New Canaan Advertiser Spring Sports Preview by HAN Network

New Canaan High School Spring 2010

SPORTS PREVIEW

NEW CANAAN ADVERTISER, NEW CANAAN, CONN., THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2010

Senior tri-captain Kacey Pippitt, shown at left during the Rams’ State tournament win over Brien McMahon last season, will be back at midfield for New Canaan this spring. (Dave Stewart Photo)

Rams launch spring season against Wave Experienced defense, young offense mark New Canaan girls’ lax for Spring, 2010 By Dave Stewart Sports Editor After posting a combined record of 34-10 and reaching the FCIAC championship game twice during the past two seasons, the New Canaan High girls’ lacrosse team heads into 2010 with high hopes. The Rams’ first task? Conquering archrival Darien on opening day, Friday, on the Blue Wave’s home turf. Talk about a wake-up call. Rather than viewing the showdown as a detriment so early in the season, head coach Kristin Wood instead sees the game as thrill for both teams. “It should be good,” Wood told the Advertiser. “I’m excited to see what they have and what they can do. It’ll be the first game for both teams, so we’ll see who’s ready to come out and play.” The Rams will begin the spring season with a strong cast of characters at one end of the field, and a few new faces at the other. On defense, New Canaan returns four veterans, including senior tri-captain Erin Fessler and All-FCIAC goalie Charlotte Spitzfaden. The offense, which features at least one star in senior tricaptain Anjalie Christie, is more wide open following the graduation of All-county attacks Jenny Simpson, Veronica Lizzio and Meg Boland.

That trio scored more than 200 goals last year when New Canaan finished as the runner-up in both the FCIAC and State D1 tournaments. “It’s probably a rebuilding year seeing that we lost Jenny, Veronica and Meg and they had over 200 goals combined,” Wood said of the offense. “We’re going to be missing those seniors a lot offensively. “Defensively, we’re looking good. We’re still working on a few things but we return most of our defenders. So the offense is where we’re focused on right now. We need to improve those younger kids.” The Rams’ motor starts running with senior tri-captain Kacey Pippitt, a centermidfielder who led the team in draw controls last spring. Pippitt is also a weapon on offense, both by scoring goals and dishing out assists. “Kacey is our workhorse in the midfield,” Wood said. “Last year, she came up with the most draw controls, ground balls and caused turnovers for our team, so we’re looking for her to be that same scrappy player for us. When she turns it on, everybody else gets pumped up to play.” Back on the defensive end, Spitzfaden is the anchor in the goal after an outstanding junior season. “Charlotte’s returning as an All-FCIAC goalie and she always comes up with huge saves for us,” Wood said. “Her

Girls’ Lacrosse

Rams at a glance Head Coach Kristin Wood (4th year) 2009 Record: 18-5 Captains: Kacey Pippitt, Erin Fessler, Anjalie Christie Others to watch: Betsy Hart, Shelby Barada, Charlotte Spitzfaden, Sarah Mannelly, Olivia Hompe, Leah Taben, Hannah Femia, Lauren Freeland The Big Games April 9 at Darien - New Canaan doesn’t have to wait long to get a chance at revenge as the Rams take on the Darien Blue Wave to open the 2010 season. Darien won all three meetings between the rivals last year, including in the FCIAC and State Div. I championship games; April 15 vs. Glastonbury at Dunning Field; April 24 vs. Yorktown, N.Y., at Dunning Field; April 27 vs. Greenwich at Dunning Field; May 6 at Wilton.

clears are looking better and better, so we’re excited to have her be a huge presence for us this year.” In front of the net is a veteran defensive trio which includes Fessler and seniors Shelby Barada and Betsy Hart. “Erin Fessler is a strong defensive player who has helped us since her freshman year,” Wood said. “She’s a four-year starter and she’s got a lot of experience. She’s always ready to play. We maybe even try to work her into the midfield a little bit more. She was a pure defender the last couple of years but we

may try and work her into the midfield.” Barada and Hart also have experience as captains — Barada in ice hockey team and Hart in field hockey, giving New Canaan plenty of leadership on defense. Joining that group are junior Lauren Freeland, a wing, and sophomore Hannah Femia, who saw some varsity time as a freshman. “Hannah has also been stepping it up in our playdays,” Wood said. “She’s another solid defender who also runs the field well. She’s was a freshman last year on varsity

and she stepped it up defensively” As for Freeland, Wood made a complimentary comparison to one of the captains. “She’s sort of like Pippitt,” the coach said. “She works really hard, she caused quite a few turnovers (at Saturday’s playday) which resulted in some nice fastbreaks. We’ll be depending on her a lot in the midfield.” Even with the departure of Simpson, Lizzio and Boland, the Rams still have numerous weapons on attack, with the key being who goes to the goal in the spotlight. “It’s going to be tough,” Wood said. “I told the girls they’ve got to be more goal hungry. A lot of them are a little tentative right now, but we’ve got to find the players who are going to replace those big-time scorers for us. It’ll be fun to see who steps up.” Christie leads the attack and can kill opposing defenses with her varied moves and shots. “Anjalie on attack is a wonderful player,” Wood said. “She’s got a few really solid moves and shots that will be hard for us to replace next year, but she’ll add a lot for us this year. She’s very versatile and she’s just a pure attacker.” The Rams will also look to sophomore Sarah Mannelly, a less-experienced lacrosse player but a fantastic athlete with plenty of quickness. “Mannelly is coming in to her own,” Wood said. “I don’t think she’s played as much

as everybody else, but she’s really got the speed and gamesense to really make a difference.” After those two, Wood will mix and match with a quartet of other offensive players, including senior Leah Taben, juniors Erin Markey and Liz DeTour, and freshman Olivia Hompe. As is typical in the FCIAC, the Big Four of New Canaan, Darien, Wilton and Greenwich are the favorites to reach the playoffs, with several other teams providing possible land mines. “I bet there’ll be one or two teams that end up with some solid players and give people runs,” Wood said. “McMahon is always strong and Danbury has some athletes. The Ridgefield team is quite young, but they should be good.” With the season-opener just one day away, Wood and the New Canaan Rams will be looking to have their game faces on when they take on the Blue Wave. While a victory would be a great launching pad for the season, Wood is more concerned with having her team show some good signs to open the schedule. “More than beating Darien, we need to go into that game confident and play our game,” Wood said. “It’ll be key for us to get every 50-50 groundball and play like I know they can play instead of waiting for things to happen. It’ll be a fun game.”

