tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36787421832962905212024-03-05T08:41:10.618-05:00High School SportsWelcome to the New Haven Register high school sports blog where our talented staff of Chris Hunn, Joe Morelli, Dan Nowak and Mike Pucci will keep you up to date on everything to do with high school sports in Connecticut.
Mike Pucci's Gridiron Glory blog for high school football remains.
We hope you enjoy and feel free to join in the conversation.Joe Morellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287811874796054101noreply@blogger.comBlogger1290125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-44975981250155350132013-09-17T23:32:00.000-04:002013-09-17T23:32:20.388-04:00Questions answered on Super Tuesday Part I<br />
We had questions about which soccer teams could rise in the SCC. Here are some of those answers:<br />
<br />
<br /><br />Can anyone beat Fairfield Prep? Answer: Yes. Shelton did, on the road. The Gaels are for real, everyone.<br /><br />Will someone new make a move into the top tier of the SCC? It’s been quite awhile since Lyman Hall has been among the upper echelon. The Trojans face Hamden on Tuesday.<br />
Answer: Lyman Hall went to 3-0 by pounding Hamden 5-0.<br /><br />West Haven and Sheehan would like to be division contenders. The two teams play one another in Wallingford Tuesday. Answer: Teams tied 2-2.<br /><br />Can the North Haven girls start out 0-3? Last year’s tri-champs in the SCC Oronoque drew the toughest schedule and now hosts Hand on Tuesday.<br />
Answer: Unfortunately for the Indians, the rough road continued with a 2-0 loss to Hand.<br /><br />Are the Branford girls for real? The Hornets got an easier schedule than North Haven. One of its toughest tests, Amity, awaits in Woodbridge Tuesday.<br />
Answer: Yes they are. Branford won 1-0. Check out <a href="http://www.nhregister.com/sports/20130917/branford-girls-soccer-beats-amity-stays-undefeated">that game and more on Tuesday's action</a> in the area.<br /><br />Matchup of the day? Sacred Heart Academy at Cheshire, 6 p.m. Both of these girls’ teams are likely ticketed to the SCC eight-team playoffs. One of them could be the top overall seed.<br />
<br />
Answer: SHA wins on the road 3-2. A little bit of a surprise but there once again seems to be some parity at the top in the SCC.Joe Morellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287811874796054101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-24952279019829314312013-09-17T23:06:00.001-04:002013-09-17T23:06:43.295-04:00Branford girls soccer beats AmityThe Branford girls soccer team remained undefeated with a first-half goal from Rachel Cholewinski.
Amity is one of the toughest games on Branford's regular-season schedule. So far, defense if the league title is going smoothly for the Hornets.
Here is the game's only goal. I apologize for the fuzziness from my I-phone, but even with that you can see by the angle how great a goal it was.
<iframe frameborder="0" height="388" id="tout_embed" src="//www.tout.com/embed/touts/1mzcxe" width="420"></iframe>Joe Morellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287811874796054101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-32053772555892543112013-09-17T19:27:00.002-04:002013-09-17T19:28:45.937-04:00ON COURSE: Cross country pollsWith the season underway, here is a look at the cross country polls for both the girls and the boys. For more, go <a href="http://www.therunningacademy.com/ctgirlscoachespoll.jsp">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Boys</h3>
<br />
<div align="right">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 925px;"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="138">1</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="109">Ridgefield</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="63"><br /></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="93"><br /></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="221">Won quad meet</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="256"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="138">2</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="109">Danbury</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="63"><br /></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="93"><br /></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" width="477">Beat Darien in a dual meet</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="138">3</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="109">Darien</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="63"><br /></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="93"><br /></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" width="477">Lost to Danbury</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="138"><b>4</b></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="109"><b>Fairfield Prep</b></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="63"><b><br /></b></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="93"><b><br /></b></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="221"><b>2<sup>nd</sup> at Riverfront w/o their #1</b></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="256"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="138">5</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="109">New Milford</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="63"><br /></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="93"></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="221">Won tri meet</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="256"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="138"><b>6</b></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="109"><b>Guilford</b></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="63"><b><br /></b></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="93"></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" width="477"><b>No meet yet</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="138">7</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="109">Capital Prep</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="63"><br /></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="93"></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" width="477">1st at Riverfront Inv</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="138"><b>8</b></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="109"><b>Amity</b></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="63"><b><br /></b></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="93"></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="221"><b>No meet yet</b></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="256"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="138"><b>9</b></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="109"><b>Xavier</b></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="63"><b><br /></b></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="93"></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="221"><b>2<sup>nd</sup> at Windham and Mercy</b></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="256"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="138">10</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="109">New Fairfield</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="63"><br /></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="93"></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" width="477">Beat Brookfield in a close one</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Girls</h3>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td valign="bottom" width="109"><div align="right">
