By Kim J. Harmon

 

The yardstick by which all Newtown High School fall sports campaigns will be measured is the fall of 2002, when three South-West Conference championships were claimed and several individual records were set.

There are whispers, though, that 2004 could be even better.

“We have a chance to do something really special here,” NHS athletic director Gregg Simon said to a room full of athletes back on September 8.

And he’s right.

There are at least four SWC championships out there for the taking by the almost freakishly good boys’ soccer, girls’ soccer, girls’ cross country and girls’ swim teams. Sure, there could be more, but it’s probably too much to ask the field hockey team to overcome Pomperaug; it’s too much to ask the boys’ cross country team to overcome New Milford; it’s too much to ask the volleyball team to overcome the loss of Stephanie Logan; and it’s too much to ask the football team to overcome teams like Masuk, Brookfield and Pomperaug.

Still – four.

There will be a lot of excitement this fall to see if any of that pans out and to see what surprises those other teams have in store for their fans. A 4-1 win by the field hockey team and sweeps by the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams on Tuesday have set the stage.

Let’s see what happens.

Boys Soccer

Coach: Brian Neumeyer

The goal is a simple one: Stay healthy.

The Newtown High School boys’ soccer team was decimated (devastated? … obliterated?) by injuries but still managed to finish 15-3-1 in 2003. Nevertheless, the Nighthawks missed an opportunity to win either a South-West Conference or CIAC state championship.

Head coach Brian Neumeyer knows – as does the rest of the SWC, no doubt – that if health is not an issue in 2004, the Nighthawks could be a juggernaut.

“Our focus is not going to be going undefeated during the regular season or anything like that,” said coach Neumeyer. “Our goal is to stay healthy and make it into the tournament. Hopefully, we can generate some excitement in the community along the way.”

That should be easy. The ‘Hawks have the most exciting player in the state (some would say New England) in senior Marcus Tracy, who missed the last third of the regular season yet still led the conference with 30 goals. Tracy, who will play for Division I Wake Forest next year, is a dynamic forward who can seemingly score at will.

For some teams, that would be enough.

But the Nighthawks have more … much more.

Senior Rodrigo DeSouza (9-10-19), sophomore Brian Conroy (6-3-9), senior co-captain Brian Miles (2-4-6), junior Marc Doherty (3-3-6), sophomore Justin Miller (2-4-6), senior Ben Trigal (2-3-5), junior Chris Hoagland (2-1-3) and senior co-captain Nick Mentesana (2-0-2) all return.

DeSouza, Conroy, Miles and Doherty, in particular, have displayed some electric moves on the field; DeSouza and Doherty with the ball movement, Miles with those well-placed free kicks, and Conroy with his bullish speed down the field.

Although health has been somewhat of an issue in the pre-season, coach Neumeyer expects just about everyone to be in uniform and on the field when the 2004 season opens on Saturday night (with the exception of Doherty, who is nursing a shoulder injury).

Nevertheless, the ‘Hawks have amazing front-line strength but also a lot of solid depth.

“We do have a lot of depth,” admitted coach Neumeyer. “Right now we have 30 players who could start for a majority of the teams in the SWC. Last year they were young, but this year they are juniors and seniors with a lot of experience.”

Watch out – this could be good.

The schedule:

September 18 vs Brookfield, 7 pm; September 21 vs Masuk, 5 pm; September 23 at Bunnell, 7 pm; September 28 at Brookfield, 3:45 pm; September 30 vs New Fairfield, 3:45 pm; October 2 vs New Milford, 2 pm; October 5 at Kolbe Cathedral, 3:45 pm; October 7 vs Bethel, 7 pm; October 12 vs Notre Dame, 3:45 pm; October 14 at Masuk, 7 pm; October 16 vs Stratford, 11 am; October 19 vs Immaculate, 3:45 pm; October 21 at Pomperaug, 3:45 pm; October 25 at Weston, 3:45 pm; October 27 (Senior Night) vs Joel Barlow, 7 pm.

