caption:
The Team
The Woodstock Academy gymnastics team on the Head of School’s porch following celebration dinner. Courtesy photo.
It has become an annual tradition.
Recently, The Woodstock Academy gymnastics team was honored at Head of School Chris Sandford’s home for its eighth straight state championship season.
“It was a really special season because we had to fight for it this year,” said coach Kasey Tocchio. “It wasn’t expected so it was really special to see all the girls pull together.”
The Centaurs had their troubles early.
Reeling from graduation losses already after saying good-bye to both Paige Stuyniski and Grace Logan, the Centaurs had other hurdles to overcome.
Lydia Taft was sidelined for the majority of the season due to back troubles. One of the captains of the team made a cameo appearance in the New England championship after she was finally cleared to compete. Fellow captain Ali Crescimanno, still wearing a boot last week, persevered after being injured in a car accident in the previous summer.
She returned, was cleared at the beginning of the season, but missed lots of time in the gym and it took a little while to get the rust off.
Add to that, injuries suffered by Jenna Davidson to her knees and it was a pretty challenging year.
“I thought it went really well as a whole,” Crescimanno said of the season. “I thought we came together at the end of the season and showed that we really are Woodstock Academy gymnastics.”
Tocchio added, “I think the really cool thing was that they weren’t intimidated by the fact that we had struggles to overcome. We kind of looked at the season as an exciting battle to fight, versus being scared about it. They are a really cool group. They pulled together, got better and got stronger.”
It resulted in their sixth straight Class S championship, 139.175-132.8, over Mercy High School at Pomperaug High School in Southbury. The Centaurs won two Class M state championships prior to the run of the Class S titles.
“I’m so proud to keep that streak alive. We’re still fighting the battle, we’re not ready to go down just yet,” Crescimanno said.
But the bigger accomplishment came a week later when the Centaurs did something even more unexpected, getting past Trumbull in the State Open championship to finish second behind Greenwich and qualify for the New England championship.
“Being able to win our Class in the state was awesome, but going in to the Open ranked third and coming out second was just everything we had hoped for,” Tocchio said.
Tocchio talked about the awards that the gymnastics team had already received.
Six, Elise Boisvert, Ali Crescimanno, Jenna Davidson, Grace Gronski, Madelyn Grube and Abigail Vaida, were named First team All-State. Four, Crescimanno, Davidson, Grube and Vaida, were named All-Eastern Connecticut Conference and two, Vaida and Boisvert, received the Coach’s Award from Tocchio.
For Tocchio, Boisvert’s contribution will be the one she remembers the most.
Tocchio recalled that the sophomore was ready to give up on the sport prior to the start of the season.
“We had long talks, trying to keep her in it, and there was a moment where she was like, ‘My team needs me.’ She does like to do this. She turned around, (180 degrees) throughout the season and that was really helpful for the whole team to see her be a part of this,” Tocchio said.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
Mountain bikers
set list of rides
The Quiet Corner NEMBA chapter has set its weekly rides for the season. NEMBA is a non-profit recreational trails advocacy organization for mountain bikers. For information go to: www.NEMBA.org/chapters/QCNEMBA)
Rides include:
Mellow Mondays
Located at Goodwin State Forest in Hampton, this ride happens every Monday at 6 p.m. It is an easy paced, no drop ride designed for those who want a recovery ride or want a slower paced ride. Novice riders are always welcome! We will break into groups according to ability and pace.
Wednesday Women’s Ride
This is a women’s ONLY ride focused on fun, friendships, mentoring, learning, sharing and encouragement. The ride happens every Wednesday at 6 p.m. It is a no drop ride geared toward intermediate and up level riders. The location of the ride will vary.
Wed. “Camel” Ride (starts May 16)
Join us on “hump day” with an after-work tour of Old Furnace State Park in Killingly every Wednesday at 6 p.m. This ride is intended to challenge technical skills and gain mid-week mileage. Advanced intermediate riders will tackle 8-10 technical miles with ~1,000+ft of climbing.
Saturday Morning Special
This ride is designed to be 15-20 miles of mixed terrain and a consistent intermediate+ pace for more advanced level riders, although it is also a no drop ride. The ride usually starts at 9 a.m.every Saturday and locations vary.
Weekend Warrior Ride
Offered on Sunday mornings (occasionally Saturday), this ride is usually a technical ride for intermediate level and up. It is designed for those looking to have fun, stretch their skills and learn from each other. The group will stop to play on skinnies, drops and other features along the way. Starting time and locations vary
Wed. April 4
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Woodcock Walk” at 7 p.m. at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $5 for CAS members; $10 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Art Exhibit
N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library’s Art @ the Library will present the 15th Annual Thompson Community Art Show “The World Around Us,” through April 27. A reception will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. April 4. 860-923-9779
Art Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Focus on Birds” featuring local artists David Stumpo & Nancy Barrett, at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road through May 31. 860-928-4948.
Sat. April 7
Production
WOODSTOCK VALLEY --- Broadway Live Productions will present "The Conncert" April 7 and 8 at the Center for the Arts at The Woodstock Academy. Benefits Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center. Tickets: at the Hale YMCA in Putnam or online at www.theconnecticutconcert.com.