1</div>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="107">Glastonbury</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="15"></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="52"><br /></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" width="108"><br /></td>
<td colspan="4" valign="bottom" width="256">2<sup>nd</sup> at Hartford Riverfront</td>
<td colspan="2" width="113"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="109"><div align="right">
2</div>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="107">Avon</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="15"></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="52"><br /></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" width="108"><br /></td>
<td colspan="4" valign="bottom" width="256">Tri meet wins</td>
<td colspan="2" width="113"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="109"><div align="right">
3</div>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="107">Ridgefield</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="15"></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="52"><br /></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" width="108"></td>
<td colspan="4" valign="bottom" width="256">Tri meet wins</td>
<td colspan="2" width="113"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="109"><div align="right">
4</div>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="107">Tolland</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="15"></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="52"><br /></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" width="108"></td>
<td colspan="4" valign="bottom" width="256">1st place Var 1 - at Windham</td>
<td colspan="2" width="113"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="109"><div align="right">
5</div>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="107">Simsbury</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="15"></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="52"><br /></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" width="108"></td>
<td colspan="4" valign="bottom" width="256">2nd place Var 1 - at Windham</td>
<td colspan="2" width="113"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="109"><div align="right">
6</div>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="107">Wilton</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="15"></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="52"><br /></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" width="108"></td>
<td colspan="4" valign="bottom" width="256">Lost to Warde 27-31</td>
<td colspan="2" width="113"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="109"><div align="right">
7</div>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="107">Conard</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="15"></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="52"><br /></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" width="108"></td>
<td colspan="4" valign="bottom" width="256">Tri meet wins</td>
<td colspan="2" width="113"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="109"><div align="right">
8</div>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="107">Immaculate</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="15"></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="52"><br /></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" width="108"></td>
<td colspan="4" valign="bottom" width="256">3rd at Riverfront</td>
<td colspan="2" width="113"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="109"><div align="right">
9</div>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="107">EO Smith</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="15"></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="52"><br /></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" width="108"></td>
<td colspan="4" valign="bottom" width="256">1<sup>st</sup> place Var 2- at Windam</td>
<td colspan="2" width="113"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" width="109"><div align="right">
10</div>
</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="107">Staples</td>
<td valign="bottom" width="15"></td>
<td valign="bottom" width="52"><br /></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom" width="108"></td>
<td colspan="4" valign="bottom" width="256">Won tri meets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08639098898170810965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-50786258742144052842013-09-16T15:18:00.002-04:002013-09-16T15:18:44.673-04:00Soccer Tuesday in the SCCThe first week of the regular season is over. Now we get to answer some questions beginning with Tuesday's action in the SCC:<br />
<br />
Can anyone beat Fairfield Prep? Shelton gets a chance on Tuesday on the road at 3:45 p.m.<br />
<br />
Will someone new make a move into the top tier of the SCC? It's been quite awhile since Lyman Hall has been among the upper echelon. The Trojans face Hamden on Tuesday.<br />
<br />
West Haven and Sheehan would like to be division contenders. The two teams play one another in Wallingford Tuesday.<br />
<br />
Could Hand really start out 0-3? The boys have faced Prep and Xavier so far. Now the Tigers get Branford on the road at 6:30 p.m.<br />
<br />
<br />
Can the North Haven girls start out 0-3? Last year's tri-champs in the SCC Oronoque drew the toughest schedule and now hosts Hand on Tueday.<br />
<br />
Are the Branford girls for real? The Hornets got an easier schedule than North Haven. One of its toughest tests, Amity, awaits in Woodbridge Tuesday.<br />
<br />
Matchup of the day? Sacred Heart Academy at Cheshire, 6 p.m. Both of these girls' teams are likely ticketed to the SCC eight-team playoffs. One of them could be the top overall seed.<br />
<br />
<br />Joe Morellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287811874796054101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-68564241496377923442013-09-13T17:38:00.000-04:002013-09-13T19:39:11.517-04:00ON COURSE: Wilbur Cross X-country building a family<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="430" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qEZRKLwnWGs?list=UUbWGYgNqNzUVDmMchBg0I8A" width="620"></iframe>
Boys' and girls' Wilbur Cross first-year cross country head coach Travis Gale said he wants to build a running program at the school. With the Governors' season starting on Tuesday, he said he thinks he is on the right track.<br />
"We always meet before and after school, we work in the weight room together, we're pretty much together all afternoon," he said. "That's the good thing about keeping the team together."<br />
