WOODSTOCK — Sean Saucier, formerly of Hyde School – Woodstock, is in his first year as football coach at The Woodstock Academy.
He’s looking for the team to mature quickly as there are only four seniors returning.
He said: “Energy and enthusiasm have been great in camp as the team prepares for the 2017 season. Building off a solid spring outing, the offense, under the direction of Greg Alexander, continues to develop as many young players have gotten valuable reps. Junior quarterback Derek Thompson, who saw action as a sophomore, along with a strong receiving core, will help stretch the defense and allow veteran runner Kameron Janice to carry the load for the Centaur offense. As the offensive line solidifies, so will the offense. Senior Tyler Stuba anchors a young line that will need to mature at a quicker than normal pace. The defense, under the direction of former college coach Mike Harpin, is developing an identity based on speed and pursuit to the ball.”
Top returning players include: Derek Thompson, Jr., QB; Kameron Janice, Sr., RB; Tyler Stuba, Sr., OL/DL; Caleb Feen, Jr., WR/DB; Jacob Straub, Sr., WR/DB; Seth Benoit, Sr., WR/LB; Blake Kollbeck, Jr., OL/DL; Nathan Price, Jr., C/DE; Seth Correia, Jr., OL/DL; Zach Douglas, So., WR/DB; Luis Miranda, So., WR/DB; Jack Hovestadt, Jr., RB/LB; Travis White, So., RB/LB; Ben Holden, Jr., RB/LB; A.J. Salmon, So., WR/LB.
Eleven starters are returning.
Top newcomers: J.J. Bain, So., OL/LB; Nick Bedard, So., QB/DB; Zach Bertram, So., OL/DL; Nick Bessette, So., WR/LB; Jaden Dennett., So., RB/DE; Bryce Lambert, So., WR/DB; Gavin Lanning, So., OL/DL; Seth Libby, So., OL/LB; Jacob Longe, So., WR/DB; Jack Savage, So., OL/DL; Dan Suitum, So., WR/DB; Ian Welz, So., RB/DE; Martin Zhang, So., OL/DL; Ryan Latour, Jr., OL/DL; Brandon Webber, Jr., OL/DL;
Saucier added, “We will play one night game at the South Campus for homecoming vs. Ludlow. We rent lights for homecoming week. I believe it will be the first night home contest in program history.”
Girls' cross
country team
'talented'
WOODSTOCK — The coach of The Woodstock Academy’s girls’ cross country team said his team is young but talented.
John Ywarsky said: “This year’s version of the Centaurs is young, with over ¾ of the team being freshmen or sophomores.” With only three seniors and three juniors, he’s looking for contributions from the younger members of the squad. Seniors Matsas and Randolph look ready to lead the team, with Matsas battling for the top spot, he said
Sophomores Gohn, Bourbeau, and Fortier will all contribute on the score sheet. Bourbeau led the team in miles logged over the summer. As long as Gohn stays healthy, she looks to be a top five runner for WA, he added.
The freshman class is deep and very talented, he said. McClure, Mink, and Bazinet all logged impressive miles this summer, and have kept up with intense early-season workouts. DiPippo (2016s QVJC XC champion) is ready to race, and will challenge Matsas at the top of the score sheet.
This is Ywarsky’s fifth year as coach. He called this season “a complete mystery. Do Matsas and DiPippo give the Centaurs a formidable 1-2 punch to combat the loss of ECC Champion Lawrence? Have the sophomores developed enough to contribute in a tough ECC DII? Can Randolph, Chaponis, and Gianfriddo fill in the top seven? Only time, and a season that starts at the Martha’s Vineyard Invitational will tell.
Top returning players include:
Sr. Hannah Matsas
Sr. Leah Randolph
Sr. Eden Law
Jr. Summer Chaponis
Jr. Aria Gianfriddo
So. Megan Gohn
So. Alexia Bourbeau
So. Cassidy Fortier
Top newcomers include:
Jr. Shannon D’Alessandro
So. Amelie Pressel
Fr. Stella DiPippo
Fr. Emily McClure
Fr. Joey Mink
Fr. Iris Bazinet
Key losses include: Sylvia Lawrence, Brittany Eber, and Shai-Lin Gothreau.
WOODSTOCK — The field hockey team at The Woodstock Academy is more determined than ever this year to make the ECC Tournament, according to coach Lauren Gagnon.
Gagnon, who has coached for five years at the academy, said: “The girls are focused more than ever with aspirations of making the ECC tournament for the first time ever after missing out last season. We look to make it back to the State Tournament after missing it last season. We come back this year with a lot of speed and look to capitalize on that, especially with the sprinters we have in the defensive end, we have been working with the Woodstock Academy’s new Strength and Conditioning coach throughout the summer. We have a good mix of experienced veterans and youthful speed and talent this season and a deep talented bench with 55 girls in the program. We have lofty community
Top returnees include:
12th graders: Haley Armstrong
(Defense)
Natalie Crose (Forward)
Wanjiru Gatheru (Defense)
Casidhe Hoyt (Forward)
Lindsey O’Dea (Forward)
Charlotte Powell (Forward)
Hannah Reynolds (Defense)
Clara Seigmund (Defense/Forward)
11th graders: Hannah Chubbuck
(Midfielder)
Mackenzie Eaton (Midfielder)
Abbe Lecuyer (Defense)
Samantha Mowry (Defense)
Olivia Stanikmas (Goalkeeper)
Emma Strandson
(Midfielder/Forward)
Hannah Wotton (Midfielder/
Forward)
10th graders: Emma Durand
(Midfielder)
Avery Jones (Midfielder/Forward)
Abigail Kruger (Midfielder)
Chelsea Willis (Midfielder)
Top newcomers include:
Kathleen Boshka (Forward)
Rachel Canedy
(Midfielder/Forward)
Sydney Cournoyer (Midfielder)
Eliza Duston (Defender)
Maria Santucci (Forward)
WOODSTOCK — Veteran Woodstock Academy boys’ cross country coach Peter Lusa said the team started off on the right foot by taking part in the Day Kimball Healthcare “Give-It-A- Try” Triathlon.
“The season began with the team helping at the Day-Kimball Hospital ‘Give-It-A-Try’ triathlon. The boys ran the transition area before and during the race. They assisted the finish line by aiding runners, giving out water and collecting timing bracelets. The boys also provided water and guidance along the running course and served as sweepers to help clear the course at the event’s conclusion.”
The team has a large number of returning athletes. Lusa said: “We look forward to placing at the top of the ECC’s again this season. Last year’s finish was a tie with Bacon Academy. We will have a good pack of runners near the front this year and expect better results.”
Top returning players:
Dan Crème – 12
Cylus Gould – 12
Ivan Karlsen - 12
Kenneth Birlin – 11
Holden Pimental – 11
Evan Gianfriddo – 10
Christian Mink – 10
Matt Roethlein – 10
Cheney, Chris 12
Cummings, Wyatt 12
Law, Jared 12
Collins ,Spencer 11
Jared Feragne 11
Noah Pepper 11
Guillot Alex 10
Guillot Matt 10
Monahan, Tristan 10
Renaud, Lucas 10
Roethlein, Nathan 10
There are 15 returning starters.
Top newcomers:
Pregel, Alex 11
Mccusker Sean 10
Roethlein Nate 10
Aspiras Ethan 9
Currie Cody 9
Peabody John 9
Salsich Noah 9
Dias Jackson 9
Schuler Quinn 9
Zhang, Jason 9