Community Vine

Home
Selectmen's Meetings
New Stories This Week...
Local Resources/Contacts
Sports
Oakmont Football Recap
Karl Mecklenburg
Ted Williams
Movie Reviews
Q & A
Going Green
Freebies
Links
Subscribe to the Vine!
Advertise on the Vine
Newsletter Archives
Contact Us
About Westminster Vine
Sponsoring Liberty
Sports 

Oakmont 5th Grade Champions!

Monday, March 8, 2010

 


The Oakmont 5th Grade Lady Spartans earned the Central MA Youth Basketball (CMYBL) championship with 2 come-from-behind victories this weekend. In the semi-final game Saturday at Oakmont, the Spartans overcame a 16-12 deficit, outscoring Quabbin (6-5) 9-2 in the final 5 minutes. Megan Sears came off the bench to lead the rally with 4 points and several key steals. Guards Erika Hall (9 pts) and Kaylin Ciesluk (6 pts) led the Spartans down the stretch. Quabbin was paced by the outstanding play of point guard, --- Amido, who finished with a game-high 15 points.

 

On Sunday, the Spartans (11-1) traveled to Lunenburg(9-2), in a rematch of their only regular season defeat. The 2 evenly matched clubs traded leads throughout the first half, taking a 12-11 at intermission on buzzer beating layup by point guard Erika Hall (13 pts) off a halfcourt inbound pass from Ciesluk (7 pts). The 2nd half featured great play up and down by both squads.

 

Lunenburg's balanced attack, led by #23, ---- Jordan (8 pts), took a 2 point lead with 3 minutes remaining. A Hall pull up jumper tied and Megan Sears (2 pts) free throw with 50 seconds left put the Spartans ahead 19-18. After 2 defensive stops at each end by both teams, Hall calmly drained 2 free throws with 20 seconds remaining to secure the 22-19 victory. On the defensive end, front court players Kenzi Cole, Micaela McNamara, Tori Nikki, Lindsey Russ and Charlotte Ward worked tirelessly on the boards and protecting the paint. Backup guard Mykenzie McDonald played key minutes in both games, relieving an injured Ciesluk in the 2nd half of the championship until McDonald broke a tooth, forcing Ciesluk's return.

 


Oakmont Track State Championship Results

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Submitted by: Geoff Rembetsy-Brown

 

 

The Oakmont Track and Field Boys and Girls teams, led by coach Dan Dufour and assistant coach Sara Bottomley, capped a successful year with solid performances at the Division IV State Championship on Friday, February 19th at the Reggie Lewis Center.
 
(The Boys team had recently finished the regular season by winning the League Championship and District E (Central Mass.) Division 2 Championship.  The District E Championship came down to the final event, where the 4x400 relay team won 1st place, capturing the championship.)
 
For the Boys Team (at the Division IV State Championship), Dan O'Connell
placed 6th in a strong field with a time of 6.82 seconds, and missed going to the All State Championships by a few hundredths of a second.  Mike Lashua finished in 7th place in the high jump (5'-9") and 7th place in the 300 Meter Dash (37.12).  Chris Greenlee, Dan Proterra, Sean Flynn and Dan O'Connell finished in 11th place in the 4x200 Meter relay (1:39.21).  Stephen Streeks, Chris Greenlee, Jason Dubois and Mike Lashua ran the 4x400 Meter relay in 3:40.65, their fastest time this year, finishing in 8th place.

 

 
For the Girls (Division IV State Championship), Brittney Logan placed 18th in the 55 Meter Hurdles (9.70).  Krysta Zbikowski finished 13th in the 2-Mile (12:55.74), and Julia Rembetsy-Brown placed 5th in the 55 Meter Dash (7.64), qualifying to run in the All-State Championship meet this Friday.  In the 4x400 Meter relay, Lisa Maki, Amy Grenier, Kristen Aveni, and Kathryn Nutting finished 20th (4:36.33).

 

 

GARDNER/ASH-WEST SQUIRTS QUALIFY FOR STATE TOURNAMENT

Submitted by: Dave Uminski

 

On January 16, 2010, a squirt team comprised of players from the Greater Gardner Youth Hockey Association (GGYHA) and the Ashburnham-Westminster Youth Hockey Association (AWYHA) defeated P.A.T. to represent District 7 in the Tier IV Massachusetts State Tournament.

