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All-Press Special

BristolPress.com/Sports | Sunday, July 7, 2013

Our All-Press spring sports teams inside

Spring’s best

Mike Orazzi | Staff

Bristol Central’s Lauren Vallee (14) high-fives teammate Chandler Walker (29) after scoring during a state tournament game this season. Our spring All-Press teams for all sports are inside.

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Celebrating 10 Years

2 | Sunday, July 7, 2013

ALL-PRESS SPECIAL

The Herald Press

All-Press Lacrosse Team

This group makes up our first-ever all-star lacrosse squad

By KEVIN D. ROBERTS STAFF WRITER

For three Bristol lacrosse teams, 2013 was a big step forward.

The St. Paul boys, Bristol Central boys and Bristol Co-op DAN ETHAN NICKY girls each participated in their first WOLF CZARNESKI VILLANI varsity lacrosse seasons. Bristol CENTRAL CENTRAL ST. PAUL Eastern plans on joining them at the varsity level in 2014.

For the Bristol Press, this will also be a first as we unveil our firstever All-Press Lacrosse Team.

At St. Paul, it was an amazing first season. The Falcons finished 8-10 overall and qualified for both the Western Connecticut Lacrosse Conference and Class S state tournaments. St. Paul has five players on the All-Press roster: senior Solomon McIver, senior Max MAX SHELBY EMILY Pryor, junior Colin McGowan, PRYOR FOLSOM BOURASSA junior Nicky Villani and junior Ben Stump.

ST. PAUL BRISTOL CO-OP BRISTOL CO-OP Bristol Central finished its first varsity campaign at 3-9 but improved vastly from the beginning stages. The Rams are sending four players to the college level to play lacrosse. Central has four players on the All-Press roster: senior Dan Wolf, senior John Cornwell, junior Ethan Czarneski and freshman Chris Gamber.

The Bristol Co-op girls team compiled a 1-9 record. Junior SOLOMON COLIN BEN Emily Bourassa and junior Shelby Folsom, both from Bristol Eastern, MCIVER MCGOWAN STUMP are on the list for All-Press.

ST. PAUL ST. PAUL ST. PAUL McIver was a rock as a goalie and senior captain at St. Paul. His 70 percent save percentage kept the Falcons in many games, according to coach Paul Hylan. McIver was an All-WCLC and honorable mention All-State choice. He was also named to the Connecticut Senior North All-Star team as a goalie.

“Solomon’s senior leadership as well as his steadiness in the goal will be missed,” Hylan said.

JOHN CHRIS Pryor, another senior captain, CORNWELL GAMBER was an alternate for the same senior CENTRAL CENTRAL all-star team that McIver was on.

“Max was rock solid on the defensive end of the field,” Hylan said. honorable mention All-WCLC on defense while helping lead the As a junior, McGowan was both and honorable mention All-State team as a captain.

Mike Orazzi | Staff

St. Paul’s Max Pryor (21) during a lacrosse game this past season.

“Colin was our defenseman who would be on the opposing team’s best attackman to shut him down,” Hylan said. “He was also the leader on defense in which he would be calling out the defensive sets and slides.”

Villani was a big part of St. Paul’s offense from his midfield position. The junior captain was also an honorable mention AllWCLC player.

“Nicky led the team in scoring and was a key component in the St. Paul boys lacrosse team’s offense,” Hylan said.

Stump was the team’s secondleading scorer and team leader in assists as a junior attackman.

Wolf, headed to Division III Greensboro College, was a dynamic offensive threat for Central from his midfield position. He was also nominated to the Connecticut Senior North All-Star team.

Cornwell was chosen to play on the Connecticut Senior North AllStar team after putting together a solid season as senior captain. He was a good defenseman who was second on the team in ground balls with 35.

“He was our best overall player,” Central coach Jake Madden said.

Cornwell is headed to Division III Eastern Connecticut State University.

Czarneski made a whopping 118 saves in 12 games. He was consistently under fire from opposing offenses, but held his ground.

Czarneski was nominated for the Connecticut Super Juniors team.

All Gamber did as a freshman

was lead the team in goals with 22.

He also had eight assists from his attackman position while gaining plenty of good experience for the future.

“He logged the most game minutes at an attack position in the 2013 season for Bristol Central,” Madden said.

For the Bristol girls, Bourassa was tough at the goalie position.

“Emily improved her footspeed and stick work throughout the season and has great hand-eye coordination,” Bristol coach Kelly Buikus said. “She is very patient in clearing the ball, which is a great asset to us as a young and inexperienced team.”

Folsom played midfield and led the team in goals.

“She came into the season as an attack player but did a great job taking the draw for us as the season progressed,” Buikus said. “Shelby is a natural offensive player who reads her defender incredibly well.”

