Four
Summer Sports…
the cheshire herald, JULY 26, 2012
Cheshire Soccer Claims Titles
Wildcats 10-U Joins Elite Teams The Cheshire Wildcats 10-U fast pitch softball team started playing tournaments in April, but their preparation started much earlier. Winter conditioning kicked off in January during which the girls set a goal of returning to the Protect Our Nation’s Youth (PONY) National Championship. “We had high expectations for the team,” said Head Coach Theresa Floyd. “Dedication first and foremost is their strength. Every single practice is treated like a game. They never seem fulfilled with their success.” That determination propelled them to a 62-5-2 record, including a fifth place finish nationally at the Mid-Way Orange Crush Complex in New Castle, Del. Cheshire went 5-3-1 during their second straight PONY National, with two of the losses coming to the eventual champion Maryland Magic. The Wildcats defeated the Jersey Bandits twice as well as Extreme (Pa.), Delaware Magic, Vienna Stars (Va.). They tied the Amherst Lightning. “I was excited for it,” said Mia Juodaitis, who hit a home run against the Bandits. “It felt good. I didn’t think I could do it (clear
Photos courtesy of Cherie Hemstock
Above, the 10-U Wildcats include (front row, from left): Lexie Hemstock, Kaylee Clark, Ari Perlini, Danielle Floyd, Peyton Davis, Mikayla Stolar. Back (from left): Callie Godfrey, Lindsey Abramson, Mia Juodaitis, Brianna Floyd, Kim Buttery, Emma Watkinson. the fence).” Cheshire reached the quarterfinals, falling 4-0 to Central Jersey Lightning. “It was a good experience. We had fun on the field and at the hotel,” reflected Lindsey Abramson. “We learned a lot against better teams.” Instead of playing within the Central Valley Fast Pitch League, Cheshire chose to be a tournament team solely. They captured the Ray DeLouise Cheshire Friends of Softball Memorial Tournament on Memorial Day weekend, CT Eliminator’s Mother’s Day Classic (Meriden; May 12-13), Rose City Rumble (Norwich; May 1920), GROWS Spring Bash (Watertown; June 9-10), Rochester Summer Slammer (N.H.; June 16-17), Lightning Strikes (Southington; June 23-24), and East Hartford (April 21-22) events.
Before or After the Game Your hosts,
Ralph, Luigi & Antonio 529 W. Main Street Cheshire, CT 06410 Phone: 203-272-7297 Fax: 272-0309 www.CheshireRossini.com
They were runner-up at the Valley Fusion Spring Fling (Prospect) on May 5-6 and Bring on the Heat (June 2-3) in East Hartford. “We opened our season down in New Jersey because we wanted to get a baseline for where we were as a team,” reflected Floyd. “We finished fifth out of 16 teams. It was a good showing against strong competition.” The majority of the players have been together for three years, playing the same positions. Mikayla Stolar, Brianna Floyd, and Abramson share chemistry as pitchers. “Each one of them is extremely valuable. They know the defense backs them up,” said Coach Floyd. According to Floyd, the lineup is full of players who can bunt and slap effectively. “Anyone can put the ball in play,” added Coach Floyd. “No one person carried this team.” There will be change next season. Six of the 11 girls are required to move up to 12-U. “I think they are going to be extremely competitive,” stated Floyd. “It is a different game at 12-U, but these girls are ready and capable for the challenge.” “They are really nice and goofy,” added Juodaitis, of her teammates. Members of last year’s national team have also transitioned to the 12-U level. The Black team, coached by Tom Denne, is comprised of 11-year-olds. See GIRLS, page 11
On June 16, Cheshire Soccer Club won the Connecticut Cup twice at Curtiss Park in Simsbury. The U-12 girls defended their crown from last fall, beating Guilford 1-0. Jillian Klem ended the scoreless game with a secondhalf goal assisted by Saige Bingman. Danielle Dietrich finished the shutout in goal. For Dietrich, Bingman, and Bridget Loura, it was their third title in a row.
The U-19 boys, conversely, were comprised of first-time finalists and champions after tipping New Britain 2-1. Returning from a 1-0 deficit at halftime, Mike Ranando scored to tie the game and then assisted on the game-winner from Arman Karbassioon. Nick Velleca was the winning goalkeeper. Both teams won crowns loSee LOCAL, page 5
Photo courtesy of Cindi Lerner
The U-19 boys’ team, pictured above, (front row, from left): Matt Weimer, Alex Bauer, Ben Gallo, Matt Mueller, Rob Carter, Nick Berardi, Dave Bannan, Ian Clark. Back (from left): Sam Donahue, Mike Ranando, Labi Shaqiri, Nick Velleca, Arman Karbassioon, Mike Carbone, Devin Lerner, Tyler Sweigard.
David Alino (U-11; above) and Kaitlyn D’Andrea (U-14; right) possess the ball in local events.
Photos by Allen Paul and Jim Brandolini
Family Team
Cheshire mother and daughter, Sheryl and Lila McNamee, placed runner-up in the Paradise Country Club (Hamden) Adult-Child Tennis Tournament on July 8. They came up short, 3-2, against North Haven’s Mark and Eric Harkins in the final. Nine doubles teams competed. Lila McNamee will compete in the upcoming Club Championship. Photo courtesy of Paradise Country Club
Ram Jam Sets Records
On June 10 at Bartlem Recreation Area, a record-setting 51 youth girls’ lacrosse squads from 16 towns participated in the Fifth Ram Jam. The jamboree doesn’t count win or losses. Teams in the Senior, Junior, and Bantam divisions each played four games.