He said he's got a total of 32 kids on the team and that a few of them participated in summer conditioning workouts. Captain Danae Rivers said the team has looked strong in preseason workouts.<br />
"We put the work in," she said. "We all finished and completed the workouts. We built up our mileage every week."<br />
Rivers, who leads the girls team, finished first in the 5K portion of the Stratton Faxon New Haven Road Race. Gale said he expects good things from the Rivers and the rest of the girls team this fall.<br />
"I have a real solid top three," he said. "The four-five-six-seven runners are going to change a lot. I hope those pieces can move closer to the top three."<br />
The team's have done more than just running, according to Boys team captain Emmanuel Ruiz. He said the teams play ultimate Frisbee every Friday after workouts, they hang out off the course and Saturday they are having a car wash.<br />
"As a team we see each other, we laugh, we hug, we cry together," Ruiz said. "This is just like a family. We feel comfortable together."<br />
Ruiz leads in a boys group that Gale said will post big numbers this season. He said one of his team's strongest attributes is depth.<br />
"Top five, top six are probably going to be within a minute of each other," the coach said. "I'm excited because they finally listened to me this summer and trained."<br />
Gale said the runners training in the summer shows they are eager to be a part of a running program at Wilbur Cross. And Gale, who is also a gym teacher at Cross, said he has even snagged two sophomores boys with hopes of getting in shape for basketball and put them on the team. He said it is all part of building a program.<br />
"The family bond has improved and that's going to continue because of kids talking in the building," he said. "Being a phys ed. teacher definitely helps me with pulling kids into cross country. It's going to create a bigger program."<br />
<br />
<b>EXTRA LAPS: </b>Danae Rivers said she has received an offer from Cornell. She said she is also looking at Princeton and wants to ran cross country and track in college. ... Meanwhile Ruiz said he is looking to stay in state, at University of New Haven and Albertus Magnus to name a few. He also hopes to run in college.<br />
<br />
<b>COME OUT AND SUPPORT: </b>The cross country teams will be holding a car wash fund raiser Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the school to raise money for end-of-season awards and to meet entry fees. <br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08639098898170810965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-48721315514253572132013-09-12T15:51:00.001-04:002013-09-12T15:51:50.131-04:00Michael's CupSeventeen high school athletic programs have been selected as CIAC Michael’s Achievement Cup exemplary programs recognizing their outstanding achievement as overall athletics programs for the 2012-13<br />
academic year.<br />
<br />
The 2012-13 Michael’s Achievement Cup exemplary programs by class:<br />
LL: <b>Cheshire</b>, Fairfield Ludlowe<br />
L: <b>Bunnell, Hand</b><br />
MM: Brookfield, Ledyard<br />
M: East Catholic, Northwestern, Weston<br />
SS: Bloomfield, East Hampton, Lyman Memorial, Sacred Heart<br />
S: Gilbert, Notre Dame-Fairfield, Shepaug Valley<br />
<br />
The 17 schools represent all six classifications and are selected based on achievement in seven distinct areas which are sportsmanship, participation, athletic scholarship, athletic personnel, equity, chemical free initiatives<br />
and athletic achievement.<br /><br />
The schools will be honored at the CIAC Sportsmanship Conference at the AquaTurf in Southington on Nov. 21, and the overall Michael’s Achievement Cup recipient will be announced.<br />
The Michael’s Achievement Cup was created in the early 1980s as the brainchild of Roy Michaels, the<br />
owner of Michaels Jewelry, in an effort to recognize outstanding athletic programs. The program recognized yearly winners since that time, and then in 2008 transitioned directly to CIAC oversight of the program.Joe Morellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287811874796054101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-48389201614323947832013-09-11T00:14:00.001-04:002013-09-11T00:17:08.516-04:00Guilford wins on opening day<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="" height="320" src="http://www.nhregister.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/NH/20130910/SPORTS/130919939/AR/0/AR-130919939.jpg&maxh=400&maxw=667" width="318" /><br />
<br />
<br />
Guilford blanked Notre Dame-West Haven 2-0 in SCC interdivision action. Check out <a href="http://www.nhregister.com/sports/20130910/guilford-soccer-blanks-notre-dame-west-haven">this game and the rest of Tuesday's soccer action</a> in the area.
Take a peek at Guilford's two goals:
<iframe frameborder="0" height="388" id="tout_embed_pjjaon" src="//www.tout.com/m/pjjaon/embed" width="420"></iframe>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="388" id="tout_embed_3llzun" src="//www.tout.com/m/3llzun/embed" width="420"></iframe>Joe Morellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287811874796054101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-60902124032643517192013-09-10T09:56:00.001-04:002013-09-10T09:56:26.917-04:00Girls' swimming: Cheshire poised for another strong season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.nhregister.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/NH/20120906/NEWS/309069938/AR/0/AR-309069938.jpg&maxh=400&maxw=667" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://www.nhregister.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/NH/20120906/NEWS/309069938/AR/0/AR-309069938.jpg&maxh=400&maxw=667" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Cheshire girls' swim coach Dan Mascolo (Register file photo)</u></b></div>
<br />
The 2013 girls' swimming season kicks off today and while the Cheshire girls’ swim team lost some key swimmers from last season, including Jenna Cannata, Sara Barlok, Kenzie Keddy, Molly Condron and Taylor Deubel, <b>coach Dan Mascolo is confident the Rams have a good shot to defend their Southern Connecticut Conference title.</b><br />
The Rams used their talent and depth to win the 2012 SCC swim meet with 1,314 points and continue to have the talent and depth in 2013 despite the losses from last season.<br />
Among the top returners are <b>Lindsay Smalec (butterfly, individual medley), Laura Mongillo (backstroke, IM), Denise Costello (freestyles, breaststroke), Delaney Molnar (butterfly, freestyles), Taylor Plumley (distance freestyles) </b>and<b> Erin Mostoller (diving)</b>.<br />
“We have a very deep team once again and we should be pretty strong in the odd stroke events this season,” Mascolo said. “We are looking to build on last year’s success in the SCC and are looking forward to a very competitive (CIAC) Class L meet this season.”<br />
Among the newcomers expected to make an impact this season are freshmen <b>Lily Kurtz (IM, breaststroke), Kristen Reid (freestyles), Emily Murphy (backstroke, freestyles) </b>and<b> Danielle Dietrich (butterfly, breaststroke).