Looking ahead to the future, Buikus added: “Both of these players are the future of Bristol lacrosse.

They are already working hard in the offseason to prepare for next spring.”

With some very good players returning and Bristol Eastern planning on joining the varsity ranks, 2014 should be another exciting season of lacrosse in the City of Bristol.

Kevin D. Roberts can be reached at (860) 584-0501 ext. 7229 or kroberts@bristolpress.com On Twitter: @kroberts023

ALL-PRESS SPECIAL

The Herald Press

Sunday, July 7, 2013 | 3

All-Press Softball Team

Central leads with four, followed by Terryville’s three

By PAUL ANGILLY STAFF WRITER

With a state finalist and another state semifinalist, 2013 was another banner year for area softball teams, and there was plenty of great local talent to go around.

Class S state runner-up Terryville (19-4) landed three players on the AllBerkshire League First Team honorary squad: senior pitcher Jamie Bridge, junior catcher Jenn Luba and senior shortstop Anna Dupaul, with Bridge and Luba also earning AllState honors.

Class LL state semifinalist Bristol Central (21-3) had four All-CCC South members: outfielder and junior captain Olivia Banulski, senior catcher Jodi DiSanto, junior pitcher Ileish Burney and junior captain and second baseman Lauren Vallee.

Banulski and DiSanto also earned All-State honors.

Bristol Eastern (9-12) didn’t enjoy the same kind of success that its neighbors did, but did qualify for state tournament play for at least the 16th straight year and had two players earn All-CCC South honors in junior pitcher Sarah Beliveau and junior catcher and third baseman Erika Ciccio.

St. Paul (7-13) just missed state tournament qualification, but junior shortstop and pitcher Meredith Maynard earned Naugatuck Valley League All-Brass honors for her efforts.

For all they accomplished this past season, all 10 of those area players have earned selection to our fifth annual All-Press Softball Team for 2013.

Five of this year’s

JAMIE BRIDGE TERRYVILLE

JODI DISANTO CENTRAL

All-Press selections are returnees from last year’s honorary squad, including Banulski, Beliveau and all three from Terryville: Bridge, Luba and Dupaul.

As our recent Bristol Press Female Athlete of the Year selection, Bridge was an obvious choice to lead our All-Press team.

For the 2013 softball season, Bridge pitched two no-hitters, including a perfect game against Wamogo, posted a 0.74 ERA and struck out 318 batters in 152 1/3 innings pitched — an average of more than two per inning. Also a key player on offense, she led the team with a .481 batting average, 39 hits, 10 doubles and 33 runs, while tying for the team lead in extra-base hits (15) and RBI (26).

Terryville coach Stephanie Konopaske noted Bridge was a key leader on the team this

More importantly, she has a fantastic work ethic and has high expectations of herself and those around her.”

Vallee hit at a .425 clip for the season (31-for-73) with five doubles, a homer, 18 RBI and 28 runs scored.

“Lauren Vallee is one of the most competitive and hard-working student-athJENN ANNA OLIVIA ILEISH letes I have ever coached,” LUBA DUPAUL BANULSKI BURNEY Shook said. “She leads by TERRYVILLE TERRYVILLE CENTRAL CENTRAL example and motivates those around her to be their best. She holds herself to a high standard both athletically and academically.”

A pitcher that excels at inducing ground balls and letting her defense handle the plays, Burney posted a 20-3 record for the season with a 1.69 ERA, allowing 136 hits in 145 1/3 innings pitched, striking out 65 LAUREN SARAH ERIKA MEREDITH batters and walking just six.

VALLEE BELIVEAU CICCIO MAYNARD “Ileish is a very poised pitcher and no matter the CENTRAL EASTERN EASTERN ST. PAUL situation, whether no one is on base or bases are loaded, she never rattles,” Shook past season, helping the “She has easily become ting average (43-for-76), said. “Although she is not Kangaroos reach the state the most consistent player 11 doubles, five triples, two overpowering, she uses her championship game before on our team,” Konopaske home runs and 29 RBI. location and spin to keep a walk-off hit in the sevsaid. “She was just amazing.”

“Jodi DiSanto is a great batters off balance. She enth inning by Oxford gave In her senior year, hitter in the clutch and improved tremendously that team the title.

