The 2010-11 academic year brought some of the best athletic performances and performers in recent memory, so we’d be remised if we didn’t properly conclude the 2010-11 school year by taking a look back at the best that Naugatuck and Woodland had to offer.
In the first of a three-part series, we’ll take a look back at the top 10 stories of the last academic year. From the pitch to the gridiron and the hardwood to the track and field, there were plenty of memorable stories. But we’ve narrowed it down to 10, listed chronologically.
Next week, we’ll remember the top 10 games of the year, and we’ll conclude the following week with the top 10 senior athletes of the year. For more, including links to all the best stories of the year, log on to www.mycitizensnews.com.
Top 10 Stories
Woodland boys soccer wins NVL Brass (Oct. 22, 2010): Tyler Carlos netted a hat trick, including two goals in the second half, to lead the Hawks to a come-from-behind, 3-2 victory over Ansonia to clinch the program’s first-ever Naugatuck Valley League Brass Division championship. Woodland finished the season 13-6, setting a team record for wins.
Naugatuck soccer teams lose rematches to Watertown (Nov. 3, 2010): Both the Naugatuck boys and girls soccer teams lost rematches with Watertown in the NVL championship games at Municipal Stadium. The boys were in a tie game before falling, 2-1, and the girls couldn’t rally from a 2-0 deficit and lost, 2-1. Both failed to repeat as league champions after dominating regular season play but reached the league finals yet again.
Woodland football does, doesn’t win NVL Copper (Nov. 11, 2010): The Hawks drubbed Naugatuck, 25-6, in what everyone thought was for the NVL Copper Division championship. But the league’s athletic directors changed their minds on a rule change, Woodland lost the following week to Sacred Heart, and Naugy beat Holy Cross to actually win the division.
Naugatuck football beats Ansonia, wins NVL title (Nov. 25, 2010): The Greyhounds beat the Chargers and won the NVL title for the first time since 2001 with a 38-20 drubbing of Ansonia at Jarvis Stadium. Erich Broadrick threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more while Aaron Echevarria made five sacks and the team held Montrell Dobbs to under 150 yards rushing.
Wilson makes debut as Naugy boys hoops coach (Dec. 17, 2010): Mike Wilson, the all-time leading scorer in Naugatuck boys basketball history, was hired as the program’s head coach last April and made his debut with the team in a 78-52 loss to Crosby. The Greyhounds finished 3-17 but were competitive in many games, especially at the end of the season.
Framski cracks 1,000 points with Gumby in crowd (Jan. 20, 2011): Heather Framski converted an old-fashioned three-point play to reach 1,000 career points in the fourth quarter of a game against Kennedy. Framski later became the school’s all-time leading scorer and finished with 1,261 points, 104 more than Jen Valente.
Kinne signs with MLS’ Revolution (March 7, 2011): He’s not in high school anymore, but Naugatuck native Ryan Kinne signed a contract with the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer after being drafted by the team in the third round of the SuperDraft. Kinne was an All-American at Naugatuck and an All-American at Monmouth University.
Woodland boys basketball wins first state game since 2005 (March 7, 2011): A late 3-pointer by Ryan Angeloszek put the Hawks ahead for good as No. 22 Woodland defeated No. 11 Bacon Academy, 46-43, in the Class M first round. Angeloszek finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds. The win was the Hawks’ first playoff win since the 2005 Division III second round.
Naugy track trio dominates local meets (May 24, 2011): Jamaal Gee, Muad Hrezi, and Amanze Williams dominated the NVL track meet, then made strong showings at the Class L and State Open meets. Gee won the 100 and 200 meters, Hrezi won the 1,600 and 3,200, and Williams won the jumping events. Williams later won two events at the New England meet.
Krakowski wins NVL singles tennis title (May 27, 2011): Mike Krakowski became the first player in Woodland history to win the NVL singles championship as he swept through the semifinals and finals by beating Torrington’s Steve Consolini and Crosby’s Pat Vincente in straight sets. Krakowski led the team to the NVL regular season title with a perfect, 19-0 mark.