</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>Dan Nowakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02490030032722995234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-81139398771079972312013-09-09T14:46:00.001-04:002013-09-09T14:46:31.638-04:00Field hockey: McGuirk, Kamercia on verge of milestones<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.nhregister.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/NH/20111026/NEWS/310269914/AR/0/AR-310269914.jpg&maxh=400&maxw=667" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://www.nhregister.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/NH/20111026/NEWS/310269914/AR/0/AR-310269914.jpg&maxh=400&maxw=667" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cathy McGuirk conducting practice during 2011 season with her assistant and husband John</div>
<br />
Two local field hockey legends, <b>Branford coach Cathy McGuirk </b>and<b> Haddam-Killingworth coach Patsy Kamercia</b>, are about to reach major milestones in their illustrious coaching careers.<br />
McGuirk is 10 wins away from career-win 500 as she enters the season with a 490-101-62-9 career record.<br />
“I have had so much fun and learned so much coaching field hockey,” McGuirk said. “The best part has been all the great kids I have coached and now so many of their daughters.<br />
“Lucky me, not to mention coaching so many years with my best friend and now husband of 45 years (John McGuirk). That’s another milestone.”<br />
Branford opens the season on Tuesday at Southern Connecticut Conference rival Hand at 7 p.m.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.nhregister.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/NH/20130108/NEWS/301089974/AR/0/AR-301089974.jpg&maxh=400&maxw=667" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.nhregister.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/NH/20130108/NEWS/301089974/AR/0/AR-301089974.jpg&maxh=400&maxw=667" width="161" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Patsy Kamercia</div>
<br />
Kamercia, who led her team to the CIAC Class S title last season, is one win away from career-win 400. She enters the season with a 399-159-81 career record.<br />
Last season Kamercia retired after 41 years as an HK physical education teacher and decided to return one more season to coach field hockey to get the milestone.<br />
Kamercia was selected the Register All-Area Field Hockey coach of the year last season and was inducted to the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame last November.<br />
Kamercia gets her first crack at No. 400 in the Cougars’ season-opener on Tuesday at home against Canton at 4:15 p.m.
<br />
<br />Dan Nowakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02490030032722995234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-89133407659300802242013-09-09T12:50:00.000-04:002013-09-09T12:50:30.927-04:00Cross country no secondary sport<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="" height="304" src="http://www.nhregister.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/NH/20130908/SPORTS/130909597/AR/0/AR-130909597.jpg&maxh=400&maxw=667" width="400" /><br />
<br />
The Amity girls, above, are getting ready for another successful season.<br />
<br />
By
<a href="http://www.nhregister.com/sports/20130908/cross-country-no-longer-a-training-tool-for-other-sports#author1">Henry Chisholm</a><br />
<br />
Cross country is no longer something athletes use to get in shape for
other sports, at least not to Amity boys coach Bob Orgovan.<br />
<br />
“We don’t get (other athletes) that much anymore,” he said. “Years ago it used to be like that.”<br />
<br />
Orgovan said in the past he’s had players basketball players,
hockey players and even wrestlers. However, the majority of his runners
are focused on running. He said it is common for an athlete to use cross
country for track, but no other sport.<br />
<br />
Check out more of this story and the <a href="http://www.nhregister.com/sports/20130908/cross-country-no-longer-a-training-tool-for-other-sports">top area cross country runners to watch</a> this season. Joe Morellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287811874796054101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-76608872589792137712013-09-07T21:50:00.001-04:002013-09-07T21:56:02.548-04:00Branford girls soccer hoping for another SCC title run<img alt="" height="280" src="http://www.nhregister.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/NH/20130907/SPORTS/130909645/AR/0/AR-130909645.jpg&maxh=400&maxw=667" width="400" /><br />
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<br />
Above, Branford girls’ soccer captains Tanya Altrui, left, and Izzy
Suppa are hoping to lead the Hornets on another SCC tournament title
run. It won't be easy, but the <a href="http://www.nhregister.com/sports/20130907/branford-girls-soccer-hopes-to-duplicate-last-seasons-success">Hornets will be a solid team in the SCC</a> once again in 2013.<br />
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<br />
<br />
Check out our cross country preview in Monday's edition and field hockey on Tuesday, which is the opening day for the season.Joe Morellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287811874796054101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-54768352627503303262013-09-05T19:51:00.001-04:002013-09-05T19:54:07.338-04:00The fall seasons about to begin<br />
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<img alt="" height="280" src="http://www.nhregister.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/NH/20130905/SPORTS/130909739/AR/0/AR-130909739.jpg&maxh=400&maxw=667" width="320" /><br />
<br />
<br />
Tonight (online) and Friday (newspaper) begins our previews for the fall sports season.<br />
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Pictured above, captains Rebecca Ligi, left, and Eryn Dorsey will lead the Cheshire girls volleyball team in the Southern Connecticut Conference. Can the Rams win a state title? Henry Chisholm takes a look at <a href="http://www.nhregister.com/sports/20130905/cheshire-volleyball-out-to-fulfill-title-aspirations">Cheshire's title aspirations</a>. After the article online, check out Henry's 10 area players to watch.<br />
<br />
<b>Up next:</b><br />
Girls swimming - Saturday<br />
Soccer - Sunday<br />
Cross country - Monday<br />
Field hockey - Tuesday.<br />
<br />
The regular season begins on Tuesday. Good luck to all teams. <br />
<br />Joe Morellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287811874796054101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-7436649845106392512013-08-28T13:47:00.000-04:002013-09-05T19:43:02.697-04:00Diamond Club Hall of Fame, award recipientsThe Southern Connecticut Diamond Club, Inc. will hold its annual Hall of Fame induction dinner to honor those who have contributed to baseball in the region on Oct. 17 at Monticello’s Restaurant in Meriden.<br />
<br />
Those being inducted include Jim “Butch” Abel of North Branford, a former Wilbur Cross pitcher and semi-pro and pro player; John Anquillare of West Haven, former coach at the University of Bridgeport and the University of New Haven; Dan Ford of Hamden, former pitching star at Hamden High and Quinnipiac University; Earl Mathewson, of North Branford, coach at Sacred Heart University; Bob Moran of West Haven, former West Haven High and Twilight League athlete; and Tony Notarino of Branford, former pitching star at Wilbur Cross High and the University of New Haven.<br />
