Sport

Old Lyme Rowers Just Miss a Medal for Team USA in Men’s Eight Olympic Final

July 29, 2021 by Admin Leave a Comment

The Olympic Men’s Eight+ final at the 1500 meter mark with New Zealand, who won the gold medal, in Lane 2 and Team USA in Lane 1. Germany in Lane 3 took silver followed by Great Britain in Lane 5, who won the bronze medal.

OLD LYME /TOKYO — Old Lyme’s Austin Hack and Liam Corrigan along with the remaining members of the US Men’s 8+ came in fourth in the closely-contested Olympic final Thursday evening — just missing out on a medal.

New Zealand took the gold with a winning time of 5:24:64 a but a photo finish followed for silver between Great Britain and Germany. The decision went in Germany’s favor and they were declared silver medalists with a time of 5:25:60 and Team GB took the bronze with 5:25:73.

The remaining results were:

US: 5:26:75
Netherlands: 5:27:96
Australia: 5:36:23

Editor’s Note: Austin and Liam, you may not have won a medal but the residents of Lyme and Old Lyme are so proud of you now … and will remain so for years to come!

Filed Under: Headline News, Lyme, Old Lyme, Sport, Top Story

Old Lyme’s Hack, Corrigan Race for Gold in US Men’s Eight TONIGHT in Tokyo

July 29, 2021 by Admin Leave a Comment

The whole of Lyme and Old Lyme will be cheering on “our” boys, Austin Hack and Liam Corrigan, tonight as they race for gold in Tokyo! This photo is taken from the repechage and includes Hack in the upper left, second boat from the top.

Austin Hack

Liam Corrigan

OLD LYME — Lyme-Old Lyme High School graduates Austin Hack (2010) and Liam Corrigan (2015) race for gold in the US Men’s Eight+ final in the Tokyo Olympics at 9:25 p.m. TONIGHT, Thursday, July 29, (which is tomorrow at 10:25 a.m. Tokyo time.)

The other five teams that qualified for the final are:

New Zealand
Great Britain
Netherlands
Germany
Australia

Filed Under: Lyme, Old Lyme, Sport

US Men’s 8 with Old Lyme’s Corrigan, Hack, Advance to Olympic Final After Photo Finish in Repechage

July 28, 2021 by Admin 1 Comment

This photo shows the finish of the men’s 8+ repechage when it was certain New Zealand had won but second place was yet to be determined after a photo finish. Great Britan was finally given second place and the US third.

TOKYO/OLD LYME — The Men’s Eight Repechage in the Tokyo Olympics turned into a thrilling race that ended with a photo finish for second place between Team US and Team Great Britain.

Ultimately, the US Men’s Eight — with Old Lyme’s Austin Hack and Liam Corrigan as crew members — was deemed to have crossed the line behind Great Britain placing the US boat in third place and Great Britain in second.

New Zealand won the race in a time of 5:22:04.

The US Men’s Eight came in third in the repechage to secure a place in the Olympic final.

The other results were:

Great Britain: 5:23:32
USA: 5:23:43
Australia: 5:25:06
Romania: 5:27:14

The top four boats all advance to the final, for which Germany and the Netherlands have already qualified. Meanwhile, Romania is eliminated.

Due to the weather conditions, all the times recorded in the repechage were significantly faster than those in the heats, for example, Germany’s winning time in its heat was 5:28:95.

The race took place at 12:50 p.m. Tokyo time on Wednesday, July 29, which was 11:50 p.m EST on Tuesday, July 28.

Filed Under: Lyme, News, Old Lyme, Sport

Watch Old Lyme’s Hack, Corrigan Tonight in US Men’s 8+ as They Race for Place in Final

July 27, 2021 by Admin Leave a Comment

Austin Hack (third from right) looks to left at the end of Heat 1 in the US 8+ Olympic championship.

TOKYO/OLD LYME — All Olympic rowing events in Tokyo scheduled for today have been postponed to Wednesday and Thursday due to the arrival of Typhoon Nepartak.

The Men’s 8+ repechage — in which the US boat that includes team members Austin Hack and Liam Corrigan from Old Lyme will participate — was already scheduled for Wednesday, July 28, but its time has been changed. It will now be rowed at 12:50 p.m. Tokyo time, which is 11:50 p.m. EST, TONIGHT, Tuesday, July 27. (Note: Tokyo time is 13 hours ahead of EST.)

