Winning one NVL Championship is always an obstacle. Winning two back-to-back titles is even more of a challenge. But winning three consecutive titles… it’s a feat that not many can take on– except for the Woodland Boys Tennis Team. This season the team is looking to clinch their third NVL title and go undefeated in the NVL for the third year in a row. And they’re looking to expand their success even further into states this season.

Currently, the team is 15-1, having faced only one loss from an out-of-league-team, East Catholic. In the NVL, the team has been able to sweep the majority of the teams with their starting lineup consisting of Kyle Beynor (1), Steve Pec (2), Matt Murphy (3), Patrick Dietz (4), Nick Rioux (5), and Chris Zmuda (6). The starting lineup for the Hawks has remained the strongest in the NVL, but this season, the boys are looking to make this lineup one of the strongest in the state. And just recently, the Hawks proved that they may have the ability to do just this.

Last year, the team faced off against Lewis Mills, an out-of-league team. And unfortunately, the Hawks were handed their first loss that season with Lewis Mills beating them with an overall score of 2-3. This year, however, things had changed and the team was prepared to take on a more difficult challenge. Well-conditioned and practiced, the team faced off against Lewis Mills on May 7, 2013.

Senior Captain Kyle Beynor defeated Trevor Robinson in two sets, 7-5, 7-6. Senior Captain Matt Murphy went on to bring another win home for the Hawks defeating Bill Bentley in a three set match, 6-3, 6-7, 10-6. The doubles team of senior captain Patrick Dietz and senior Nick Rioux defeated Lewis Mills 6-0, 6-1. And the doubles team of Chris Zmuda and Mike Ventimiglia walked away with the final win for the Hawks going 6-1, 6-3.

Overall the team walked away with a 4-1 win and Coach Jim Amato added that he could not have asked for more out of the team.

“The Lewis Mills Match is becoming one of the most anticipated matches of the season,” said Amato, “and this year we had prepared for Lewis Mills long before we ever saw Lewis Mills.”

After walking away with a win over the team that had beat them last year, the team has set their expectations even higher for the remainder of the season. They know that they can spread their success and better the team that they currently are.

With only four matches left of the season before the NVL and state tournaments begin, the Hawks are beginning to adjust their lineup for maximum success in the future.

“We have been working on switching our guys over to who would play primarily singles to doubles to get those doubles teams more experience.  Normally, we reserve the doubles spots for the J.V. players to get them experience on the courts,” stated Amato. “But now we are going to use the doubles teams so that they could go on and win medals and go further into states. Our single players are warming up to get ready to go into NVL’s and win gold and silver medals.”

Beynor will be competing at number one singles for the Hawks in the singles NVL tournament with Murphy at number two. The two are looking to get both the gold and silver metals. Dietz and Pec will be competing for the gold in the doubles tournament at number one doubles. At number two doubles, Zmuda and Rioux will be looking to clinch the silver medal.

As for the state tournament, Amato added the team’s ultimate goal is to qualify as many players into the quarter rounds of the state tournaments and to have at least one player compete in state opens and go all-state for the first time in Woodland Tennis History.

“A state title would be wonderful, icing on the cake, but each team and each athlete has to challenge themselves to get as far they can in the state tournament,” said Amato.

The team will continue to prepare itself for both tournaments in the next couple of weeks. Together, the Hawks are focused on winning their third NVL title, receiving as many NVL medals as possible, and qualifying every member of the team into the state tournament. The Boys will play their final Woodland Match against Wolcott on May 17.

Monday boys baseball has a game against Naugatuck at home. On Wednesday they face Holy Cross at home and on Friday and they face Sacred Heart away.

Monday girls softball faces Naugatuck home. On Wednesday they face Holy Cross away and on Friday they face Sacred Heart home.

Boys and Girls tennis have matches on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Monday after school the Student Council is holding there Earth Day Cleanup at Matthies Park. The chess club will be holding their tournament after school in room 231.

On Tuesday there is Woodland for Women Worldwide meeting. Juniors in National Honor Society will also meet after school. AP signups will also take place in the library.

On Wednesday there will also be AP signups to take place in the library.

After ending last season with a final record of 15 wins to 8 losses, Woodland’s Girls’ Softball team is determined to bring the heat this year.

With a number of strong players returning this year the softball team is most likely going to be a competitive force in the Brass Division. Senior Brooke Leshin along with juniors Brianna Pacileo, Rachel Starkey, Natalie Veneri, and sophomore Courtney Jurzynski all had batting averages topping .300 last season. Along with these powerful hitters Woodland’s starting pitcher, junior, Samantha Lee, will be returning to the field this season.

“We are excited to have two starting infielders, two starting outfielders, and two starting pitchers as well as our catcher returning,” said Luddy. “They are working hard to prepare for the season and to learn to work together with our new infielders.”

Although in both her previous seasons Lee has been injured while on the field, the team is hopeful that this season will not have the same result. As long as Lee can avoid injury and remain able to pitch for the entire season the Woodland Hawks will be an even more aggressive team.

Despite the fact that a majority of the softball team is composed of returning players, the positions these players are playing has changed. In order to strengthen her team for this season softball coach, Loren Luddy, switched almost of the players on her team positions. Second Baseman, Brooke Leshin, is the only team infielder to be returning to the same position she previously played.

While their positions may have changed their strength as a team has not and Luddy continues to hold high goals for her team. In order to hopefully bring extra encouragement to the team Luddy appointed seniors, Brooke Leshin and Nicole Fowler co-captains.

