All-Press Fall Sports Selections

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All-Press www.BristolPress.com/Sports | Sunday, December 18, 2011

Time to celebrate

We name the best of the best this fall season

Mike Orazzi | Staff

Bristol Central s Elise Galipo (22) celebrates a goal by Emily Zygiel (9) during a girls soccer game this past fall against Plainville. Inside this special section are our All-Press teams in all fall sports.

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All-Press Football

2 | Sunday, December 18, 2011

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LOGAN MARCHI

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ST. PAUL

BRISTOL CENTRAL

TIM WHITE

JUSTIN GONZALEZ

ANDREW LAVIERO

JAHMIL EFFEND

REID MORIN

BRISTOL CENTRAL

BRISTOL EASTERN

ST. PAUL

ST. PAUL

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MIKE BENITES

BRISTOL CENTRAL

CY MCINTOSH

BRISTOL CENTRAL

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MARTIN MCNIFF BRISTOL CENTRAL

KYLE PORTER

BRISTOL EASTERN

All-Press Football Team Twelve seniors highlight our team on the gridiron

By JOHNNY J. BURNHAM STAFF WRITER

Although 2011 produced more losses than wins for each of the three area football teams, it was still a season which was filled with strong individual play on both sides of the ball, resulting in an All-Press team that is nothing short of superb.

For the 12 seniors selected, they closed their careers in style. And for the eight who’ll return to the field next year, they’ve built the foundation for a bright future for both themselves and their respective programs.

For the first time, the All-Press offense has two quarterback selections — St. Paul Catholic’s Logan Marchi and Bristol Central’s Andrew Laviero. They’re joined on the team by running backs Jahmil Effend (Bristol Eastern) and Tim White (Central), wide receivers Justin Gonzalez (St. Paul), Reid Morin (St. Paul) and Mike Benites (Central), as well as Kyle Porter (Eastern), Cy McIntosh (Central) and Martin McNiff (Central) on the offensive line.

received the nod on special teams.

Although St. Paul suffered through a one-win season, the statistics of the its quarterback are nothing short of eye-popping.

Marchi racked up 2,419 yards through the air with 26 touchdowns on 164 completions. That stands as tops of any signal-caller ever selected to the All-Press team. He threw for 127 yards or more in every game, including 447 in a loss to Torrington in which he completed 21 passes and tossed for six touchdowns.

The six TDs tied him for the second most touchdown strikes in a single game in state history.

Marchi completed 29 passes — 14th all-time, right ahead of former Falcons QB Tanner Bachand’s 28 completions in 2009 — in tallying 378 yards against Holy Cross.

Marchi is only a sophomore.

T.J. Dowling Nearly half of his completions The Bristol Eastern football team with their Battle for the Bell Trophy. Pictured above are Tyler Bush, Mitch Wheeand more than 50 percent of that lock, coach Mike Archangelo, Alec LaMar and Ryan Gotowala. The four players were team captains. yardage total went to Gonzlaez.

Defensively, DeJeahn Brown Dylan Stanco (Central), Nick Darence Delgado (Central) and The senior captain had a remark(Eastern) and Jerry Albino Crowley (Eastern) and Matt Tyler Bush (Eastern) make up the able season that netted 1,316 (Central) represent the D-line, White (Central) are at lineback- secondary. yards on 72 receptions. His yardwhile Tucker Bachand (St. Paul), er, and Eli Rodriguez (Eastern), St. Paul kicker Geun Park age total ranks as the 12th most in

Sunday, December 18, 2011 | 3

The Herald Press

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10

G

MATT WHITE

TUCKER BACHAND

NICK CROWLEY

ELI RODRIGUEZ BRISTOL EASTERN

BRISTOL EASTERN

JERRY ALBINO

DYLAN STANCO

DEJEAHN BROWN

DARENCE DELGADO

GEUN PARK

BRISTOL CENTRAL

BRISTOL CENTRAL

ST. PAUL

BRISTOL CENTRAL

BRISTOL EASTERN

BRISTOL EASTERN

BRISTOL CENTRAL

TYLER BUSH

ST. PAUL

All-Press Football

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All-Press Football Team

Mike Orazzi | Staff

Fans on the Bristol Central side during the annual Battle for the Bell football game with Bristol Eastern at Muzzy Field on Thanksgiving Day.

one year in Connecticut football history. He’s one of only 15 players to have ever tallied 1,300 yards or more in a season.