Joan Rivington, mother of Liam Corrigan

Five boats will be in the Men’s 8+ repechage — Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand, and Romania will join the US.

The first four boats in the repachage will then join Germany and The Netherlands in the final. Germany and The Netherlands qualified directly for the final by winning their respective heats.Watch Old Lyme’s Hack, Corrigan in Repechage.

We asked Joan Rivington, who lives in Lyme and is the mother of Liam Corrigan, how she was feeling about the upcoming race,

She responded by email, “That is a great question. I have a million emotions running through me but I think my biggest emotion right now is pure joy watching my son and his boat mates being able to compete in Tokyo after working so hard to get there.”

We are sure Lyme and Old Lyme are sharing her joy and so we say again loudly, “Go, Team USA!”

Filed Under: Lyme, Old Lyme, Sport

Updated Time for US Men’s Eight Repechage Due to Anticipated Typhoon in Tokyo

July 26, 2021 by Olwen Logan Leave a Comment

Screenshot from Windy.com showing Typhoon Nepartak approaching Japan. Tokyo is in the center of the map.

TOKYO/OLD LYME — After experiencing a year’s delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tokyo is now bracing for the arrival of a Typhoon Nepartak. As a result, all rowing events scheduled for Tuesday, July 27, have been postponed to Wednesday and Thursday.

The Men’s 8+ repechage — in which the US boat that includes team members Austin Hack and Liam Corrigan from Old Lyme will participate — was already scheduled for Wednesday, but its time has been changed. It will now be rowed at 12:50 p.m. Tokyo time, which is 11:50 p.m. EST on Tuesday, July 27.

Five boats will be in the Men’s 8+ repechage — Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand, and Romania will join the US.

The first four boats in the repachage will then join Germany and The Netherlands in the final. Germany and The Netherlands qualified directly for the final by winning their respective heats.

Filed Under: Old Lyme, Sport

Old Lyme’s Corrigan, Hack in US Men’s 8+ Boat Finish Second in Heat 1, Now Onto Repechage, Tuesday; Link to Video of Race Added

July 24, 2021 by Admin Leave a Comment

Aerial view of Heat 1 for the USA Men’s Eight. This was at an early stage in the race when the US was leading.

OLD LYME — The US Men’s Eight came in second to Germany in Friday night’s Heat 1 rowed at noon Tokyo time, 11 p.m EST. The results were:

Germany: 5:28:95
USA: 5:30:57
Romania: 5:39:84
Australia: 5:43:66

In case you missed the race live or would like to re-watch it, here is a link to a video of Heat 1 , (apologies that you have to watch the trailer first!)

The results in Heat 2 were:

Netherlands: 5:30:66
New Zealand: 5:32.11
Great Britain: 5:34.40

Old Lyme’s Austin Hack smiles at the end of the heat.

Germany and the Netherlands automatically qualify for the final while the remaining boats must now participate in the repechage.

Liam Corrigan was in the stroke position in the stern of the Team USA Men’s Eight boat for tonight’s heat.

Paul Fuchs of Old Lyme, who is the Old Lyme Rowing Association’s Director of Rowing, explained how the repechage works, saying that a country must first qualify even to get into the Olympics. Then, he continued, “In the eights, they only have seven spots available and the United States qualified for one of those spots.”

Fuchs continued, “Those seven boats race in two Heats, one of three boats and one of four boats. Only one boat goes directly to the final from each of the Heats.” In the case of these Olympics, those boats are the winning boats of each Heat, Germany and The Netherlands.

The remaining five boats then go to a repechage, which, in Fuchs’s words, “… is essentially a second chance. That is a five-boat race and … four of those boats [will] go into the six-boat final.”

He concludes, “The US will row in that repechage trying be in the top four and [thus] get into the final.” The other two spots in the final have already been secured by Germany and The Netherlands. The US had a marginally faster time than The Netherlands in their respective heats, but the US did not win its heat.

The repechage will be held Wednesday, July 28, at 10:48 a.m. in Tokyo, which will be 9:48 p.m. EST on TUESDAY, July 27.

Editor’s Note: Fuchs holds the men’s lightweight course record for Head of the Charles, and competed on seven US World Championship teams. He has coached at the Olympic and World championship levels and serves on the Executive Council of FISA, the international governing body for the sport of rowing.

