Collinsville Press

Track and field

Gallagher helps spark Canton to third place

at NCCC meet

By GERRY deSIMAS, JR.

Collinsville Press.com

CANTON, May 27 – When he received the baton for the final leg of the 1,600-meter relay race at last week’s NCCC championship meet at Ellington High, Canton junior Ryan Gallagher was about a step ahead of East Windsor but trailed runners from four other teams.

In the space of 54 seconds, Gallagher pulled away from the East Windsor runner and caught runners from two other teams in the final 50 meters. Thanks to disqualifications by the top two teams, Canton won its first-ever NCCC relay championship that clinched a third place finish – its best finish ever.

Junior Connor Smyth also grabbed Canton’s first individual NCCC championship with a win in the high jump, tying his own school record with a leap of six feet.

Canton’s 400 meter and 3,200 meter relay teams also set new school records with strong finishes. Ryan Gallagher (400) and Colin Glasson (shot) each finished second in their respective events.

The thrilling victory in the meet’s final event lifted Canton (68 points) into third place, two points ahead of Stafford. Tolland easily won its third straight NCCC meet with 140 points with Enfield second with 78½ points.

Gallagher used his speed earlier in the meet to anchor Canton’s school-record effort in the 400-meter relay. The team of Chris Hyde, Luke Talbot, Brian Lochner and Gallagher finished third in 46.5 seconds. Gallagher nearly won the 400 meters in 53.12 seconds, less than a half-second behind Coventry’s Fernando Millian Montes.

When Gallagher grabbed the baton in the 1,600 relay, Canton was barely fifth. But he surged around the track and caught runners from Enfield and Ellington. The Warriors moved into the top spot when Coventry was disqualified for interference during a handoff and Tolland was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Tolland’s anchor leg runner spiked the baton to the track at the conclusion of the race.

Kevin Kurnat, Dylan Petruskevicious and James Rosshirt ran the first three legs to put Gallagher in position to make his move.

Smyth had a strong meet. Not only did he win the high jump but he took fourth in the long jump (18-8) and seventh in the discus (112-6). Glasson finished second in the shot with a throw of 42 feet, 6 inches that was nine inches behind the winner and just a half-inch off the school record he set earlier this month.

David Kucia had a solid third place finish in the 110 hurdles with a time of 16.70 seconds. Canton’s 3,200 meter relay team of Matt Casey, Petruskevicious, Kurnat and Sean Murphy finished third with a school-record time of 8:44.2.

Eric Nystrom, a favorite in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters, missed the meet with a sore back that he hurt earlier this month. He sat out to get healthy for the Class S championship meet that was held Monday in Manchester.

Other top 10 finishes came from Luke Talbot (7th, 100) and Mike Leduc (5th, 3,200).

A smaller Canton girls team scored eight points and finished 11th in the field of 13 teams.

The Warriors’ 1,600 meter relay team (Katherine Bussiere, Shiny Douglas, Alaina Casioppo, Guilia Aprilini) set a new school record finishing fifth in 4:32.15. Casioppo also set a new school record with a lead of 14 feet, 4.5 inches in the long jump, good enough for 10th place.

Canton’s 400 meter relay team also finished fifth (Aprilini, Douglas, Tyisha Alexander, Lucy Mentzer).

The Canton boys finished the dual meet season at 7-5 while the girls were 4-8.

Complete 2009 NCCC championship results

Marathon week for softball team

4 wins, 5 games in 5 days

Week 8, May 17-30

Canton girls win 2nd straight SCGGL title

By GERRY deSIMAS, JR.

Collinsville Press.com

CANTON, May 30 – The Canton High girls golf team didn’t let the pressure bother them this spring. Champions of the Southern Connecticut Girls Golf League a year ago, the Warriors returned nearly their entire team.

They lowered their average score by 8½ strokes, won 14 of their first 15 matches and won the SCGGL championship for the second straight year.

“They understood they had a good team,” Canton coach John Manners said. “We have a lot of experience. But they just went about their business.”

It was a balanced team, too. Four players were each medalist during the season. Junior Kelly McAlindin was medalist three times while freshman Nikki Liucci, sophomore Sarah Getz and senior Tessa Newell each were medalist in individual matches.

“We have six kids who can legitimately break 50, which is very unusual in girls golf,” Manners said. Sophomore Megan Roux is the other starter for the Warriors. Junior Emily Goeler played varsity last year but couldn’t break into the starting lineup.