Gonzalez’s 14-catch, 259-yard day against the Crusaders was statistically the best game by a Falcon wideout in more than three decades. Those 14 grabs are fourth most in the state record book. Gonzalez collected at least 225 yards receiving three times.

He also caught 13 touchdowns.

Morin emerged as a viable second option in the Falcons potent passing attack. After being held without a catch through the first three games of the fall, he had three or more receptions in five of the final seven affairs. As a result, the sophomore snatched 28 balls for 304 yards — an average of more than 10 yards per reception.

He had two multi-touchdown games.

Benites, who coincidentally had

been an All-Press pick the two previous seasons as a defensive back, had a breakout year offensively. The senior led the Rams with 30 catches for 505 yards.

He was also second on Central in rushing yards. Combined, he chewed up 822 yards with the ball in his hands. He totaled nine touchdowns on the year.

Benites finished his days in a Ram uniform with a teamhigh 96 yards in total offense, 75 coming on seven receptions, on Thanksgiving morning. He was named Central’s Offensive Player of the Game.

Effend earned the same distinction for Eastern.

The Lancers running back picked up 127 yards and two touchdowns in helping to keep the coveted Bell on King Street for another year. For the season, Effend, a senior, was Eastern’s most productive ballcarrier. He led the team in carries (108), yards (495), and rushing touchdowns (five). He twice surpassed the century mark in yardage in a game this year.

Although it was a struggle on offense this season for Eastern, Porter blossomed into an anchor on the offensive line. The sophomore, who also handled the team’s

punting duties, was a main reason the Lancers were able to have success in the running game. Porter’s work allowed three running backs to pick up 225 yards or more on the year.

Laviero put together a strong season at quarterback for Central.

In his second full season at the helm of the Rams’ offense, the junior made great strides,bettering his yardage output, touchdowns, completion percentage and cutting down on the number of interceptions from last year.

For the season, Laviero tossed for 1,092 yards on 68 completions.

He threw for six touchdowns. He completed 13 passes for 154 yards in the Battle for the Bell, and had 168 yards through the air against Rocky Hill.

Statistically, Laviero had the best season of any Central quarterback since Matt Coyne wrapped up his career in 2007.

The blocking of the boys in the trenches, in particular AllPress selections McIntosh and McNiff, were a big part in not only Laviero’s quality season, but to the Rams success as a whole.

The Central offense accumulated 2,409 total yards this fall, scored 247 points and averaged nearly five yards per play.

As a result, the Rams picked up an area-best four wins.

But on the rare occasion there was a missed block, Tim White had the ability to still turn the play into a positive gain. White was truly the Rams workhorse.

Continued ON PAGE 6

REID MORIN

Reid, Mom, Dad and our whole family are so proud of you!

What a great football season, and most important, academically successful! We love you!

020494

The Herald Press

4 | Sunday, December 18, 2011

All-Press Girls Soccer Team

No shortage of talent among our soccer selections

By PAUL ANGILLY STAFF WRITER

There were no championships won among area girls soccer teams this season, but that didn’t mean there weren’t plenty of good players on the pitch.

Leading the way were All-State players Elise Galipo of Bristol Central and Danielle Kriscenski of Bristol Eastern. There were also a total of eight all-conference players from Bristol, including Galipo and Kriscenski.

All eight of those all-conference players, plus a pair of freshmen standouts and a key senior leader have been selected to make up out third annual All-Press girls soccer team.

Galipo, who was also an AllState player in 2009, becomes the first and only three-time member of our All-Press team.

This past season, she scored 19 goals, including three hat tricks and six game-winning tallies. She added seven assists and was named to the CCC South all-conference team for the third straight year.

For the second straight year, Galipo is also being considered for state Gatorade Player of the Year honors.

“She was a great leader for us all year, not only scoring goals, but with her work ethic and commitment to the team,” Bristol Central coach Scott Redman said.

In her senior year Galipo helped the Rams to a 12-6 overall record and a second round appearance in the Class L state tournament.

Others from Bristol Central earning all-conference honors this year were senior midfielder Emily Zygiel, senior defender Lauren Bossi and sophomore defender Jessica Lemieux. They join Galipo on the All-Press team along with teammate Lexi Kochin, who made an immediate impact as a freshman forward.