Filed Under: Lyme, Old Lyme, Sport

Old Lyme BOS Declared July 24 as ‘Austin Hack & Liam Corrigan Day’ in Honor of Our Hometown Olympic Heroes

July 24, 2021 by Olwen Logan Leave a Comment

Austin Hack

Liam Corrigan

OLD LYME — The Old Lyme Board of Selectmen declared Saturday, July 24, as ‘Austin Hack & Liam Corrigan Day.’

Both Hack and Corrigan, who graduated from Lyme-Old Lyme High School in 2010 and 2015 respectively, are competing in the 2020 Olympic Games, which opened this morning in Tokyo.

Both are members of the US Men’s Eight team, which rows its first heat at 11 p.m. this evening, EST, which is 12 noon in Japan. This is a recent time change from the originally announced schedule — the 7:30 p.m. included in the proclamation below has now been superseded

The proclamation reads as follows:

GO AUSTIN AND LIAM!

GO TEAM USA!

Filed Under: Lyme, News, Old Lyme, Sport

Barry Scores Her First Ever Hole-in-One, Success Achieved at Old Lyme Country Club

July 7, 2021 by Admin Leave a Comment

Hollis Barry, Co-Chairperson Old Lyme Country Club Women’s Golf League, scored a hole-in-one at the club on July 1.

OLD LYME — During Thursday Women’s League Play on July 1, Hollis Barry of Essex, Conn., scored a hole-in-one on the 3rd hole. Barry is co-chairperson of the Old Lyme Country Club Women’s Golf League (OLCC WGA.)

Barry’s drive on the par three hole landed on the green and rolled into the cup. This was her first hole-in-one.

With a 16.5 handicap, Hollis has been a life-long golfer. As the new co-chairperson, Barry has advocated for making the OLCC WGA a program that fosters friendships and promotes women’s golf as a relaxing and fun activity for all levels of players. She encourages healthy competition and the learning of all aspects of the game.

Filed Under: News, Old Lyme, Sport, Top Story

Two Lyme-Old Lyme HS Grads Selected for Team US Men’s Eight Competing at Tokyo Olympics

June 11, 2021 by Olwen Logan Leave a Comment

LYME/OLD LYME — In a truly remarkable achievement, two Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) graduates have been selected to represent the US in the Men’s Eight at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

Austin Hack, LOLHS Class of 2010.

Austin Hack, who graduated from LOLHS in 2010, and Liam Corrigan, a member of the LOLHS Class of 2014, both rowed for LOLHS and then went on to represent their respective universities at Stanford (Hack) and Harvard (Corrigan).

Hack is the only returning member of the 2021 US Men’s Eight. He was a member of the 2016 US Men’s Eight team, which came in fourth in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in Brazil.

His list of rowing accomplishments is encyclopedic with an abbreviated version including membership of the following national teams: Junior, 2009-10; Under 23, 2011-12; Senior, 2013-15, 2019; and Olympic, 2016, 2020.

In terms of international results, Hack finished fifth in the the eight at the 2019 World Rowing Championships and also fifth in the four at the 2019 World Rowing Cup II.

He won bronze in the eight at the 2016 World Rowing Cup II and won the eight at the 2016 Final Olympic Qualification Regatta.

Going back further than 2016, the list is equally extensive and can be viewed in detail at this link.

Hack has been working part time for McKinsey and Company, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, he was living and training in Old Lyme. Part of his training was on a bicycle adapted by Steve Morrissey of Old Lyme on which Hack ultimately set new records on all the Strava segments in town.

Asked how they felt about their son, Austin, and Corrigan’s success in being named to the US Men’s Eight, Dr. Gregory Hack and Dr. Barbara Hack told LymeLine exclusively, “We are beyond thrilled for both Austin and Liam! On the men’s side of rowing, the US will only be sending an 8+ and a 4- to Tokyo. To think that of those 12 seats, two of them will be occupied by sons of Old Lyme is just incredible!”

The Hacks added, “It’s a testament not only to their grit and strength, but also to their years of training/coaching starting right here at Lyme-Old Lyme High School.”

Liam Corrigan, LOLHS Class of 2014.

Corrigan graduated from Harvard with an honors degree in Physics and Astrophysics and while at Harvard, he was captain of the men’s crew.

Since graduating, he has moved to Oakland, Calif. to train with the men’s training center for the upcoming Olympics. His accomplishments with Team USA include finishing fourth in the pair at the 2017 World Rowing Under 23 Championships, placing fifth in the four at the 2015 World Rowing Junior Championships, taking eighth in the pair at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games and finishing ninth in the eight at the 2014 World Rowing Junior Championships.

