caption, page 11:

 

 

Hall of Fame

The Woodstock Academy 1996 girls' basketball teams was inducted into the Woodstock Academy athletic Hall of Fame recently. Courtesy photo.

 

 

By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sporty shoutout is sent along to Ann Marie Desabota.  Coming from an athletic family she learned to appreciate sports as a young lady and continues to follow the headlines locally and nationally.  As a faithful reader of Ramblings, Points & Comments we salute Ann Desabota.

Woodstock Academy inducted its 2nd group of athletes into its Athletic Hall of Fame on Sunday, October 12 in a ceremony held on the school’s campus.  Included in the induction ceremony were six former athletes, two teams and one benefactor.

The Hall of Fame Class of 2014 included John Graham of the class of 2002.  Graham was an outstanding All State cross country and track performer who also was a member of the Centaurs basketball team.  Graham continued his cross country career at Syracuse University, where he was one of the Orange top runners. 

A pair of Kozlowski individuals, Derin and Janel, who starred in track and field while at Woodstock, were part of the prestigious lineup.  Both Kozlowskis, Derin class of 2003 and Janel class of 2000 earned All American status while they were Centaurs.

Chris Mayhew Sr., class of 1994 was one of the most noted athletes to graduate from the Academy.  He starred in soccer, basketball and baseball.  He went on to a baseball career at Springfield College.  He was also a member of one of the best American Legion teams assembled in Northeastern Connecticut.

Jared Morse of the class of 1992 was a three-time All State soccer player who also earned All New England honors.  He later went on to the NCAA Division I University of Maine in Orono where he was a standout member of the Black Bears on the pitch.  Morse is currently the varsity soccer coach at the Academy.

The other individual who was inducted was three-sport standout Stacey Schofield of the class of 1999.  Schofield starred in soccer, softball and basketball and was the first female 1000-point scorer in the history of the school.  She later went on to Eastern Connecticut State University where she was a varsity athletic performer for the Lady Warriors.

The 1991 boys’ golf team, which won a State Championship under coach Bob Thompson, entered as a team.  Members of the team included Steve Keller, Scott Johndrow, Kevin Houghton and John Darigan.

The undefeated 1996 girls’ soccer team was inducted along with head coach Royal Hale and assistant coach Jim Cervini.  The members of the team were Melissa Blais, Deborah St. Jean, Angela Puliafico, Karen Neumann, Rachel Steniger, Kristen Rathbone, Dawn Rathbone, Alexa Noll, Renee Andrews, Lauren Guillette, Colleen Neely, Becky Ferland, Julie Sage, Bonnie Foisey, Amity Masopust, Jillian Duch, Jean Laney, Heather Billings, Jessica Marcy and Katherine Woodward.

Arthur and Evelyn Weimann were honored posthumously for their unwavering support to Academy athletics.  The couple could be found at almost every Centaur athletic contest, whether indoor or outdoor.  The Evelyn and Arthur Weimann Senior Athletic Award is presented annually in their memory.

This group joins the initial class that was inducted in 2012.  Members of the first class included Rollie Sheldon, Lauren Anderson, Joe Patrone, Patrick O’Brien, the 1976 Girls’ Softball team, coaches Ken Beatson and Celia “Lady” Ingraham and Doug Peck.

Miracle Mustang Mile

Putnam Science Academy basketball coach Tom Espinosa, emulating UConn tradition, once again took his hoop team to the St. Marie/Greenhalgh Sports Complex for the team-oriented Mustang Mile run.  According to Espinosa the run, which took place on Tuesday, October 14 indicated that his players are in good shape and ready for action.

The first player to cross the finish line was Aaron Robinson, who is headed to Quinnipiac University, in a very good time of 5:19.  His time broke the record that was set last year by Jalen Terry.  Andrew Robinson, Aaron’s twin brother was second three seconds off the pace at 5:22.  Third place went to Rider University bound Kealen Ives at 5:44.  The first big man to finish was 6-foot, 8-inch Vincent Eze, who’s headed to Manhattan College.  His time was 6:01, good for fourth place.

Weekly Stats Update

Killingly High School quarterback Kyle Derosier has moved to the top of the pile among local signal callers with 740 passing yards.  Derosier has played five games, one more than Plainfield quarterback Steve Jankowki, who was idle last week.  The Quinebaug Pride’s running back Raif Santerre is the rushing leader with 636 yards.

The area’s soccer scoring race remains unchanged with Marianapolis Golden Knight Tom Horvat on top with 19 goals, followed by Sean Guerin of Killingly with 15 and Chicago Rogers of Ellis Tech with 10.

The female top scorer is also from Marianapolis, as Caroline Soucy remains on top with 20 goals.  She’s followed by Putnam’s Morgan Foucault who made a big leap into second place with 19 goals, while Foucault’s teammate Saige Morin is third with 16.  The trio is followed by Shannon Sweeney of Plainfield (12), Emily Sheridan of Marianapolis (11) and Molly Schroder of Pomfret School (10).

The field hockey scoring leaders are Killingly teammates, Teagan Waggoner with 10 goals and Alyssa Rainey with nine.

Engaged – Can Wedding 

Bells Be Far Behind?

The local sports world recently was informed of the engagement of two of the area’s better athletes from the recent past.  In a joint announcement Josh Scraba, assistant basketball coach at Putnam Science Academy and former Killingly High School standout basketball player Gina Derosier revealed their engagement and intent to marry.  The couple has been dating for three years.

Derosier was one of a long line of great female basketball players to come out of Danielson.  Following four years as a Redgal she moved on to Mitchell College for a four-year career as the college transitioned from the junior college ranks to the NCAA Division III level.  During part of her college career she played for current Rhode Island College coach and Putnam resident Glenn Senecal.  She’s currently an administrative assistant at Putnam High School

Scraba enjoyed a four-year varsity basketball career at Putnam High School, playing for coach Tony Falzarano.  As the Clippers point guard he was able to also find a way to also score career 399 points.  He’s served as the assistant coach at Putnam Science Academy under coach Tom Espinosa for the past seven seasons.  He’s the owner of Scraba’s Market on Maple Street in Danielson.

Scraba is the son of Captain Chris Scraba of the U.S. Coast Guard and Melissa Godley.  Derosier is the daughter of long time Killingly High School basketball coach Scott Derosier and Leeann Derosier.  The couple is planning to wed on July 4, 2015.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “You can’t reach for anything new if your hands are still full of yesterday’s junk.”  Louise Smith

(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)