Kochin scored seven goals and had five assists for the season, including three game-winning goals — one of which came in the

DANIELLE KRISCENSKI BRISTOL EASTERN

JEN VALERIO

AMANDA ZDUN

ST. PAUL

JESSICA LEMIEUX BRISTOL CENTRAL

SARA WOZNICKI BRISTOL EASTERN

BRISTOL EASTERN

EMILY ZYGIEL

BRISTOL CENTRAL

LEXI KOCHIN

BRISTOL CENTRAL

state tournament. She started all 18 games in her first year. “[Lexi] was a nice, bright surprise this year,” Redman said, adding that she was a nice compliment to Galipo up front.

Zygiel, who also earned AllPress honors last season, had two goals and nine assists this year, earning all-conference honors for the second time. Redman said she was also a great leader who won a lot of 50-50 balls in the field.

“She locked us down in the middle of the field and was real consistent,” he said.

Bossi and Lemieux each recorded two assists this year while anchoring the Rams’ defense.

As a marking back, Bossi shut down some of the best players in

LAUREN BOSSI BRISTOL CENTRAL

DELANEY CAGGIANO BRISTOL EASTERN

the conference, Redman said, and she also filled in at a number of other positions.

“She was real versatile, playing all over the field,” he said.

Lemieux was moved to the sweeper position during the season.

“She stepped up and … impressed us with her level of play,” Redman said.

Bristol Eastern also had a winning record this season, finishing 8-6-3, and a key part of that success was the play of Kriscenski in net.

A natural goalkeeper who had played every position in the field during past seasons to make room for last year’s All-State goalkeeper Jamie Botteon — earning all-con-

MARISSA CARLSON BRISTOL EASTERN

ELISE GALIPO

BRISTOL CENTRAL

ference selection and All-Press status last year as a defensive midfielder — as a senior captain this year Kriscenski allowed just four goals in 14 CCC South games and 12 all season, recording 10 shutouts.

“She has sacrificed her goalie career for the good of the team.

She is a special player,” Bristol Eastern coach Roland Loranger said.

“She’s just one of those athletes,” he added. “She just did a phenomenal job keeping us in every game.”

Bristol Eastern teammates Amanda Zdun and Marissa Carlson also earned all-conference honors this year to join her on the All-Press team. Both are

just sophomores, yet have been the Rams’ top defensive players for the past two years.

Zdun is an outstanding athlete who could have played anywhere, Loranger said.

“She fit in the sweeper back position and she did an outstanding job,” he said.

Carlson was the team’s stopper back who limited and good shots on goal from the Lancers’ opponents.

“She was an outstanding defensive player,” Loranger said.

Also earning spots on the AllPress team are freshman Delaney Caggiano and senior captain Sarah Woznicki.

Caggiano started the season as a fullback and showed outstanding defensive skills and very good ball skills, but due to injuries of key players at the forward and midfield positions, she was moved to the forward position.

She went on to score six goals, five of which were game-winners.

“That’s pretty amazing as a freshman,” Loranger said.

Woznicki was a four-year varsity player who was in the center midfield position this past season.

“She’s just been one of those players that’s a steady player and has a lot of poise on the field,” Loranger said.

While not a frequent goalscorer, she did have some key tallies — including a header to beat Platt with just two minutes to go in regulation and a header against Berlin to tie that game at 1-1 this past season.

The final spot on this year’s All-Press team goes to St. Paul senior defender Jen Valerio, who earned All-Brass Division honors in the Naugatuck Valley League for 2011.

A veteran of four seasons with the Falcons, Valerio was a “very dedicated, hard-working player, with very good, positive leadership,” St. Paul coach Flavio Pereira said.

“We’re going to miss her,” he added.

BRISTOLPRESS.COM/SPORTS New editions of SPO every week feature the area’s best teams and athletes.

The Herald Press

Sunday, December 18, 2011 | 5

All-Press Volleyball Team

Successful season was highlighted by great players

By PAUL ANGILLY STAFF WRITER

The 2011 season was another highly successful one for area high school girls volleyball teams.

Once again the jewel of the CCC South, Bristol Eastern (174, 14-0) won its third straight divisional crown and its eighth in the past nine years. Bristol Central (13-7, 9-5) placed third in the league and advanced to the second round of the Class L tournament. Terryville (19-1), meanwhile, did not lose a match until the quarterfinals of the Class S tournament.

Each of those three teams had at least two players earn first team all-league status, with seven total in the area earning that honor.

Those seven players have all now also earned another honor — selection for our third annual All-Press girls volleyball team.

