Concord News : sports

Bikers, runners and paddlers complete Contoocook Carry

Bow Editor — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:11:00 GMT

Since I first spoke with event organizer Mary Congoran about the race, she has been telling me the Contoocook Carry brings out the best in Hopkinton residents.

I figured she was right, but until I rode my bicycle into a ditch on the side of the road, I never really completely understood.

On Sunday, Sept. 21, what seemed like the entire town of Hopkinton was either racing, setting up the race, handing out Gatorade and water – or, in the case of Peter Sorel, helping a stranded reporter pop his chain back into place.

The race got started with a 2-mile run. I found myself in the middle of the pack when I arrived with my red kayak, a piece of equipment I hope to never see again.

I hopped in, pushed off and started paddling my way down the Contoocook River, starting the 5-mile voyage down the calm river (Believe me, I wish there had been a current).

It took me a while to realize that I was taking on a bit of water, and by a bit, I mean about half of my kayak was filled with the Contoocook River. But hey, I’m not one to make excuses.

Getting my kayak out of the river was nearly as difficult as the 5 miles of paddling, and carrying it to the second half of the river wasn’t that easy either.

By the time I slowly paddled by selectmen Chairman Scott Flood, who was floating on a metal boat on the river, I considered paddling over to him and seeing if I could find a way to finagle the motor off and attach it to my kayak.

Eventually, I made it to my bicycle and thought I had finally made it to the point where I could cruise the final 14 miles to the finish line, but as I took my first left onto Dustin Road, I heard a pop – never a good sign when you’re on anything attached to wheels.

No longer able to pedal, I tried to pull off the road, which turned out to be a bad decision. While my bike came flying up at me, I landed square on my feet. I did, however, have a severely bruised ego, and wasn’t sure I’d be able to finish the race I had been looking forward to for the past few months.

Then, along came Peter Sorel.

“Come on over to my barn, let’s see what we can do for you,” he said.

A complete stranger who happened to live nearby, Sorel walked with me toward his home, and jokingly asked me if I knew who Rosie Ruiz was, and if I was interested in performing a similar feat. (In 1980, Ruiz registered for the Boston Marathon and got a ride close to the finish line before running the rest of the way.)

After Sorel finished repairing my bicycle, I hit the road, and as I peddled I had one question: When did Hopkinton get so many hills?

A little over three hours after I started, I returned to Hopkinton High School, extremely exhausted but happy to have been able to take part in an event that both raised money and brought a community together.

This year, the event raised about $9,000 from event-day participants and donations from numerous people, according to Congoran. The event brought 82 teams, with more than 200 participants, ranging in age from 3 months to 88.

All of the proceeds go toward fuel assistance, a cause that will be crucial this winter with the rising costs of oil.

My time certainly was nothing to brag about in this challenging event, but on the bright side, I lived to tell about it.

Contoocook wood bank makes winter wamer

Bow Editor — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:42:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

The Contoocook Carry may end when the last triathlete crosses the finish line, but for the town’s residents, ways to lend a hand are just heating up.

Sunday, Sept. 21, will mark the annual triathlon benefit in Hopkinton, and a wood bank has also been set up at the transfer station to help residents in need of winter fuel assistance.

While 75 percent of the proceeds from the Contoocook Carry go toward fuel assistance, all wood donations collected at the Sean Powers Wood Bank will be given to Hopkinton residents in need.

“Along the way, it becomes really apparent that there are people who are afraid, people on fixed income, that just can’t afford it,” said Mary Congoran, the wood bank’s organizer.

Congoran said in addition to dropping off wood at the transfer station, residents can help in other ways.

“They might only need help stacking, or a path shoveled to the wood during the winter time,” she said. “The basic thing we’re starting to ask people to do is just go out in the neighborhood and knock on doors and ask who may need help. If nothing more comes out of it than neighbors chatting with neighbors, that’s a great thing, too.”

The effort to raise wood is being called Wood for Warmth, and one of the main aspects will come on Saturday, Oct. 18, during volunteer day.

“Volunteers will be there splitting, cutting and preparing the wood and getting it into the shape so it can be used during the winter,” said Congoran.

Residents are asked to bring 16-inch pieces of wood to the wood bank. Many members of the community have already stepped up and donated large amounts of wood, as well as their services.