 

The Squirts used a balanced scoring attack, solid defense and outstanding goaltending to win the qualifying game 6-3. Eleven players figured in the scoring: Greg Morin (goal and assist), Austin Wnek (goal and assist), Theo Reynolds (goal and assist), Zach Uminski (2 goals), Dylan Gallant (goal), Sarah Craig (assist), Dominic Abdu (assist), Luke Boudreau (assist), Mike Lee (assist), Jake Hewitt (2 assists), and Corey Morgan (assist). Dylan Boudreau and Josh Abbott each played a superb game on defense and Matt Sheppard created numerous scoring opportunities for his linemates with aggressive forechecking. Mike Lee had 15 saves in goal.

 

The team was combined as a result of cooperation between the leaders of both organizations when AWYHA did not have enough players for a squirt team and GGYHA needed players to fill its Squirt II roster. The result has been a collection of young hockey players who have shown impressive improvement and excellent teamwork.

The team will travel to Waltham on the weekend of March 12-14 to play in the State Tournament.



 

7th Grade Lady Spartans

February 9, 2010


The Oakmont 7th Grade Lady Spartans fell to 2-8 with a 40-25 home loss to Groton-Dunstable (4-5) on Sunday.  In a rematch of their season opener, GD jumped out to a 17-1 halftime lead, with stifling defense and a potent fast break attack.  GD stretched the lead to 21 in the opening minutes of the 2nd half.  As they have done all year, the Lady Spartans rallied furiously, led by Tara Harrington (15 points), Lisa Gifford (5pts), Madi Cole (3 pts), Sarah Lahtenen (4 blocks) and Micayla Varieur (4 steals), closing the gap to 29-22.  Brianna Loomis (2 points) was a force defensively in the 2nd half and Gillian Macchia effectively spelled Harrington at the point.  Guard Haley Korich's injury with 5 minutes remaining took the wind out of the Spartans sails and GD went on an 11-3 run to close out the scoring, playing keep away for the final minute with an impressive passing display.

 

 

 

Oakmont 5th Grade

Playoff Results

Monday, March 1

Submitted by:

Andy Sears


The Oakmont 5th Grade Lady Spartans (9-1) opened their playoff season on Sunday, February 28 with a wire to wire 23-15 victory over a tough Gardner (2-8) squad.

 

Erika Hall shook off a slow start, exploding for 10 first half points on her way to a game-high 14. Gardner battled back from a 15-4 halftime deficit, closing the gap to 6 with just over 4 minutes remaining.

 

Kaylin Ceisluk (5 points, 7 steals) continually disrupted the Gardner offense before fouling out w/ 2 minutes remaining. Micaela MacNamara (2 points, 10 rebounds), Kenzi Cole (2 points, 3 blocks), Megan Sears (4 steals) and Mykenzie McDonald (3 steals), joined Hall is thwarting the Gardner comeback. Tori Nikki (3 assists, 2 steals),  Lindsey Russ (3 rebounds, 1 block), and Charlotte Ward (5 rebounds) also contributed to the victory.

 

Next up for the Spartans is a semi-final game @ home on Saturday, March 6th, against Quabbin (6-4) at 3:00pm in Oakmont's new Wyman-Therrien gym. The winner will play #1 seed Lunenburg (9-1) on Sunday.  

 
Boys Playoff Results

The Oakmont B7 team beat Mahar 49-34 on Sunday, February 28th in the first round of the small town playoffs. 

 

It was a total team effort with Dominic Romano lead the scoring with 19; David Quaye had 11; Brett Smith, Tyler Hildreth, Nick Zbikowski, and Patrick Porpora had 4 each; Jack Arsenault had 2, and Joey Paniarello completed the scoring with 1. 

 

Defense was led by Jake Dewey, Joey Paniarello and Nick Zbikowski. The team will continue in the playoffs next weekend.



5th Grade Lady Spartans End Season 8-1
February 9, 2010

Submitted by:

Andy Sears

 

The Oakmont 5th Grade Lady Spartans finished their regular season 8-1, winning 14-8 @ Gardner (2-7). The Spartans needed a great defensive effort to overcome their lowest point total of the season. Micaela McNamara (3pts), Kenzi Cole (1pt), Mykenzie McDonald, Torri Nikki, Lindsey Russ, Megan Sears and Charlotte Ward all contributed on the defensive end while the guard duo of Erika Hall and Kaylin Ciesluk led the way on offense w/ 6 and 4 points, respectively. The Lady Spartans will participate in a tournament in Acton over February vacation, before resuming with the opening round of the CMYBL playoffs on February 28th @ home vs. Gardner (time TBA).

