BETHLEHEM — Despite the fact that the Nonnewaug Timber Team is in its infancy as a program, being just a few years old, success seems synonymous with coach Andrew Zielinski’s group.

The Bethlehem Fair was no exception as the team proved their collective ability to win a variety of events. 

“We are competing against two very well-established teams with Wamogo and Woodland and we know they work hard in their practices so we always hope to work just a little bit harder than them to beat them,” said Zielinski. 

The Woodbury FFA Timber Team has been working and practicing hard all year round to quickly approach fair season. Along with Nonnewaug Timber Team holding their very own competition, here at Nonnewaug, they also attend many local fairs.

“Being on the team for three years now, the team has drastically improved. It’s amazing to see the increase in skill for what many people love to do,” junior Elsie Crocco said. “The Timber team winning the trophy this year at the Bethlehem Fair shows the competitiveness amongst the team and being there to cheer each other on shows just how much team support we all have in an individual sport.” 

The students at Nonnewaug not only are passionate about the timber team but are also dedicated. Timber team for ag students is like the sport of volleyball or baseball for kids not involved in ag. 

Scheduling timber practices is not easy due to the busy schedules students have with juggling school and work. Timber team members show how dedicated they are to the sport by showing up on Tuesdays and Thursdays for two hours a day.

All the hard work these kids have put in over the year finally have paid off with the win at the Bethlehem Fair on Sept. 6.

“We have been very close to winning a few times recently, but I think that coming so close at our first competition in Goshen was a big motivator at practice in the week leading up to Bethlehem,” Zielinski said.

The Woodbury FFA Timber Team will be competing next on Oct. 4 at the Harwinton Fair.