Chuck and Joyce Rose have volunteered the use of all their trucks and drivers from their own wood company to collect donations.

“My heart is totally filled up,” Congoran said. “Even if you reach one person like that, it totally fills you up.”

Residents who need to use the donated wood must obtain a voucher from the town’s Human Services Department.

Those interested in donating wood, or finding out more information, can e-mail Mary Congoran at woodforwarmth@hotmail. com or call her at 568-2783.

“The big picture is the community. The only way I could have done anything this is with their help,” said Congoran. “I have the greatest confidence in this community.”

The Contoocook Carry will kick off at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21. Runners set off from Hopkinton High School to the Contoocook River along Route 127, where they launch kayaks for 5 miles, then pick up their bicycles for a 14-mile return trip to the high school.

Those interested in taking part in the Contocook Carry triathlon may register the day of the event at the high school, from noon to 1:15 p.m.

Concord's Post 21 helps student-athletes offset some college costs

Bow Editor — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:47:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

Despite a disappointing season for the Concord American Legion baseball team, Post 21 manager Averill Cate wanted to conclude the summer on a positive note.

In fact, he said he wants to end every Legion season like he’s done this year. On Thursday, Aug. 14, Concord Post 21 and the Forty-and- Eight Club congratulated four athletes and one coach on fine performances and awarded them a total of $4,750 in college scholarships.

The players, Daniel Solomon of Concord, Matt French of Hooksett, Mitch Philibert and Nick Comtois each received $1,000 in education funds, and Brian Drew, who coached Concord’s junior American legion team this season, took $750. Drew a standout at Concord High School, currently attends Keene State College.

French, an outfielder, played his high school ball at Trinity in Manchester. Cate said the third-year Legion player has been a huge asset for the team.

Nick Comtois, another three-year player, pitched and played the outfield. He attended Coe-Brown High School in Northwood and now heads to the State University of New York Cobbleskill this fall. Longevity is not necessarily a prerequisite for the award, however.

Solomon, an outfielder who recently graduated St. Paul’s School in Concord, plans to attend the University of New Hampshire, and Hillsboro-Deering’s Philibert, a pitcher and third baseman, completed their first season with the Concord squad, yet both are reaping the benefit of a generous college scholarship.

And that’s the point, said Cate.

“If you play for our program, and you stick with it through the summer, and you’re going to college, we’re going to try and help you with $1,000,” he said. “If you go to college and you still have another year of eligibility and come back, we’ll try and get you another $1,000.”

Post 21’s eclectic group hits well but has trouble in the field

Bow Editor — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:12:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

Garde Burgess had an early idea how Concord Post 21’s American Legion baseball season was going to play out.

During one of the team’s first practices, he pulled his nine pitchers aside and asked each one how many high school innings they’d pitched. Aside from ace Mitch Philibert, the answer was five – total.

“I thought that was a pretty telling statistic,” said Burgess. “I pretty much had spring training with my players during the district season. I was out there working on mechanics with them before, during and after games.”

It came as no coincidence, then, that Philibert notched three of Concord’s four wins. He would have had six had it not been for three blown leads by the bullpen, said Burgess. Still, the coach is quick to point out the team is young, and most of the players return in 2009, many the season after that as well.

“They’ll do a lot better next year, that’s for sure, but there’s no doubt any extra pitching experience we can get will help. That was definitely our weakness,” he said.

The bats, on the other hand, boomed.

Post 21 averaged double-digit hits per game.

“A lot of games we’d have 16 hits, but we lost the game because we had given up 12 walks,” said Burgess. “Of course, you know if you give up those kind of base runners, you’re going to lose a lot of games.”

Still, Concord put runs on the board in all but one game, though Burgess noted the players often got into trouble on the base paths.

Mark Sullivan of Concord and Hooksett’s Matt French, said the coach, led the team in hitting.

French, in fact, went 16- for-19 his last four games, and would have produced even more throughout the season had it not been for a hamstring injury that caused him to miss several games.

Others contributing include Hopkinton’s Thomas Johnson and Evan Levy; Bow’s Dan Yvars; Pembroke Academy’s Zachary Cogswell, Connor Moroney and Doug Turnbull; Goffstown’s Matthew O’Brien; Daniel Solomon, Benjamin Thurston, Ryan Wakefield, Tucker White, Nicholas Comtois and John Boudrais.