Canton (16-5, 9-1 SCGGL) had some tough matches in the final weeks of the season. On Tuesday, Canton tied its season-low with 187 at Blue Fox in Avon but Simsbury scored an unbelievable 160 and Avon had a season-low 178 to beat the Warriors for the first time this year in a non-league contest.

Canton will play in the SCGGL league tournament on Tuesday at Tradition Golf Club in Wallingford with Avon, Suffield, Cheshire, Haddam-Killingworth and Mercy. Pairings for the state tournament will be announced next week.

New record score for Canton boys

BOYS GOLF: It’s hard to say but Canton probably set a new school record with a 149 in a 149-171 win over Enfield earlier this week at Tower Ridge in Simsbury. It is the lowest score in the last 16 years for Canton, beating the previous low team score of 153 in 1995 against Granby at the old Canton Golf Course.

All five Canton players were under 40 in the 23-stroke win over Enfield. Ryan Allen was medalist with a 36 on the par-36 course while Dave Roux had a 37, Blaine Houlihan and Brad Parliament each had 38 while Jon Phelps had a 39.

“The kids were pysched,” Canton coach Bill Phelps said. “To shoot like that at Tower is nice just before the state tournament.”

Canton (12-4-1, 7-3-1 NCCC) will compete in the CIAC Division IV tournament at Crestview Country Club in Watertown on Monday, June 8.

The Warriors followed that up with a 156 in a three-team match with St. Paul (171) and Portland (190) on Thursday. They finish with Granby on Monday and compete in the NCCC Tournament on Thursday, June 4. Avon will probably win the league but Bill Phelps isn’t disappointed with Canton’s performance in the league. “We lost three matches by a combined total of seven strokes,” he said. “That’s a very small margin of error.

“The team is feeling good because they are getting better and they’re playing well as a team,” Bill Phelps said.

Hits scarce, pitching solid for CHS

BASEBALL: Hits have been scarce for the Warriors down the stretch of the regular season. Canton (9-9, 7-6 NCCC) won two of its final six games, losing two by shutout.

However, Canton’s pitching has been strong – a bright spot with the Class S tournament approaching. In the season finale against East Windsor on Thursday, Brian Magna scattered six hits and kept his team in the game until the Warriors finally won it in the bottom of the seventh at Bowdoin Field.

Chris Meltie’s single scored Tyler DeTorie for a 2-1 Canton victory. The Warriors won despite just four hits and two errors.

On Saturday, May 23, Magna had another solid pitching performance in a 2-1 loss in eight innings under the lights at Stonington High. Magna scattered four hits and struck out seven. But he gave up a pair of solo home runs.

Stonington pitcher Kevin Castodio hit a solo home run over the center field fence with two outs in the eighth inning for the victory. The Bears’ other hit was another solo home run to centerfield by catcher Nate Bradbury in the first inning.

Canton received a double from Tyler Plourd, who scored on a sacrifice fly from Magna. Austin Bronson and Magna each had singles for Canton. Castodio struck out nine and walked just two batters for Stonington (4-14).

Over 50 Canton fans trekked to southeastern Connecticut to see the contest. Stonington was coached by Canton graduate Duffy Grace, the younger brother of current CHS athletic director Nancy Grace.

Two days earlier, East Granby had nine hits in a 9-2 decision over the Warriors at Bowdoin Field. Magna and Nick Quattro had the only hits for Canton in the game. Quattro had an RBI single and a walk. Two CHS errors didn’t help. Pitcher Doug DeMarco took the loss.

Canton had the second-highest number of hits (14) this season in an 11-7 win over Bolton that clinched a spot in the Class S tournament.

TENNIS: The Canton boys tennis team finished at 6-10 with a pair of 5-2 victories in the final week of the season over the Windsor Locks/East Granby co-op team. The Canton girls tennis team (6-14) missed the CIAC Class S tournament for just the second time in the last 18 years. The final win of the season came in a 6-1 decision over Windsor Locks on May 20.

Week 6, May 11-16

Softball team focused in 10-run win over Tolland

CANTON – After going 2-2 in a one-week stretch in late April and not playing a game in 12 days off due to rain, Canton High softball Doug Clement knew his players were focused and ready to play last week against Tolland High, which had won 11 of its first 12 games.

“They were all on the bus on time,” he said with a grin. “Right then, I knew they were focused.”