Of the seven, just one is a repeat honoree from last season: Bristol Eastern junior Karissa Smith.

In addition to earning allconference honors in the CCC South, Smith was a second team All-State selection for Class LL. She led the Lancers with 82 aces, 152 digs, 230 kills and 178 serving points, while placing second with a serving percentage of 94 percent.

“Kari is the ultimate competitor,” Bristol Eastern coach Stacy Rivoira said. “She is athletic, disciplined, focused and one of the hardest-working players I have ever coached. She was a force on the outside and was one of our go-to hitters all year long. She became an outstanding defensive player, leading the team in digs, which is a huge tribute to her work ethic.”

This was the first year Smith played on the outside and the first year she ever played in the back row, she noted. She also served more than any other player on the team.

“Her leadership is a quality

come ready to play. I look forward to what she will contribute to our team as a senior next year.”

Athlete Year Position Bristol Central has become a Emily Cintorino senior libero junior middle hitter solid, very competitive team over Beth Cucka senior hitter the past few years and two of Liz Haylette Kello senior hitter this year’s senior captains, Emily Vannesa Mallory Kloss senior outside hitter Cintorino and Kayla Ziogas, have Karissa Smith junior outside hitter earned All-Press recognition for Kayla Ziogas senior outside hitter their roles in helping to bring EMILY CINTORINO KAYLA ZIOGAS LIZ HAYLETTE about that success.

BRISTOL CENTRAL BRISTOL CENTRAL TERRYVILLE “I’m extremely proud of both Broderick said.

Terryville went through the girls,” Rams coach Jennifer Broderick said. “The other girls regular season undefeated and want to be them. They watched picked up another victory in the what they did and tried to emu- second round of the Class S state late what they did.” tournament before its season was Cintorino picked up numer- ended by East Hampton in the ous digs each match as the team’s quarterfinals. libero, but Broderick said she was A large part of the Kangaroos’ also a huge offensive contributor. success this season were senior VANNESA KELLO MALLORY KLOSS “She did whatever she could to hitters and team captains Liz TERRYVILLE BRISTOL EASTERN better the team,” Broderick said. Haylette and Vannesa Kello. Both “The girls were inspired by her on were picked for our 2011 AllPress team. and off the court.”

Both are bright, well-educated Ziogas was an outside hitter that provided great offensive team leaders, Terryville coach efforts and was a positive role Linda Farrington said. Haylette is a three-sport athlete currently model, the coach said.

“She helped the younger girls serving as a captain of the school’s who looked up to her and wanted girls basketball team, while Kello to play at her level,” Broderick said. is one of the top students in the In addition to helping her school.

KARISSA SMITH BETH CUCKA younger teammates with their “They’ve both been big parts of BRISTOL EASTERN BRISTOL EASTERN skills, Ziogas played in the offsea- our undefeated [regular] season son to better herself. this year,” Farrington said. “They that helped our team find success down and had the game of her life “It paid off this season,” were both a pleasure to coach.” this year,” Rivoira said. “[Being] against Shelton. She consistently named second team All-State in gave us kills when we needed LL is a huge success in such a them and in a tight game five, competitive division.” she repeatedly had big points to Two other Bristol Eastern play- keep the team alive. That game ers make the cut for our All-Press was a testament to her drive and volleyball team this year: senior determination.”

Mallory Kloss and junior Beth A middle hitter, Cucka led the Cucka.

Lancers in blocks with 30 and had An outside hitter and team 96 kills. captain, Kloss had a 93 percent “Beth really settled into her role serving rate, 184 kills, 66 aces, 155 in the middle this year,” Rivoira serving points and 114 digs this said. “Her strength is in her timpast season. ing and her ability to find the ball “Mallory was a mature leader and stop it from coming over the on our team and was a pleasure net. Timing is something that is to coach. She is respectful, hard difficult to teach and she times working, and dedicated,” Rivoira her blocks very naturally.” said, noting that she had to learn The coach added that Cucka a new position for her senior year also switched positions this year, and had to serve and play the back from the right side to the middle. row for the first time in her four “We looked to her for blocking years of playing volleyball. and hitting,” Rivoira said. “She T.J. Dowling “She pushed herself on a daily gave us some keys points at critiThe BEHS All-Sports Booster Club awarded varsity volleyball coach Stacy Rivoira with a plaque on getting her 100th win this season. basis and became a strong outside cal times in our games. Every From left to right, club president Don Getler, coach Stacy Rivoira, hitter for us this year,” she said. year, she continues to improve and athletic coordinator John Stavens.