“They all got along really well, which is kind of unusual with a team compiled of kids from so many different areas of New Hampshire,” said Burgess.”This was a very good bunch of guys, probably one of the most delightful bunch of guys with some of the most unique personalities I’ve ever coached.”

Contoocook Carry triathlon heats up

Bow Editor — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:06:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Residents running, paddling and pedaling in September’s Contoocook Carry will use as much energy as they can to get to the finish line.

This year, their physical energy will turn to heating energy, as 75 percent of the proceeds from this year’s race will be given to Hopkinton Human Services to help those in need of fuel assistance due to the skyrocketing cost of oil.

“For the last few years, we’ve tried to give most of the proceeds to human services for all needs,” said Mary Congoran, one of the race’s organizers. “Last winter, I was looking out my window seeing us getting hit so hard with snow and cold weather, and it was just getting to me. I knew there were people needing fuel assistance.”

The sixth annual triathlon takes place Sunday, Sept. 21, featuring a 2-mile run, 5-mile paddle and 14-mile bicycle ride. Racers can sign up as individuals or teams, with a prize table at the end of the race set up to give each racer a reward for completing the course.

While 75 percent of the proceeds will go to fuel assistance, the remaining 25 percent will be donated to Hopkinton High School’s Interact Club, a group of students dedicated to community service.

“I usually try wherever possible to have the youth be able in some way to give back,” said Congoran. “(The Interact Club) helps with the race and offers prizes like babysitting, car washing, lawn mowing and things like that to give to participants.”

Congoran said each year she sees the triathlon bring out the best in residents, and not just financially.

In response to the sponsorship letter Congoran sent out, one resident agreed to donate dry, split wood for the prize table.

“That letter isn’t meant to always draw money out of the pockets of everyone,” said Congoran. “It lets your neighbors know that you care and you’re trying to help in a crisis situation. It isn’t always money.”

The race isn’t designed to be highly competitive, as it is meant to be a fun way to raise money for a cause in town.

“It’s great because we have some super athletes that come also. I like to believe everyone is coming this year for fuel assistance, to help their community,” Congoran said. “We have had people from Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts. They understand, too. It’s never going to be a big-time fancy race, but it’s meant to be down home and to do a lot for the community.”

Last year, the race raised about $2,000, and while Congoran said she hasn’t set monetary goals in the past, she hopes to raise a large amount this year to help residents in need.

“We definitely are really trying to raise a good bit more this year,” she said. “So many good things happen that I haven’t always focused on the funds. This year, whether people can put together a team or not, if they can find a way to help their neighbors, that’s what we’re after.”

Bishop Brady’s fine season stopped in state semis

Bow Editor — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:10:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

CONCORD – The call came with two outs and one on in the bottom of the third inning. Bishop Brady pitcher Jill Nemcovich was cruising when she reached down and grabbed some dirt. She rubbed her hand on her pants and gripped the ball.

The umpire ruled the move illegal, and the runner advanced to second. A base hit later, Brady trailed. Then an assistant coach was ejected for arguing with the umpire.

By the end of the frame, the third-seeded Lady Green Giants faced a three-run hole, and their opponent, No. 2 Portsmouth, pulled away for an 8-2 victory on Thursday, June 12.

Shawn Brechtel, Brady’s head coach, acknowledged while his players couldn’t control the officiating, they could control their play.

“Hey, we didn’t string hits together. We had our opportunities, and we didn’t take advantage,” he said.

The frustrating conclusion, however, takes nothing from a season that saw the Lady Green Giants compile a program-best 15-2 record. A 4-3 first-round win against Pembroke and a 1-0 victory over Kennett in the quarterfinals pushed Brady to the Class I state semifinals for the second time in four years.

While the Green Giants lose five seniors, including four starters, Brechtel said the future is promising.

“I only see us getting stronger. They’re going to play better, they’re going to develop, and I think we’ll be successful in the upcoming years,” he said. “It always helps when you have depth in your program, and we have a lot of interchangeable parts. We’re trying to build a well-rounded team, and if the kids stick with it and keep doing their jobs, we’ll be tough for teams to beat.”

Crew’s control – Concord learns meaning of ‘team-oriented’

Bow Editor — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 13:51:00 GMT

BY RYAN O'CONNOR

Though far from a mainstream sport, crew is gaining popularity throughout the country, and it’s showing on a local stage.