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NEW CANAAN ADVERTISER, NEW CANAAN, CONN., THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2010

New Canaan senior cocaptain Cody Newton (32) fights past a Brien McMahon defender last spring. The Rams head into 2010 with a senior-heavy team that’s ready to bid for FCIAC and State crowns. (Dave Stewart Photo)

Veteran laxmen ready for senior moment By Dave Stewart Sports Editor The final day of the 2009 boys’ lacrosse season was draped in a fog which spread across the New Fairfield High School field as the New Canaan Rams were eliminated from the States by the Rebels, 10-2. That mist may have hidden some of the Rams’ struggles, but the message head coach Alex Whitten sent to his team in the aftermath was crystal clear. “Remember what this feels like,” Whitten told the Rams. “You don’t ever want to feel this way again.” That game has remained in New Canaan’s rearview mirror for the past 10 months, and the Rams have managed to turn the negative vibe into positive motivation, something Whitten said was necessary for the growth of the team. “When we lost to New Fairfield in the last game of the year, 10-2, it was necessary for us to lose a game in that way,” Whitten said. “It really sent a message to our guys about putting forth effort towards their lacrosse endeavors. We asked those guys to commit to the program and

we’ve gotten that.” The Rams enter the 2010 season with high aspirations and a roster loaded with depth, experience and talent. New Canaan will go into battle with four senior co-captains: Middies Sam Stanton, Todd Bratches and Cody Newton and defenseman Bobby Femia. Femia will anchor a defense which has six key players returning. “Bobby Femia has probably put in more work outside than anybody else during the offseason,” Whitten said. “He’s gotten a lot stronger, he’s gotten faster and he’s gotten bigger.” Newton and Stanton, meanwhile, are coming off strong seasons in other sports this year, as Newton starred for the football team last fall and Stanton completed a solid ice hockey campaign in March. “Cody Newton had a tremendous year football-wise,” Whitten said. “He’s kind of a quiet leader and a lot of the kids respect him as a leader. We’re really looking forward to him having a great year for us. “Sam Stanton is a natural leader — a captain of the hockey team which had a great season. He put in a

Boys’ Lacrosse

Junior Joe Costigan, who recently commited to the University of North Carolina for his collegiate career, will be one of several strong weapons in the Rams’ midfield corps. (Dave Stewart Photo)

great effort during fall workouts.” Bratches rounds out the quartet and has spent the past two seasons running cross country in the fall and track during the winter. “Todd Bratches is an interesting kid,” Whitten said. “He’s extremely smart, well-spoken and represents himself very well. He’s made a tremendous boost in his game over the past couple of years. He’s going to be a big role-player for us this year.” The Rams’ midfield corps will be difficult to slow down, as it features five standout players, including Newton, Stanton and Bratches. Senior Ronnie Balzano will handle things in the faceoff circle, after a strong junior season. “Ronnie’s a great leader for us,” Whitten said. “A lot of things start with the face-off and he does a great job of that. He won 65 percent last year, and we’re looking for him to be there for us again this year.” The midfield will also feature junior Joe Costigan, who recently committed to play lacrosse at the University of North Carolina. “Joe is a tremendous athlete and tremendous competitor,” Whitten said. “He’s poised to have a great year this year and do a lot of good things.” At defensive midfield are seniors Michael Freyre and Christian Powell, along with two promising sophomores in John Brainard and Peter Kraus. On attack, New Canaan will feature senior Bo McGinniss, a player Whitten described as a “field general.” Senior Joe Kahmann will also play attack, along with junior Henry Eschricht. The Rams scored a key pick-up when junior Oliver Norton transferred to NCHS from Loomis Chaffee in Windsor. “Oliver is going to be a huge addition to our team,” Whitten said. “He’s a heck of an athlete; he probably has the best stick-work on the team and he’s a great finisher. We’re looking for him to really help us out.” Back on defense, the Rams featured three standout goalies. Junior Jimmy Joe Granito was the No. 1 guy last spring and returns between the pipes. He’s being pushed by senior Brian Karl, who stepped up in a big way during the offseason. “Jimmy Joe’s back and he had a great football year and a great hockey season,” Whitten said. “I

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Rams at a glance Head Coach Alex Whitten (3rd year) 2009 Record: 12-8 Captains: Cody Newton, Bobby Femia, Sam Stanton, Todd Bratches Others to watch: Joe Costigan, Kevin Campbell, Oliver Norton, Ian Knechtle, Ronnie Balzano, Bo McGinniss, Jimmy Joe Granito The Big Games April 21 vs. Lawrenceville, N.J., at Dunning Field; April 24 at St. Anthony’s, N.Y.; April 26 at Garden City, N.Y.; May 1 at Darien The Darien Blue Wave represent the pinnacle of Connecticut high school lacrosse, but this season, the Rams stack up well against their rivals. The Saturday afternoon showdown comes in the midst of a tough stretch for New Canaan, which faces three outof-state powers before the Wave; May 6 at Wilton; May 11 vs. Brien McMahon at Dunning Field.

think he’s going to be the front-runner to be the goalie for us, but Brian Karl has done a tremendous amount of work. He’s a senior and he’ll push Jimmy Joe every single day. Those two guys should go back and forth and they’ll both have a great year.” New Canaan isn’t lacking behind those two, either, as sophomore Tom Carey has already impressed the coaching staff. “Tom Carey is as good as any goalie around,” Whitten said. “The tough thing for him is that he’s got two really good goalies ahead of him and the seniority of those two guys will probably supersede him for now.” Femia leads the long poles, with senior Kevin Campbell and Ian Knechtle also returning as starters. “Bobby Femia is a big, strong defenseman at 200 pounds and he’ll probably play the biggest guys on the other teams,” Whitten said. “Kevin Campbell is probably our best overall lacrosse player. He’s very smart, he’s got great stick-work and he’s a very heady defenseman. And Ian Knechtle is 6-4, he runs very well and he sees the field well. He’s an aggressive player and he’ll have a great season.” Seniors Henry Richardson and James Cody also return as long pole defensemen, with juniors John Sirisuth and Willie Gould also figuring in the mix. The Rams’ schedule features the

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usual array of top-notch FCIAC and out-of-state opponents, including Lawrenceville, St. Anthony’s and Garden City in succession April 21 through 26. Following those games in a Saturday matchup at Darien on May 1. The Blue Wave graduated 24 players from last year’s squad, but is still the team to beat, according to Whitten. “You have to look at Darien as the pinnacle of Connecticut lacrosse until somebody consistently knocks them off,” the coach said. “They graduated a senior class of 24 guys, so that’s a big group of kids to replace, but they’re always going to be good. They’ve got a lot of kids in that program, a lot of kids who are technically proficient and they make you pay for mistakes. They’re tough but I think this year we should match up well with them.” The Rams’ depth should help in that regard, as the players are having a healthy competition for playing time. “This is the first time where we’ve had this kind of depth,” Whitten said. “It’s going to be a fight to get onto the field. There’s going be a lot competition which will hopefully make our team better. The harder the guys have to play in practice, the more that will push everybody. Hopefully that will prepare us a little better for the Lawrencevilles, the St. Anthony’s, the Dariens and the Wiltons.”