Girls Soccer

Coach: Rupert de los Reyes

For the past couple of years head coach Rupert de los Reyes has been touting the amazing talent the Newtown High School girls’ soccer team was hoarding in its freshman and sophomore classes. Well, with the graduation of nine seniors – including one of the top players in the South West Conference, Chelsea Morin – those young players now have a chance to shine.

“I think, barring injuries, we will be a force in the SWC,” said coach de los Reyes. “Newtown has never won an SWC championship or a state championship and I truly feel we will contend in both of those arenas this year.”

Although Morin led the team with 12 goals last year, the Nighthawks return the bulk of their scoring offense with junior Alex Konneker (8-11-19), junior co-captain Casey Frobey (6-7-13), senior co-captain Mary Anders (5-2-7) and junior Tara Gaston (4-3-7).

“We may have lost the number one player in the SWC and nine seniors altogether,” said coach de los Reyes, “but Mary Anders and Casey Frobey both have what it takes to step into those shoes.”

One of the main components of the team will be its stifling defense, led by sophomore Kyla Miles, sophomore Kristi Nowak (who missed all of last year with a back injury), Gaston and freshman Gabby Nastri. Ashley Larocque was finally coaxed into stepping between the pipes for the ‘Hawks, further strengthening a position that was pretty strong last year.

Most of the age and experience will be focused in the midfield with seniors Kelly Corrigan, Kristen Davis, Stacey Shpunt and Anders.

“We all know what Mary can do,” said coach de los Reyes, “but the other three are very hungry and have waited patiently for their opportunity to shine.”

All of that – the defense and the midfield – will provide the foundation for the offense Konneker (without question the fastest player in the SWC), Frobey and sophomore Darcy Fiscella. Their overall speed and scoring ability will be a tough combo for other teams to defense.

A strong supporting cast of junior Emily Fields, sophomore Erica Vacaro, sophomore Sara Peters, freshman Colleen Thornberg, freshman Megan Hansen, and freshman Jackie Schulz will also give the ‘Hawks depth that maybe no other team in the SWC has.

What a soccer fall this could turn out to be.

The schedule:

September 18 at Masuk, 7 pm; September 20 vs Immaculate, 7 pm; September 23 vs Bunnell, 3:45 pm; September 28 vs Brookfield, 7 pm; September 30 at New Fairfield, 3:45 pm; October 2 vs New Milford, TBA; October 5 vs Lauralton Hall, 3:45 pm; October 7 at Bethel, 3:45 pm; October 12 at Notre Dame, 3:45 pm; October 14 vs Masuk, 7 pm; October 16 at Stratford, TBA; October 19 at Immaculate, 3:45 pm; October 21 vs Pomperaug, 7 pm; October 25 (Senior Night) vs Weston, 7 pm; October 27 at Joel Barlow, 3:45 pm.

Girls Cross Country

Coach: Doug Russell

Although it may have seemed improbable to some at the time, the Newtown High School girls’ cross country team (which did not think it was all that improbable) captured its second consecutive South-West Conference in 2003.

Can it make it a three-peat?

Well, head coach Marsha Turek has moved on to Danbury High School and now the job of guiding the team back to top of the SWC falls to Doug Russell and the prospect of succeeding in that quest seems very real.

“This year we have 30 girls and I am very excited about those who are returning and those who are new,” said coach Russell. “I believe that there are going to be some surprises with our young girls this year as our strengths are spread out amongst the team.”

The team will miss Caitlin Weber, Carolyn Brennan, Leah Herity and Laura Reid (four of the top seven Newtown finishers at the SWCs last year), but returning to the fold are top seven finishers Sadie Ball (junior), Moira Collier (sophomore) and Caitlin Thursland (senior co-captain).

Other key returnees include senior co-captains Quincey Blanchard and Jenna Zigman. They will be joined by speedy newcomer Kate Stickles (senior), who ran outdoor track, and younger athletes like Ellen Reid, Lindsay Weber and Michelle Brennan who will step into shoes left behind by their older sisters.

“Do we have a chance to repeat as SWC champions?” said coach Russell. “I believe we are a very strong team and are very deep. So does that mean we will bring it home again? I believe we have that potential.”