The squad at Manchester Central High school has grown from 12 participants to 80 the last five years, and other schools, including Concord High School, are exhibiting better performance along with increased interest.

And Grayson Richey, a former member of the Concord High School crew team who graduated in 2006 and now helps coach the Crimson Tide, said students are discovering the sport is one of the few athletic endeavors that requires almost entire cohesiveness among its participants.

“A lot of other sports claim to be really team-oriented, but when it comes down to it, the individual skill of one or two people can turn the tide,” said Richey. “When it comes to crew, you need really a perfect harmony between all four or eight people. So it’s probably the most team-oriented sport out there.”

On Saturday, Oct. 13, Concord High School displayed its teamwork on the state’s largest stage, the Amoskeag Rowing Club New Hampshire State Championship.

The men’s junior-novice four finished second with a time of 17 minutes, 38 seconds and the women’s junior-novice eight took bronze with a time of 18:04.

In the men’s junior eight, Concord’s A and B squads both finished in the top 10, at fifth and ninth, respectively, with times of 14:53 and 15:07.

The women’s junior-novice four, with a fourth-place finish and a time of 20:36, and the men’s junior-novice eight, which came in seventh at 16:53, also posted top-10 efforts.

But getting to a competitive level isn’t easy.

In addition to the painstaking training and regimen, Derryfield coach Elizabeth Dirth said student-athletes are encouraged to avoid sugar, coffee and other stimulants throughout the season.

Richey added that, much like marathon running, rowers often “carb load” the day of and the day prior to competition.

“It’s to get that energy that will stick longer, but not sit in your stomach as long,” he said.

Few shots short – Concord can’t quite take tournament title

Bow Editor — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:16:00 GMT

BY SAPNA PATHAK

On the practice green at Canterbury Woods prior to this year’s NHIAA Class L golf tournament, the boys of Concord golf saw eye to eye with their coach. Following the match, the Crimson Tide head coach and his golfers disagreed.

After taking Class L titles in 2005 and 2006, Concord fell short of making it three straight, placing second in this year’s tournament. While head coach Chick Smith and his coaching staff were upbeat, Smith’s starting eight felt differently.

“The kids were very disappointed. They really wanted three in a row,” said Smith. “We knew the competition was much better this year, and realistically, we thought it would be very difficult to win three years straight.

We (the coaches) were happy with second place. They actually had a better score than last season. The kids, though, they weren’t as pleased with second. Winning was very important to them.”

Concord fell five strokes shy of a trifecta, firing a 393 and losing to Bishop Guertin of Nashua. The Crimson Tide edged out third-place finisher Pinkerton Academy by one stroke and placed two shots in front of Manchester West.

The Crimson Tide entered the match on Thursday, Oct. 4, seeded fifth in the Class L standings with a record of 24-8.

The match included the top 20 teams in Class L, with the top-10 teams allowed eight golfers and the top five scores accounting for the final team score. Teams 11 through 20 brought two golfers to compete for the chance to advance to the individual tournament. The top 24 golfers, including ties, moved on to the individual championship on Saturday, Oct. 6.

Senior Matt Levins led Concord with a 73, followed by seniors Kurt Eddins, who shot a 74; Robbie Labrie, who shot an 80; and Brock Harrison, who finished with an 81. Junior Hyun Soo Lim shot an 85; Kyle Tillotson and Matt Mosca each shot an 86; and Jason Varnell carded an 88.

“I was seriously expecting to win. We went out there hoping nothing less than we’d win again,” said senior co-captain Eddins. “It kind of hurts because we just really wanted it. We just lacked that fifth score. It’s just the way golf is. If you have a bad day, that’s it. It just stinks because we really wanted to make it three.”

Hall call – NHTI’s Hogan earns induction into Plymouth State H of F

Bow Editor — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 22:20:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

When the house Paul Hogan grew up in became part of the Plymouth State campus, he seemed destined to be a part of the school. On Sept. 30, he becomes a part of the school’s history.

Hogan, now the men’s basketball coach and athletics director at New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord, awaits induction into the Plymouth State Athletic Hall of Fame following eight successful seasons with the school. He will be enshrined in the 23rd annual induction ceremony at the Hall of Fame Banquet on Sunday, Sept. 30, at Plymouth State University.