Corrigan recently rowed in the men’s four that won the B final at the 2019 World Rowing Under 23 Championships.

Responding to a question about how they felt after learning Liam had been selected for the US Men’s Eight, Brian and Joan Corrigan said, “It is difficult to describe how overjoyed and proud we are to see Liam on his way to achieving goals, which he set for himself many years ago. We have watched him work diligently over the years, and are ecstatic that he is finding success.”

They noted, “We are grateful to LOLHS, the Old Lyme Rowing Association (OLRA) and the Town of Lyme for their support over many years,” concluding, “We feel so fortunate to live in such a wonderful community.”

Liam Corrigan is at the front right of this photo of the Harvard boat.

Speaking on behalf of the OLRA, Candace and Paul Fuchs commented, “‘The Old Lyme Rowing Association is bursting with pride over the dedication and perseverance of our athletes and their families, which brought us to this historic moment. In partnership with the Town of Old Lyme and Regional School District 18, our little organization is pleased to provide a place for big kids to play and find success.’

Sadly, neither family can attend the Olympics in person due to COVID-19 restrictions, but Barbara and Greg Hack ended their email to us enthusiastically with the words, “Go Old Lyme! Go USA!” We wholeheartedly second that sentiment and wish Austin and Liam every success in their Olympic endeavors!

Editor’s Note: Old Lyme Rowing Association (OLRA) oversees LOLHS crew, and Blood Street Sculls. Blood Street Sculls was established by Fred Emerson (on Blood Street) around 1965, for the cultivation of rowing for local high school students, college students and adults.

Some of the country’s most notable athletes called Blood Street Sculls home in the early days including Jim Dietz who is one of the most decorated scullers in US history (named to three US Olympic teams).

A strong supporter of the nascent sport of women’s rowing, Fred Emerson organized some of the first women’s national championships to be held on Rogers Lake in 1971, which included athletes who would ultimately represent the US in Olympic competition.

Blood Street Sculls was an incubator for rowing programs for high schools and colleges across New England. USCGA and Connecticut College got their start in this manner.

Anita DeFrantz first learned to row as a Connecticut College student, rowing on Rogers Lake. DeFrantz went on to represent the US in the 1976 women’s eight. She was a vocal legal authority when US athletes were prohibited from competition in 1980 and she has risen through the ranks of international rowing and is currently the vice president of the IOC.

Significant achievements — excluding those by Hack and Corrigan — by OLRA athletes since 2000 include:

Olympic Athletes
2008: Andrew Bolton Men’s lightweight four spare
2012: Sarah Trowbridge Women’s Open double sculls

World Championships
Sarah Trowbridge: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

Under 23 World Championships
Hannah Paynter: 2019

Junior World Championships
Christiana Congdon: 2017

Since record-keeping was initiated in 1997, over 100 athletes in OLRA programs have gone on to represent their university in collegiate rowing competition.

Paul Fuchs, Director of Rowing, holds the men’s lightweight course record for Head of the Charles, and competed on seven US World Championship teams. He has coached at the Olympic and World championship levels and serves on the Executive Council of FISA, the international governing body for the sport of rowing.

Filed Under: Community, Lyme, News, Old Lyme, Schools, Sport, Top Story

Powers Runs ‘The Perfect Race’ (Daquila), is CIAC Class S 400m State Champion, Sets New Lyme-Old Lyme HS Record

June 4, 2021 by Admin 1 Comment

Aidan Powers is the 2021 Class S 400 meter State Champion and also the new Lyme-Old Lyme High School 400 meter record holder.

LYME-OLD LYME — Senior Aidan Powers set a new Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) record in the 400 meters today with a blistering time of 51.3 seconds at the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) Class S championship, which was held at Willow Brook Park in New Britain, Conn.

Additionally, Powers is the Class S state champion in the 400 meters after finishing in first place in Class S.

Asked how he felt about this remarkable result, LOLHS Track Coach Aron Daquila responded exclusively to LymeLine, “Aidan is such a smart runner and has so much grit. He ran the perfect race yesterday. The 400 is a long sprint and requires strategy. He started strong, but in control, and when he hit the back stretch, he really exploded off the turn. He’s been training all season for that race and all that hard work really paid off.”