Other team members include seniors Siobhan Cooper, Tara Ryan, Katie Fullman and Melissa Russell; juniors Karli Beitel, Sophie Cerreta, Liz Ericson, Megan Rogers, Kate Sullivan, Stefanie Winkler and  Noora Mielikarnen; sophomores Lindsay Greene, Bethany Murphy, Mandy Nostrand, Shannon Tredennick and Katie Sudby; and freshmen Jen Brill, Katie Condon, Carolyn Gingras and Caroline Kraich.

The schedule:

September 14 vs Lauralton Hall, New Fairfield and Brookfield, 4 pm; September 21 at Weston and New Milford, 4 pm; September 28 at Bunnell, Pomperaug and Notre Dame, 4 pm; October 2 at Bethel Invitational, 9:15 am; October 5 at Stratford and Bethel, 4 pm; October 9 at Wickham Park Invitational, TBA; October 12 vs Immaculate, Joel Barlow and Masuk, 4 pm.

Swimming

Coach: Mary Atkinson

No one expected the Newtown High School swim team to beat Lauralton Hall last year, but it did and went on to finish the dual meet season undefeated at 12-0 before taking second at the South-West Conference championships.

This year?

Well, it appears the team is even better.

Besides the fact that graduation claimed only a few swimmers (most notably Margaret Randall and Jen Cupero), diver Melissa Metzger – who finished third overall at the SWC championships last year – returns to Newtown and the rest of the team is just LOADED.

Abby Atkinson (No. 2 in the 200 individual medley and fourth in the 100 breaststroke at the SWCs), Maricate Conlon (third in the 100 backstroke), Liz Gugino (seventh in the 200 freestyle), Sally Tabler (fourth in the 200 individual medley), Maggie Hemingway (fourth in the 200 freestyle and sixth in the 500 freestyle) and senior co-captain Amy Robinson (part of third-place 200 medley relay and first-place 400 freestyle relay, fourth in the 50- and 100-yard freestyles) could be considered six of the main cogs but there is so much more.

Carol Ann Smith, Sami Howe, Jen Iassogna, Dana Taylor, co-captain Lauren Kotwicki and Sarah Hemingway all scored points at the SWCs last year. And the return of Metzger shores up a pretty strong dive team that includes co-captain Tierney Carey (fifth at the SWCs) and Kim Mayers (sixth at the SWCs).

Other members include Emma Atkinson, Remy Ball, Courtney Bonjour, Nicole Borruso, Gretchen Carey, Missy Carol, Christie Czarnecki, Caitlin Dalton, Jackie Gutbrod, Sarah Harmonay, Alex Hoolehan, Annie Hull, Alex Issacs, Katie Kelleher, Shannon Kennedy, Satira Moffat, Jacqueline Ratzing, Jessica Remitz, Lucy Remitz, Emily Tomasiewciz, Jaclyn Van Waalwijk and Jessica Yakush.

Schedule:

September 20 vs New Milford, 4 pm; September 27 vs Joel Barlow, 4 pm; October 1 at Pomperaug, 4 pm; October 4 vs Lauralton Hall, 7 pm; October 8 vs Weston, 4 pm; October 11 vs Brookfield, 4 pm; October 15 at New Fairfield, 4 pm; October 18 vs Stratford, 4 pm; October 22 at Bunnell, 4 pm; October 25 (Senior Night) vs Masuk, 7 pm.

 

Boys Cross Country

Coach: Dave Foss

Last year the Newtown High School boys’ cross country team treated retiring head coach Rich Pesce with a second-place finish at the South-West Conference championships. The team could be treating incoming head coach Dave Foss to the same thing in 2004.

Any other year, coach Foss could be talking about winning an SWC championship, but New Milford hasn’t jumped leagues (like Jonathan Law and Foran have) and remains a powerhouse contender for the title.

“We only lost Phil Zencey from out top 10 last year and could be even stronger than we were last year,” said coach Foss. “But, unfortunately, we still have New Milford and they seem to have re-loaded. But I think we’re closer (to them) than we were a year ago.”