After growing up in Plymouth along with eight other brothers and sisters, Hogan attended the school, where his father was a professor.

During his sophomore year, he served as the head coach for Plymouth Junior High School’s baseball, soccer and football programs, something he said helped set him up for a successful career.

“I knew I wanted to coach when I was in eighth or ninth grade,” he said. “The reality is that all the things you do along the way amount and account for something. You try to learn from each step. I was with some great people.”

After a whirlwind five years from 1985-90 that included teaching, assistant coaching and going back to school for his masters, Hogan was named Plymouth State’s head men’s basketball coach in June 1990.

Hogan, known to many for his accomplishments with college students, also hosts numerous camps to teach younger athletes basketball, something that always impressed his former assistant coach James Carey.

“He is able to have success at any level with any type of kid. He used to go from elementary physical education to coaching college kids, and work with those two different extreme levels and really draw the most out of them,” said Carey. “It’s because he treats people with such respect, and he draws the most out of people because of the relationships he develops with them.”

The pair worked together for three years and developed a close friendship. Carey said Hogan had a tremendous impact on his coaching career. Carey is currently at Plymouth Regional High School, where he serves as a physical education teacher and boys basketball coach.

“He’s a great mentor of mine, and he has been the most important person to me and my coaching career and philosophy. He’s really helped me develop through playing and working with him. It was a great learning experience,” he said.

Dave Levesque, who was recruited out of high school by Hogan to play at Plymouth State, said it was the coach’s attitude toward players that has made him so successful.

“He let players play and was honest with them. He took an interest in their lives outside of basketball. He was always asking what he could do to help after graduation,” said Levesque. “As a coach he knows how to work in the whole scheme of the team aspect. He treats all of his players as family, which is a lost art today.”

After moving to NHTI in 1999, Hogan has collected successes as both coach and athletics director. His men’s basketball team won the 2005 USCAA Division-II National Championship.

Hogan said his style of coaching has changed through the years.

“At this point in my career I am probably a lot more relaxed,” he said with a laugh. “If you saw me a few years ago, I was probably a lot more animated.”

Alley tally – Concord bowler pins down gold at Senior Games

Bow Editor — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 21:57:00 GMT

BY SAPNA PATHAK

It was during World War II when Marg Bruner tried it to keep herself occupied.

Now, more than 60 years later, the Concord native still turns to bowling to keep her active and her friends close.

On Aug. 10, the 95-year-old impressed in this year’s Granite State Senior Games 10-pin bowling tournament.

Bruner placed first in the 85-plus age division, winning a gold medal in her first GSSG appearance.

“I began bowling in the 1940s,” said Bruner. “Then in 1980, I joined a league where I could compete once a week and kept it going. I made some great friends through bowling, and we still play every week. It’s a wonderful way to see each other.”

Though she suffers from macro-degeneration, lost her peripheral eyesight two years ago and cannot hear through her right ear, Bruner never let her love of bowling decrease. Bruner bowls with friends Helen Amazeen and Larry Pelland, both of Concord.

Amazeen and Pelland also bowled in this year’s GSSG, which took place at Stadium Lanes in Manchester.

“I consider her one of my teachers,” said Pelland. “She’s got this attitude for life that we should all strive to have. She hasn’t let anything stop her from doing what makes her happy.”

Bruner also plays dominoes with pals Mary Holmes and Barbara Gray; both were on hand to cheer on their friend.

Aiming for the center pin and using her own specialized, light-weight bowling balls, Bruner rolled an 89 in her first set.

“It’s absolutely wonderful,” said Gray. “If she can do this every week, go for it. Some people are surprised to hear she’s 95 and she bowls, but it’s a beautiful thing. She sets a good example for all of us.”

Bruner said she simply bowls because she enjoys it.

“It’s very nice to hear that others are impressed I am still bowling,” said Bruner. “But I just tried it to do something with my friends during the war. I never thought I’d still be doing it, but I know I will keep bowling for as long as I can.”

Legion loss – Locals take tough defeat

Bow Editor — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 19:42:00 GMT

BY RYAN O'CONNOR

Late in his first playoff game at the helm of a competitive baseball team, with his Concord American Legion junior squad tied 2-2 against top-seeded Derry and going into extra innings, Brian Drew turned to his predecessor, Averill Cate.