Dupaul batted .405 with solid behind the plate,” throughout the season and “She came through three home runs, 18 RBI Shook said. “She was I believe will continue to whenever we needed and 23 runs scored. She selected as an All-State improve into next season.” her, which was often,” even pitched a couple of player this past season Beliveau is a three-year Konopaske said. innings, striking out five because of her defensive starting pitcher for the Bridge was always very batters without allowing and offensive accomplishLancers who didn’t receive positive, she added. any hits or walks. ments. Her passion for the same kind of offensive “She’s just an awesome Konopaske said Dupaul the game is evident and and defensive support as kid. She’s probably one of was a very consistent player inspires those around her. she had in the past with a the nicest people you’ll ever who picked up the team as She will be very missed rebuilding Bristol Eastern meet,” Konopaske said. a positive force. next season.” squad, yet was still a powCompleting the All“Anna has definitely Banulski batted .543 for erful force on the pitching State battery is Luba, a come a long way the last the season (44-for-81) with rubber. She was also a good standout defensive catcher couple of years,” she said. seven doubles, two triples, contributor at the plate. who also led the Kangaroos “Her attitude this year four home runs, 11 walks, “She continued to with eight home runs for totally led the team.”

14 RBI and 39 runs scored. improve as a pitcher, and the season, also batting In its first year under “Olivia Banulski is a very I’m excited to see her come .444 with five doubles, two new head coach Nicole disciplined hitter at the back next year,” Lancers triples, 19 RBI and 27 runs Shook, Bristol Central was plate and has the ability to coach Scott Redman said. scored. dominant during the regu- play small ball as well as Beliveau batted .379 Konopaske said Luba lar season, aside from a pair hit the long ball,” Shook with seven extra base has come far in past couple of hiccups, regularly defeat- said. “She was selected as hits and 15 RBI. On the of years and managed to ing top-ranked teams. an All-State player this mound, she had a 7-9 mark be productive this season DiSanto helped lead the past year because of her with a 2.18 ERA and 137 despite nursing an injured Rams into the Class LL tremendous season both strikeouts in 106 innings.

Continued ON PAGE 4 shoulder. semifinals with a .566 bat- offensively and defensively.

ALL-PRESS SPECIAL

4 | Sunday, July 7, 2013

The Herald Press

All-Press Girls Tennis Team Successful seasons for all 10 of our all-star players

By KEVIN D. ROBERTS STAFF WRITER

When it came to girls tennis in 2013, Bristol Eastern led the way.

The Lancers captured the CCC South Division title by going undefeated (7-0), then won a Class M qualifying round team match at E.O. Smith. As a result, Eastern has four players on the fifth annual All-Press Girls Tennis Team. Junior Samantha Woznicki (No. 1 singles) and sophomore Sakinah Abdulsalam (No. 2 singles) are on the team, as is the No. 1 doubles team of senior Stephanie D’Angelo and junior Brooke Johnson.

All four of those players made the All-CCC South team, and they are all firsttime choices for All-Press.

St. Paul put together a 10-5 regular season and reached the Naugatuck Valley League team tournament semifinals. The Falcons lost a tough Class S qualifying round team match at Peck Park against Rocky Hill. Junior Emily Lindsley, St. Paul’s No. 1 singles player, is on the AllPress team for the second straight year. Lindsley is joined by the senior No. 1 doubles team of Jaclyn

Latvis and Monica Palmieri.

Bristol Central may have finished 6-11 overall, but the young Rams were able to go 4-3 in the CCC South. Central sophomore and No. 1 singles player Arabella Goralski played her way onto the All-Press team for the second straight time. The senior No. 1 doubles team of Alex Peabody and Kendall Sassu are also on the team. It’s the first time for both Peabody and Sassu. Goralski, Peabody and Sassu all made AllCCC South.

Woznicki’s meteoric rise continued with Eastern this season. She didn’t play as a freshman and only made varsity midway through her sophomore year. In her junior year, she became the top singles player for the Lancers.

“I was really pleased,” Eastern coach Tom Chauvin said when asked about how Woznicki fared this season.

Chauvin only wishes he had Woznicki as a freshman.

Abdulsalam improved throughout the season while becoming more diversified with the shots that she hit.

She is the younger sister

ARABELLA GORALSKI

ALEX PEABODY

KENDALL SASSU

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BROOKE JOHNSON

SAMANTHA WOZNICKI

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of Shahida Abdulsalam, who was the only All-State player Eastern has had.

“She is a lovely person and an excellent studentathlete,” Chauvin said of Sakinah Abdulsalam.

D’Angelo, a senior captain, teamed with Johnson, a junior, to form a doubles team that went 13-3 and qualified for the State Open.

All-Press Softball Team Cont.

Continued from Page 3

Ciccio was the team MVP this past year.

She started the year as a catcher, then moved to third base at the end of the year, also playing shortstop in one game.

She was also the team’s most consistent hitter, the coach said.

“We really leaned on her multiple ways,” Redman said.

Ciccio was a .415 batter with nine extra base hits and a team-leading 18 RBI. “Having both come back [next year] is an

exciting opportunity for us,” Redman said.

Maynard was a solid leader for St. Paul as the team struggled for positive results this season.

“As a team person, they look to her,” Falcons coach Gary Hovhanessian said.