“We looked to her to put the ball and works hard in the offseason to

OUR SQUAD

Century mark for coach

The Herald Press

6 | Sunday, December 18, 2011

All-Press Girls Swim Team

Strong group makes up our swimming squad

By PAUL ANGILLY STAFF WRITER

There was little doubt who the best swimmer in the area was this past season, and it was a name with a familiar ring.

St. Paul sophomore Lilly Martin followed up a successful regular season, in which she consistently won a pair of individual events each meet for the Falcons, with a pair of topthree finishes in the state Class S meet — making her the only swimmer from Bristol to earn All-State status this season.

That accomplishment also has her heading up our third annual All-Press girls swimming and diving team this year.

Martin, the younger sister of 13-time state titlist Faith Martin and daughter of St. Paul coach Meegan Martin, placed second in the 100-yard butterfly in the Class S meet and third in the 200 individual medley. Her times left her just fractions of a second from qualifying for State Open competition in each event.

“She had a great season. She improved a lot. I’m proud of her,” Meegan Martin said. “All of her improvements came from a lot of hard work and determination.”

While Martin was the only local All-State performer, several swim-

TAYLOR DICHELLO BRISTOL EASTERN

LILLY MARTIN ST. PAUL

JESSICA DARRAJATI BRISTOL CENTRAL

Mike Orazzi | Staff

St. Paul s Lilly Martin was the lone swimmer from Bristol to earn All-State.

COURTNEY PINA

ALLI GAGLIARDI

OLIVIA BANULSKI

ILEISH BURNEY

BRISTOL CENTRAL

BRISTOL CENTRAL

mers from Bristol Central and Bristol Eastern earned all-conference honors in the CCC South based upon their performances and all earned spots on our seven-member All-Press team.

It’s not often that either local team includes a highly competi-

BRISTOL CENTRAL

BRISTOL CENTRAL

tive diver, but Bristol Eastern junior Taylor DiChello fit that bill this past season, ranking as one of the best in the division.

DiChello placed 16th in the state Class L meet with a mark for 11 dives of 267.40 — the new school record for an 11-dive competition,

breaking her own old record.

She is also very close to the school’s six-dive record, with typical dual meet diving events including just six dives for each participant.

“She worked very hard to be the best diver that she can. She’s probably one of the most dedicated athletes we have on the team,” Lancers coach Andrea Gallo said.

Bristol Central didn’t make much noise in state competition, with no individuals placing higher than 20th and no relay teams higher than 13th in the Class L meet, but the Rams did have three of the top individuals and two of the top relay teams in the CCC South during the season, and all are now part of our All-Press team.

Sophomore Ileish Burney earned all-conference honors in both the 200 freestyle and 100 freestyle, while fellow sophomore Olivia Banulski was so honored in the 100 butterfly.

They are “two very high-quality swimmers” who can both swim in any event and have a great work

ethic, Bristol Central coach Gary Harrigan said. Both will be junior captains next year, he added.

Courtney Pina, a senior captain, earned all-conference honors in the 100 backstroke.

“She did an absolutely fantastic job, the strongest captain I’ve ever had. She was truly dedicated to the team,” Harrigan said.

Burney, Banulski and Pina were all also part of the Rams’two all-conference relay teams: the 200 freestyle (with Jessica Darragjati) and 400 freestyle (with Alli Gagliardi).

For their contributions,Darragjati and Gagliardi are also part of the All-Press team.

Harrigan said Darragjati, a junior, is a versatile distance swimmer and the team’s top diver, who will also serve as a team captain next year.

Gagliardi is a freshman who also dives and swims and has made an early impact on the team.

“She came a long way in a short period of time,” Harrigan said.

“Obviously her future is very bright on the team.”

All-Press Football Team continued

Continued from Page 3

The senior tailback totted the ball 135 more times than any of his other teammates. His best performance came in a dominant win over E.O. Smith where he tallied 136 yards on 14 carries. He crossed the goal line three times in the game.

During his senior season,White ate up 695 yards and led the Rams with 12 touchdowns.

His brother, Matt White, had a strong year stopping the

opposition’s running backs. He was second on Central with 47 tackles and second on the Rams with seven tackles for a loss.

Maybe most impressively, White pounced on three fumbles.

Central’s leading tackler in both categories was a fellow linebacker — Stanco. Of his 52 team-leading tackles, an impressive 10 netted negative yardage.