The ‘Hawks will be led by senior co-captain Peter Dittmar (who missed the season opener on Tuesday and will miss the Wilton Invitational on Saturday) as well as senior co-captains Jay Schunter and Ryan Kraft. Senior Chris DeRoo and juniors Alister Ratcliff and Jake Sullivan came back strong and ready to go.

“The big question is whether or not we can move the pack up a notch,” said coach Foss. “If we do, we will have a successful year.”

And that includes possibly finishing second at the CIAC Class LL championships, too.

Coach Foss will look to seniors Nick Isles and Jon Larsen for contributions as he will juniors Matt Cole, Mike Mangarella and Eddie Small; sophomores Charlie Baldour, Kevin Donahue, Greg Hill, Seth Hull, Anthony Klabonski, Eric MacKnight, Scott Nichols, Sean O’Connell and Bobby Schwarz; and freshmen Paul Forgion, Ian Guilfoil, Kevin Hoyt, Brad Howe, Kyle Hufziger, Tim Larsen, Jordan Reed, Matt Saxonmeyer, Jason Smith and Jon Zigman.

“It’s a talented group of freshmen,” said coach Foss. “It bodes well for the future.”

The schedule:

September 14 vs Lauralton Hall, New Fairfield and Brookfield, 4 pm; September 21 at Weston and New Milford, 4 pm; September 28 at Bunnell, Pomperaug and Notre Dame, 4 pm; October 2 at Bethel Invitational, 9:15 am; October 5 at Stratford and Bethel, 4 pm; October 9 at Wickham Park Invitational, TBA; October 12 vs Immaculate, Joel Barlow and Masuk, 4 pm.

Football

Coach: Ken Roberts

Although illness, injury and South-West Conference transfer rules kept the program almost in a permanent state of flux in 2003, it seems that things are finally settling down for the Newtown High School football team.

First there was the arrival of transfer Josh Rouse, penciled in for the Newtown quarterback slot. Rouse had to sit the first four games of the year (games in which the Nighthawks went 0-4 while scoring just 23 points) but soon after he came back he found himself spending a few weeks recuperating from an illness.

All of that forced head coach Ken Roberts to move John Collins and Marc Ingerman in and out of that spot.

Then there was the injury to running back Bob Pattison, which limited him to just 49 carries on the year and forced coach Roberts to juggle guys like Ben Bagaglio (104-for-468), Kyle Kirch (83-for-435), Collins (82-for-294), Roy Scheunemann (35-for-228) and Ingerman (24-for-110) in the backfield.

But things are settling down.

“This was the best off-season strength and conditioning program we have ever had,” said coach Roberts. “We’re a lot stronger and a lot healthier than we have been in the past.”

Senior co-captain Rouse will try to resurrect a passing game that accounted for just 24 completions and 412 yards of offense in 2003. He will have a number of targets to choose from, not the least of which is senior St. Joseph’s transfer Brennan Coakley, who makes for an imposing figure on the line. Senior and leading receiver Brendan O’Connor (9 catches, 167 yards) also returns to lend some solidity to the passing attack and will be bolstered by the presence of split end Dan Kearns.

In the backfield, carries will be split largely amongst halfbacks Collins, sophomore Joey DeVellis and Scheunemann and fullback Pattison. While the offensive line might be a little unsettled with the graduations of Colin Curran and Ross Coates, it will be anchored by University of Wisconsin recruit Dan Cascone.

“We’re pleased with out skill positions,” said coach Roberts. “We have a lot of athletic ability at those positions.”

The loss of Curran and Coates will sting a little on defensive, too, but the Nighthawks were No. 2 in the SWC in points-allowed last year (167) and still return a lot of experience in guys like Ingerman and Brian Poeltl. The focus will be on stopping the one or two big plays each game that seemed to plague them a year ago.

