WOODBURY — High school timbersports continue to grow rapidly with new teams and members each year.
In 2010 with only four members, the Wamogo High timber team showed off its skills at the local events. They would perform in front of crowds at the Bethlehem Fair in crosscut, bow saw, and axe throwing.
High school timbersports became so popular that in 2016 Woodland High gathered a few students and started a team of their own. Nearly five years later, the Woodbury FFA timber team was made with eight members, according to coach Andrew Zielinski.
Earlier this month at the Bethlehem Fair, a fourth team, Shepaug, also competed.
“It is great to see the sport growing,” said Zielinski. “I think it will help provide a positive level of competition amongst the schools that will help to motivate them.”
This new level of motivation helped the Woodbury team bring home the trophy from the Bethlehem Fair for the first time, beating Wamogo by one point.
The new members and team don’t only push older members but they also push each other to put in the work and improve for the upcoming competitions.
“I think we have some new members who are really pushing our team to work harder,” said captain Abby Risi. “Some of our new members might be slowing us down a little, but we are working on that and we’re getting everybody in shape.”
The Woodbury team now has 24 members ranging from freshman to seniors. All these members help the growth of the sport without even knowing.
“When I went to the open house they were cutting wood before my freshman year,” said new member Selena Argiro-Bevilacqua. “Also the team members wear their shirts.”
The team will not stop practicing and putting in work for the upcoming practices. Both experienced and inexperienced members come to practice and learn new things to help drop their times and improve their skills.
The league gains a lot of new members and teams from its great community and support. All members have a great way of showing what a good team and group looks like.
“I believe the enthusiasm the teams bring to each competition is contagious and sparking other schools to potentially begin their own teams,” said Zielinski. “It is also a great way for students who aren’t into traditional sports to get involved.”