The Warriors rapped out 15 hits and committed just one error in a dominating 12-2 victory over the Eagles, who had lost their first game of the season just two days earlier to arch-rival Ellington, 4-1.

Canton pitcher Maureen Gauthier allowed just five hits and struck out 10 while catcher Jess Schroeder had three singles, a double and three RBI. Frances Klimczak had three hits and 2 RBI while Melissa Parente had a long triple. Christina Caldwell chipped in a key two-RBI single up the middle that helped turn a one-run lead into a five-run lead.

It was a strong statement for the Warriors (9-3, 6-2 NCCC), who began the season with visions of contending for the league championship only to fall to Ellington, 1-0, and Somers, 3-1. An injury to first baseman Sarah Benedetti didn’t help, either.

But Benedetti is healthy again and back in the lineup. Clement made some adjustments to the batting lineup, moving Klimczak into the leadoff spot, freshman centerfielder Stephanie Gauther (Mo’s sister) into the No. 2 spot, Mo Gauthier into the cleanup spot (No. 4) and Schroeder into the No. 5 spot.

“Stephanie has been a positive spark for us,” Clement said. “She is a good contact hitter.” Canton followed up the win over Tolland with a 7-0 shutout over East Granby. Mo Gauthier allowed just two Crusader hits and was 4-for-4 at the plate.

The Warriors conclude a suspended game with Suffield on Thursday [May 21] and host Granby on Friday. They’ll challenge New Britain again in a night game next week (May 27) at Chelsey Park at 7 p.m.

Clement is looking forward to Canton clinching a spot in the first NCCC softball tournament. The top four teams in the league qualify. The semifinals will be Friday, May 29 with the championship game on the following day, May 30.

Ellington ended last week one win shy of clinching its first-ever NCCC championship at 14-2 overall and 11-1 in the league. Sophomore pitcher Morgan McPartland limited Canton to just two hits in the Knights’ 1-0 win on April 25.

BOYS TRACK: A solid core of athletes is helping the Warriors (5-5, 5-5 NCCC) to succeed. Senior Erik Nystrom set a new school record in the 3,200 meters with his time of 10:04.11 in last week’s four-team meet with Avon, Granby and East Granby. Nystrom outlasted Avon’s John Drago and eclipsed the old school record set in 2005 by Chris Bussiere by over a second. Nystrom also beat Drago in the 1,600 meters.

David Kucia broke his own school record in the 110 hurdles with his winning time of 16.02 seconds. Connor Smyth took second in the discus but his throw of 107 feet, 5 inches set a new school record. Ryan Gallagher outran Avon’s Dave Doebler down the stretch to win the 400 meters by 0.29 of a second. Smyth also finished second in the 110 hurdles to Kucia and second in the high jump with a leap of 5-6.

Canton lost to Avon in the meet. Earlier in the week, the Warriors fell to Coventry, 108-40, and Ellington, 94-55 but they beat Bolton, 87-18. Canton’s next meet is Tuesday at the NCCC championship meet in Ellington.

GIRLS TRACK: A small team of about 13 continues to work hard. Winning dual meets is difficult but individuals continue to improve.

In last week’s four-team meet against Avon, Katie Bussiere won the javelin with an impressive throw of 72 feet, 2 inches while Tyshia Alexander broke two school records. Alexander broke her own school record in the high jump, leaping 4 feet, 6 inches. She finished third in the long jump and second in the 300 hurdles with a school record time of 54.64, breaking the old mark set in 2005 by Erin Belford (54.72). Bussiere took second in the 800.

Canton (3-7) fell to Avon, Coventry (119-26) and Ellington (100-41) last week but they did beat Bolton, 83-21 for its third win of the season.

BASEBALL: Pitcher Brian Magna struck out eight and allowed just one hit as the Warriors (7-6, 5-5 NCCC) blanked Tolland, 4-0 last week at Dodd Stadium in Norwich, home of the Class AA Connecticut Defenders. The only hit that Magna gave up was a triple by Tolland’s Jamie Ferris that got up into the wind in the second inning and sailed into the outfield. Magna walked just two batters.

Tyler Plourd had a two-out, two-RBI double in the third inning while Travis Lane and Aaron Deaver each had RBI sacrifice flies.

Later in the week, four errors led to five unearned runs in an 8-0 loss to East Granby. Canton sophomore Aras Banavicous did have two singles and a walk for the Warriors. A game against East Windsor last week was moved to Thursday, May 28.