Senior members include Paul Altieri, Jeff Bell, Ian Murray, Taylor Schmidt and Adam Seferi. Juniors – Aadil Ansari, Billy Beatty, Matt Berquist, Anthony Carlisle, James Dahlgard, Grant Speer, Josh Tenenbaum and Dave Villareal. Sophomores – James Wiedemann, Evan Arnold, Joe Bowen, Joe Collins, George Collins, Brian Culligan, Theodore Gissen, Joe Greenfield, Thomas Hutchinson, Tucker Kass, Jon Monaco, John Nelson, Steve Orrico, Scott Perry, Chris Potter, Max Reed, Kevin Regan, Scott Regnery, Cody Shpunt, Matthew Smarrella, Travis Speer, Brian Stickles and Ryan Tanner.

The schedule:

September 18 at Pomperaug (at Danbury High School), 2 pm; September 25 vs Weston, 7:30 pm; October 1 at Joel Barlow, 7 pm; October 8 vs Brookfield, 7 pm; October 15 at Bunnell, 7 pm; October 22 (Homecoming) vs New Fairfield, 7 pm; October 30 at Bullard Havens, TBA; November 6 at Immaculate, 1:30 pm; November 12 vs New Milford, 7 pm; November 24 vs Masuk, 7 pm.

 

Field Hockey

Coach: Kathy Davey

Enthusiasm has never been a problem for the Newtown High School field hockey program. Large numbers of enthusiastic players have always been there for head coach Kathy Davey in the first weeks of tryouts and practice.

Another emotion has been growing in the program, though, and it may be more evident this year than it ever has before.

Determination.

“I am really impressed with the number of kids who did off-season work to prepare,” said coach Davey, who reflected on those 12 girls who participated – and won a gold medal – at the Nutmeg State Games this past summer. “I’m really excited bout the year.”

The Nighthawks will be without leading scorer Amanda Hadgraft (7 goals), but return senior co-captain at No. 2 scorer Meg Regnery (5-2-7). Senior co-captains Lindsey Coyle (1-0-1), Amanda Shevlin (1-1-2) and Kristin Troy will help anchor a team that finished 4-9-3 a year ago.

“We have the same goal we have every year,” said coach Davey. “We want to do well in the regular season and make it into the post-season. What is special on this team is the number of seniors (11) and the number of others who are leaders.”

Seniors Cat Williams (1-1-2), Christie Caruso, Jackie Ercole, Jess Gaddis and Jenny Urfer have a lot of experience and will contribute a lot to the team. Coach Davey will look to seniors Allison Hornack and Megan Kelley for some added depth as well.

“We lost only a few players from last year,” said coach Davey, “and the girls that are coming back are ready to go.”

The rest of the squad looks like this:

Juniors – Lisa Alberico, Lauren Babbage, Mandy Black, Kerrie Canavan, Erin Clark, Alex Feldman, Alissa Gross, Rita Magliocca, Victoria Marlin, Erica Ruiz, Kim Solheim, Corey Stokes, Alana Wenick and Katie Winkler.

Sophomores – Briana Berg, Katherine Datin, Christina Ercole, Paige Meehan, Dana Metzger, Cleo Schmitt, Dana Schunter, Ali Swink, Alex White and Sam Wong.

Freshmen – Nicole Alberico, Natalie Clavette, Jill D’Eramo, Libby Feltch, Jacqueline George, Courtney Gleason, Jackie Hornack, Lisa Isabella, Allison Jagoe, Jen O’Connell, Christina Parks, Allison Rambone, Jamie Rocca, Sydney Russell, Christina Sanchez, Caitlin Smiley, Stephanie Soder and Hannah Tenenbaum.

The schedule:

September 14 vs Watertown, 7 pm; September 18 vs Bethel, 10 am;September 21 vs New Milford, 3:45 pm; September 23 vs Masuk, 3:45 pm; September 28 at Pomperaug, 3:45 pm; September 30 vs Joel Barlow, 7 pm; October 4 vs Joel Barlow, 3:45 pm; October 7 at New Fairfield, 3:45 pm; October 9 at Haddam-Killingworth, 3 pm; October 12 at Weston, 3:45 pm; October 14 vs Immaculate, 7 pm; October 19 (Senior Night) vs New Milford, 7 pm; October 21 at Masuk, 3:45 pm; October 23 vs Pomperaug, 10 am; October 28 at Joel Barlow, 3:45 pm; October 28 vs Brookfield, 3:45 pm.

