WOODBURY — When the weather heats up, so does spring sports, with state tournaments coming for the chiefs, the school looks to add state championships to the resume.
At the top of the list is Nonnewaug’s softball team, currently with a 22-1 record and ranked No. 3 in the Class M rankings after winning the Berkshire League title. The Chiefs are set for a second-round game against Wolcott on June 4 with a potential quarterfinal June 6. Junior captain Jade Rinaldi says the team feels good entering the postseason.
“I feel really confident going into states,” Rinaldi said. “I know we have a lot of talent on our team.”
Rinaldi also believes that taking on the role of captain is an important part of their success.
“Being a captain comes with a lot of responsibility,” Rinaldi said. “I try to be as uplifting as possible because I never want to see someone being too hard on themselves.”
With this team’s talent and strong work ethic, there’s hope they can make a deep run in this year’s state tournament.
Also on the diamond is the baseball team, who finished 15-9 after reaching the second round of Class M tournament and the BL tournament final. Sophomore pitcher Jackson Demers said the year was a success.
“Double-digit wins, it’s gone pretty well,” Demers said. “I’m very happy with how we’ve done, how we’ve come together as a team.”
Next to the ball field, is the track, where the track and field team consists of over 60 kids. Johnny Carrara, who has qualified for the BLs in the mile, half-mile and 4×800 relay, looked forward to the league championships May 17.
“We have a really good chance of winning.” said Carrara, “I think we’re gonna win the Berkshire League and we got a lot of kids that can go to states so you know that’s awesome.”
He was right, as both the boys and girls teams cruised to league championships.
Although most of Nonnewaug’s spring sports teams seem to be thriving, some are definitely doing better than others.
Nonnewaug’s co-op girls lacrosse team with Lakeview has had an up-and-down season.
“We don’t really have a lot of players,” sophomore Jadyn Heron said. “Practices have been cancelled a lot because of rain, and it’s just rough when we don’t get the practice times in because of the spring weather.”
With the girls team looking to pick up the pace, the boys lacrosse team is now finding their rhythm. The Lakeview-Nonnewaug-Thomaston co-op is the No. 13 seed in the Class M state tournament and will open at No. 4 Foran on June 4. Sophomore Cameron Packett shares what the playoffs mean to him.
“We just have to keep battling every game, giving it all and never giving up,” Packett said. “Also the mental aspect plays a major part; it helps with simple mistakes and stuff like that. I am having a pretty good season and I believe in our team to make a name for ourselves.”
Over at the courts, the tennis season has recently winded down with a successful season for both teams. The boys won the BL championship and reached the Class S semifinals, propelled by BL singles champion Luke Primini. Sophomore Cash Medonis shares how the season has been a success.
“This past season I was playing second doubles with Matthew Shupenis,” Medonis said. “We had a really good season and really shocked everyone. We won the Berkshire League and had a very successful season.”
The girls also enjoyed a strong season under a new coach.
“The season was really great,” said Ava Hirleman, a sophomore tennis player. “I played fourth singles and all the way until the end I was a key contributor, I won every game except for one.”