<br />
Fred Norman of New Haven will receive the Andrew Gassira Memorial Umpire Award. Sal Coppola of North Haven will receive the Tony Mentone Memorial Distinguished Service Award.<br />
Hors d’oeuvres will be at 5:30 p.m. Dinner follows promptly at 6:30 p.m. Anyone needing tickets can contact Rose Mentone at 541 Hill St., Hamden on or before Oct. 10 at rmentone@comcast.net or go to southernctdiamondclub.org. Tickets are $55 per person and include a full-course surf and turf dinner or vegetarian, if preferred.Joe Morellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287811874796054101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-87880512927780771492013-08-28T13:07:00.004-04:002013-08-28T13:07:30.031-04:00Hand's first Hall of Fame induction classHand High will induct 21 people into it inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony on Sept. 13 at the Madison Beach Hotel Wharf Restaurant.<br />
<br />
The inductees are: Kirsten Anderson Rappleyea (1984), basketball; Bill Barker, who coached boys’ basketball; Jim Bell (1984), football and track and field; Larry Ciotti, who coached football, wrestling and track and field and also served as the school’s athletic director; Victoria Crompton, who coached tennis, girls’ basketball and softball; Bob Duncanson, who coached a number of sports and also served as AD; Jeff Farmer (1974), football and basketball; Rich Fasano, a teacher and district coordinator; Jennifer Fischer Mueller (1981), basketball, field hockey and softball; Kevin Flynn (1980), soccer; Jim Guzzio (1992), wrestling; Ellen Hartmann (1981), gymnastics; Jane Hesford, who coached gymnastics; Pat McCahill (1967), who coached lacrosse and tennis; Andy McConville (1995), soccer; Walter Polson, who was a teacher, coach, AD and principal at the school; Willie Roze (1972), field hockey, basketball and softball; Harold Strong, benefactor of the Strong Athletic Field (Surf Club); Ken Sweitzer (1978), football, basketball and baseball; Dick VanDeventer (1970), soccer, basketball and track and field; and Cory Wielgus (1977), basketball, cross country and soccer.<br />
<br />
The $40 tickets are limited for the appetizers and cash bar only, no dinner. For ticket reservations, email cdlena63@gmail.com or mail the money to Christine Lena at 14 Governors Way, Madison, CT 06443.<br />
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Joe Morellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287811874796054101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-45846083579126154632013-08-08T20:16:00.003-04:002013-08-08T20:16:29.715-04:00Hockey: Vizzo to finish senior year playing for Bay State Breakers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Billy Vizzo, a New Haven Register All-State and All-Area hockey selection season as a Notre Dame-West Haven junior forward, will be leaving the area to play for the Bay State Breakers</b> (Rockland, Mass.) of the United States Premier Hockey League. The USPHL, an Under-20 league, replaces the Eastern Junior Hockey League.<br />
"I'm looking forward to it," Vizzo said. "I'll be leaving at the end of the month and finish my senior year in high school at one of the local high schools near Boston. The Connecticut Yankees will have a team in the league based out of Stamford so I'll get to play in Connecticut a few times during the season."<br />
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<br />Dan Nowakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02490030032722995234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-32969465707863989922013-08-07T19:50:00.001-04:002013-08-07T19:50:16.060-04:00Dyer new AD at HamdenTom Dyer will become the new athletic director at Hamden, replacing Jeanne Cooper, who retired in June.<br />Dyer, 34, served as co-athletic facilitator at Hillhouse from 2007-13 and the head football coach the last six years, two of them culminating in Class M state football championships (2010 and 2012).<br />“I’m extremely excited about the new opportunity and looking forward to meeting all of the coaches and student-athletes,” Dyer said. “But I’m also sad about leaving a great program.”<br />Dyer went 51-17 in his six seasons for the Academics. He also served as an assistant coach at Hillhouse from 2001-06.<br />“We are very happy to have Tom Dyer in the district as athletic director,” Hamden principal Gary Highsmith said. “He has a great track record, is a successful coach, he’s very enthusiastic and he’s a winner. I think our superintendent (Fran Rabinowitz) made a very, very wise choice.”<br />Said Dyer: “It was a very tough decision to leave the Hillhouse football program and those kids.”<br />The Academics also appeared in the Class M semifinals in 2008.<br />“It’s wonderful for Tommy. Hamden got a quality guy,” New Haven citywide athletic director Joe Canzanella said. “He will do very well in Hamden.”<br />Canzanella said Reggie Lytle, an assistant on Dyer’s staff, was promoted to interim head coach Wednesday.<br />“The coaching staff will remain intact as we move forward. Our student-athletes are our No. 1 concern and it was very important to bring someone on board who the kids knew and trusted,” Canzanella said. “I’m excited for Tommy but I’m also excited for the Hillhouse football program as well. I consider Hillhouse one of the top 10 (football) jobs in the state and I believe the kids won’t miss a beat.”<br />Canzanella said the facilitator position will be filled by Bob Davis, who served in that position with Dyer, and others within the current staff.<br />Last season, Dyer served a two-day suspension as part of an alleged grade tampering situation that occurred at Hillhouse. Dyer declined to comment on the matter Wednesday.<br /><br />Joe Morellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287811874796054101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-57040933978167232882013-08-06T11:39:00.000-04:002013-08-06T11:39:14.258-04:00New softball coach at CheshireCheshire athletic director Steve Trifone announced Tuesday morning that Kristin Drust has been named the school's new softball coach.<br />
<br />
She replaced Kathleen Hoag, who resigned at the end of last season. Drust is the wife of Cheshire's football coach, Don Drust.Joe Morellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287811874796054101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-32822134321377696502013-07-28T00:01:00.002-04:002013-07-28T00:01:36.373-04:00Hopkins athlete gets scholarship to Vanderbilt<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Thomas
McGrath</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">, a graduate of The Hopkins School in New Haven., was selected
from a near-record
174 applicants for this year’s scholarship in the amount of $20,000 per
year for four years each at Vanderbilt. </span><br />
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<div class="x_yiv1083934762MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">McGrath
was actively involved in his school’s newspaper, The Razor, serving as
assistant entertainment editor and assistant sports editor. He
served as Director of Content for the Crispus Attucks Clothing and
Lifestyle Blog, writing and shaping content for the summer lifestyle
blog targeting students at the country’s top colleges and prep schools.