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NEW CANAAN ADVERTISER, NEW CANAAN, CONN., THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2010

Hoffman leads New Canaan onto diamond New head coach takes over program looking to rebound from 5-15 mark By Dave Stewart Sports Editor Willie Ouellette’s senior year at New Canaan High School has been eventful. There was a controversial turn during the football season, when Ouellette moved from starting quarterback to wide out and eventually earned Turkey Bowl MVP honors and a State championship medal. Now, as the spring sports season rolls into Mead Park, Ouellette will be firing in the first pitch when the Rams’ varsity baseball team hosts New Milford in the season opener on Thursday, April 8. As far as new head coach Mitch Hoffman is concerned, there’s no one else he’d rather give the ball to on opening day. “If I had nine Willie Ouellettes, we’d win a lot of games,” Hoffman said. “Willie is the best kid, he’s just special. He had to deal with adversity this year in football and I think he handled it with class and dignity. He’s the consummate professional and I love having him on the team.” Ouellette and the Rams are going through a transition year, as Hoffman takes over for former head coach Mark “2-5-0” Rearick. Rearick coached in the baseball program for more than 30 years and spent the past 19 as the team’s head coach. Hoffman, an assistant coach for the Rams last spring, is looking to make a positive switch as New Canaan bounces back from a 5-15 season which included an 0-10 start. The 15 losses included eight by three or fewer runs, but without the leadership of captains Thomas Mase, Zach Swanson and Ouellette, the Rams could have completely crumbled. “Last year, we started 0-10 and finished 5-5,” Hoffman said. “What we need to do on the positive side is show some of the same leadership we did last year. We had great leaders with (Zach) Swanson and (Thomas) Mase and if these guys have those

same kinds of leaders, we’re going to be great.” Ouellette is a second-year captain, and will play three keys roles: No. 1 starting pitcher, centerfielder when he’s not pitching, and leadoff hitter of a potentially potent lineup. Joining Ouellette as captains are seniors Alex Freeman and Nick Bamatter. Freeman is a returning starter at shortstop and likely bat fifth in the lineup, while Bamatter is back at second base and is penciled in as the No. 2 hitter. “Alex, our shortstop, has the experience and is coming off a successful soccer season,” Hoffman said. “He wears it a little more on his sleeve, and he’ll be a good leader in terms of showing emotions.” “Nick is a happy-go-lucky kid with a great personality. He gets it done every time, dives all over the place and leaves it all on the field.” While Ouellette is the ace starter as a lefty on the mound, the Rams have another potential big-game arm with senior Jeff Spindel. Spindel pitched for the first time last season and was a solid addition to the staff. Spindel could also see some time in center when Ouellette in on the mound, but his primary focus will be at catcher, a position he hopes to carry on at the collegiate level with Skidmore. “You could easily post the argument that Jeff Spindel is one of our best baseball players,” Hoffman said. “He’s going to play at Skidmore next year and he is definitely our one or two pitcher and one of our best catchers and outfielders and he’ll hit in the three spot for us. All around, he can get it done. “In order to win, we need him to pitch, so he’s going to sacrifice a little bit of what he wants to do for the betterment of the team, which is great.” The Rams have two more returning starters at the infield corners with junior Thomas Krieger back at first base and junior Robbie DeWaele again at third.

Baseball

Senior Alex Freeman gives the Rams a veteran force at shortstop as he returns for a second season on the infield diamond. (Dave Stewart Photo)

Senior Willie Ouellette is back as a co-captain this year and will fill several roles for the Rams: No. 1 starter, centerfielder and leadoff hitter in a potent lineup. (Dave Stewart Photo) Both Krieger and DeWaele struggled as sophomores, but Hoffman feels they can turn the corner this spring. “Last year may have been a little premature for them,” the coach said. “This year, they’ve got to relax a little bit. Now they’re juniors and they’ve got to step up and show what they can do. This year, we’re going to call on them to produce but there’s not a lot of pressure because we’re a little bit deeper than we were last year.” Junior Cameron Armstrong will start in left field after missing much of last season with an injury. “Cameron Armstrong is a tremendous athlete and is he stays focused, he’s really going to lend that positive energy to the team,” Hoffman said. “He wants to play and have a good time, he’s got great speed and he’s got a great ability to make contact with the ball.” In right field is junior Alex Farina, another returning varsity player. Farina will also pitch out of the bullpen, possibly as the closer, and will bat clean-up. “Alex Farina will start in right field, he’s a relief guy if not our closer and he’s one of the hardest throwers on the staff,” Hoffman said. “Right now, he’s slotted to be in the cleanup spot and it’s nice to have a lefty bat in that spot. He’s going to be a key for us. If he sticks it from the four-hole, we’ll be all right.” An interesting addition to the team is freshman Casey Ouellette, Willie’s younger brother who has shown great ability both with a glove at catcher and with a bat at the plate during the preseason. The younger Ouellette will definitely catch when Spindel pitches and could be at the position for half the games depending on Spindel’s arm.

“Casey was back there for pitchers and catchers (week) and people were shocked with how well he played,” Hoffman said. “He has been fantastic. If he sticks with playing catcher, he could definitely do that at the next level. “What we’re trying to change with New Canaan is having the kids play more. Traditionally, they’ve played two or three months a year and they’re done. Now, kids like Casey are the new wave because they play eight months a year. Casey had two hits in his first scrimmage, when most kids would be scared.” Vying for the third spot in the rotation are senior Andrew Tropeano and junior Peter Meadows. The Rams’ bench will be deep

with senior Peter Gronseth backing up Krieger at first, and seniors Sam Lavieri and John Sammarco backing up DeWaele at third. Senior Jeff Sztorc will be the fourth outfielder, while junior Hunter Priebe is in the picture at pitcher, infield and outfield. Hoffman pointed out that how things start out may not be how they end up as kids who play and hit well will get their chance in the field and at the plate. “I have a clean slate so the best kids are going to play,” he said. “That’s how we’re going to do it. No matter if you’re a senior or a junior or whatever, if you show leadership and the team gels, that will make the kids very, very confident.”

Rams at a glance Head Coach Mitch Hoffman (1st year) 2009 Record: 5-15 Captains: Willie Ouellette, Alex Freeman, Nick Bamatter Others to watch: Jeff Spindel, Alex Farina, Casey Ouellette, Thomas Krieger, Robbie DeWaele, Cameron Armstrong The Big Games April 8 vs. New Milford at Mead Park; April 9 at Darien - New Canaan is looking to rebound from a 5-15 season and a good start would help. The Rams play five games in six days to open the spring, including this showdown against rival Darien on the Blue Wave’s turf; April 12 at Norwalk; April 17 vs. Stamford at Mead Park; April 19 vs. Wilton at Mead Park; April 23 at Greenwich; April 26 vs. Staples at Mead Park; May 10 at Brien McMahon; May 12 at Westhill.

