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Committed

Marianapolis' Emily Taft, surrounded by her family, recently committed to Quinnipiac. Courtesy photo.

 

 

 

 

By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC shoutout is sent along to Jonathan Tremblay.  The former Ellis Tech standout basketball player is currently more involved in doing good deeds for his community, primarily through his membership in the Putnam Rotary Club.

A Marianapolis senior who’s been involved in gymnastics for 13 years is reaping benefits for her dedication and hard work as she prepares to graduate and move on to college.  Emily Taft, a Putnam resident, officially committed to the Acrobatics and Tumbling team at Quinnipiac University in Hamden April 13.

During her gymnastics career Taft, who trained at Deary’s Gymnastics in Danielson, has placed in the Top 5 in numerous competitions.  In recent years she’s been especially successful on the beam.  In 2010 she held a record, when she recorded a 9.750 and received the prestigious Ro Carlucci Memorial Award for winning the All-Around in State competition, according to a news release from Marianapolis.

“What I love most about gymnastics is definitely the challenge of it, and the support from my teammates and coaches.  Trying new skills for the first time, especially on a 4-inch wide beam is scary at first, bur being able to conquer it is the best feeling,” said Taft.

Quinnipiac University is an NCAA Division I school.  It’s one of 13 schools that will be competing at the Nationals this year.  The Bobcats are currently ranked 5th in the nation and have won six of eight meets during the 2015-2016 season.

“I chose Quinnipiac University because when I walked on campus it felt like home.  I remember visiting there as a junior.  I told my parents to leave me there because I fell in love with it right away,” noted Taft.

Taft is planning to study exercise science with a goal of becoming a physical therapist.  She’s the daughter of Tim and Kaleen Taft, a 1987 Marianapolis graduate.  Her younger sister Lydia is a freshman at Woodstock Academy and a member of the school’s championship gymnastics team.  Her grandparents are Cosmo and Bernadette Quercia of Thompson.

Classic Competitor…

Mamadou Diarra, who recently concluded a stellar basketball career at Putnam Science Academy and is headed to UConn in September, recently competed in the Jordan Brand Classic at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.  Diarra was a member of Team New York, which competed in the regional game.  Diarra’s future teammate at UConn, Alterique Gilbert of Lithonia, Ga., played for the East team.

Diarra, who hails from Queens, N.Y., put on a great show in front of his home folks.  He had 19 points on a 9-of-10 shooting performance.  Many of his shots were of the dunk variety.  He also had three rebounds.

Diarra led the PSA Mustangs of coach Tom Espinosa to a 37-4 record this season.  He finished his last year on the 18 Maple Street campus, averaging double figures in points and rebounds.

A Master’s Memory And More…

Tom Watson, at the age of 68, competed in his final Master’s in Augusta, Ga., this year.  Among Watson’s accomplishments was the fact that he won the “Green Jacket” at the Master’s twice.  Throughout his career the man on Watson’s bag was his longtime caddie Bruce Edwards.

As a young man Edwards played his golf at Wethersfield Country Club in Connecticut.  Edwards died in 2004 of ALS, familiarly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.  When he caddied for Watson at the Master’s, he would always eat an egg salad sandwich on the 13th tee at Augusta National Golf Club.  Since Edward’s death, Watson has left an egg salad sandwich on the 13th tee in each of his Master’s appearances.

Watson once again left an egg salad sandwich on the tee this year, his final gesture on the 12th anniversary of his good friend and caddie’s death.

A little known fact about Bruce Edwards is that he graduated from Marianapolis Prep in 1973.  Two local individuals, Doug Daniels, the school’s financial officer, and John Miller of Putnam, have fond memories of Edwards.  Daniels notes that Edwards was also a pretty good basketball player at MPS.  Miller remembers that whenever Edwards had a free moment and the weather was conducive, he’d be outside chipping golf balls on the scenic campus.  In his yearbook, Edwards’s future plans indicated he wanted to play on the pro golf tour.

Although Edwards never achieved that goal, caddying for Watson had to be the next best thing.  As Watson told the Hartford Courant this year, “He (Edwards) loved to caddie here more than any place in the world.”

Cohasse CC Helps Young Golfers…

Cohasse Country Club in Southbridge is doing something positive to encourage and grow the game of golf.  The private club has awarded free junior memberships this year to 10 high school students.

The Club sent letters to local high school athletic directors inviting young golfers to write essays about why they would like a free membership.  They received 10 essays and decided to award all 10 individuals.

Included among the lucky winners were two Woodstock residents, Roxanne and Hunter Garceau.  Roxanne Garceau is the #1 golfer on the Woodstock Academy Women’s golf team.  She and her brother Hunter have great golf genes.  Their dad is Richard Garceau, boys’ golf coach at Woodstock Academy.  Their grandparents are Dick and Gale Garceau longtime members of Quinnatisset Country Club in Thompson.

Golfing For a Cause…

If you’re looking for an early season golf tournament, look no further.  The Trevor Palonen Golf tournament is scheduled for Friday, May 13 at Foster country Club with a shotgun start at 10 a.m.  The cost is $100 per golfer or $400 per foursome.

Trevor Palonen, who was born prematurely, became acidotic six weeks after his birth.  Although he was predicted to have a very short life span, Trevor was 16 years old when he died.  During his brief lifetime, young Palonen was a regular participant in the Walk America CT Chapter raising and amazing total of $76,964.  He also, along with his mom’s support, raised $12,298 for the March of Dimes, where he was honored for his effort by being named in 2004 the “Top Youth” in the Nation.  His motto was “Always Help Others.” 

For more information or to participate in the tournament, contact Pat and Arvid Palonen by telephone at 860.564.5965 or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Checks may be made out to TPMSF, c/o 500 Canterbury Road, Plainfield, CT 06374.  

 RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for other.”  Booker T. Washington

(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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