Top local sports stories of 2016

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Another year is in the books. Before we get too deep into 2017, let’s take one last look back at the 10 biggest happenings of 2016 on the local sports scene in no particular order.

Woodland girls track down fifth straight indoor NVL title: The Woodland girls indoor track team continued its dominance. The Hawks put up 97 points to out distance second place Seymour, which finished with 90 points. Senior Lisa Thrasher took first in the 600 and was part of the 4×400 first-place relay team, but it was the Hawks’ ability to finish in the top-five tier in multiple events that carried them to victory.

Mariano takes the reins at Naugy as athletic director: Brian Mariano certainly made a name for himself during his heyday as a member of the 2001 boys state soccer championship and a two-time state open diving champion. It was only fitting that his role in athletics would come full circle, as athletic director at his alma mater.

Anderson resigns as Woodland football coach: Chris Anderson put Woodland football on the map as head coach from 2001-07. The new regional high school in Beacon Falls stunned the state football powers by winning back-to-back NVL and Class SS state championships in 2004 and 2005. Anderson left after seven years to join the staff at the University of New Haven. He returned to Woodland for the 2015 season and led the Hawks to a 7-3 mark before resigning after one season into his second stint as head coach.

Woodland girls make it four in a row: The Woodland girls’ dominance isn’t limited to the indoor track season. The Hawks managed to squeak out their fourth straight outdoor NVL track title with 111.75 points, ahead of runner-up Derby (106 points). The Hawks trailed after 15 events and didn’t win a single event but their depth carried them to another championship. Senior Lauren Lombardo, who was named Most Outstanding Jumper, scored 10 points in the triple jump, and the Hawks then tacked on 11 points in the 3200 to take over the lead late in the meet.

Naugy girls pull off stunning comeback: Naugatuck girls tennis head coach Jose Sendra said all season long he wanted his team to play its best when it mattered the most. His words couldn’t have been more on target than during the NVL team tournament. Naugy defeated Woodland in the quarterfinals and Sacred Heart in the semifinals by 4-3 scores. Naugy trailed Watertown 3-1 in the final, before sweeping the three doubles matches to win the championship 4-3.

Pat Dean makes Major League debut: Naugatuck native Pat Dean saw his childhood dream come true when, after seven minor league seasons, he made his Major League debut for the Minnesota Twins. Dean was called up to the Major Leagues on May 7 and four days later showed he belonged in the Show when he set down the Baltimore Orioles on eight pitches, six for strikes, in the top of the fifth inning at Target Field in Minnesota. Dean pitched 67 and 1/3 innings, including nine starts, for the Twins this past season.

Roulanaitis wins boys tennis championship: Woodland senior Mike Roulanaitis ended his high school career the way athletes dream about by winning a championship. The Woodland boys tennis team was in the midst of a rebuilding season under first year head coach Charlie Ostrander. The one constant during the season was Roulanaitis, who went 11-5 during the regular season. He showed his best in the NVL singles championship match. He faced match point twice before coming back to force a tiebreaker and then defeating Matt Spina of Wolcott, 7-5, to win the NVL title.

Onakpoma a champion among champions: Naugatuck senior track star Fejiro Onakpoma left his mark on the Greyhounds’ track program by capturing four titles in his final high school season. Fejiro won the NVL championship in the triple jump, went on to capture the Class L championship for the second time, won the state open championship and then culminated an outstanding high school career by winning the New England championship.

Naugy boys go the distance: The Naugatuck boys cross country team under head coach Bill Hanley completed its third straight undefeated season, a streak that has reached 42 meets in a row, as they won their fourth straight NVL championship. Naugatuck was led by four-time All-NVL senior Grady Beasley and All-NVL senior David Kerns. The Greyhounds are showing no signs of slowing down.

New coach, same result for Greyhounds: First-year Naugatuck boys soccer head coach Ryan Kinne, who was named NVL coach of the Year, continued the legacy left behind by former head coach Art Nunes. The Naugy boys went out and won their fourth straight NVL championship and did it in style by allowing just three goals during a 16-0-3 regular season, a school record.