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NEW CANAAN ADVERTISER, NEW CANAAN, CONN., THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2010

Young Rams ‘absolutely’ ready for prime time With the addition of several solid freshmen, New Canaan has sights set on a return to playoffs By Dave Stewart Sports Editor The word of the oncoming Storm rolling into the New Canaan softball program has been spreading for the past couple of seasons. Rams’ head coach Larry Tomaselli may have caught a glimpse of what’s in store from new pitcher Cydney Ventura during the first inning of the team’s first scrimmage against Westhill during the preseason. “The second pitch she threw in her career and the girl crushed it a mile for a home run. Cydney just turned, looked, smiled, and just went on and started pitching to the next batter. The rest of the way she was fine,” Tomaselli said. Is that a sign that this highly-touted group of freshmen is ready to step into the spotlight of varsity softball? “Absolutely,” Tomaselli said with a smile. That Ventura and any of her classmates would be brimming with confidence and resilience isn’t a surprise. As members of the New Canaan Storm under coach John Walsh, the players have torn up the competition for several years, and even made a trip to Ohio to play in the PONY Nationals in 2008. The arrival of the Storm has made the outlook for 2010 as bright as its been in more than 10 years. “They can play,” Tomaselli said. “They know the game. They all played well Saturday and right now, everything looks good. The thing I’ve noticed the most is how well they focus. John Walsh has done a great job getting these kids ready and they’re an extremely talented group of girls. Now, it’s just a matter of stepping to the next level.” The softball roster will be loaded with ninth-graders this spring as five freshmen have made the team,

Softball

Senior Kristen Hogan is back in right field for New Canaan and will be a co-captain for the second straight season. (Dave Stewart Photo)

senior, and Tory Rusch and Lindsey Schmid, both juniors. Hogan is a second-year captain and will hold down the right field job once again. “Kristen’s a quiet leader but she’s really confident in what she does and she leads by example,” Tomaselli said. “She’s just a great kid to work with and exactly what you want in a captain.” Rusch and Schmid are the top two returning hitters and will again be starting for the Rams, with Rusch in left field and Schmid behind the plate as catcher. “Tory can voice it up when she has to and she’s an extremely hard worker. She’s very passionate about the game,” Tomaselli said. “Sometimes she’s hard on herself, but that’s because she’ll take responsibility for anything that happens. She’s a really good leader. “Lindsey’s another hard-worker, a great leader and she’s passionate for the game. She loves the game and it shows on the field.” Tomaselli said the captains have been doing a fine job getting the freshmen acclimated to the high school level. “The kids are responding to them. They’ve got a great chemistry with the girls and I’m hoping that continues,” the coach said. As is always the case with softball, the success of a team hinges on the pitcher and the Rams appear to have a winner in Cydney Ventura. Ventura boasts a variety of good pitches and the resiliency to bounce back when hit. “You wouldn’t think she’s a freshman girl who’s walking in to pitch varsity for the first time,” Tomaselli said. “She’s very confident in herself, she knows the game and she doesn’t get rattled.” On the infield, New Canaan is set up the middle with freshman Jordan Ventura, Cydney’s twin sister, at shortstop, and freshman Brittany Overacker at second base. Pitcher Cydney Ventura is one of several freshman phenoms who will be “Brittany Overacker is young, she looking to get the Rams back to the postseason in 2010. knows the game, she’s very smooth (Dave Stewart Photo) and she’s very confident in herself,” including at least three starters. Four more freshmen will start at the junior varsity level and could be called up to the big club at points during the year. Guiding the ship from the top will be tri-captains Kristen Hogan, a

Tomaselli said. “Jordan’s going to play shortstop and she’s just a really, really good player in every facet of the game. She’s got an excellent bat, a really good glove and a great arm. She moves well to her left and her right. She’s just the kind of kid, when you look at her, you know she’s going to be a player.” The corner spots are a dogfight with several players in the running for the starting jobs. Junior Brianna Valente is a veteran and could see time at both spots, but she’s been hampered by injuries during the preseason. Also in the mix at first is sophomore Britt Gardella, who Tomaselli said has looked great defensively. Tomaselli has also tried out freshman Marlee Ready, who has hit the ball hard, and sophomore Katie Krueger at the hot corner of third base. Ready will also back up Schmid at catcher. The outfield will have Rusch in left and Hogan in right, with sophomore Jamie Kuhn and freshman Abby Jenkins both seeing time in center. “It’s up for grabs and they may split time,” Tomaselli said. “They

both can fly — they’re so fast. So those two can add another element to the game and they cover a lot of ground in center.” The lineup will feature Jordan Ventura and Hogan at the top, with Schmid and Rusch in the third and four spots. The rest of the lineup could vary as the season moves along. In addition to the 12 named to the opening day varsity team, freshmen Dana DeFranco, Steph Torromeo, Anna VonOehsen and Amanda Frattaroli will likely be called up from the JV ranks at times this spring. With the high expectations attached to this year’s team, Tomaselli hoped to temper the outlook with an important message at the team’s first meeting. “Everybody has these tremendous expectations of you girls,” the coach told the team. “Granted, there’s a lot of talent here, but I don’t want you thinking about any of that stuff. I want you thinking about the first pitch, and then the next pitch and then the next pitch. We’ll go one inning at a time and one game at a time. Don’t think about anything but the pitch that’s coming.”

Rams at a glance Head Coach Larry Tomaselli (6th year) 2009 Record: 4-16 Captains: Kristen Hogan, Tory Rusch, Lindsey Schmid Others to watch: Cydney Ventura, Jordan Ventura, Brittany Overacker, Brianna Valente, Marlee Ready The Big Games April 9 vs. Darien at Waveny Park - A new era is beginning for New Canaan softball and a team largely comprised of freshmen will get thrown into the fire immediately when the Rams host rival Darien at Orchard Field in Waveny; April 15 at Stamford; May 12 vs. Westhill at Waveny Park; May 3 vs. St. Joseph at Waveny Park; May 19 at Danbury.