Empty Bowls
PUTNAM --- The Congregational Church of Putnam and Sawmill Pottery’s annual Empty Bowl fund-raiser will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Putnam High School’s cafeteria. $20. 860-928-4405.
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Survival 101: Fire Making” from 10 a.m. to noon at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $3 for CAS members; $7 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Pancake Breakfast
CANTERBURY --- The Finnish American Heritage Society will hold a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Finn Hall on Rt. 169. Prices vary.
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Long Pond Bird Walk” at 8 a.m. at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $7 for CAS members; $12 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Bottle Can Drive
KILLINGLY --- Pet Pals Northeast, a local animal welfare organization, will be collecting redeemable bottles and cans to help homeless and needy animals from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Killingly Town Garage on Rt. 12. Dry cat food urgently needed, Purina brands preferred. Cash donations always welcome. 860-317-1720.
Sun. April 8
Nature Program
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Return of the Sea Otter: The Story of the Animal that Evaded Extinction on the Pacific Coast” at 2 p.m. at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. $3 for CAS members; $7 for nonmembers. 860-928-4948.
Mon. April 9
Exercise Group
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Senior Exercise Group will meet from 9 to 10 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday in the Woodstock Town Hall large meeting room on the lower. Minimum fee. Local seniors welcome. Please check the town website www.woodstockCT.gov for current schedule or call 860-928-6595.
Spring Program
KILLINGLY --- The Last Green Valley will present “Spectrum of Sports” from 10 a.m. to noon at Killingly High School. Register online at www.NOWinMotion.org. Free.
Spring Program
HAMPTON --- The Last Green Valley will present “The Art of the Sit Spot” from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the James Goodwin Conservation Center on Potter Road. Short hike. Dress for the weather and bring a small mat or towel to sit on, if you wish. For ages 12 to adult. 860-455-9534.
Tues. April 10
Tech Fair
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Commission on Aging is hosting a technology fair on from 6 to 8 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church Hall. Please bring your IPhone, Android or other communication device along with any questions you have about how to use its various functions. Staff from the Putnam Verizon store answering questions. We will also have a table with information on how to access free senior applications. Free. All welcome. Light refreshments.
Blood Drive
PUTNAM --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Matulaitis Rehab & Skilled Care on Thurber Road. 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Wed. April 11
Meeting/Program
N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will hold their annual meeting and election of officers at 6:30 p.m. in the Library Conference Room. They will also welcome local author Joseph Lindley, who will make a presentation on the history of the "Swamp Yankee" at 7 p.m. in the Library Meeting Room. Free. All welcome.
Thur. April 12
Library Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Public Library will present “EGGS-cellent Experiments” at 4:30. Register at 860-928-3451.
Fri. April 13
Blood Drive
DANIELSON --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Water Street. 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Blood Drive
S. WOODSTOCK --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Woodstock Fire Bungay Brigade, on Rt. 171. 1-800-RED-CROSS.
History Program
CANTERBURY --- The Canterbury Historical Society will present Michael Limberg with "Over There And Over Here: Connecticut's Great War."following the 7 p.m. business meeting at the Community Room at the town Hall. Free. All welcome.
Sat. April 14
Tag Sale
KILLINGLY --- A tag sale to benefit PAWS Cat Shelter will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the Community Room at the Killingly Library, rain/snow/or shine.
.
One goal has already been accomplished for The Woodstock Academy boys’ tennis team and the season is just getting underway.
“We doubled the numbers from last year, we’re looking great,” said assistant athletic director Ann Rathbone, who coaches both the boys’ and girls’ program for the Centaurs. “We have around 26 athletes out, so the mission has been accomplished, we wanted to grow the program. We have a handful of international students playing- it’s great.”
The Centaurs lost a couple of key contributors to graduation including Tyler Huhtanen.
“He was extraordinary,” Rathbone said.
Huhtanen made it to the Eastern Connecticut Conference singles championship where he was shut down by Alex Zuczek of St. Bernard who won his fourth straight ECC singles title.
“Tyler was a great player. We could always count on him to get a win when we needed one,” senior Will Gajewski said. “This year, we have a lot of great talent coming in lower on the ladder. I think, losing Tyler, means we may have a little more trouble in the No. 1 and 2 singles, but we’re going to have a lot of wins at No. 4 singles and in the doubles.”
It will leave a void at the No. 1 spot.
“We don’t have him, but we have better numbers so that should equate to more victories for us and, hopefully, a better program,” Rathbone said.
The Centaurs, who finished 7-9 overall last season, also lost No. 4 singles player Matt Papp.
A native of Germany, Fabian Meiser, and Gajewski, who return as seniors, will try to make up for the loss of Huhtanen.
But there will be others challenging Meiser and Gajewski for the top spots.
Sophomore David Fleck and freshman Riley Douglas have both shown promise.
Senior Jacob Murphy, junior Matt Tiffany and sophomore Aidan Stewart are also in the mix. “They’re challenging. The more they push each other, the better we will be,” Rathbone said. Another senior, Taerang Bae, is a newcomer on the team. The Centaurs finished 1-5 in Division II of the Eastern Connecticut Conference last season, well behind perennial powers, Stonington and Waterford.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director