Daquila added, “But Aidan doesn’t quit. He turned around after that individual performance to run the anchor leg of the 4×400, where he gave his all, again, and helped his team earn a spot at the state open next week. It truly was a team effort, Aidan, [fellow senior] Gabe Lavioe, [junior] Nevin Joshy and [sophomore] Dylan Sheehan each ran great legs.”

As a result of these placements, both Powers and the relay team will now advance to compete in the 400 m and 4 x 400 m races at the CIAC State Open next Wednesday.

Powers plans to attend Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in the fall.

Huge congratulations to Aidan and the relay team, and good luck on Wednesday!

Filed Under: Lyme, News, Old Lyme, Schools, Sport, Top Story

Lyme-Old Lyme Girl’s Tennis are Class S State Champions for First Time in School History!

June 4, 2021 by Olwen Logan Leave a Comment

The Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) Girl’s Tennis team poses with the Class S state championship trophy yesterday after defeating Litchfield 5-2.

LYME/OLD LYME — The top-seeded Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) girl’s tennis team became the CIAC Class S state champions yesterday for the first time in school history when they stormed to a 5-2 victory over #2 seeds Litchfield yesterday. The tournament final was played indoors at the Magic Lincer Tennis Club in Manchester.

The Old Lyme girls finished the season undefeated at 20-0 and also won the Shoreline Conference title along the way.

Asked how she felt about this extraordinarily successful season, team coach Lauren Rahr, who is also a math teacher at LOLHS, responded, “It has been such an amazing season with a wonderful group of girls. When I woke up this morning I still couldn’t believe that we actually won a state tournament!”

The LOLHS Girl’s Tennis Team first-year coach Lauren Rahr accepts the Class S state championship trophy after her team’s win Thursday.

She continued, “This year was my first year coaching tennis. Previously, I had played tennis for Waterford High School and Endicott College. It was always my dream to teach math at a high school and coach their girls tennis team. Being hired at Old Lyme provided me with the opportunity to pursue these goals.”

Rahr added, “Going into this season, I didn’t want to let the girls down, and I hoped that they would all get along and win some matches. But what actually happened this season was more special than I ever imagined. The minute I saw them play and really compete on the court I knew we had something special.”

Describing the team overall, Rahr said, “Out of my 10 starting varsity players, one had competed in a varsity high school match before this season. There was a lot of nerves and inexperience when it came to match play, but each practice we ran mental toughness drills or talked tennis strategies to help bring the girls to the level they competed at all season long.”

Noting, “Tennis is such a wonderful sport because anyone can step on the court and swing a racket, Rahr pointed out, “But what makes a tennis player special is when they can analyze their short and their opponent’s shots. I like to call this “smart tennis” and by the end of the season all of my girls had accomplished this. Our change over conversations went from me doing most of the talking to them giving me detailed recollections of things they noticed and strategies they were using.”

In terms of statistics, Rahr recalled that, “During the regular season, the team competed at a high level winning 11 of their 16 matches 7-0. Three of my players went on to win the Shoreline conference individual tournament: Lauren Wallace and Alexis Fenton won the doubles draw and Samantha Tan won the ¾ singles draw.” She highlighted, “These three players were able to remain undefeated in post-season play as well as regular season. Livie Bass (four singles) was undefeated in team matches and clinched us both our semi-final win and our finals win.”

The LOLHS Girl’s Tennis team members deservedly celebrate being #1 in Class S statewide!

Talking specifically about the championship final, Rahr said, “Yesterday, every single girl went out on the court fighting not just for themselves, but for the team. This group of girls has passion, drive, and huge hearts. I feel so lucky and honored to have been able to coach them this year.”

She explained further, “During yesterday’s match, we knew winning doubles would put us in a good spot. My number one doubles pair of Lauren Wallace and Alexis Fenton won their match in record time, executing flawless doubles strategies, placement, and communication. Their win drove the momentum in our direction for the remainder of the match.”

She summed up Wallace and Fenton’s performance in the words, “Their leadership throughout the season has been a big part of our success.”

Rahr concluded, “This is one of those once in a lifetime moments that I will never forget, and I hope the girls will always remember too. No matter what else comes my way with coaching, I don’t know if anything can top this moment with this special group of girls.”