“He looked at me and said, ‘I’ve got more butterflies in my stomach now than when I was playing,’” said Cate. “I kind of got a kick out of it because games like that will certainly do that to you.”

Drew said he always knew there was a lot of pressure on baseball players in clutch situations; he simply never considered the constant onus on the coaching staff.

“I never imagined how strenuous it would be to make all those important decisions,” said Drew, until Cate, manager of the Concord American Legion senior baseball team, asked him to coach the first year junior squad, composed of up-and-coming high school players, age 17 and younger.

“I mean, the pressure was great and I loved it, but at the same time it’s just a totally different view of baseball than I’ve ever had before.”

Having coached Drew growing up, Cate said he would make a solid skipper.

“He had played for me back in the Babe Ruth days and then played for me a couple years when I started coaching the senior Legion program,” said Cate. “I asked him last year to help me out with the senior team and I was impressed, so this year I asked him if he’d be interested in taking over the junior program and be the head honcho.

“We were really impressed with him,” Cate continued. “He did a really nice job.”

Drew directed his squad to the first-ever American Legion junior baseball tournament, where it went on to lose the aforementioned tie game, 3-2, in extra innings.

Though there were challenges associated with guiding a first-year team through the regular season, Drew said he takes responsibility for many of the decisions that he said may have led to the Derry loss.

“The thing that hurt us the most was the calls by the coaches,” he said. “I didn’t call a hit-and-run when I should have or I didn’t tell have a guy bunt in the right situation, that kind of stuff.”

The players, on the other hand, stepped up, according to Drew.

“I told them, basically from the beginning, we’re a good enough team which has had our chances to beat the top teams, so if we were going to lose, we were going to beat ourselves and I think the players really understood what they had to do,” said Drew.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen them play so together all year. We made very few mental errors and did things well,” he continued. “It was, hands down, the best game we’ve played all year and that’s the way baseball is sometimes. You play your best game and lose.”

Still, Drew faced starting two middle infielders in the playoffs who hadn’t started there regularly during the season.

Michael Courchesne started at second base and Allenstown’s Nathan Derkacz played shortstop, both coming up big defensively, said Drew.

In the first inning, Hopkinton’s Matt Windhurst led off with a single and stole second before Epsom’s Connor Moroney moved him to third on a base hit.

Dan Solomon, of St. Paul’s School, laid down a suicide bunt to bring Windhurst home and give Concord the early 1-0 lead.

Derry came back in the bottom of the second to tie the contest, but in the fourth inning Courchesne took advantage of a shallow outfield, ripping a double over the head of the center fielder before Noah Solomon, who Drew said had been struggling with his bat, lined a double down the third-base line to plate the go-ahead run.

Derry answered, however and pushed the game into extra innings.

“We could taste the blood and were feeling the win, but their batters did a good job to work the counts and get on base when we weren’t,” said Drew.

In the eighth inning, the first of extra play, Concord put runners at first and second with no outs and moved them over on a sacrifice ground ball.

But a strikeout and a pop-out later, Concord’s threat had dissolved.

“That was one of those situations where we probably should have laid one down and I guess we missed the opportunity because we were worried about whether the batter would get the job done,” said Drew.

In the final frame, Noah Solomon walked before Windhurst tried and failed to lay down a bunt, fouling both attempts, then struck out swinging on the third pitch.

“Maybe we shouldn’t have been bunting in that situation, but you try to play technical baseball and try to manufacture runs when you can and sometimes it just doesn’t work out,” said Drew.

Moroney then walked and Dan Solomon was called out on what Drew termed as a debatable strike call, but one that had been consistently called that way all night.

Allenstown’s Zachary Cogswell, in the next at bat, made solid contact, but lined the ball right at the ranging second baseman.

In the ninth inning, with the bases loaded, Drew told his pitcher to throw a fastball, but failed to call for the proper outfield shift in time.

By the time the outfielders had received Drew’s orders and initiated their shift, the batter had lined the ball into the gap to knock the locals out of the tournament.

Jared Peick threw seven innings of seven-strikeout ball for Concord.

This year’s Concord squad sent four players to the junior Legion all-star game, including Hopkinton’s David Brandt and Windhurst, as well as Peick and Dan Solomon.