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NEW CANAAN ADVERTISER, NEW CANAAN, CONN., THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2010

Rams play numbers game By Dave Stewart Sports Editor Take a quick look at a New Canaan High School girls’ track and field practice and the first question that will pop up is: Where the heck did all these girls come from? Head Coach Fred Word has been blessed with a huge turnout this season as more than 75 athletes were on the roster just a couple of weeks before the team’s first meet. Even with an expected drop off by the time the season kicks off, the Rams will have plenty of people and talent to do some good things in the FCIAC this spring. “I am highly impressed with the participation level of the kids who’ve come out for the team this spring season,” Word told the Advertiser. “Looking at the numbers, we are sophomore and freshman heavy which I love. There are some very good athletes in there and it looks good for the future as well.” The breakdown of the roster includes 14 seniors, 20 juniors, 31 sophomores and 26 freshman. Chief among the returning varsity

runners are juniors Caroline Murray and Melanie Escalante. Murray is a distance runner and soccer star at NCHS and she’s already committed to continue both at Ohio State in the fall of 2011. Murray owns school records at 1,600-meter run (5:06.18) and two miles (11:16.9) and was fourth in the 1,000-meter run at this winter’s FCIAC championship meet. Escalante emerged as a force during her sophomore season and stepped into the spotlight at the FCIAC indoor championships in February when she posted New Canaan’s highest finish by taking third in the 600-meter run. “Caroline Murray and Melanie Escalante need to be mentioned together,” Word said. “You don’t see two better track athletes than those two. They’re really leading the way right now and they could have been captains if I decided to go outside the seniors. “ Also in the junior class are Katie McKeever and Macy Potter, two more growing stars who have been with the Rams since their freshman seasons. “Katie McKeever is another strong

Girls’ Track & Field

Rams at a glance Head Coach Fred Word (3rd year) 2009 Record: 9-3 Captains: Felicity Blance, Katie Burwick, Ashley Frangione, Elayne Stecher Others to watch: Caroline Murray, Melanie Escalante, Katie McKeever, Macy Potter, Hillary Ashley, Steph Benko The Big Meets April 19 vs. Westhill and Norwalk at NCHS; April 22 at Darien; April 24 O’Grady Relays at Danbury; May 6 Loucks Games at White Plains - New Canaan boasts some strong competitors this season and the Loucks Games in White Plains features some of the best athletes in the area. This will be a true test for the Rams.

runner and she’s also probably going to be a captain as a senior next year, and Macy Potter is right there with all those girls,” Word said. “With their hard work ethic, if you’re a competitor and you look at them, they inspire you to get to that higher place. They set the groundwork for what we want outside of here and it’s great having people like that around.” New Canaan has some big shoes to fill after going 9-3 last year. Alex Lysenko, an All-FCIAC discus thrower, graduated last fall alongside fellow captains Sarah Betack, Emma Hunsinger and Olivia Costigan, all key veterans on a young team. Taking over the role of captains this spring is another quartet of veterans: Seniors Felicity Blance, Katie Burwick, Ashley Frangione and Elayne Stecher. Blance is a versatile runner who can compete in anything from the 400-meter dash on up, and may see some time on the Rams’ 4x100 and 4x800 relay teams. Stecher is a four-year veteran who can also run a myriad of races, while Burwick is someone who has developed into a solid distance runner. “She’s very unique,” Word said of Burwick. “She ran cross country for four years and she came on this year. When she started, her two-mile time was a little on the high side, but she ran herself into a strong position and she and (senior) Kendall Larkin ran themselves onto the All-FCIAC team. Katie is a perfect example of what you want out of a captain.” Frangione is a thrower and a standout in the discus circle. She’s battled injuries which have limited her impact the last couple of years, but Word said she’s ready to go as a senior. The talent of the senior class isn’t limited to those four, as several other potential stars are scattered through the rest of the group. “It’s a solid group of seniors,” Word said. “There’s about 10 people there who could have been captains.” Leading the group is Hillary Ashley, a four-year competitor in

Juniors Melanie Escalante (above) and Caroline Murray will lead the Rams’ girls’ track and field team in 2010. (Dave Stewart Photo) cross country and indoor and outdoor track. Maggie Burke has joined the Rams after solid field hockey and ice hockey campaigns, and Word will find a niche for her in the track events. Gabby Deambrosio, Katherine Dwyer, Aubreigh Guynn, Alexa Kuberra and Larkin have all returned to the track, while Emily Tohir is back in the hurdles and the long and high jumps. In the junior class, Ali Tarlow, Portia Schultz and Alex Lloyd are all on the track again, with Anjelique Kyriakos competing in the high jump. The sophomore class is led by the returning Steph Benko, a standout since her first winter season as a

freshman. Benko’s classmates include track athletes Kendall Danforth, a returnee, and Alexis Najarian, a newcomer who migrated from tennis. “Steph Benko has been here since day one as a freshman and she leads the sophomore pack,” Word said. “Kendall Danforth is right in there with her and Alexis Najarian is an interesting addition. She’s a diamond in the rough after playing tennis last year. She had a great indoor season and we are excited about seeing what she can do outdoors.” The sophomores also feature thrower Jacqueline Trager, and runner Cara Schulte. The deep freshman class has several sleepers, including Katie DiFazio, Ilene Anders and Heather Schumacher.

Daly, Spinu put spring in New Canaan’s step By Dave Stewart Sports Editor Steve Bedard has no doubts that junior Pat Daly has a shot at setting several New Canaan boys’ track distance race records during the next few seasons. In fact, the head coach said the only downside may be that any new mark Daly sets may not stand long with sophomore Alex Spinu nipping at his heels. “The bummer for Pat is that even though he has a good chance to break a couple of school records, they could be broken by Spinu the very next year,” Bedard said. “Some of those records haven’t been broken in 10-15 years and they could be broken a dozen times in the next couple of years.” That’s certainly a good problem to have as the Rams look to their dynamic distance duo to lead the team into the boys’ outdoor track and field season, which kicks off April 13. New Canaan, which was 13-3-1 last spring, features a young roster with a decidely different feel than in past seasons, as a solid group of runners will carry the squad through its dual meet competition. “We definitely have a different type of team this year,” Bedard said. “Whereas in years past, we’ve had really strong hurdlers, high jumpers and long jumpers, there’s been a shift in powers to the distance events.

We’ve always been strong there, but this year, it’s going to be the area that carries us.” Captains hadn’t been named during the preseason as Bedard was looking for several people to step up into a natural leadership role. It’s clear where many of the points will come from, however, and it all starts on the track with Daly and Spinu. “Those two kids really can carry our distance squad,” Bedard said. “Everybody enjoys them as teammates, they both train very hard and do well in school. We don’t really have to worry about either one of them when it comes to practice, training and competiting. They both have the mentality that they’ll do whatever you ask them to do.” Daly had a strong winter season, capturing silver medals in the 1,000meter run at both the FCIAC and State Class L championship meets. Spinu medaled in the 600-meter run, taking second in the FCIAC and third in Class L. Both Daly and Spinu were AllFCIAC cross country runners in the fall, and were in the spring medley team which finished second in the winter. Senior Peter Park, who had a strong football season at running back, carried some of that momentum into the winter and finished the indoor season in fine form. Bedard is again expecting big things from Park in the sprints.

