By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to Brooklyn’s ‘walking man’ Jim Phaiah.  Once a standout pitcher at Putnam High School who was sought out by Major League scouts, today Phaiah stays in shape by walking.  A giving person he dedicates his journeys to local worthy causes, raising thousands of dollars for non-profits.

Facing competition from throughout the United States former Putnam resident Lizzy Gunsalus rode her CYCLOCROSS cycle through the mud and ruts of the Austin, Texas, course to capture the Women’s 11-12 Championship.

Gunsalus, who currently lives in Dudley, finished the two-lap event in a time of 21:30 a full one minute and 13 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Lauren Zoerner of Highlands Ranch Colo.  Gunsalus fell behind Sofia Gibiete of Littleton, Colo., in the early stages of the event on the pavement portion of the course.  Gunsalus came on strongly when the competition hit the slick course.    

The new 11-12 year old champion demonstrated remarkable skills on the slick course, which was the difference in her victory.  Gunsalus totally controlled the race once it hit the mud portion of the competition.  The off-camber hills and run-ups proved little challenge to Gunsalus, who found lines to ride everywhere while the field behind her struggled to stay on its feet and wheels.

When asked how she was able to handle the rough conditions, the mud- splattered Gunsalus answered, “It helps when you live in New England.”

Gunsalus bested competitors from Oklahoma, Texas, North Carolina, the Northwest section of the country, Colorado, the Midwest and the East coast, according to her father Mark Gunsalus.  The trip to Austin was a family affair.  Her brother Greg finished in 14th place in his division.

“We all raced and it was quite an adventure,” said Mark Gunsalus.

Lizzy Gunsalus had another incentive in addition to capturing the National title.  She raced on a borrowed bicycle.  Her father promised her a new bicycle if she won the title.  Dad’s now ready to fulfill his promise and has learned not to challenge his champion CYCLOCROSS rider.

Woodstock To Honor Scholars 

and Athletes

Woodstock Academy will enroll 14 students into its Scholar-Athletes Society in a ceremony at Bates Auditorium on Monday, February 9 at 7 p.m.  Refreshments will follow immediately in The Commons.  The ceremony was originally scheduled for Thursday, January 29 but was postponed due to Blizzard Colbie.

The 2015 inductees are Kylie Barrows, Angela Caponi, Anna Fagan, Megan Feragne, Sam Fournier, Shelby Fundin, Deanna Guilani, Amanda Haines, Kara Heilemann, Lela Miller, Anna Perry, Leeann Rauls, Brooklyn Saracina and Samantha Sherman.

College Update

In a busy week on the college hardwood many former local players were in action.  They also upheld the pride of the region with solid performances.

Devin Hill, the former Killingly High School Redgal who missed her senior season because of knee surgery, is fully recovered and back to her old form.  Hill, who plays for Putnam resident coach Glenn Senecal at Rhode Island College, played a key role in an upset victory over Eastern Connecticut State University.  Hill poured in 16 points and grabbed a bushel of rebounds for the Anchorwomen.

Four former Putnam Science Academy players helped their teams to big wins last week.  Scoochie Smith was spotted on National television with the University of Dayton Flyers in their win over the University of Richmond.  Smith hit a three-pointer and two key free throws in the waning minutes of the game to propel the 22nd nationally ranked Flyers to victory.  He was named Player of the Game by the network.

Oscar Assie helped American International College to an 85-73 win over Assumption College.  Assie was the Yellow Jacket’s leading rebounder and dropped in nine points.

Big man Paul Brooks led Worcester State University to a 79-72 win over Fitchburg State University.  Brooks had 11 points and a record setting eight blocks in the win.  He was the 4-14 Lancer’s leading rebounder.  He was named Co-Worcester Area Coaches Basketball Association Player-of-the-Week for his efforts.  This season he’s averaging 13.1 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game for the Lancers.

Shaun Lawton, who plays for coach Bobby Walsh at the University of Maine, was a big cog in the Black Bear’s 70-61 win over the University of Hartford.  Lawton had four points, three rebounds and three assists before fouling out of the contest.  

Ian Converse, who led Woodstock Academy to the Connecticut Class L Tournament two years ago, recently had a breakout game for Worcester Polytechnic Institute.  Converse had eight points for the 15-2 Engineers in a 92-68 victory over Wheaton College.

Catching Up with High School 

and Prep Stat Leaders

Steve Jankowski of Plainfield has taken over the scoring lead among northeastern Connecticut high school basketball players.  Jankowski is scoring at 20.7 points per game clip and is the three-point leader with 33.  Oliver Simon of Woodstock Academy is right behind Jankowski with 31 hoops from beyond the arc.

The prep scoring leader is Cam Winston of Pomfret School with an average of 19.2 points per game.  

He’s followed by Tom Horvat of Marianapolis (18.4), Putnam Science Academy’s Hamidou Diallo (16.4) and Kealen Ives (15.7) and Adrien LaFleur of Marianapolis (15.0).

The PSA Mustang’s Andrew Robinson leads the way in three-pointers with 45, followed by his teammate Ives with 42.  Horvat occupies the third slot with 32, LaFleur 30 and Diallo and Josh Wallace of PSA with 29 each round out the Top Five.

Trayniece Mims, the Hyde-Woodstock scoring machine, is the top female scorer with 30.5 points per game.  Juliette Lawless of Pomfret School is second at 14.9 ppg. and Killingly’s Meagan Bianchi at 14.3.

Madeline Lorange of Plainfield is the top gun from three-point range with 34, followed by Marianapolis VI guard Caroline Soucy with 27.

Super 'Deflategate' Bowl Attendees

This year’s Super Bowl lost some of its luster with the over blown (or is it underinflated) matter of deflated footballs that created ‘Deflategate.’  

In this columnists opinion it’s as Shakespeare would say, “Much Ado About Nothing.”

Despite the entire unnecessary hullabaloo, some people from the area traveled between snowstorms to Glendale, Ariz.,  for the matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and our beloved New England Patriots.  

Among the throng on hand was Westview Healthcare administrator David Panteleakos.  Also spotted in Glendale was Danielson attorney Nick Scola.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “It’s on to Glendale and Seattle.”  Bill Belichick, New England Patriots coach.

(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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