Playoff push – Locals lead Post 21 juniors to postseason date with Derry

Bow Editor — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 21:30:00 GMT

BY RYAN O'CONNOR

It was a regular-season contest with a playoff feel. Concord Post 21, 6-8, and Salem Post 63, 5-9, both entered the game facing the same scenario: continue playing with a victory or bid farewell to teammates with a loss.

Behind solid mound and plate efforts from Hopkinton’s David Brandt, Concord held off a late Salem rally to win, 7-6.

After his team allowed four runs to cross in the seventh inning, bringing Salem within one run, Brandt pitched the final 2 1/3 innings to protect the lead and secure a Concord appearance in the first American Legion junior baseball tournament.

The top four teams of six made the playoffs.

Brandt, consistently hitting around .400 all season, went 2-for-4, including a double.

Matt Windhurst of Hopkinton went 2-for-2 and drew two walks.

Bow’s Josh Kleinberg and Hopkinton’s Thomas Johnson each added a hit.

Allenstown 15-year-old Zachary Cogswell went 1-for-3.

Despite the playoff appearance, however, it has been a season of constant challenges for Concord, said coach Brian Drew.

“I think that we deserve to have a better record for the kind of team we are,” said Drew, whose team started 2-3. Each loss, he said, came after his team blew a late-game lead. “That’s just the kind of season we’ve had. We’ve either lost late or gone down big early and had to work our way back.”

Moreover, four players left the squad during the season.

Drew said he couldn’t choose from the 18 players who tried out, so Post 21 suited up four more than the normal 14-player squad, leaving the team fully loaded for the postseason – despite the sudden vacancies.

“We’ve been able to compete with every team in the league, but we’ve had consistency problems, and it’s just a matter of who’s going to show up and get a job done on a given day, which makes it really hard to field the same nine players,” said Drew.

“They’ve all worked hard and have been really competitive, so they’ve made my choices difficult,” he continued. “I guess that’s a good thing.”

The competitive nature of his players, said Drew, is exactly what gives his team a solid chance at a title.

Concord opens the playoffs at Manchester’s Gill Stadium against 11-6 Derry, the No. 1 seed, on Friday, Aug. 10, immediately following another playoff match-up which begins at 4 p.m.

“I’m happy we’re playing Derry first because if we can come out sharp and knock them off,” said Drew, “it’s all downhill from there.”

More to the point – Teenage whim became a lifelong passion for him

Bow Editor — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 20:32:00 GMT

BY SAPNA PATHAK

Dana White could be mistaken for a typical “Lord of the Rings” fan.

For White, an evening watching the well-known trilogy means more than simply enjoying the films. It’s about analyzing what he called “the artistic portrayal” of a lesser-known sport.

“They’ve (the movies) really made archery popular with a whole new generation,” said White with a laugh. “It’s not a sport you hear or see much about, but it’s being done worldwide. “Lord of the Rings,” well, it made archery the cool, new thing kids wanted to learn. So, yeah, I’m a big fan, but not for the reasons everyone would think.”

A level-3 certified archery instructor for Concord’s Parks and Recreation department, White has spent the better part of the last four decades cultivating a passion for an activity he tried at age 15. Seven years later, White competed in his first archery tournament, at the Pioneer Sportsman Club in Dunbarton, before deciding to take his first instructor’s course.

“It’s like, ‘You know who Dana White is, right?’ when you’re talking about archery in New Hampshire ,” said Jack O’ Neal, an archery instructor at the Pioneer. “He’s done a lot for the sport in the state. He works with kids who are handicapped, those who are not and adults. It started off as a hobby, but it was his genuine interest that made archery grow so much.”

White joined the YMCA of Concord in 1972, volunteering until 1987 when he moved to the parks and recreation department. In the winter of 2006, he earned a certification to teach in schools; White now mentors at a private school in Hopkinton.

White’s four-week summer programs, Art of Archery, draw Neighborhood archers ranging from 4 years old to college graduates. Mixed and children-only tournaments cap off each session, but White said it’s the evolution of his archers he most enjoys observing.

“I’ve worked with a lot of kids with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive disorder) or other ailments,” said White. “And it’s really something to see them focusing their attention to one thing. It’s about learning self-confidence, self-discipline and self-motivation. That’s what I want them to learn first and foremost.