Boys’ Track & Field

“We’re really going to look to him to score points for us,” Bedard said. “He’s a kid who came off football and it wasn’t a surprise that he was able to do what he did, but that he made the decision to stick with it and keep doing it. He’s working very hard.” The Rams also got a boost with the addition of junior Kevin Macari. Macari was an All-State wide receiver for the football team and adds depth and speed to the track corps. “Kevin Macari from the football team has come out and he has good natural speed. Hopefully, we can develop that and utilize him in a number of the sprinting events,” Bedard said. New Canaan has a great one-two punch at pole vault with cousins Eric and Taylor Lysenko. The highflying pair scored big at the FCIAC indoor championships, with Eric taking third and Taylor in fourth. Eric went on to earn a silver medal at the Class L meet. “With the exception of Staples and Danbury, we should be able to go 1-2 in every pole vault competition with those two,” Bedard said, “They both had really good indoor seasons and we’re looking for the same thing outdoors.” In the throwing events, senior Blake Garrity had a solid indoor campaign and took fifth in the FCIAC shot put finals. “Blake Garrity looks good in the shot put and the discus,” Bedard said. “He had a breakthrough performance indoors and we’re looking for the same thing during the outdoor sea-

son, especially with the addition of the discus.” Also added for the outdoor season is the javelin throw, where Daly has added another skill to his repetoire. “Pat’s one of our best javelin throwers and he could score some points in the dual meets. He kept bugging me last year to throw it and when I finally let him, he was actually pretty good,” Bedard said. In all, the Rams will have 75 to 80 athletes in the fold when the track and field season starts on the second day back from spring vacation. The numbers are managable, although Bedard said the Rams are on the youthful side. “We’re very, very young this

year,” he said. “We are getting a lot of young kids to come out for the program and it’s up to us as coaches to develop that.” In addition to the FCIAC dual meets, the Rams will be in action at the Loucks Games in White Plains, and Bedard is hoping to add another meet to help his top guns gear up for the championship sseason. “Those are really a benefit in getting your top guys ready for State Class and State Open meets,” Bedard said. “That’s the biggest reason for doing those and it really gives them a chance to compete at a high level. The dual meets give everybody some experience, but those invitationals really get the top-flight kids ready.”

Rams at a glance Head Coach Steve Bedard (6th year) 2009 Record: 13-3-1 Athletes to watch: Patrick Daly, Alex Spinu, Eric Lysenko, Taylor Lysenko, Peter Park, Blake Garrity, Kevin Macari The Big Meets April 22 vs. Ludlowe, Greenwich and Harding at NCHS; May 4 vs. Ridgefield, Stamford and Trumbull at NCHS; May 18 vs. Darien, Wilton, Norwalk and McMahon - New Canaan gets an excellent opportunity to fine tune for the postseason when they end the regular season with a five-team meet at Darien High School. The Rams will be looking to end the season on the right foot and knock off their rivals in one shot.

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NEW CANAAN ADVERTISER, NEW CANAAN, CONN., THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2010

Greens day: Tohir and Swift lead Rams’ drive the end of an era, as Curtis and his older brother Stuart have left behind a legacy of winning. As the Rams turn the page to a new It’s been a long time since Bill chapter, Brown, now in his 11th year Brown has filled out a scorecard as head coach, is confident returning without the name veterans Brian Tohir “Loop” on it. and CJ Swift, junior With the graduaco-captains, can keep tion of star Curtis New Canaan at or Loop last spring, near the top of the the New Canaan FCIAC standings. High School boys’ golf team reached “These two could be fighting it

By Dave Stewart Sports Editor

Boys’ Golf

Junior Brian Tohir returns for the Rams in 2010 and will be movng up from the No. 3 spot to the top of the lineup. (Dave Stewart Photo)

out for the lowest scoring average — I really believe they’re that good,” Brown said. “They are the two definites, but the rest is sort of up in the air. I think that’s a good thing because these guys are going to be competing for spots. Even though Greenwich won the FCIAC last year, we’re still a team that everybody wants to beat.” There’s good reason for conference rivals to be gunning for New Canaan. During the past eight years, the Rams have won six State championships and have flirted with perfect regular season marks each spring. That kind of consistency is bound to make opponents salivate as the Rams are seemingly in a state of transition. “We don’t have any Loops for the first time in seven years and during the last six years, we’ve only lost five matches,” Brown said. “These kids have a lot to live up to since we’ve built up this tradition that we’re one of the better teams in the FCIAC and the State. But I think we’ll be fine. We’ve got a couple of kids coming up from JV and playing well and a few others who can play, so it’s wide open. “This year I may have to do some decent coaching,” he added with a smile. The Rams may have several question marks, but the play of Tohir and Swift will likely have more to do with exclamation points. Tohir, who played some varsity matches at the end of his freshman year, really came into his own last spring and nailed down the third spot in the lineup behind Curtis Loop and Ross Kronberg. With those two gone, Tohir takes over the role of ace, and Brown is confident he’ll handle it with ease. “Brian’s a great hockey player, he’s a good kid, he’s a hard worker and he plays a lot of golf,” Brown said. “He hits the ball a long way and he hits his irons really well. He keeps the ball in play and doesn’t make big mistakes. He’s consistent with his

Rams at a glance Head Coach Bill Brown (11th year) 2009 Record: 17-1 Captains: Brian Tohir, CJ Swift Others to watch: James Walsh, David Tensen, Alex Geanakos, Ben Katz, Will Essings The Big Matches April 15 vs. Wilton at Country Club of New Canaan; April 27 vs. Staples at Country Club of New Canaan; May 10 vs.Ridgefield at Country Club of New Canaan; May 17 vs. Darien at Weeburn CC; May 19 vs. Greenwich at Griffith E. Harris GC - The Rams were favored heading into last year’s FCIAC championship match, but Greenwich went home with the trophy. This season, New Canaan will look for revenge when it takes on the Cardinals at The Griff.

ball-striking, he’s good around the greens and putting — he’s got the complete game. I wouldn’t say he’s as good as Curtis Loop, but he’s got two more years and he could develop into one of the best we’ve ever had here.” While Tohir was consistent last season, Swift was flashy, with some great matches and some not-so-stellar performances. In the State meet, Swift shot a 9-over 81 during a day which included a birdie, a nine and another birdie on consecutive holes. That came less than a week after Swift led the Rams with an even-par 71 in the FCIAC championship at Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course on Fairfield. “CJ is not a very big kid, but he hits the ball a mile,” Brown said. “He was a little inconsistent last year, so we just need him to improve on that. He and Brian will be the two horses and I have no doubt they’ll be around par every time. They’re the two we’re basing the team around.” The rest of the starting lineup is wide open, with a number of players in the hunt for playing time.

At the top are James Walsh and David Tensen, two seniors who played junior varsity last year. Junior Alex Geanakos is also in the picture after playing several junior tournaments last summer. Sophomore Ben Katz won a few junior titles during the summer and is a solid performer, while juniors Patrick Hagerty and Spencer Clark are step up from the JV ranks. Freshman Will Essings is new to the scene and will likely begin with the JV team, but he could see some time with the varsity squad as the season progresses. As far as Brown is concerned, a little healthy competition never hurt anyone and this group could morph into an FCIAC and State title contender by the time the postseason comes into view. “We’re never going to fly under the radar, and Greenwich is the defending champ and they have everybody back,” Brown said. “But we’re going to be in the mix. These kids have an opportunity to continue the tradition we’ve built over the last 11 seasons.”