Crowley led the Lancers in tackles, and was at the bottom of the pile more times than not.

He was a force in the center of a defense that improved as the season progressed.

St. Paul’s Bachand was a bright spot in a difficult season on the defensive side of the ball for the Falcons.

The senior captain was in on 80 tackles. He had 26 solo tackles as well as three sacks.

It was Brown who paced the Eastern defense in the sack department with three, while Rodriguez had a team-best five interceptions,

and Bush was second in tackles and was tops on the Lancers with 4 1/2 tackles for a loss.

Central defensive back Delgado had a strong all-around season that included three interceptions to go along with 23 tackles in which four resulted in a loss in yards for the opponent.

Albino was dominant from his defensive end slot, putting together one of the best statistical lines of anyone. Albino had 31 tackles, a fumble recovery, two interceptions

and six tackles for a loss.

Although Park had a season more than worthy of an All-Press defensive selection, as he averaged over nine tackles per game to pace the Falcons, the junior was also a major contributor on special teams. Park drilled field goals of 19, 25 and a program-record 41 yards this season.

His three field goals ranked him 12th in the state. Eleven kickers were tied for the state lead with four.

Sunday, December 18, 2011 | 7

The Herald Press

All-Press Boys Soccer Team

Plenty of goals and wins for our star-studded squad

By JOHNNY J. BURNHAM STAFF WRITER

Over the course of the fall, the four area boys soccer teams combined to win 29 games and score a total of 136 goals en route to another solid season on the Greater Bristol pitch.

Two players led the way with 12 goals apiece.

Junior Sam Anderson helped lead a surge back to the state tournament for the Bristol Central boys, and although Terryville captain Ryan McAdoo’s final season in a Kangaroo uniform didn’t produce the same result, he stood as one of the top offensive threats in the Berkshire League.

Anderson and McAdoo were just two of the players to make significant contributions to their team this season. As a result, they’re joined on the All-Press boys soccer team by four other Rams (Zack Signore, Conor Furey, Cameron Soltis and Sean Heiser), four from Bristol Eastern (Manny Calderon, Ryan Chiasson, Nick Roberts and Jon Taylor) as well as Nolan Villani and Cameron Pilarski of the St. Paul Catholic contingent.

Anderson and Pilarski make up two dynamic scorers at the forward position. Anderson tallied a hat trick in a dominant performance against Platt and struck for two goals early in the season in a win over Middletown that got the Rams off to a stellar 5-0-1 start.

In a season that began with him between the pipes as the Falcons were without a goalkeeper finished with Pilarski being one of St. Paul’s top offensive weapons.

The versatile sophomore tallied six goals and had two assists to help the Falcons put together one of their best seasons in recent memory.

St. Paul fell just short of qualifying for the Class S State Tournament, accumulating six victories.

Villani was as much a part of the Falcon resurgence on the soccer

MANNY CALDERON BRISTOL EASTERN

CONOR FUREY

RYAN CHIASSON

BRISTOL CENTRAL

RYAN MCADOO TERRYVILLE

SEAN HEISER

BRISTOL CENTRAL

BRISTOL EASTERN

NICK ROBERTS BRISTOL EASTERN

CAMERON PILARSKI ST. PAUL

field as anyone. The senior captain midfielder led the team in scoring with 10 goals to go along with four assists. Villani saved one of his best performances in what can be regarded as the Falcons biggest win in years. His hat trick paved the way to St. Paul’s late season upset of Holy Cross.

Villani was not only an AllNVL selection, but an All-State honoree.

He is just one of two AllStaters situated on the All-Press team’s midfield. Soltis capped his senior season in style and was also dubbed All-State.

Soltis was simply a playmaker throughout the year, giving the opposition fits throughout the 80 minutes of action. Soltis got

NOLAN VILLANI ST. PAUL

SAM ANDERSON BRISTOL CENTRAL

the year off to a good start with a multi-goal game against the Blue Dragons and kept it rolling through the remainder of the season. He wrapped up his career with an eight-goal, six-assist campaign in which he was selected by his teammates as one of two players to be dubbed Central’s Most Valuable Player.

The other MVP of the Rams also finds his way on the All-Press squad — Heiser.