He has been a volunteer at the Connecticut Food
Bank and also founded Captain’s Practice, LLC, a service that provided
local families with an alternative to higher-priced private sports
lessons and academic tutoring.</span></div>
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<div class="x_yiv1083934762MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">He
was point guard for four years on his school’s basketball team and was
named captain of the varsity squad as a senior. He also was second
baseman
on the baseball team, which recently won its league’s regular season and tournament titles.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
Named in honor of two legendary sports writing alumni of Vanderbilt, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> alumni Grantland Rice and Fred Russell, two of the greatest sports writers of all time. </span>
the scholarship has an extraordinary record of producing prominent and
successful writers
and television personalities, including Roy Blount, Jr., Bill
Livingston, Skip Bayless, John (Joe Bob Briggs) Bloom, David Sheinin,
Tyler Kepner, Lee Jenkins, and Daniel Wolken.</span></div>
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Joe Morellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287811874796054101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-72220015539406324252013-07-24T18:15:00.002-04:002013-07-24T18:15:48.080-04:00Seymour High to hold Hall of Fame Induction CeremonyThe Seymour High sports hall of fame committee will hold an induction ceremony on Nov. 2 at the Colonial Tavern. <br />
<br />The following will be inducted to the school’s hall of fame: Mark Allen (Class of 1970), Maria Conlon (2000), Vic Cweklinsky (1962), Les Dahn (1957), Jen D’Amato (1996), Ed Esson (1981), coach Joe Gesek , coach Dan Heffernan, John “Chick” Henry (1954), Dennis Rozum (1970), Ed Shay (1968).<br />
<br />Tickets will be on sale at the Armands Service Center, Seymour Town Hall and Seymour High School, or from any of the committee members. Interested persons can leave a message at SHSSHOF@yahoo.com or by calling Paul Sponheimer at 203-734-0233 or Anthony LoPresti at 203-888-4461. <br />Joe Morellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287811874796054101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-46262667644965183222013-07-17T12:50:00.000-04:002013-07-17T13:08:39.124-04:00Girls Swimming and Diving: Locations, times changed for CIAC diving championships<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dispatch.com/content/graphics/2011/02/24/hs-dive-2-24-art-gesbo5rn-1hs-swim-2-24-kr-04-jpg.jpg?__scale=w:300,h:288,t:1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.dispatch.com/content/graphics/2011/02/24/hs-dive-2-24-art-gesbo5rn-1hs-swim-2-24-kr-04-jpg.jpg?__scale=w:300,h:288,t:1" /></a></div>
<b>The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference, which governs high school athletics, has announced changes in the high school swim and diving championship postseason, specifically with changes for the location and times for next season's high school diviing championships.</b>
The CIAC Class S and LL meets will be on Nov. 6 at Middletown High and Bulkeley High, respectively. The Class M and L meets will be Nov. 7 at Middletown and Bulkeley, respectively.
For the meets at Middletown, warm-up will begin at 4 p.m. with competition starting at 5:30 p.m. At Bulkeley, warm-up begins at 3 p.m. with competition beginning at 4:30 p.m.
There will now also be a coaches meeting 30 minutes before the start of the meet.
The State Open diving championships will be November 15 at Middletown with warm-up beginning at 4 p.m. and competition at 5:30 p.m.
Dan Nowakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02490030032722995234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-26428384219651805912013-07-10T18:13:00.001-04:002013-07-10T18:13:47.735-04:00Field Hockey: Kamercia returning to get career-win 400<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Haddam-Killingworth field hockey coach Patsy Kamercia</b></div>
<br />
When <b>Patsy Kamercia</b> retired as physical education teacher after 41 years, there was speculation the founder of the storied field hockey program would retire as the Cougars' coach as well.<br />
On Wednesday Kamercia put that speculation to rest.<br />
"I'm coming back to coach field hockey at HK," Kamerica said. "I almost have to come back with one win shy of (career win) 400."<br />
Last season, Kamercia finished her 36th season as head coach and led the Cougars (17-2-1) to their third CIAC Class S state championship with a 2-0 win over Stonington. The Cougars also won the Shoreline Conference regular-season title with an 8-1-1 record.<br />
For her effort she was named Register All-Area Field Hockey Coach of the Year last season.<br />
Kamercia has a 399-159-81 career record. She was also selected Area Coach of the Year in 2005, was inducted to the CHSCA Hall of Fame last November and in 2009 was a finalist for national coach of the year.<br />
The 2012 championship was H-K’s second outright state title, and third including a shared title with Lewis Mills in 2005. H-K’s previous outright state title was in 1994.