“If you can compete with yourself and not look at what others around you are doing, then you’ll be able to get better and see what happens,” he continued. “For no apparent reason, I bought a bow when I was 15 … I had no idea where that would take me.”

Jr. achievement – Concord Legion’s seniors miss playoffs, younger team reaches postseason

Bow Editor — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 20:10:00 GMT

BY RYAN O'CONNOR

Going into a doubleheader with Plymouth, the Concord American Legion junior baseball team held a 4-6 record and was on the outside looking in at the fourth and final playoff spot.

But after a two-game sweep of Plymouth, the team previously ahead of them, Concord players are now preparing for the postseason, carrying a 6-6 record and sole possession of the last tournament bid.

Following the games, manager Averill Cate said he found out Plymouth will not move on, even if it finishes ahead of his squad, because the local high school football coach is forbidding his gridiron players from participating.

Though the news guarantees his team the playoffs, Cate said he would rather his team earn the berth and noted he was disappointed to hear of the Plymouth policy.

“They call themselves educators and then they put that kind of pressure on them,” he said. “Well, that’s a laugh and a half.”

Playing its final week, the Concord senior team’s players didn’t fare as well as their junior counterparts.

After winning two in a row and gaining some positive momentum, Concord lost its final two in-division regular season games to complete the summer with a 7-13 record.

Concord lost at Laconia, 9-6, on July 25, and to Exeter, 7-5, during a rainout make-up game on Friday, July 27.

But Cate was quick to note that many of his younger players stepped up their play the final two weeks after two of his veterans were suspended.

Hopkinton’s David Brandt, going into his senior year of high school, and Concord’s John Andersch, who recently graduated, both contributed.

Thomas Mullen of Concord, also entering his senior year, was one of the team’s best finds, playing second base and making consistently solid contact at the plate, said Cate.

The team’s final three non-division games have been canceled, said Cate, so the players and coaches can concentrate on the junior squad’s playoff run.

Conquered – Concord National falls in losers bracket semis

Bow Editor — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 17:22:00 GMT

BY SAPNA PATHAK

It was as difficult as Dave Angus imagined.

Standing in the dugout, facing his 11- and 12-year-old players, the Concord National manager struggled to find the right words in his final postgame speech. After an emotional 10-9 loss to Salem American in this year’s District 1 Little League majors baseball tournament, Angus relayed to his all-stars the only thoughts he could muster.

“I’m proud of them … I’m just really, very proud of this group of boys,” said Angus after the game on Wednesday, July 11. “This was a prime example of two great teams meeting. That’s what this tournament is all about. It seems like life or death out there when you’re playing, but every coach has to make that farewell speech, and it’s one of the hardest things you have to do.”

Hosting the victors in the losers bracket semifinal, Concord climbed back from a 5-0 deficit to take a 9-5 lead. But Salem’s timely hitting against Concord hurler Nathan Strowzewski fostered the come-from-behind win.

Strowzewski took over with two out in the first inning when starter Cody Ferns was touched for 5 runs on 46 pitches.

Concord’s offense came alive in the bottom of the third inning after Strowzewski led with a double. Braden Smith
reached on a fielder’s choice before Cody Barnhart’s RBI single scored Strowzewski.

Cam Alosa knocked in two runs on a double to the center-field wall, while Connor Angus did the same with a bases-clearing triple to score Alosa and Austin Erickson. Connor Angus came around on Alex Bashios’ two-run home run, putting Concord ahead, 7-5.

“I knew we’d come back because we’re a good hitting team,” said Dave Angus. “But they had a hard time with Salem’s reliever. He was the difference in the game. We couldn’t get to him and instead, Cody had a hard time with the umpire’s tight strike zone.”

Salem pitcher Phil Smith entered the game after Bashios’ home run, quieting Concord’s bats for most of his outing.

National’s lineup did manage two runs in the bottom of the fourth on a two RBI triple from Barnhart.

“We’d just come off a big win (against Goffstown), and we really thought we could keep it rolling,” said National’s mentor. “But the deeper you stay in the tournament, the better the teams you’re going to be seeing. This really could’ve gone either way, because the competition’s that tight.”

The game marked Angus’ last as a Little League manager. Rounding out his roster were Sean Mamos, Harrison Murphy, Jon Dunn and Chris Bartlett.