Filed Under: Lyme, News, Old Lyme, Schools, Sport, Top Story

Old Lyme Basketball Girls Fall to East Hampton in Shoreline Semifinal

March 26, 2021 by Admin Leave a Comment

EAST HAMPTON — Don Bugbee’s girls put up a valiant fight against unbeaten East Hampton (14-0) in Wednesday’s Shoreline League Conference (SLC) Tournament semifinal, but ultimately could not get past the top-seeded Bellringers to achieve a win.

The final score was 40-33 in East Hampton’s favor. The Bellringers now face #2 seeds Morgan in the Championship game this evening at 5 p.m.

Old Lyme ended the season with a commendable 10-4 record.

In her final game, senior Emily DeRoehn had 10 points and eight rebounds.

After the game, Bugbee commented, “Although we were disappointed that we were unable to get the win and advance to the SLC league Championship game, our season was very successful overall. We were all fortunate that we were even able to get an abbreviated season in during a pandemic.”

He concluded on a positive note, saying, “Surely, there is a lot to be thankful for.”

Filed Under: Lyme, News, Old Lyme, Sport

Old Lyme Boys Exit Shoreline Basketball Tournament with Loss to Valley, Despite Remarkable Comeback Effort

March 24, 2021 by Olwen Logan Leave a Comment

DEEP RIVER — The Old Lyme boys ended an exciting season Tuesday when they lost to Valley Regional 65-56 in the quarterfinals of the Shoreline Conference tournament.

Playing away, Old Lyme had a nervous start and was down 19-6 at the end of the first quarter. The Wildcats continued to fall behind and found themselves on the wrong side of a 37-19 score at the half.

Early in the third quarter, things got even worse and Valley advanced to a 21-point lead.

But then Old Lyme finally came to life and fought back with grim determination, eventually reducing the lead to just four points. The comeback was almost complete when, in Coach Kirk Kaczor’s words, “The boys just ran out of gas.”

Colbe Andrews led the Wildcats with 16 points, while Jacob Ritchie added 14.

Valley was led by Jeremy Arnum with 21 points and James Marsden, who scored 17.

Filed Under: Lyme, Old Lyme, Sport

Old Lyme Boys Win Shoreline South Indoor Track Championship, Girls Take Second

March 23, 2021 by Olwen Logan Leave a Comment

Sophomore Jacob Rand tied for second place in the high jump in Saturday’s Indoor Track Shoreline Championship. All photos by David Walker.

OLD LYME — Competing in what was effectively their Shoreline Championship this past Saturday, the Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) Indoor Track teams achieved commendable results with the boys’ team coming in first and the girls taking second.

Due to COVID precautions, the meet had a very different look from usual. To reduce the number of competitors at any time, the traditional All-Shoreline meet was divided into two separate events with one being held for Northern Shoreline schools and the other featuring Southern Shoreline schools.

Old Lyme hosted the Southern meet in which six teams participated, namely Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Valley, Hale Ray, and Morgan.

Senior Aidan Powers, who was one of the boys’ captains, gets the team pumped up in a pre-meet huddle. Powers also placed first place in the 600 meters and was part of the winning 4×200 relay.

There were three different meet slots to further reduce the number of people on the track so from 9 to 11 a.m., Westbrook competed against Valley; from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Old Lyme and Morgan faced off; and from 1 to 3 p.m., Old Saybrook and Hale Ray took their turn.

At the end of the day, the results were compiled and winners announced.

Old Lyme had 13 first-place finishers, which also garnered each winning student the accolade of “First Team All-Shoreline.”

Senior Paige Kolesnik won the shotput and was also part of the winning sprint medley relay team.

The first-place winners were:

the girls’ sprint medley relay team of Bianca DaSilva, Paige Kolesnik, Alyssa Spooner, and Kelly Walsh
the girls’ 4 x 400 relay team of Alyssa Spooner, Gretchen Burgess, Hannah Britt, and Lyla Powers
the boys’ 4 x 200 relay team of Ashton Gratton, Nevin Joshy, Jesper Silberberg, and Aidan Powers
Paige Kolesnik in the girls’ shotput
Jesper Silberberg in the 55-meter dash
Aidan Powers in the 600 meters
Drew St. Louis in the pole vault and long jump
Harry Whitten in the shotput.

A number of other runners, jumpers and throwers also achieved significant success.

Asked his thoughts on both the results and the season in general, first-year coach Nick Walker (LOLHS Class of 2012) commented, “I couldn’t be prouder of our athletes. They have dealt with so much adversity this year: having normal high school landmarks canceled, being unable to hang out with friends, having to keep distance from one another, quarantining and missing weeks of school and sports at a moment’s notice … the list goes on.”