TENNIS: The Canton girls tennis team picked up a pair of victories last week with a 7-0 win over Ellington and a 6-1 victory over Windsor Locks. The Warriors (4-9) fell to Tolland, 5-2.

GOLF: The Canton girls golf team had its season-opening 10-match winning streak snapped in a three-stroke loss to Cheshire at Southington Country Club. Canton (11-1) fell by a 205-208 score. The Canton boys golf team improved to 7-3-1 and 5-2-1 in the league with a pair of victories over Coventry, 157-176, and East Granby, 162-179. Blaine Houlihan was the medalist in both victories. Houlihan had a 36 in the win over Coventry at Tower Ridge in Simsbury.

FOOTBALL: There will be no spring football in Canton this year. Given the choice of a traditional week of spring football or the addition of four days of practice in August, the Warriors chose to prepare for the 2009 season in August.

Week 5, May 4-9

Girls tennis looks to build confidence, wins in 2nd half of season

CANTON – Canton High girls tennis coach Jerry Havrl hasn’t lost confidence in his young team. “They have as many skills as anyone they play,” Havrl said. “They just need a few wins in a row.”

The first half of the season has been a challenge. The Warriors are just 2-8 and are in danger of missing the CIAC Class S tournament for just the second time in 20 years. Canton needs to win 50 percent of its matches and needs to go 8-2 in its final 10 matches or miss the tournament for the first time since 2003.

“They’re doing the best they can,” Havrl said. “The kids could use a little more confidence in themselves.”

Nearly every player is in a new position this spring.

Canton owns wins over Coventry and a first-year team from Ellington. They dropped a pair of 4-3 decisions to East Granby and Tolland in April. On last Friday, the Warriors dropped a deceptive 6-1 decision to East Granby. Three matches went to a decisive third set and one was decided by a tiebreaker.

Senior Annie Rhea is playing at No. 1 singles and has compiled a 5-5 record against some of the top players in the league. She’ll need to win 60 percent of her matches to qualify for the State Open individual tournament. “She’s learning you can’t play the same way in each match,” Havrl said. “No team has a poor No. 1 player.”

The remainder of the team is comprised of underclassmen. Sophomore Nancy Kutz has looked sharp at No. 4 singles. In doubles, freshman Carrie Nefler and sophomore Katherine Eich are still learning to work together as a team and are close to winning 50 percent of their matches. Freshman Meg Davis and sophomore Cassie Drecola have also shown exceptional growth at No. 3 doubles.

Canton had five matches in four days this week, ending with two matches with Enfield on Thursday.

BASEBALL: With the rain last week, Canton (6-5, 4-4 NCCC) was only able to get in one game last week. The Warriors snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over Suffield at Bowdoin Field. Pitcher Kyle Beattie allowed just three hits and two earned runs in a complete game victory. Nick Quattro had two hits and two RBI to lead Canton’s seven-hit attack.

SOFTBALL: Rain washed out the entire schedule for Canton (7-3, 4-2 NCCC) last week. When Canton plays at Tolland on Monday, it will be heir first game in 12 days when dropped a 3-1 decision to Somers on April 29.

TRACK & FIELD: After winning its first four meets, the Canton boys track team (4-2, 4-2) dropped its second match in a row with a loss to defending NCCC champion Tolland. The Canton girls (2-4, 2-4) also lost to Tolland.

GOLF: The Canton High girls (10-0, 9-0 SCGGL) continued on its march toward an undefeated season and second straight Southern Connecticut Girls Golf League championship with three wins in four days.

Kelly McAlindin earned medalist honors with a 43 at Blue Fox Run as Canton prevailed in the closest match yet this season with a two-stroke victory, 191-193, over Avon. The Warriors also beat Northwest Catholic, 191-225 in the same match.

Two days later, Sarah Getz had a low score of 47 to lead the Warriors past Haddam-Killingworth, 192-249 at Tower Ridge in Simsbury. The next day, Canton beat Suffield, 224-261.

The Canton boys (5-3-1, 3-2-1 NCCC) dropped a seven-stroke decision to Tolland on the road at Twin Hills in Coventry, 165-171.

FOOTBALL: For the first time, a Canton football played will be honored by the Northern Connecticut chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. Luke Talbot, who has an A average, will be honored as a scholar-athlete. He rushed for 322 yards and four touchdowns on 72 carries last fall for the Warriors (2-8). He also caught nine passes for 108 yards and a touchdown. The chapter dinner began in 1962.