The Cougars finished the 2012 season on a 12-game winning streak.<br />
<br />Dan Nowakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02490030032722995234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-85171546783175776882013-07-03T12:25:00.003-04:002013-07-03T12:25:48.022-04:00Connecticut's public school lacrosse All-America selectionsFrom US Lacrosse:<br />
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US Lacrosse today announced the final group of high school boys’ lacrosse players to be named a US Lacrosse High School All-American, All-Academic honoree or Bob Scott Award winner. A total 327 players in this group were recognized for their efforts on and off the field.<br />
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<br />
The breakdown of players includes 206 All-Americans, 101 All-Academic honorees and 20 Bob Scott Award winners were selected from 33 areas within the US Lacrosse system.<br />
<br />
US Lacrosse uses a calendar-based recognition process to accommodate for the different time frames of high school lacrosse seasons across the country.<br />
<br />
A US Lacrosse All-American is a player who exhibits superior skills and techniques and possesses exceptional game sense and knowledge. A US Lacrosse All-American is one of the best players in the United States, while also embodying excellent sportsmanship.<br />
<strong>Here are Connecticut's selections for All-America:</strong><br />
<br />
Brett Baker, A (Ridgefield HS, 2013)<br />
<br />
<br />
Zack Bartolo, A (Brien McMahon HS-Norwalk, 2013)<br />
<br />
Kevin Brown, A (Fairfield Prep, 2013)<br />
<br />
Zach Cattaruzza, D (Guilford HS, 2013)<br />
<br />
Conn Curry, D (Joel Barlow HS-Redding, 2013)<br />
<br />
Cal Dearth, M (Ridgefield HS, 2013)<br />
<br />
Tim Edmonds, A (Fairfield Prep, 2013)<br />
<br />
Andrew Hatton, D (Fairfield Prep, 2013)<br />
<br />
Mitch Kezer, D (Stonington HS, 2013)<br />
<br />
Grant Limone, G (Weston HS, 2014)<br />
<br />
Josh Miller, G (Brien McMahon HS-Norwalk, 2014)<br />
<br />
Ted Ottens, M (Wilton HS, 2013)<br />
<br />
Eric Persky, D (New Canaan HS, 2013)<br />
<br />
Puck Richardson, A (New Canaan HS, 2013)<br />
<br />
Graham Savio, M (Greenwich HS, 2013)<br />
<br />
David White, M (Fairfield Prep, 2013)<br />
<br />
Joey Zelkowitz, M (Staples HS-Westport, 2013)<br />
<br />
<strong>Here are Connecticut's selections for Academic All-America honors:</strong>
A US Lacrosse All-Academic honoree is a player who exhibits exemplary lacrosse skills, good sportsmanship on the field, and represents high standards of academic achievement in the classroom. This player also should have left his mark beyond the lacrosse field and the classroom by making significant contributions of service to the school and/or community.
<br />
<br />Alexander Borkowski, D (Branford, 2013)<br />
<br />
<br />
Bryan Davis, M (Southington HS , 2013)<br />
<br />
Thomas Dupont, A (Cheshire, 2013)<br />
<br />
Timothy Gephart, M (New Fairfield, 2013)<br />
<br />
Sam Gravitte, D (Ridgefield, 2013)<br />
<br />
Matthew Macoy, M (Ludlowe , 2013)<br />
<br />
Michael Semancik, G (Fitch, 2013)<br />
<br />
Zach Psaras, D (St. Jospeh HS , 2013)<br />
<br />
<strong>Connecticut's Bob Scott Award winner:</strong>
A US Lacrosse Bob Scott Award winner is a senior player recognized by each area chairman who truly honors lacrosse, is invested in the development of the game in his community, is an exceptional player who continually strives to improve his game, and is an exemplary member of his team. He exemplifies the spirit of the game, on and off the field.