The boys’ and girls’ teams gather for a photo to celebrate their respective results.

He noted that although the season technically should have started in late November, “That was when we were going through that massive COVID-19 spike and so all winter sports were postponed.” Walker added, “It seemed unlikely at that point that we’d ever be able to have a season, but we were able to finally start in late January while taking lots of precautions.”

Noting that even when training started in January, the idea that the team would ever have any competitive meets seemed unlikely, Walker said, “These kids have had to be so patient, so willing to face whatever happens with equanimity.”

He continued, “Yet from the start of the season I was blown away by their work ethic and good cheer during a season that could have also been seen as a let-down and full of limitations. They were out there practicing on windy days in the mid-20s, bundled up as they were running track repeats and freezing their hands off throwing the shotput.”

“To come from such a situation to now having competitive competitions and placing so well at our final meet,” Walker said, noting, “I feel very glad for them. I think it goes to show the strength of their commitment to the team and sport, and also the lightness and playfulness of their spirit that they could enjoy what this season had to offer while pushing themselves to improve and learn more.”

Walker explained that many athletes tried out new events for the first time, such as the long jump, hurdles, pole vault, and high jump, and ultimately ended up placing in the tournament and contributing key points for the team.

Senior and a girls’ team captain Bianca DaSilva runs the 200-meter leg of the winning sprint medley relay team.

He also shared that he felt senior class also played, “A huge role in our successful season: first off by contributing so much hard work and athleticism in their events, but even more so by the positive and welcoming and fun atmosphere they helped foster on the team. They will certainly be very missed come next year.”

Pointing out that he looked forward to welcoming most of them back to Outdoor Track this spring, he noted, “We will lose some very strong runners and throwers to other spring sports.”

Walker concluded positively, “Overall, it’s been a real joy to coach these athletes alongside my co-coaches Alyssa Mercaldi and Garreck Seales. We’ve been continually impressed by this group of kids and are so glad for them that they have this fantastic performance to celebrate.”

Filed Under: Lyme, News, Old Lyme, Sport, Top Story

Basketball Update: Old Lyme Girls Storm Into Shoreline Semis After Bitter Battle in Overtime

March 23, 2021 by Admin Leave a Comment

OLD LYME — “This was a hard fought battle from start to finish,” declared a relieved Old Lyme girl’s basketball coach Don Bugbee last night after his team had ultimately advanced to the Shoreline Conference tournament quarterfinals.

But the fourth-seeded Wildcats 60-56 victory over #5 North Branford only came after an intense period of overtime.

Senior captain Emily DeRoehn had an impressive 16 points and two rebounds while fellow senior Sam Grey added 14 points and Grace Lathrop notched 10.

Emma McCulloch made a major contribution with nine points, 11 rebounds and two blocks, and Megan Loflin had seven points and nine rebounds.

Bugbee summarized the game saying, “This was a well earned team victory for sure.”

Wednesday’s semifinal game takes Old Lyme away to East Hampton where the girls will face the top-seeded Bellringers for a berth in the Tournament final. Tip-off is at 5:30 p.m.

Filed Under: Lyme, Old Lyme, Sport

Old Lyme Boys Advance to Shoreline Quarterfinals After 57-50 Win Over Westbrook

March 21, 2021 by Admin Leave a Comment

OLD LYME — Sixth-seeded Old Lyme hung on to beat No. 11 seeds Westbrook 57-50 in the first round of the Shoreline Conference tournament played yesterday afternoon in the Lyme-Old Lyme High School gym. For the first time this season, a restricted number of fans were allowed to watch the game.

Colbe Andrews and Jacob Ritchie combined to score 12 for 13 from the line and a total of 28 points, splitting the latter evenly at 14 apiece. Caden Monte added 11 points.

Westbrook was led by Jack Naccarato with 20 points and Joey Caslin with 11.

Old Lyme (7-6) no meet third-seeded Valley Regional in a quarterfinal game scheduled for Tuesday at VRHS.

When Old Lyme played Valley in the regular season, they won 67-57 after overtime.

Filed Under: Lyme, Old Lyme, Sport

Basketball Updates: Girls Win, Boys Lose Against Hale-Ray

March 19, 2021 by Admin Leave a Comment

Coach Don Bugbee talks to his team during a time-out in a recent game. Photo by Hildie Heck.