“She just knows the game. Her presence out on the field is just one of quality and leadership.”

Maynard provided great defense, especially in the second half of the year, and scored most of the times she reached base.

“She’s like a run machine,” Hovhanessian said.

“They had a marvelous season,” Chauvin said.

Both D’Angelo and Johnson have excellent leadership skills. Johnson will be using those skills as a senior captain next season.

Lindsley, already named a St. Paul captain for her junior season, was great again as a sophomore.

“Emily was undefeated in regular season play, losing a total of 10 games in the 15 matches played,” Falcons coach Arthur Giles said.

Lindsley won both of her individual matches in the NVL team tournament, then swept through to her second straight NVL individual tournament title. Her only loss of the second came in the first round of the State Open, and that was after she won a qualifying match 8-1.

“She is a skilled player who continues to discover and enhance her talent,” Giles said.

Latvis and Palmieri

SAKINAH STEPHANIE ABDULSALAM D’ANGELO

played as a doubles team throughout their four years at St. Paul and compiled a 33-16 varsity record. Both were team captains.

“Both young women showed significant growth in skills, Jaclyn becoming formidable at the net and Monica becoming a scrambling backboard on the baseline,” Giles said.

Latvis and Palmieri won 75 percent of their matches as seniors and qualified for the State Open.

Goralski continues to grow for Central girls tennis. The sophomore played in the top singles spot and held her own throughout the year. Rams coach Sarah Kowalchuk believes Goralski will continue to blossom.

“She’s worked really hard this whole season, and I think she’s made tremendous growth,” Kowalchuk said after the Bristol Eastern match on May 17.

“I think she’ll continue to

develop as a tennis player over the next two years.”

Peabody and Sassu, senior co-captains, were a strong No. 1 doubles team for Central.

“It was great being senior captain and doubles partner with her,” Peabody said after the Eastern match. “It was a lot of fun. It was a great year.”

Peabody and Sassu did their part to help Central’s younger players grow throughout the season, and Kowalchuk noticed that.

“They’ve been great leaders,” Kowalchuk said after the Eastern match.

Some of Bristol’s best girls tennis players will be gone in 2014, but there are still plenty of talented players coming back for next season.

Kevin D. Roberts can be reached at (860) 584-0501 ext. 7229 or kroberts@bristolpress.com.

On Twitter: @kroberts023

ALL-PRESS SPECIAL

The Herald Press

Sunday, July 7, 2013 | 5

All-Press Baseball Team Four players repeat, with 12 in all, on this year’s all-star squad

By KEVIN D. ROBERTS STAFF WRITER

While no Bristol area baseball teams made it past the state quarterfinal round this season, there were still plenty of great individual players who put up solid numbers.

Twelve of those players made the fifth annual All-Press Baseball Team.

There is one player from each of the four schools that is making his second appearance on the All-Press team. They are Bristol Central senior Matt Blandino, Bristol Eastern senior Diondrey Sapp, St. Paul senior Kyle Dube, and Terryville senior Devyn Oakes.

Central, which went 20-2 and won the CCC South Division for the sixth time in seven years, has five players on the All-Press team: Blandino, senior Mitch Guilmette, senior Jake Martel, junior Justen Jakubiak and junior Kyle Pileski.

St. Paul went 16-4 in the regular season, played in the Naugatuck Valley League tournament semifinals, and earned a first round bye in Class S. The Falcons placed three players on the team. Juniors Jake Kawiecki and Josh Dobratz join Dube.

Terryville put together a 12-8 regular season and won a Class S first round game before bowing out in the second round. Senior Tanner Greenlaw joins Oakes on the All-Press roster.

Bristol Eastern was up and down during the regular season (10-10), but won a first round game in Class L. Junior Dave Sills joins Sapp on the AllPress squad.

Central had a bona fide star in Blandino, but there were other solid players who helped contribute to a great season.

“As individuals these players had tremendous years because their approach was always win first,” Rams coach Bunty Ray said. “They are all extremely competitive and their hunger to win led to great performances.”

Blandino was 10-0 as Central’s ace this season and compiled a 0.27 ERA along with 135 strikeouts. Both of those marks broke school records that he had held.

Blandino was also a big threat from the leadoff spot in the lineup. He hit .366 with 13 RBI, 31 runs scored and had a .450 onbase percentage. Ray referred to Blandino as a “once-in-a-lifetime” player.

Blandino parlayed his success and hard

MATT BLANDINO

MITCH GUILMETTE

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KYLE PILESKI

DIONDREY SAPP

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DEVYN OAKES

JUSTEN JAKUBIAK

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work over the past two seasons into being drafted by the Cincinnati Reds.