The junior, who has already been selected as next year’s captain, was one of the more versatile weapons at coach Larry Covino’s disposal. Heiser’s ability to control the flow of the game was secondto-none this season. He thrived on distributing the ball. In fact,

ZACK SIGNORE BRISTOL CENTRAL

JON TAYLOR

BRISTOL EASTERN

CAMERON SOLTIS BRISTOL CENTRAL

his coach said that if he counted double-assists, Heiser would have contributed on an estimated 95 percent of the Rams’ strikes.

Heiser was an All-CCC South selection and was an All-State nominee.

The three remaining All-Press midfielders possess the same game-changing skills.

McAdoo has quietly gone about his business over the past four years, saving his best season for last.

The Terryville senior has been an All-Berkshire League pick the last three seasons. He led the Kangaroos in scoring this year, tallying 12 goals to go along with six assists. Coach George Smith described his two-year captain as a great team leader, friend and

motivator.

McAdoo had two goals and two assists in a single game this season.

Taylor and Roberts combined to make a solid scoring duo for the Lancers. Taylor led Eastern with nine goals. He assisted on five others. Taylor, who had spent time as a goalkeeper during his high school career, also had a knack for being in the right place at the right time, making more than one heady goal-saving play.

Roberts, although he did not find the back of the net as many times as his teammate, was regarded by many as the Lancers biggest threat. The junior was solid in the possession game, and was able to free some space in the box as he drew the attention of more than one defender. Roberts finished the year with six goals and four assists.

Both were All-CCC South picks.

As was their keeper. Calderon accumulated four shutouts in his first full season in net. He held the opposition to one goal or fewer a total of 12 times on the year. Only twice did he surrender more than two goals in a single game. Those came against CCC South champion Plainville as well as perennial power Glastonbury in the seasonopener.

Calderon was certainly aided by the play of his sweeper. Chiasson stood as the Lancers steadiest defender from the first game of the year to the last. He was there to clear the ball away just about anytime it rolled deep in the Eastern end.

The same can be said of Signore.

The Central senior anchored the Rams defense for the past two seasons, and had a big influence as to why the team was able to return to the postseason after missing out on the tournament in 2010.

Signore was an All-CCC South pick and chosen as Central’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Furey was one of those rare defensive players who also had an impact on the offensive end.

Although he settled in on the defensive side of the midfield stripe the majority of time, it wasn’t uncommon to see him make a run with the ball. Furey, an All-CCC South pick, led the Rams with seven assists.

The Herald Press

8 | Sunday, December 18, 2011

All-Press Boys Cross Country Team

By JOHNNY J. BURNHAM STAFF WRITER

The Bristol Central boys cross country team is no stranger to success.

Heading into the year, the Rams were not only the reigning Central Connecticut Conference Southern Division champions, but the defending Class L state champions as well.

Although this fall did not bring with it a second state title, it certainly continued on the program’s run of dominance.

For the fifth straight year, the CCC South crown was placed atop the collective head of the Central boys cross country team. The Rams went a perfect 14-0 within the division to remain its king.

Seniors Jacob Eschner and Jake Mancini, as well as juniors Spencer Johnson and Jon Jankoski paved the way for the Rams this season. As a result, each is a member of the AllPress boys cross country team.

The foursome of Rams is joined on the squad by a Kangaroo as

SPENCER JOHNSON BRISTOL CENTRAL

JON JANKOSKI BRISTOL CENTRAL

Terryville senior Tyler Raymond is also an All-Press selection.

Eschner is the only multiple time pick for the team. This marks his third-consecutive All-Press cross country honor.

It comes for good reason.

Eschner won the individual CCC South championship with a time of 17:46. He also claimed city bragging rights by being the first runner to cross the finish line at Rockwell Park in the annual City Championship, and was consistently at the head of the pack the rest of the fall as well.

He was fifth at the Hartford Riverfront event.Eschner completed

TYLER RAYMOND TERRYVILLE

JACOB ESCHNER BRISTOL CENTRAL

his journey around Keney Park in a fast 17 minutes 17 seconds.

His trio of teammates was never far behind.

In fact, Johnson was the top place finisher among all area boys to compete at the State Open in Madison.

Johnson placed 84th overall with a strong run of 17:23. He was third in the CCC South meet and third at the City Championship. Johnson was 13th overall with a time of 17:07 at the Class L competition.

Only one Ram finished ahead of him, and it wasn’t Eschner.

Mancini, who has been a solid contributor to Central through the

JAKE MANCINI BRISTOL CENTRAL

years, saved one of his best runs for last. The senior was one of only 11 runners to maneuver their way through Wickham Park in 17 minutes 6 seconds or faster.

