2008, is gearing up for an ambitious event this year.  The goal of the two-part program is $12,000, which will go to support the TEEG Food Bank and Thompson Trails, Parks and Playgrounds.  The event is off to a good start with the announcement that CNB a division of Bank ESB has returned as its major sponsor.  In addition, Gerardi Insurance is a Platinum Sponsor and Putnam Bank is the Fun Run/Wobble Walk Sponsor.

According to primary organizer Michael Lajeunesse of Thompson, the activities will once again take place at West Thompson Lake on Sunday, November 13.  The 3K Turkey Trot Walk, which welcomes participants with dogs on a leash, will go off promptly at 9 a.m.  The 5K Turkey Trot Trail Race is scheduled for 10:05 a.m.

The cost for individuals registering prior to October 30 is $20 and includes a T-shirt with the entry fee.  After October 30 and on race day the entry fee is $25.  Preregistration entries will be accepted until noon on Friday, November 11.  To register for the race online go to www.racewire.com. Registrations for the walk will be accepted at www.thompsonrec.org.   Registrations are also being accepted by mail at Turkey Trot, P.O. Box 899, North Grosvenordale, CT 06255-0899.  Checks should be made payable to Town of Thompson.

Lajeunesse notes that runners and walkers are urged to solicit pledges from friends and family.  Participants collecting $50 or more will have their registration fee waived.  Awards will be presented to walkers, runners and walking groups with the largest amount of pledges.

The 5K Trail Race will feature seven divisions with awards in each division.  The categories are Under 12; 13-18; 19-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; and 60+.  The goal is to register 300 runners and walkers.  

“The Turkey Trot has taken off after its early start a few years ago.  We’re hoping to have the largest group of participants this year.  During this time of year, assisting those in need is an important cause.  It’s rewarding to see the generosity of the people from our area,” said Lajeunesse.

Members of the organizing committee include Angela Hachey, Thompson Recreation director; Rob Paton, Turkey Trot Chairman; Beth Ten Eyck and John Ywarsky, members at large. 

Former Putnam Athlete Dies…

The obituary for William A. “Bill” Perry Jr. who died at age 80 on October 14, indicated his love of the outdoors.  Perry was an avid hiker, outdoorsman, motocross enthusiast, skier, scuba diver and enjoyed racing motorcycles.  Nowhere in the obituary was there any mention of Perry’s prowess as a football player at Putnam High School in the early 1950s.

Perry was a rugged individual who had a natural athletic physique, which he developed as a young man on the family’s small farm on Upper Walnut Street in Putnam in the days prior to the development of that area of town.  Perry possessed legs that suited him perfectly for football.  It didn’t take coach Jim Greenhalgh long to recognize Perry’s strength and drive derived from his rugged legs.  

In high school for the Clippers, Perry became a go to guy from his fullback slot on short yardage situations.  His hard charging style made him very difficult to tackle and bring down.  Each spring Perry would transfer his strength to the field events for the Clippers, where he threw the shotput.

Even as he aged Perry remained physically active hiking the Appalachian Trail.  He also enjoyed hiking Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire with his daughter Melissa.  In addition to Melissa, Perry leaves behind his wife Susan Wayman Perry and his granddaughters Sofia and Olivia Jendrewski.

Although Perry never was a big headline grabber as a Putnam Clipper his hard work on the football field will be remembered by those who played with him or watched him play on the gridiron.  They’ll also remember a man who was loyal to family and friends.  Rest in peace, Bill.

Marathon Man…

Some guys will do anything or travel anywhere to find a good race.  Jay Long, the former Killingly High School standout athlete, is just one of those people.  In early October, Long traveled to Portland, Ore., for the Sunday, October 9 Portland Marathon.

Long, who works at Gerardi Insurance in Putnam, began running 10 years ago with his friend and co-worker Matt Desaulnier.  The pair initially ran in the Deary Memorial Road Race before Long got serious about long-distance running.

The Portland Marathon was the fourth time the 1997 Killingly High School graduate has gone the 26-mile, 365-yard distance.  He ran in the Boston Marathon in April and has two New York City Marathons under his belt.  Long is a graduate of Western New England College.

Putnam Science Academy Happenings…

As the prep school basketball season approaches coach Tom Espinosa and his Mustangs are swinging into action.  On Monday, October 17 the members of the basketball team began their season with the traditional 6:30 a.m. ‘One Mile Run’ at the St. Marie-Greenhalgh sports complex. 

The official results indicate that this year’s competition was a three-man race.  Newcomer Malik Ondigo broke the tape one second ahead of second-place finisher Hamidou Diallo, who was followed by Plainfield’s Liam Jacobs in third place.  Ondigo’s time was 5:48, Diallo 5:49 and Jacobs 5:50.  Manny Warren and Steph Jean tied for fourth place at 5:52.  The Mustang Mile record of 5:19 is held by current Quinnipiac University forward Aaron Robinson, who set the record in 2014.

On Friday, October 14, Diallo and his teammates were the guests of UConn coach Kevin Ollie at the Huskies First Night event at the Gampel Pavilion.  UConn is very interested in Diallo as a 2017 recruit.  Diallo also had an invitation to Kentucky’s Big Blue Madness but decided to stick close to home.

According to the Hartford Courant, the Huskies are also interested in 6-foot, 7-inch forward Akok Akok as a Class of 2019 target.  Guard Eric Ayala is also being sought after by UConn in the Class of 2018.  Ayala did not make the trip to Storrs as he opted to visit the University of Miami Hurricanes.  Ayala recently had visitors from Providence College, including head coach Ed Cooley.

A reminder that Mustang Madness is scheduled for Saturday, November 5 at 6 p.m. at the PSA gymnasium on Maple Street.  The doors open at 5 p.m. for the free program that will be filled with fun activities, contests and giveaways.

High School Football News…

Killingly High School has moved up two notches into the 8th spot in the latest CIAC Football Playoff Points Standing.  Coach Chad Neal’s Redmen moved up by virtue of their 42-20 win over Montville.  They are 4-1 on the season and have 92.00 CIAC points in Class M.

Wolcott with a 5-1 record is in 1st place in Class M with 103.33 points.  Waterford, which was in first place the previous week dropped down to 7th place when they were beaten last week.

Woodstock’s Kameron Janice with 1155 yards for the 3- 3 Centaurs is the area’s top ground gainer.  He’s followed by Spencer Lockwood of Killingly with 1,025 yards in five games. Janice’s teammate, quarterback Jared Bouten is the area’s top passer with 833 yards through the air.  Kyle Derosier of Killingly has 476 aerial yards.  Woodstock receivers Eric Preston (270 yards) and Mason Defocy (162 yards) are the area’s top receivers.

Reunion Golf Match…

Assumption Prep School grads Jack Avis, Dave Grenon and Bob Jacques met with RPC for our annual golf match at Quinnatisset Country Club on Tuesday, October 18.  In a match separated by one stroke over 18 holes the duo of Grenon and RPC emerged victorious in the good natured matchup.  Until next year the bragging rights will be remembered each time the foursome gets together.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Always borrow money from a pessimist.  He won’t expect it back.

(If you have sports information to share with PTC Sports contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

 

..