By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to all our loyal and faithful readers.  We hope that the sports tidbits, locker room chaff, hot stove happenings or unusual updates RPC brings you each week in your local weekly, The Putnam Town Crier, gives you something to talk about when good folks get together.

We hope that Santa was good to everyone.  In looking under the tree and cleaning off the table we found a few more items that weren’t opened or picked up in 2015.  So prior to closing out the year we’ll share the following:

Woodstock Gymnastics Team

 Continues to Bring Joy

The Woodstock Academy gymnastics team, which has brought joy and recognition to northeastern Connecticut for many years, continues its odyssey to another New England Championship under new coach Kasey Fillmore.

In its first meet of the season the gymnasts were easy winners, with a score of 149.1 over Norwich Free Academy 122.55 and Killingly 103.6.  The one-two punch of Paige Stuyniski and Grace Logan appear primed for another great year.  This duo packs more power than a Muhammad Ali one-two combination.  This year they are joined by another outstanding performer, Lydia Taft.

Brooks Garners More Honors

One of our favorite basketball players to graduate from Putnam Science Academy, 6-foot,9-inch Paul Brooks continues to shine on the college hardwood and bring recognition to the Mustangs’ program where he played so well for coach Tom Espinosa.  The Worcester State University junior from Arlington, Mass., was recently awarded the MASCAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honor by the conference.  The Lancers coach, David Lindbergh, reports that Brooks averaged 19 points, 14 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots during the week in which he was honored.

Save The Date

Debbie Barbour of the Putnam Lions Club sends out advance notice on the annual Putnam Lions Volleyball Tournament.  Barbour informs everyone to mark their calendars for Saturday and Sunday, March 19 and 20, 2016 for this year’s event.  This volleyball tournament is the most popular event of its type in the area.  It raises more than $15,000 annually, which the Lions distribute to local and area non-profits.  The success of the tourney can be attributed to the many years of hard work put in by former organizer Bernie Gilbert.  For more information contact Mike Hanrahan by telephone at 860 933-5793 or by e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Steve Faucher at 860 617-4142 or by e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Marianapolis Honors

Robin Casella, marketing and media communications manager for Marianapolis Prep in Thompson, recently announced recognition of numerous fall varsity athletes at the Thompson school.  Seniors Eric Fontaine and Kevin Tata and juniors Dalton Bodreau and Andrew Collari were selected as SENE Soccer All Stars.  Collari also was named WNEPSSA All Star, Norwich Bulletin All Eastern CT and All State.  Fontaine garnered NEPSSA Senior All Star honors.

In girls’ soccer, seniors Kayla Bolduc, Delainey O’Connor and Caroline Soucy, junior Emily Sheridan and freshman Anna Bagley were selected as SENE All Stars.  Mary Watkins received Honorable Mention recognition.  Bolduc and O’Connor were also chosen to the WNEPSSA All Star unit, while Sheridan was honored as a Norwich Bulletin All Eastern CT, Boston Globe All Star and SENE Player of the Year.  Soucy garnered All State honors.

Senior Joshua Eilerman and freshman Molly Romprey were chosen SENE All Stars in boys’ and girls’ cross country.

Thompson Expands 

Racing Offerings

Racing fans in northeastern Connecticut as well as the entire northeast United States will have a large selection of events at the Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park during 2016.  The famed 5/8-mile track will expand its NASCAR Whelen All-American Series to 10 events in the upcoming year.

In its 30th season under NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, the racing will begin the weekend of April, 8, 9 and 10 with the 42nd Annual Icebreaker.  The Wednesday Night events start on May with Military Night scheduled for Wednesday June 1.  On June 15 the track will host the 2nd Mr. Rooter 125 followed by the month of July designated as Fan and Driver Appreciation Month.  

One of Thompson’s most popular events, the Budweiser ‘King of Beer’s 150’ will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 10 and Back to School Night is Wednesday, Aug. 24.  The final championship weekend is a 15-division card for the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 14, 15, and 16.

For more information visit www.thompsonspeedway.com or contact Theresa Condict at 860 923-2280 x214 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: A happy, healthy, safe and successful 2016 to all our followers.

(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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