Guilmette hit a blistering .463 at the plate while also playing solid defense at third base. He had 26 RBI and 26 runs scored, which combined was a record for Central.

Martel was another good hitter in the middle of the lineup. He hit .303 with 17 RBI and 22 runs scored. Martel was also a quick center fielder who made good reads on the ball.

“These players were clutch players and produced when it counted.”

For St. Paul, Dube was strong on the mound and at the plate. He had a 5-3 record, but two of the losses were to NVL champion Wolcott while the other came after allowing just one unearned run against East Hampton in a Class S second round game. Dube posted a 1.87 ERA and struck out 47 in 48.2 innings pitched. At the plate, Dube hit .429 with a .571 slugging perJAKE JAKE centage. He drove in 21 runs and stole MARTEL KAWIECKI 13 bases in 13 attempts. Dube was the NVL’s Senior Male Athlete of the Year.

CENTRAL ST. PAUL St. Paul coach Pat Holden called Dube “just a phenomenal kid” after the loss to East Hampton.

Kawiecki went 6-0 with a robust 1.25 ERA in 44.2 innings this season.

He surrendered just 11 runs (8 earned) and opponents hit just .210 against him. Kawiecki also hit .385 (10-for-26).

“In previous seasons, we knew what we were going to get out of Jake, and again in 2013 Jake not only pitched as we expected but he exceeded all of our JOSH KYLE expectations,” Holden said. “What is most impressive is Jake’s ability to keep DOBRATZ DUBE improving week to week.”

ST. PAUL ST. PAUL Dobratz was a solid first baseman, but his bat was the real threat. He hit .364 with a .506 slugging percentage and 16 RBI. He led the team with seven doubles and two triples.

“He really uses the whole field really well and is most successful hitting the ball to the left center gap,” Holden said.

Dobratz was a darkhorse entering the season but he became one of St. Paul’s biggest offensive threats. With Dube hitting in front of him in the DAVE TANNER second spot and Kyle MacLean batting cleanup, Dobratz got pitches to hit and SILLS GREENLAW made opponents pay.

EASTERN TERRYVILLE Oakes was an All-Berkshire League selection for Terryville. He was one of the team’s best pitchers and also hit high in the lineup. Oakes could get Jakubiak hit .316 with 14 RBI and 13 on base and steal bases. He had two runs runs. He was also a rock at first base for the scored in Terryville’s 5-1 Class S first round Rams. win over Wheeler, including the go-ahead Pileski hit a robust .371 with 15 RBI run. and 16 runs as a junior. He was also a solid Greenlaw was a solid center fielder for right fielder with a strong throwing arm. the Kangaroos who could quickly track Ray was most impressed by how these down long fly balls. On offense, he batplayers did under pressure. ted in the middle of the lineup and was “If you truly want to gauge a player’s a threat to hit for extra bases. Greenlaw’s success you have to see what he does when two-run double in the bottom of the fifth the game is on the line and when you have inning of the Wheeler game broke a 1-1 tie Continued ON PAGE 6 to come through in the clutch,” Ray said.

ALL-PRESS SPECIAL

6 | Sunday, July 7, 2013

The Herald Press

THERESA SWANKE

ESHARRA WALTON

NADIA KRECIGLOWA

LAUREN BOSSI

CINDY BUKOWSKI

MEGAN HEFFERNAN

KARISSA SMITH

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All-Press Girls Track Team Central dominates squad with five of seven selections; Eastern, St. Paul have one

By PAUL ANGILLY STAFF WRITER

When it comes to girls track and field in the Bristol area, there’s Bristol Central and then there’s everyone else. That’s why the Rams once again dominate our annual All-Press Girls Track and Field Team, with five Bristol Central athletes included in the sevenmember squad.

The Rams claimed the CCC South title for the seventh straight season in 2013, going undefeated in conference action in each of those years. Five members of the team went on to finish among the top 21 in their events at the State Open: Lauren Bossi, Megan Heffernan, Nadia Kreciglowa, Cindy Bukowski and Esharra Walton.

All five make our fifth annual All-Press squad, along with fellow top State Open competitors Karissa Smith of Bristol Eastern and Theresa Swanke of St. Paul.

Bossi, a senior, placed third in the State Open in the high jump with a leap of 5 feet, 2 inches, while also placing eighth in the 300-meter hurdles (46.75 seconds) and 11th

Contined from Page 5

and helped propel Terryville to a 5-1 win. Greenlaw was also one of Terryville’s top pitchers, along with Oakes and junior Taylor Donofrio.

Sapp continued his strong play in 2013 as a senior after a

in the 100 hurdles (16.22). That came on the heels of her finishing first in the high jump, third in the 100 hurdles and fifth in the 300 hurdles in the Class L state championship meet.