Girls’ golf team tees up for FCIAC title defense By Dave Stewart Sports Editor The New Canaan High School girls’ golf team has been faced with the loss of a superstar player in each of the past two seasons. In 2009, it was Ellie Deluca who left big shoes to fill and the Rams came through with flying colors, going 12-0-1 and winning the FCIAC and State championships. This season, New Canaan goes into battle without Laura Valk, a four-year starter who

helped the Rams dominate last spring. As far as head coach Dave Fine is concerned, there is strength in numbers. “Ellie and Laura were completely irreplaceable,” Fine said. “We lost the big guns we had, but it’s like last year when I told the girls we were deeper. I believe this year it’s the same thing. We’re looking for everybody to improve by two or three shots and that will put us in the same position as we were last year.” Moving into the top spot in

Girls’ Golf

Rams at a glance Head Coach Dave Fine (5th year) 2009 Record: 12-0-1 Captains: Emily Milano, Bridget Maguire Others to watch: Amy Paturzo, Bridget O’Leary, Alana Paterson The Big Matches April 13 vs. Trumbull at Country Club of New Canaan; April 19 vs. Darien at Country Club of New Canaan; April 26 vs. Greenwich at Griffith E Harris GC Whenever New Canaan and Greenwich get together, the result is a battle royale. This match is the first of two meetings between the two clubs in 2010; May 5 vs. Trumbull at Tashua Knolls; May 10 vs. Greenwich at Country Club of New Canaan.

the lineup is senior co-captain Emily Milano, another fouryear varsity star who has come up big in every role she’s been asked to take on. “Emily has really, really come along each year,” Fine said. “Her freshman year, we looked at her and said she’s going to be a big part of our program, and we won everything with her as a solid No. 3. Last year, she moved up to No. 2 and played very well. Now she’s in the No. 1 spot and I think she’s ready for that challenge. She’s a role model out there and definitely someone who can lead our team.” In the No. 2 slot is senior cocaptain Bridget Maguire, who made a great showing during the postseason last spring. “Bridget has so much talent and can play just as well as Emily,” Fine said. “She is one of those players who has a hard time competing against herself, but as she’s matured, she’s managed to take control of that little by little. She’s progressed and if she picks up this year where she left off last year, we’ll have another onetwo punch at the top.” Senior Amy Paturzo will fill the third spot in the lineup after a solid junior season. “Amy played in FCIACs and States last year and was a big part of both of our championships. She really developed into a good varsity player and she’s going to be playing at No. 3 this year,” Fine said.

New Canaan’s Bridget Maguire will be a senior co-captain of a Rams’ girls’ golf team which is looking to repeat as FCIAC champs this spring. (Dave Stewart Photo) The fourth and fifth spots could see a mix of players during the season, but Fine said seniors Bridget O’Leary and Alana Paterson, both returning varsity players, will be the lineup on opening day. “Bridget O’Leary really has a a lot of potential,” Fine said. “She loves the game and she worked really hard from sophomore to junior year to be able to play in some matches. She ended up playing varsity and was an alternate for FCIACs and States. She’s going to be

the whole t

in this year and she won’t have any problems at all. “Alana has one of the most beautiful swings you’ll see. She’s just got to have a little more aggressiveness in her game. When she brings that, she’s just as good as the others.” One wild card for the Rams is junior Christina Loop. Fine said Loop has shown signs of greatness, but she needs to play more within herself to reach her potential. “Christina Loop has a wealth

of talent,” Fine said. “She has as much talent as both her brothers, but she has to play her own game. She’s been playing great in the preseason and she could easily move into the top five spots.” New Canaan added some depth with a group of four freshmen, including a possible standout in Gabby Balzano. The Rams will open up the season with a home meet against Trumbull at the Country Club of New Canaan on Tuesday, April 13.

Athletes urged to use mouthguards

According to the Academy of Sports Dentistry, wearing a properly ﬁtted mouthguard could protect thousands of athletes from oral and facial injuries. Women, in particular, should be encouraged to use mouthguards, as they are increasingly participating in competitive sports. The ADA estimates that the use of mouthguards and facemasks in high school and college football has prevented more than 200,000 injuries to the face and mouth. But mouthguards should be used in any sport where there’s the possibility for contact. That includes team sports such as basketball and soccer, as well as recreational sports like mountain biking and inline skating. Besides warding off broken teeth and facial bones, mouthguards offer some protection against concussion by preventing the jaw from being forced back toward the brain when a player takes a hit to the chin. For the greatest protection and comfort, athletes use custom ﬁtted guards created by a dentist. For more information on athletic mouthguards contact: patientinfo@drosherow.com.

DAVID M. OSHEROW, D.D.S. ORTHODONTIST DARIEN

NEW CANAAN ADVERTISER, NEW CANAAN, CONN., THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2010

Loaded tennis team hunts for another crown By Dave Stewart Sports Editor Alyssa Baker and Kimmie Glerum were paired together for the first time last spring and, as would be the case with any doubles team, there was no guarantee that the tandem would work. Turns out head coach Gail Overbeck hadn’t lost her magic touch. Baker and Glerum delivered a tremendous season, earning the FCIAC MVP award in doubles and remaining undefeated until losing a threeset contest in the State Open championship match. The greatest part for Overbeck may be that she gets to write the names Baker and Glerum on her lineup sheet for

one more season. “They had a great season together,” Overbeck said. “They’re so tough and they’ll be at one (doubles) again. They worked really hard over the winter and I think they’ll have another successful year. They’re sharp and they just click. Everything’s just zippy for them.” Having Baker, a senior cocaptain, and Glerum, a junior, back in the No. 1 doubles spot, gives New Canaan a leg up on the competition as the Rams begin their quest for a seventh consecutive State championship. Overbeck’s Rams have won nine State titles in 10 years, and have also been perennial contenders for the FCIAC crown. New Canaan lost four play-

Girls’ Tennis

Rams at a glance Head Coach Gail Overbeck (16th year) 2009 Record: 21-2 Captains: Tina Tehrani, Alyssa Baker Others to watch: Kate Mannelly, Kimmie Glerum, Caitlin Gallagher, Courtney Gallagher, Jensen Lee, Sarah Greene The Big Matches April 12 vs. Darien at NCHS; May 3 at Fairfield-Ludlowe; May 11 vs. Staples at NCHS; May 14 at Greenwich - The Rams and Cardinals have made the FCIAC tournament their personal playgrounds the last few years, so this regular season matchup at GHS is a good bet for some top-flight tennis.