That time, in a clutch situation, was 1:46 ahead of his second-place run at the City meet in midOctober.

Mancini was also second at the CCC South run.

Jankoski provided the Rams with another strong runner that consistently placed in the top five in duel meets.

The junior harrier constantly posted times around the 18-minute

mark. At the Class L meet, Jankoski completed his run in 18:04 to grab 48th-place overall.The Class L field featured 179 runners representing 26 schools.

Jankoski was fourth at the City Championship.

The only runner on the All-Press team to not dress in maroon and white this fall was Raymond.

The All-Berkshire League selection becomes the first-ever member of the Terryville boys cross country team to earn a spot on the All-Press squad.

Raymond consistently put up fast times. The Kangaroo was ninth overall with a time of 17 minutes flat at the Class SS event, set the pace at Black Rock State Park against Thomaston with a time of 17:14, and was impressive in the first-ever meet on Terryville’s new cross country course, posting a time of 17:18.

Prior to that, he set a new course record on the Roos old course behind the middle school in an easy win over Wamogo. He also leaves the Terryville program as its onemile record holder.

All-Press Girls Cross Country Team

By JOHNNY J. BURNHAM STAFF WRITER

Contrary to what some may think, cross country is not an easy sport.

While it’s something that we all may physically be able to do, it’s a sport in which few excel.

Through the August heat, to September’s rain and October’s snow, the Greater Bristol area once again had several who showed that they were determined to put up fast times no matter what the conditions were this season.

For a select five — Bristol Central’s Aubrey Palmquist and Nadia Kreciglowa, Bristol Eastern Emma Woolworth and Mariah McPhee, and St.Paul’s Emily Lindsley — they ran themselves onto the All-Press girls cross country team.

Coming off strong seasons in 2009 and 2010, Palmquist seemed determined from the get-go of this, her senior season, to make 2011 year best one on the course yet.

She certainly had a memorable campaign. And as a result, she

EMILY LINDSLEY ST. PAUL

NADIA KRECIGLOWA MARIAH MCPHEE AUBREY PALMQUIST EMMA WOOLWORTH BRISTOL CENTRAL

returns to the All-Press team for the third straight year.

Palmquist began the year with a strong 10th-place finish at the Hartford Riverfront Invitational, before taking the first of several No. 1 slots the next time on the course against Maloney and Berlin.

She was later sixth at the always tough Wickham Invitational.

But while her season got off to a good start, it also finished well.

Palmquist led the Bristol Central girls at the Class L state meet. She was fifth overall, earning her AllState status with a time of 19:53.

BRISTOL EASTERN

BRISTOL CENTRAL

She later had the best finish of any local at the State Open.

Her teammate, Kreciglowa was seldom too far off the pace.

In fact, more often than not, Palmquist was the only runner to cross the finish line ahead of the Central sophomore.

Kreciglowa’s season included a second-place tally at the City Championship, was only 38 seconds off the leader in the CCC Championship race and was a quality 33rd at the Wickham Invitational.

She was All-CCC South.

Kreciglowa is not the only

BRISTOL EASTERN

sophomore to make her way onto the All-Press team.

She’s joined by the top runner from St. Paul — Lindsley.

Despite the Falcons coming up short to both the Lancers and the Rams in the annual jog for Bristol bragging rights, Lindsley was right in the thick of things at the head of the pack. She placed fourth overall at the City Championship,and was the only Falcon in the top 10.

Lindsley was able to get to the front of the pack in Naugatuck Valley League action — most notably with an impressive time of 21 minutes 53

seconds in a quad meet with Crosby, Kennedy and Torrington.

She finished with a 21:45 in Manchester at the state meet.

The Eastern combination of Woolworth and McPhee paced the Lancers to a quality 10th-place finish at the Class L state meet in Manchester.

Woolworth, a senior, with a time of 21 minutes 16 seconds was the first Lancer to cross the finish line at the Class L competition. She was followed shortly thereafter by McPhee in 43rd-place.

It was McPhee, a junior, who led Eastern in the City Championship, running to a fifth-place tally. She came out and won the Lancers opening meet of the year in impressive fashion, hurrying her way through the Page Park course in 21:47.

It’s the second straight All-Press selection for McPhee. She is a threetime All-CCC South performer.

Woolworth’s senior season earned her the distinction as one of the Southern Division’s best harriers for the second consecutive fall.