She went on to compete in the New England Championships, placing 17th in the high jump with a leap of 5-0, then finished in fourth place overall at the annual CIAC girls heptathlon state competition at Willow Brook Park.

Rams coach Mike Forgione said he foresees Bossi continuing to do well competing in the heptathlon for the University of Hartford, where she will attend school in the fall, noting that her finish showed she can excel at many events.

He also credited Bossi with being a great team leader, and said that in his 18 years as head girls track coach at Bristol Central, “She probably is the best all-around athlete I’ve ever had.”

Rams junior Megan Heffernan placed sixth in the triple jump at the State Open with a personalbest distance of 35-7¾. She went on to place 22nd in the triple jump

at the New England meet with a mark of 34-7. She placed fourth in the event at the Class L state meet with a mark of 34-2¼.

Heffernan, Forgione said, is a multi-talented athlete with solid marks all season in the long jump, triple jump and pole vault. As someone who’s always working to get better, he believes she could break the school record of 38-7¾ in the triple jump next year. “[She’s] just another great kid that wants the team to be successful,” he said.

Bristol Central’s three other All-Press Team members for 2013 all placed 21st in their respective events at the State Open, after solid qualifying marks in the Class L state meet.

Senior Cindy Bukowski was fifth in the 100 hurdles at Class L with a time of 16.45 seconds before falling back to 17.14 at the State Open; sophomore Nadia Kreciglowa took second in the 3,200 meters in Class L with a time of 11:35.03, before slipping to 12:09.51 at the State Open; and sophomore Esharra Walton was

third in the 100 dash in Class L with a mark of 12.93, then finished in 13.38 at the Open.

Forgione called Bukowski “the Scottie Pippen of our team,” noting that she was often entered in the same events as Bossi (the 100 hurdles and high jump), but still managed to pick up a lot of points for the Rams while usually finishing second to her teammate.

He added that she was “the ultimate team player” in keeping Bristol Central’s run of seven straight conference titles intact.

Kreciglowa, Forgione said, is “one of the hardest-working kids on the team.”

As a distance runner, “She’s worked really hard for her successes, and I expect even bigger things from her next year,” he said.

Walton was new to the team this year as a transfer from Georgia.

“Esharra fit right in to our team and our beliefs and our program,” Forgione said. “She really came on at the end of the year and did a great job for us.”

The Rams finished fourth as a team in the Class L state meet for

All-Press Baseball Team Cont. good 2012.

“He’s been a starter for three years, batted over .300 all three years,” Eastern coach Mike Giovinazzo said.

Giovinazzo called Sapp “an outstanding defensive center fielder”

who had an excellent arm. One play Giovinazzo remembered came in the season opener against Rocky Hill when Sapp tracked down a seventh inning fly ball at the fence at Rocky Hill to preserve a one-run win.

Sills was always on base for Eastern, whether he was leading off or batting second. On defense, he made the routine plays but could also turn in some spectacular ones.

“He was probably our most consistent player on offense

the second straight year.

“All five of those [All-Press honorees] are the reasons why we’ve been so successful,” Forgione said.

Bristol Eastern senior Karissa Smith, our Female Athlete of the Year pick in 2012, had another outstanding season for the Lancers in the throwing events.

At the Class L state meet, she finished third in both the shot put (34-2½) and the javelin (113-11), then went on to place 11th in the State Open in the shot put (35-10) and 17th in the javelin (102-7).

Smith, one of the top students in her class academically at Bristol Eastern, will attend Trinity College in the fall, where she will play volleyball.

Swanke, a junior this past season at St. Paul, finished second in the javelin at the Class S state meet with a mark of 113-4, before coming in 21st in the State Open with a throw of 101-4.

After the regular season, Swanke was one of four St. Paul athletes to compete in the CIAC’s hammer throw state competition, placing 17th with a throw of 66-3.

and defense all year long,” Giovinazzo said.

Many of this year’s All-Press players are moving on, but there are others who could see themselves on this team again in 2014.

ALL-PRESS SPECIAL

The Herald Press

Sunday, July 7, 2013 | 7

All-Press Boys Track Team

All five members had stellar seasons

By PAUL ANGILLY STAFF WRITER

Among area schools, only Bristol Central sent any boys to represent the school at the State Open track and field meet this year.

Those three participants — senior Cy McIntosh, sophomore Jamill Tolliver and senior Spencer Johnson — head our fifth annual All-Press Boys Track and Field Team for 2013, along with two of Bristol Eastern’s best: junior Ken Smith and sophomore Jozef Darragjati.

Of the group, McIntosh had the best results.

At the Class L state meet in Middletown on May 28, McIntosh threw the javelin 172 feet, 4 inches to place third. Then came the State Open at Willow Brook Park in New Britain on June 3, where he posted a throw of 179-6. That made him the fourth best in the state on the scholastic level and qualified him for the New England meet, also held

SPENCER JOHNSON

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CY MCINTOSH

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in New Britain, where he placed 16th with an off-day throw of 159-3.