ers from last season, including tri-captains Lauren Ambler, Jen Popper and Katie DeWaele, as well as sophomore Alexis Najarian, who is running track this spring. Overbeck said there have been enough newcomers to make up for the losses. “We lost four starters, but we got a good influx — a young talented group that came in,” the coach said. “There are five freshmen and a sophomore, so we should be able to replace everyone pretty well.” The Rams are also hoping to have senior Tina Tehrani for most of the season. Tehrani, who currently ranks sixth in New England, missed most of her junior year with an injury, but has returned as a co-captain this spring. Tehrani is still determining her schedule, which will include several tournaments, but her addition in the No. 1 singles spot will be a huge boost for the Rams. “We’re hoping Tina can play for us,” Overbeck said. “She just has to work out her schedule, but we’re planning on having her back.” Tehrani’s return sets up a superstar match on April 22 at Westhill High School, as the Vikings counter with Vanessa Petrini, the State Open singles champion the past two years. Tehrani was State Open champ as a freshman three seasons ago, but did not compete the past two years. “I’m prejudiced of course, but I think Tina has an edge on her,” Overbeck said. “It would be a great match.” At No. 2 will be junior Kate Mannelly, a singles star for

Junior Courtney Gallagher returns and will see time in the second through fourth singles spots this season. (Dave Stewart Photo) New Canaan since her freshman year. Mannelly stepped up to No. 1 singles last season and delivered an outstanding campaign that included a win over Petrini. The latter half of the singles lineup has been disrupted, as the No. 3 player, junior Caitlin Gallagher, is sidelined with an injury for a couple of weeks. Her sister, junior Courtney Gallagher, is slotted in at No. 4, but will move up in the lineup as needed. “Courtney has really improved over the offseason both in her training and work-

ing out and in her speed,” Overbeck said. “She’s worked really hard and she looks great.” When Tehrani and Caitlin Gallagher are out of the lineup, Mannelly will play at No. 1 with Courtney Gallagher at No. 2. A pair of freshmen, Jensen Lee and Sarah Greene, will see time at singles and Overbeck is confident they can handle the spotlight. “They play a lot of tournaments, so they’re seasoned players,” Overbeck said. “I won’t know until they’re under the pressure when they

play a senior or something like that, but we’ll find out as we go along.” The second and third doubles teams could feature any number of players, including Lee and Greene. Others in the mix include senior Schuyler Higgins, junior Emily Greene, sophomore Phoebe Wilks, and freshmen Kate Howard, Kristin Laub and Amanda Merjian. “It’s up for grabs,” Overbeck said of those last four spots. “We’re working on getting that lineup solidified. I’ve got quite a few girls who can play.”

Court drama: Rams look to build on success By Dave Stewart Sports Editor When Dan Borgman first stepped onto the tennis court as the New Canaan High School boys coach in the spring of 1972, it was the beginning of a remarkable run. That year ended with a State championship, the first of 25 such titles for Borgman, who reached a milestone last spring when he surpassed the 500win mark. The coach also saw his resurgent Rams compile an 18-4 record and place three doubles teams in the quarterfinals of the Class L tournament, which then won in dominating fashion. Coming off that season, New Canaan is locked and loaded on repeating as State champions and reaching the FCIAC final for the second straight season.

Borgman’s Rams graduated three seniors from last year’s roster, including captain Andrew Hornblower and Sam Rashin, both of whom will be difficult to replace. Reinforcements have arrived, according to the head coach. “In their place, we’ve got a lot more strength moving in,” Borgman said. “We’ve got some good looking freshmen who will supplement our depth in doubles and possibly singles.” At the top of the lineup, the Rams will again feature veteran Ben Lee, who has played four years of varsity and is a two-year captain. Lee was an All-FCIAC and All-State player last season, when he reached the semifinals of the Class L tournament. “Ben is determined, he’s driven, he’s self-motivating and conscientious about his play, and it shows,” Borgman said. “He’s dominating pretty much anyone he plays on our

Boys’ Tennis

Rams at a glance Head Coach Dan Borgman (39th year) 2009 Record: 18-4 Captains: Ben Lee, Kevin Budrawich Others to watch: Chase Urban, Nick Laub, Steve Evans, Will Burger, Peter Huff, Patrick Newton The Big Matches April 9 vs. Fairfield Prep at NCHS; April 12 at Darien; April 17 vs. Weston at NCHS; April 22 at Westhill; May 3 vs. Fairfield-Ludlowe at NCHS; May 11 at Staples at NCHS - New Canaan knocked off the Staples Wreckers for the first time in more than 10 years last season. This year, the Wreckers will try to avenge the loss when they face the Rams on the home courts at Staples.

team.” At No. 2 singles will be junior Chase Urban, who joined the team last spring and became a steady force in the Rams’ playoff drive. “Chase is a very hard-working player,” Borgman said. “He’s not very showy but he just gets the job done. He knows what shots to take and he knows how to win.” Senior Kevin Budrawich will fill two roles for the Rams: Co-captain and No. 3 singles player. Like Lee, Budrawich has been with the team since his freshman year. “Kevin has come along,” Borgman said. “He’s a little stronger and at this point he’s No. 3. He lost to Chase Urban who was my No. 2 last year, but they’ll have a chance to play again.” Sophomore Nick Laub, who played at No. 5 last season, will move up into the fourth slot vacated by Hornblower. “Nick Laub is probably going to No. 4 to fill Andrew Hornblower’s place,” Borgman said. ‘He only lost one match last year and he’s a determined player.” The front-runner for the No. 5 slot is junior Steve Evans, who saw time at doubles last year. “Steve Evans has always been strong,” Borgman said. “He’s a very hard-hitter, but he needs to work on consistency and movement in order to win. He’s determined and he’s done well in our tryouts so far.” Freshman Will Burger impressed Borgman during the preseason and could contend for the No. 5 singles or a starting doubles spot. “He’s as steady as hitting against a wall,” Borgman said. “The way he’ll win is to wear his opponents down and make them try things they shouldn’t be trying.” In doubles, the tandem of senior Peter Huff and sophomore Patrick

Senior Ben Lee is back at the No. 1 singles spot in 2010 and will be a team captain for a second consecutive year. (Dave Stewart Photo) Newton reached the State semifinals last spring and will play in the No. 1 spot this year. “Peter Huff and Patrick Newton did well in then States together last year and made it to the semis, so it looks like they’re going to be my No. 1 doubles this season,” Borgman said. “I put them together and they beat everybody they should beat.” The No. 2 spot has several players in the mix, including Burger,

sophomores Jacob Reiss and Luke McDermott, and freshmen Tom Worcester, Tim Casavant and Devin McVeigh. “Some of these freshmen like Tom Worcester and Will Burger have looked very good,” Borgman said “I put Jacob Reiss with Devin McVeigh and they looked good, so it’s really hard to say who will be on that No. 2 doubles team.”

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