 

Volleyball

Coach: Tom Czaplinski

It certainly is going to be a season of adjustment for a Newtown High School volleyball team without Stephanie Logan, a two-time CIAC All-State player and the most dominating performer in the South-West Conference.

But that doesn’t mean the ‘Hawks – who also lost Alia Kemsley – will take a step back from the 9-11 campaign turned in last season.

“Many of the girls went to summer camps this year and/or played Connecticut juniors,” said coach Czaplinski, “so we will see plenty of improvements from last year’s team.”

Junior setter Lisa Morgan is the key returnee and coach Czaplinski is looking for her to take a more vocal role on the team. A lot will hinge, too, on well junior hitters Jenna Van Waalwijk (outside), Becky Huot (outside) and Diana Grimaldi (middle) step up into the void left behind by Logan.

“These are three important returnees from last year who figure to have a big hand in how far we make it in the post season,” said coach Czaplinski. “All three have vastly improved from last year and are looking to make this season a huge success.”

Coach Czaplinski expects some solid contributions from seniors Courtney Brunton, Sarah Holroyd, middle hitter Paula Wickman and right side hitter Lindsay Chimileski as well as junior defender Miranda Rucinski.

Newcomers Shanna Kormanik (junior), who will be fighting for playing time in the back row, and Jill Logan (sophomore), who will be competing at the setter and right side positions, could have an impact as well.

The schedule:

September 21 at New Fairfield, 5:15 pm; September 23 vs Masuk, 7 pm; September 27 vs Joel Barlow, 7 pm; September 29 vs Bunnell, 7 pm; October 1 at Stratford, 5:15 pm; October 4 vs Brookfield, 5:15 pm; October 6 vs Lauralton Hall, 7 pm; October 8 at Pomperaug, 7 pm; October 9 at Masuk Jamboree, 9 am; October 13 at Notre Dame, 5:15 pm; October 14 vs New Fairfield, 7 pm; October 18 at Masuk, 7 pm; October 20 at Bethel, 5:15 pm; October 22 (Senior Night) vs Kolbe Cathedral, 7 pm; October 23 at Masuk Jamboree, 9 am; October 25 at Weston, 7 pm; October 27 at New Milford, 5:15 pm.

Cheerleading

Coaches: Stacy D’Amico

and Heather Bernhart

While the Newtown High School cheerleaders will be working hard this fall and winter trying to raise money to attend a national competition in Florida next February, they will continue to offer their support at football games.

Local competitions won’t begin until the winter, with the big one – the South West Conference championships in January – being hosted by Newtown.

“Hopefully our home advantage will help us advance to first place this year!” said co-captain Amber Butler.

Captains are Amanda Klabonski and Amber Butler and they lead a crew that includes seniors Mallory Berko, Christina Elsenhans, Lisa Grossman, Stephanie MacKay, Alyssa McIntyre and Sara Cocivi; juniors Noreen Barrett, Lauren Egdahl, Bria Innaurato, Kate Levasseur, Christina Matsis, Caitlin O’Connell and Melissa Shepard; sophomores Nikki Beatty, Christina Bell, Leah Fahey, Lauren Nute and Jess Shepard; and freshmen Kelly Birch, Alyssa DeSimone, Jennah Fahey and Renee Solheim.

Markettes

The Newtown Markettes Dance Team will perform at half time during all home games of the Newtown High School football team. Captains Monica Latowicki and Karoline Engel lead a group of talented dancers that includes Kristen Rocca, Kaltrina Sedaliu, Cheryl Orrico, Becca Cash, Kara Whipkey, Tyler Nicoll, Laura Konkos, Caitlyn Hydeck, Melissa Paynter, Sam Ross, Dayna Djonne, Katy Caulfield, Alex Vetrano and Mia Malin.