 

 

"Big E" Leads Spartans with 10 points
Sunday, January 31, 2010

Submitted by: Andy Sears

The Lady Spartans improved to 7-1 with a 36-5 victory over Naragansett Sunday afternoon.  Kenzi Cole, Lindsey Russ and Charlotte Ward spearheaded the Spartans defense with several blocked shots and steals. While Erika "BIG E" Hall led the scores with 10 points followed by 8 points each from "Big Mac" Micaela MacNamara and Mykenzie McDonald. Tori Nikki banged in 6 points and 5 rebounds. Megan Sears and Kaylin Ciesluk each added a basket along with their selfless shut down defense. The Lady Spartans finish the season next week against the Gardner Wildcats in Gardner Sunday at noon.
 
Oakmont 7th Grade Lady Spartans 
Sunday, January 31, 2010

Submitted by: Andy Sears
The Oakmont 7th Grade Lady Spartans (2-7) notched their second win of the season with a 45-24 victory over host Fitchburg(0-7).  Sarah Lahtenen's 9 first half points on a variety of post up moves and fast break layups broke open a back and forth game late in the half, giving the Spartans an 8 point lead at the break. In the second half, Oakmont continually broke the Fitchburg full court press, with guard Tara Harrington scoring 16 of her season high 21 points after the intermission. Harrington, limited by 3 quick fouls in the first 5 minutes of play sat for a long stretch, reentering the game at the 10 minute mark of the second half.  Micayla Varieur handled the ballhandling duties flawlessly during her absence and Lisa Gifford continued her ferocious inside play with 6 points and 15 rebounds. Madi Cole (5 points), Tori Hatch, Haley Korich and Gillian Macchia all contributed to the Spartans best offensive output of the season. Next up for Oakmont is a rematch with week one opponent Groton Dunstable @ home.


 

 

Oakmont 5th Grade Lady Spartans

Sunday, January 24, 2010
Submitted by: Andy Sears
 

The Oakmont 5th Grade Lady Spartans improved to 6-1 Sunday, with a 19-14 win @ home over Mahar (2-5).  The Spartans broke open a close game with an 10-2 run at the start of the 2nd half. Kaylin Ciesluk continued her torrid play leading the way with 9 points and 10 steals.  Micaela MacNamara added 5 points and Lindsey Russ chipped in with 3.  Defensively, Kenzi Cole provided several key blocks and Erika Hall (2 pts.), Tori Nikki, Mykenzie McDonald, Megan Sears and Charlotte Ward all contributed to the win for the 1st place Spartans. 

 

 

Oakmont 5th Grade Lady Spartans improved to 5-1 with a come from behind 23-19 win @ Quabbin(4-2). 
Sunday January 17, 2010 
Submitted by: Andy Sears
 
The Spartans overcame a 4 point halftime deficit led by the strong defense of Charlotte Ward, Lindsey Russ and Tori Nikki. Kaylin Ciesluk scored a season high 10 for the winners and created havoc on defense the entire afternoon. 
 
 
Erika Hall added 5 and Micaela MacNamara chipped in 4 for the winners.  Kenzi Cole and Megan Sears each delivered several clutch blocked shots and steals in the final 3 minutes to ice the game. 
 
Oakmont B7 traveled to Mahar HS and came up with a win of 49-36.
Sunday January 17th
Submitted by: Andy Sears
 
Oakmont was led by David Quaye and Tyler Hildreth, each had 19 points. Over strong team defense led by Joey Panariello and Nick Zbikowski.  The team is now 3-2 on the season.
  
 

Interview
Todd Civin interviews Karl Mecklenburg of the Denver Broncos after reviewing his new book about student athletes. Read more...   
 
 
Sports Book Review

Heart of a Student Athlete-All Pro Advice for Competitors and Their Families by Karl Mecklenburg
Reviewed by: Todd Civin.
 
"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" is the often used cliche used by those who once sipped from a cup of swill only to rise and taste champagne. Though not a direct quote in NFL-All-Pro Karl Mecklenburg's new book, Heart of a Student Athlete-All Pro Advice for Competitors and Their Families it is the underlying theme between the covers of this wonderful new motivational manual. Read more....
  
A Little Baseball History

Ray Page writes about Ted Williams' last time at bat. Both times. Read more...