A three-sport athlete at Bristol Central, McIntosh was also a three-sport captain in football, wrestling and outdoor track, winning numerous All-Press and allconference honors.

Yet track was arguably his best sport, and that’s what he’ll be competing in when he heads to Division II Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven this fall. He’ll be throwing the javelin for the Owls, joining former Bristol

Central standout Omar Gonzalez, who will be a senior next year. Gonzalez finished fourth in the javelin at the Division II NCAA Championships this year in Pueblo, Colo., earning AllAmerican honors for the effort.

“Cy is just a natural athlete,” Rams coach Tamara Stafford-Kirk said. “He was born to compete and has represented Bristol Central so well these past four years in three different sports.

What an asset SCSU is gaining in Cy. I am very proud to have coached him

and look forward to many more great things from him.”

Tolliver came on strong for Bristol Central in his sophomore season, gaining numerous points for the team in meets throughout the season, leading to a fifth place finish in the triple jump (42-5) at the Class L state meet. He went on to place 13th in the State Open with a mark of 42-3.

“Jamill is only a sophomore and has come a long way in two short years of competing in track and field,” Stafford-Kirk said.

“He is naturally gifted as a

jumper and hurdler and is going to do a lot of damage as a junior and senior.”

Johnson — who, along with McIntosh, are the only returning All-Press team members this year — capped off an excellent senior season with a fourth place finish in the 3,200 meters at the Class L meet, finishing in 9:37.56, then placed 15th in the State Open with a mark of 9:48.49.

Competing in the boys 3,000-meter steeplechase in the final CIAC-sanctioned competition of his career, Johnson placed fourth. He

ran the event in 10:04.53, placing him behind just three other seniors: Amity’s Shae Belenski (9:46.70), Simsbury’s Nathaniel Lungarini (9:54.66) and Xavier’s Mitchell Brown (10:00.99). He came in more than three seconds ahead of fifth place Peter Strom of Xavier (10:07.85).

Johnson will head to Marist College in the fall, where he will run cross country.

During his senior season, he won a Class L indoor state championship in the 3,200 meters, running a 9:47.73, and set a new school mark in the 5,000 meters at the Berkshire Distant Festival at Shepaug. He ran a 16:03.0, breaking the previous school mark of 16:08.2, set by Ken Forrest in 1986.

He was third in the Class L cross country meet last fall in running a 16:54 at Wickham Park in Manchester, just eight seconds behind the winner.

“Spencer is the most hardworking athlete I have ever coached,” Stafford-Kirk said.

Continued ON PAGE 8

All-Press Boys Golf Team

By KEVIN D. ROBERTS STAFF WRITER

It was another competitive if not overly successful season of golf for Bristol area teams in 2013.

There was still plenty of good individual efforts from area players, and the top ones made our fifth annual AllPress Golf Team.

Bristol Eastern junior NICK Josh Unkrich put together PRENTISS a strong campaign and is making his third straight CENTRAL appearance on the All-Press team. He is the lone representative from the Lancers. the City Championship.

St. Paul put together a The Falcons have three solid season and captured golfers on the All-Press

JOSH UNKRICH

NICK SHEMKOVITZ

ELI ROBERGE

BRENDAN CRITCHLEY

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team. St. Paul senior Nick Shemkovitz highlights the Falcons trio with his third

straight appearance on our team. Senior Eli Roberge and sophomore Brendan

Critchley also made the All-Press team, the first appearance for each player.

Bristol Central senior Nick Prentiss is his team’s lone representative. It’s Prentiss’ first All-Press honor.

Unkrich was able to keep his nine-hole average under 40 throughout the season.

Though he felt he struggled at points, Unkrich still put together another solid season that included a third straight All-CCC South selection and a tie for 21st place in the Division II state championship with a round of 78 at Tallwood Country Club. He finished second in the City Championship.

Shemkovitz averaged Continued ON PAGE 8

ALL-PRESS SPECIAL

8 | Sunday, July 7, 2013

The Herald Press

NICK SAVINO

DAN HINTZ

NICK CIMADON

DAVID DIXON

TROY ESTRELLADO

RUI CARDOSO

LEE ESTRELLADO

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All-Press Boys Tennis Team

Hintz, Savino repeat, five others chosen

head coach. The Rams may not have had a big season as a team, but both junior Rui Cardoso and sophomore Nick Savino

By KEVIN D. ROBERTS were All-CCC South selections.

STAFF WRITER Cardoso and Savino also earned It was the end of one era and spots on our All-Press team. the beginning of another in It is Savino’s second All-Press Bristol area boys tennis in 2013. selection.