OLD LYME — The Old Lyme girls celebrated Senior Night with a convincing 51-30 win over Hale-Ray, taking their record to 9-3. It was the last home game in regular season for seniors Grace Lathrop, Sam Gray, Ellie Zrenda, Emily DeRoehn and Emma McCulloch.

DeRoehn was top scorer for the Wildcats with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Gray added eight points. Megan Loflin also had eight points and Zrenda 11 rebounds.

Coach Don Bugbee commented after the game, “As well as getting the win, this was a very nice evening and wrap-up to the regular season.”

The next game will be the Shoreline Conference quarter-final when Old Lyme faces North Branford at Old Lyme, Monday, March 22, with a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.

Meanwhile, playing away, the Old Lyme boys lost to Hale Ray 71-70. The Wildcats struggled to contain Manush Cicerello, who had five three-pointers on his way to 20 points. He was one of four players on the Hale-Ray team, who scored in double figures.

Old Lyme’s leading scorers were Jacob Ritchie with 21, Frank Sablone with 17, and Colbe Andrews with 13.

Filed Under: Lyme, Old Lyme, Sport, Top Story

Basketball Update: Cromwell Snaps Old Lyme Girls’ Unbeaten Record

March 15, 2021 by Admin Leave a Comment

OLD LYME — Cromwell defeated Old Lyme 54-34 last Thursday breaking Old Lyme’s winning streak of eight games. Old Lyme and Cromwell now both have 8-2 records.

Coach Don Bugbee commented after the game, “Cromwell is a very good team and controlled the game from start to finish. We can learn a lot from this and it would help us in our daily attempts to improve ourselves.”

Top scorer for the Wildcats was senior Emily DeRoehn with 16 points, eight rebounds and three steals while Ali Kyle added seven points and two steals.

The Wildcat Junior Varsity girls saw a reverse of the varsity team’s fortunes pulling off 46-34 win and moving to a 7-1 record.

Ali Kyle and Ava Roth both scored 13 points and Alexis Fenton added 10.

Old Lyme meets East Hampton away on Monday, March 15.

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Basketball Update: Old Lyme Boys Defeat Valley 67-57 After OL Buzzer Beater Forces Overtime, Lose to Cromwell

March 11, 2021 by Admin Leave a Comment

OLD LYME — Old Lyme’s Jacob Ritchie hit a buzzer-beating three to force overtime against Valley Regional last Monday, March 8, enabling the Wildcats ultimately to pull off a remarkable 67-57 victory.

Colbe Andrews scored 13 of his 23 points during that overtime period, including going 10 for 10 from the line.

Jacob Ritchie had five steals and 13 points; Maverick Swaney also notched 13 points and Colbe Andrews had 12 rebounds for Old Lyme.

Valley Regional was led by James Marsden with 23 points and Saagar Patel with 14.

Last night, March 11, the Old Lyme boys had a disappointing follow-up to Monday’s success. Coach Kirk Kaczor told LymeLine, “Cromwell played an outstanding game and beat Old Lyme 74-36.”

Cromwell was led by James Grudziki with 19 points while Old Lyme’s top scorer was Jacob Ritchie with 12.

Filed Under: Lyme, Old Lyme, Sport, Top Story

Old Lyme Girls Storm to 8-1 Record After Defeating Valley in Tough, Intense Game

March 9, 2021 by Olwen Logan Leave a Comment

LYME/OLD LYME — Old Lyme girls secured a sensational 43-40 win last night over Valley Regional (5-4) taking their record for the season to an outstanding 8-1.

Senior Sam Gray was top scorer for the Wildcats with 16 points and nine rebounds, while fellow senior Emily DeRoehn added 11 points, 16 rebounds and three steals. Megan Loflin notched five points, 14 rebounds and two steals.

Coach Don Bugbee told LymeLine exclusively after the game, “This was a very physical game from start to finish,” adding, “Congrats to the girls for their hard work and competitive efforts throughout.”

He concluded that it was, “A very nice team win for sure.”

The Junior Varsity (JV) game saw Valley defeat Old Lyme 34-22, taking the JV Wildcats record to 6-1. Sophomore Alexis Fenton scored a game-high 16 points.

Playing at home Thursday, March 11, the girls face Cromwell with a JV tip-off at 4 p.m. and Varsity at 5:30 p.m.

Filed Under: Lyme, Old Lyme, Sport