By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to Jenn DeLeon of Victoria Station.  She’s the friendly individual behind the counter always ready to assist a customer who’s standing in line.  In her spare time, when not making lattes or other specialties, she’s busy as a cheerleading coach in the Killingly Youth Football program.

Throughout the long high school season Woodstock Academy high flying hockey forward Ryan Black has been the backbone of the success of the Centaur icemen.  Black, who is a prolific scorer, has the knack of finding the back of the net or as some sports commentators say can “put the biscuit in the basket.”

Black was recently rewarded for his fine play this season by being named a First Team Division III All State selection by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association.  Black was the Division III leading scorer with 96 points on 55 goals and 41 assists.  His 55 goals were the most in the Division.  He led the team to a sparkling 19-5 record and a 7-1 log in the league.

Under coach Mike Starr, the Acads made it all the way to the Division III semifinals before falling 6-5 in overtime to Staples/Weston/Shelton.  In that game, Black was immense with a second period “hat trick” to go along with an assist.  The speedy and shifty junior also recorded a “hat trick” in a quarter final victory over Housatonic-Northwestern.

In the history of the Woodstock Academy hockey program, which has been playing at the varsity level for only three seasons, Black is the first player to be named an All State honoree.  He was the lone Centaur to receive any Division III recognition.

In the Final Boys Hockey Ratings published by the Hartford Courant the Centaurs were left out of the Top 10.  The Top 10 was composed of all schools from Division I with the exception Fairfield Warde and Ludlow, which was the only Division II team to make the listing all year.

In closing out its successful season, Woodstock Academy proved it could play hockey on a very competitive level.  Reaching the Division III semifinals with a team composed primarily of underclassmen the Centaurs are poised to make noise in the Division again next season.

Army Buddies Reunited…

A recent visitor to Putnam was former North Grosvenordale resident George Dargati who currently lives in Tolland.  Dargati was in town visiting and dining with his former Army buddy and Putnam resident Bob Guillot.

Dargati and Guillot were members of “B” Company, 4th Battalion, 8th Army, serving shortly after the end of the Korean conflict.  The pair served together in Germany.  While at lunch they shared numerous memories of their time in the military and mission they were on in Spain and other countries in Europe.  In the Army Dargati was often deployed on temporary duty as a member of the 8th Army basketball and baseball teams, where he competed with and against many players who later played professionally.  

Dargati is a member of the Tourtellotte Memorial High School Athletic Hall of Fame – Class of 2010.  He was a 1950 All State basketball player and a member of the Tigers 1949 and 1950 championship hoop teams coached by the late Jim Canty.  He’s a member of the school’s 1000-point club.  Following high school he played one season at UConn and three years at Eastern Connecticut State University, where he’s a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame.  In 2009 he was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame.

Guillot, who for many years was the owner of one of Putnam’s most successful businesses, Bob’s Upholstery, is currently retired.  He is a “gentleman farmer” who raises championship registered Black Angus cows on his ponderosa on Hawkins Road in Putnam.

Local Officials Cited 

For Outstanding Service…

Two local high school sports officials were recently cited for their longtime meritorious service to schoolboy sports.  Peter Gerardi of Killingly was honored on Saturday, March 19 for his service to basketball and Gordie Mauer was recognized the following day for his service to football.

Gerardi, who was a longtime member of the Eastern Board #8 Basketball Officials, was cited for his more than 35 years officiating basketball.  He currently serves as the commissioner of the newly created Board #35 Basketball Officials, serving Windham County.  He was honored by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Committee (CIAC) prior to the recent boys and girls basketball championship games.  

Mauer was inducted into the Connecticut Football Officials Association (CFOA) Hall of Fame in a ceremony in New Haven.

Plainfield Grad Reaches 

Milestone…

After only five years of coaching baseball at Mitchell College in New London, Plainfield High School graduate Travis Beausoleil reached the 100-victory plateau in a game on Sunday, March 27.  Beausoleil, who took over a floundering Mariners baseball program, has turned the school’s baseball team into one of the best not only in the Region but in the nation.

In picking up win Number 100, Beausoleil’s charges came from behind to post a 7-5 victory over cross-town rival Coast Guard Academy.  The win boosted Mitchell’s early season record to 11-2.  Last season Beausoleil and Mitchell posted a school record 32 victories and captured their second consecutive New England Collegiate Conference title.  The Mariners also advanced to the NCAA Division III Regional for the second year in a row.

Beausoleil played his high school baseball under the legendary John Schiffner at Plainfield High School.  He also played for another coaching legend, Roger Bidwell at Avery Point before closing out his college career at North Carolina Wesleyan College.  At Avery Point he was named the New England Region 21 Player of the Year in 2007.

Florida Softball Update…

Pomfret resident John Smutnick, who is over 65 years old, continues to dominate Florida softball circuits.  Playing for the Collier Classics, Smutnick led his mates to the championship of the Florida Half Century Softball Tournament 65 Division, which was held in Lakeland, Fla.  He batted .875 and had four huge home runs for the winners.

Smutnick is continuing his softball tour where he’s playing for a National Tournament 65 Division team and also doubling up playing in another tourney “with the kids” in the Florida Half Century 50 Division.

Biking For Daily Bread…

Later this year Putnam’s Charlie Leach will fulfill a lifelong dream when he bicycles across America.  When he starts pedaling, Leach will do it to benefit IHSP Daily Bread in Putnam.  In order to make a substantial donation to his cause, Leach must raise at least $15,000.  Currently he’s raised more than $6,500.

In order to add to his total, Leach is inviting his friends and anyone who wants to help his cause to join him at the Ninety Nine Restaurant in the Killingly Commons in Dayville in “Dining For A Cause.”

On Monday, April 11 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. anyone coming in with a voucher will have 15 percent of their guest check donated to IHSP Daily Bread in Leach’s name.  Vouchers may be secured by contacting Leach at 860.821.8260.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Be modest – a lot was accomplished before you were born.

(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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