“We expect our senior captains to lead the team on the field with their talent and off the field with their drive and enthusiasm,” said Luddy.

Aside from returning players, there are three freshmen, Cameron Caswell, Samantha White, and Carla Piccolo, who are expected to bring strength to the team this season. Caswell, who plays infield is going to be one of the teams starters this season.

This season the team seems to be working well and is expected to be a force in the NVL.

“This team has great enthusiasm and work ethic and are ready to compete well in the NVL,” said Luddy.

The outlook of the league appears to be a good one. All of the members of the team are hoping to be able to battle for the Brass Division Title. As long as no injuries occur for the Hawks it seems their season will be promising although, there will be some competition that could test their abilities.

“The Brass Division looks to be very competitive with Seymour again the team to beat. We hope to battle for the Brass Division Title and perform well in the NVL Tournament,” said Luddy. “Throughout the league there are very talented pitchers, especially from Torrington, that will make for some great games.”

The Woodland Boys’ Baseball Team is looking for a fresh start this spring. They had a bit of a rough season last year, but the team believes that they have everything they need in store to be successful this year.

Last season the team had a 7-13 record, according to Head Varsity Coach Mike Kinglsey they are focused on improving that record.

“We lost a lot of close games,” said senior captain Dave Uhl. “Our defense was not as strong as it could have been, so we need to clean that up a little bit this season.”

With all the returning players that the Hawks have this season Kingsley and the other coaches see them having success.

“Dave Uhl, Anthony Scirpo, Anthony Ross, Nick Brown and Steve Baeder all have tremendous experience,” according to Kinglsey. “I think with their help this team will be successful.”

Being successful to the Hawks means having a fighting chance at an NVL title and to compete in the Class M State Tournament.

To make it to the State Tournament the boys need to win 8 games.

According to Uhl,

“We’re ready to do whatever we have to do to help the team win.”

On Monday boys varsity baseball plays Seymour home at 3:30. On Friday they play Ansonia home at 3:30.

On Monday girls varsity softball plays Seymour away at 3:30. On Friday they play Ansonia away at 3:30.

On Monday boys and girls  tennis plays East Catholic away, on Tuesday they face Torrington at home, and on Thursday they play Holy Cross away. All matches start at 3:30 except for East Catholic starting at 3:45.

On Monday the math team has there last meet of the year. Student council committee meetings will also meet.

On Tuesday chess club will meet in room 231. Woodland for Women Worldwide will also meet.

On Thursday National Honor Society will meet after school.

After a successful season last year Woodland’s Track Team is once again off to a great start. They kicked off their season with wins over technical schools, Kaynor and Bullard Havens.  Although the team did well in its first meet of the season, it still has a lot of work to do.

“We graduated a lot of spots, particularly some field events, hurdles, and mid-distance,” said Boys’ Track Coach Tim Shea. “Those are some of the areas of concern to take care of now.”

Along with Girls’ Track Coach Jeff Lownds, Shea has set high, but certainly not unattainable, goals.

“Our goal is to win the division, win the league, place one person in every event at the states meet, and to place in the top five in our class,” said Shea. “I think those are pretty lofty goals, but I think they’re ones that the [team] wants to hit.

With a team of more than 100 people, each athlete is expected to work hard in order to contribute to the team’s success.

“It’s challenging with the amount of kids we have,” said Shea. “This is clearly the largest group we’ve ever had, and it’s forcing me–in a good way–to pay a bigger attention to detail and to be on task a lot more. Hopefully the kids will get the most out of it.”

Although the team has graduated some of its top athletes, Shea has faith in upcoming members of his team.

“I think that the guys have learned over the years that they will step into the next place—the next rung on the ladder,” said Shea. “It’s their time now.”

Produced by Makenzie White
Featuring Kevin Brennan and Paul Geary

On most sports teams, underclassmen are responsible for getting the water, the med kit, and just learning how to play the game. But on the Boys Golf team, the
underclassmen will be responsible for leading the team to success in not only this season, but in seasons to come.

Having graduated two seniors last year, Pat O’Dell and Dave Hardy, the team needed freshman to step up and replace those missing spots.

“I have a freshman who came up this year, Ryan Warner, who is going to be one of my top four players,” said Carangelo, “and I have another freshman, Zach Crowell, who has a lot of potential.”

Along with the freshman, the Hawks will be returning three seniors to the Varsity  level: Mike Classey, Matt Greggis, and Chris Mascoli. Carangelo added that the seniors have been playing better this year than they did last year. The seniors will bring a level of experience that the freshman have not yet experienced.

Sophomore Michael Erickson will be returning as one of the top four players this season. Falling just short of All-NVL last season, Erickson will be expected to uphold the expectations that were placed on him last year.

With such a talented, young team, Carangelo is really looking for his team to make a statement  in the next couple of seasons.

“This year I’m looking for a better season, I’m looking to be a little more competitive, but we do have a young team,” stated Carangelo,”so I’m hoping next year or in the year after, we really make a move and possibly win something big.”

This season, the Hawks will be able to learn and benefit from more than just their teammates. The team will be practicing with both Seymour’s Golf Team and Ansonia’s as well. Practicing with other NVL team might be a problem for other sports, but for golf, the arrangement has been going well.

“It’s a good teamwork concept,” stated Carangelo,” and when it’s competition time, we want to beat them and they want to beat us.”

Despite practicing with them, the Hawks are looking to defeat both Seymour and Ansonia this golf season along with the rest of the teams in the NVL.

As for the rest of the season and how it plays out, Carangelo is looking to improve on last season and work to build themselves for not only this season, but in the next few.