<br />
<br />
David White, M (Fairfield Prep, 2013)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
Sean Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10515714654641788090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-84734872252782517002013-07-03T00:13:00.000-04:002013-07-03T00:13:21.434-04:00A new design for All-area teamsWith the new design almost a month old in the New Haven Register, the way the All-Area and All-State teams will be presented has changed as well.<br />
<br />
All teams still should be presented in color, and the numbers of players on each team won't change too much, but the look has. We hope you like it.<br />
<br />
Debuting Wednesday is the All-Area softball team. The MVP story and bios of all the team members, as well as slideshows, can still be found at <a href="http://www.nhregister.com/">www.nhregister.com</a>.Joe Morellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18287811874796054101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-39034529506211876792013-06-19T15:32:00.000-04:002013-06-19T15:32:14.607-04:00Cheshire's Tim Covel overcomes diabetes to succeed on, off the field<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Just like every other senior at Cheshire High, <b>Tim Covel</b> is looking forward to the Rams' graduation ceremony and getting his diploma on Friday.<br />
Graduation will signal the end of a successful academic career at the high school for Covel and will also signal the end of a successful athletic career, although that athletic experience was unlike most other Rams.<br />
Covel, considered one of the hardest working athletes and an exceptional leader, enjoyed success while also dealing with Type 1 Diabetes. Covel was a receiver and defensive end on the football team, center/power forward and captain on the basketball team and defender on the boys lacrosse team.<br />
"I was diagnosed with Type 1 (juvenile) Diabetes in sixth grade," Covel said. "I wear an insulin pump on my hip that administers insulin into a cite that I insert into my stomach and hip area. Depending on what my blood sugar is and what I eat determines how much insulin I get.<br />
"I test my blood sugar using a different device roughly 15-20 times a day. My target blood sugar is 140 for when I play. It's had a huge effect on my sports career."<br />
Covel said if his blood sugar is out of range his level of play drops drastically and his chance for injury goes up.<br />
"I carb count everything. I eat to help avoid that as much as possible during games," Covel said. "It has only happened a handful of times in games. It is just something I have to keep control of. It will effect me in college as well, but my training staff will help me out when it gets hard."<br />
Covel led the Rams boys lacrosse team to an 8-10 record and they advanced to the first round of the CIAC Class L tournament. His speed and communication skills were strengths in leading the Rams' transition game from the defensive zone to midfield to offensive attack.<br />
"Tim is an excellent student athlete and his leadership abilities were a huge part of our success this season," <b>Cheshire boys lacrosse coach Rich Pulisciano</b> said. "Tim is a three-sport athlete. Kids look up to Tim. Being a captain is always tough, but Tim was fair not only with his senior peers but the underclassmen as well.<br />
"He’s a great kid with a great attitude. When he stepped on the field it was all business. No matter if it was practice or a game, Tim was always ready to go. Tim’s work ethic rises to the top in everything he does. He will be missed not only by our coaching staff but the kids in this school."<br />
Covel also provided some offense from his defender position in lacrosse with five goals and 10 assists.<br />
Recently, Covel was presented with school's highest honor for a male athlete and named the 2013 Cheshire High Outstanding Male Athlete.<br />
Covel was also named first All-Southern Connecticut Conference, named to the All-SCC Academic Team and an Academic All-American in football. He will play lacrosse and study economics at Connecticut College.<br />
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<br />Dan Nowakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02490030032722995234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678742183296290521.post-74812204367043179722013-06-15T18:45:00.002-04:002013-06-15T18:45:43.572-04:00Belcher reacts to being named new Notre Dame-West Haven boys hockey coach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><br /></b>
<b>It’s been a busy time for Tim Belcher, named new Notre Dame-West Haven boys hockey coach on Friday.</b><br />
Emotions have been running high, he has been deluged with emails, texts and calls from well-wishers and he is already looking ahead to the challenge of taking on his ultimate dream job.<br />
“I’ve been swamped,” said Belcher, a former Notre Dame player who coached the Lyman Hall boys hockey team the last 13 seasons. “This experience the last few days, getting your dream coaching job, it’s been an unbelievable feeling, I’ll tell you that.<br />
“I am looking forward to the challenge. Fortunately I was at Lyman Hall and experienced each level of competition going from Division I to Division II and then last season in Division III. This is definitely a jump up for me. I go from a team of 14 total roster players last season to an elite Notre Dame team where 50-60 kids try out every year.”<br />
Belcher said the entire interview process took about a month. After sending in his initial application and resume, he had his first interview on Monday, a second interview Wednesday and was offered the position on Thursday.<br />
“I signed the contract right then and there on Thursday,” Belcher said. “Being an alumnus likely helped me. But I was upfront during the interview. I told them I was an intense person, I was passionate about being successful but also with having fun in the sport. I also have a disciplinary philosophy.”<br />
Belcher graduated from Notre Dame-West Haven in 1993 and during the 1992-93 season helped the Green Knights win a CIAC Division I title. He went on to play at Quinnipiac University where graduated in 1997 and that fall became an assistant boys hockey coach at Lyman Hall. He became the head coach at Lyman Hall for the 2000-01 season.<br />
Belcher becomes the first Notre Dame boys hockey coach to be a former Green Knights player and he also sees that as a positive in taking over the program.<br />
“I’m going to be able to relate to the players on a more personal level,” Belcher said. “I actually went through what they are going through. I know about the stresses at Notre Dame when it comes to balancing academic success and success on the hockey team.<br />
“Academic success is very important and I am well versed in the ways to help players fall in line faster to make that balancing act work and be a positive experience.”<br />
Belcher replaces Bill Gerosa who retired after last season after coaching the team the last 15 seasons.<br />
“I haven’t had a chance to talk with coach Gerosa yet,” Belcher said. “But he was a great teacher in the classroom and on the ice. He gave a lot to the sport of hockey.”<br />
Belcher has volunteered to help Lyman Hall officials in their search for a new coach but there is no specific timetable to make that selection. There will likely be an in-house search and then candidates outside the Lyman Hall school system will be considered.<br />
“I’ve been out of Notre Dame for 20 years and I’ve been coaching 16 of those years at Lyman Hall,” Belcher said. “It was a great experience with great support from the people there. Their program is going to grow the next few years and it will be a great place for someone to coach boys hockey.<br />
“I always said the only way I would leave Lyman Hall is if my dream job at Notre Dame ever became available, and it did. I’m a very fortunate person.”
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<br />Dan Nowakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02490030032722995234noreply@blogger.com0