Bristol Eastern’s Bob Zysk Four of the five Eastern players completed his 43rd and final sea- selected played tennis for all four son as head coach. Zysk’s Lancers years. Cimadon, Lee Estrellado put together a solid second and Troy Estrellado served as half, storming back to qualify tri-captains and were excelas a team for the state tournalent leaders, according to Zysk. ment. Seniors Nick Cimadon, Cimadon was the team’s No. 1 Dave Dixon, Lee Estrellado, singles player, but he combined Troy Estrellado and Dan Hintz with Ryan Kelley to win a first all made the fifth annual Allround doubles match in the Class Press Boys Tennis Team. All five L tournament. Dixon was the players were All-CCC South team’s No. 2 singles player while selections. It is Hintz’s second Lee Estrellado was No. 3. Troy All-Press selection.

Estrellado rotated between No. 4 On the other side of the city, singles and No. 1 doubles while Bristol Central’s Rick Block just Hintz was exclusively at first got through his first season as doubles.

Lee Estrellado won a qualifying round singles match in Class L before dropping out in the first round. Dixon also played in the singles qualifying round.

Troy Estrellado played a match with Scott Drouin in the Class L doubles tournament while Hintz teamed up with Owen DellaBianca.

Zysk had nothing but good things to say about all five players.

“Just a great bunch of guys, worked hard,” Zysk said.

Each player didn’t have much experience coming into the program, but they worked at throughout their time in the program.

“They were just a ton of fun to coach,” Zysk said.

Cardoso, a newcomer this season, qualified for the Class L singles tournament and won a qualifying round match before bowing out in the first round.

All-Press Boys Golf Cont.

Continued from Page 7

right around 40 per nine holes and was the City Championship medalist as his 78 bested Unkrich’s 79 by one stroke.

“As an individual his 12 wins in 17 head-to-head competitions was impressive,” St. Paul coach John Odell said.

Shemkovitz competed against a lot of Division I, II and III players but held his ground against all of them. He was named All-Naugatuck Valley League

and finished in both the top 10 at the NVL (fifth place, 76) and Division IV (seventh place, 78) championship meets.

“He was the difference in St. Paul achieving an over .500 record for the first time in the NVL since entering the league,” Odell said.

Shemkovitz played in the Travelers Championsip Pro-Am and shot a 72, according to Odell.

He will be playing at Western New England University.

Roberge and Critchley both proved to be key factors in St. Paul capturing the City Championship. Roberge, who is headed to the University of Montana this fall, was a steady senior leader. Critchley, another steady player, should be a leader of the Falcons as a junior in 2014.

Prentiss was a co-captain and his team’s most valuable player.

“He was a very, very good cocaptain,” Greger said.

Prentiss will attend Siena.

Cardoso was a cerebral player and competitor who always worked hard and hustled on every point.

“The game is psychological,” Cardoso said after winning a singles match against Bristol Eastern on May 17. “It’s not always physical or who’s the best.”

Savino played singles for Central this season.

He qualified for the Class L tournament, then played in the doubles bracket with teammate Shane Kearney, who was Central’s No. 1 singles player.

Savino and Kearney battled their

way to a three-set win in a first round match before losing to the top seed. Savino saw progress from his team and himself throughout the year.

“My teammates along with myself improved greatly over the course of the season,” Savino said after the regular season finale against East Hartford on May 21. “Coach Block did a lot to help us become better people and tennis players.”

Kevin D. Roberts can be reached at (860) 584-0501 ext. 7229 or kroberts@bristolpress.com On Twitter: @kroberts023

All-Press Track Cont.

Continued from Page 7

“He earned every one of his honors through dedication and sweat. He has a very bright future and I know he will do great things running for Marist the next four years.”

While Bristol Eastern didn’t quite qualify anyone to compete in the State Open, the school did have two top eight finishers at the Class L meet.

Smith, in his first year competing with the Lancers, placed sixth in the javelin with a throw of 147-11, although that was well short of his season best mark of 167-2. He also placed 13th in the shot put at the state meet with a throw of 41-8½, a little shy of his season-best mark of 43-8¾.

“He has talent,” Lancers coach

Bob Rottler said. “He picked it up pretty fast.”

Smith should only be better in his senior season next year, the coach added.

“The future’s looking good,” Rottler said. “He’s a good worker.

He picks things up quickly.”

An all-conference performer, Darragjati placed eighth in the Class L meet in the 400 meters with a time of 52.06, just a tiny fraction of a second off his season-best time of 52.04. He was also part of the Lancers’ 11th place 4x400 relay and 14th place 4x100 relay.

“He did well all season,” Rottler said. “He’s worked extremely hard to better himself. He’s motivated ... to better his time.”