High Impact Times: A MetalNed Exclusive, Walter Camp Football Foundation CT Players of the Year, On Going NFP Fundraisers
A MetalNed Exclusive, Walter Camp Football Foundation CT Players of the Year, On Going NFP Fundraisers.
A MetalNED Exclusive
Rich Bowen returned home to Killingly High School in 1986 to be its wrestling coach, eight years after he competed in the sport. It was rough at first. “We only won a few matches each of those first two (years),” Bowen said. Five decades later, Bowen is the winningest coach in CIAC wrestling history. He earned his 700thwin in January, the first to reach that number, and added another win before the regular season ended.
Bowen and Killingly have continued their success this postseason by winning both the Eastern Connecticut Conference tournament championship and the CIAC Class S title. “During the season, it’s kind of hard to just look at that (the wins),” Bowen said. “I think after you sit down (after the season) it’ll be, ‘Wow, yeah. That’s a lot of wins.’”
“It’s definitely something that I’m proud of and I didn’t really think I’d be doing long enough to even think about it, especially after the first couple of years.” Bowen wrestled at Killingly and graduated in 1978. He was a runner-up at 119 pounds at the Class M tournament that season and fourth at the State Open. He went on to wrestle at Rhode Island College before returning to his old school to coach. “I was really young,” Bowen said. “It’s difficult, but you’re young and you just have to bear with it and learn. … It’s a little bit of a transition. You need to figure out what you’re dealing with first and then start to build what you think is going to work well. Being in the ECC, we had some good coaches, so I’d take things from them and try to build up our own system here.”
Bowen had good role models early in his career when eastern Connecticut wrestling was enjoying its halcyon days — Windham’s Brian Crudden and Carl Snitkin of Norwich Free Academy. NFA won all nine of its state titles under Snitkin, including six straight (1983-88), which is tied with Danbury for second-best in state history. Snitkin, who coached from 1975-99, ranks in the top 15 in winning percentages (471-80-7, .849), according to the Connecticut High School Wrestling Record Book. Crudden’s teams won seven state titles during his tenure (1978-98). They also won the 1992 New England championship, joining Danbury as the only state teams to win at that meet. “Those were the two bigger guys,” Bowen said about Crudden and Snitkin. “I would take my kids down to Brian Crudden’s practices and we’d work out. I started to learn in the offseason (at camps). We started to build up some good knowledge and get the kids involved in those type of things, too, and that helped a real lot.”
Bowen also credited the development of a youth wrestling program to helping build Killingly up. Killingly has been on a roll millennium. It was the 2002 Class M runner-up, won that division the following season for its first state title, and was runner-up again in 2004. It won Class S in 2008 and 2009, too. Killingly has had its greatest success the past few seasons. It’s one of the ECC smaller schools but won five of the last six tournament championships.
Bradley Jonasch (106 pounds), Brady Zadora (132) and heavyweight Anthony Oates all won individual titles at this month’s ECC championships. This past weekend, Killingly dominated the Class S championship to win its fourth title in five seasons. It outpointed runner-up Lyman Memorial/Windham Tech, 212-158.5 Killingly had four state champions — Soren Rief (215), Jonasch, Zadora and Oates. Only one other team had more than one champion (Montville had two) Giovanni Sanchez-Ruelas was runner-up at 157, Ryan Barretta (190) finished third and Ian Cathell (120) and Aiden Mantia (144) both finished fifth at Class S.
Bowen credited the support of the school’s administration for the program’s current run as well as a new high school that was built last decade. “The new school and new administers and ADs have really been super-supportive” Bowen said. “They got us running some of the tournaments (at the school) with the ECCs early on and that turned into hosting states and we’ve got the facility for it, so that’s helped out a lot. I think just the support there and the kids enjoying it (have helped). It’s just been a real good cycle and a good atmosphere for wrestling at the school.”
“We have a bigger (wrestling) room. That’s the other thing, too. … Those types of things have really helped out tremendously. So our numbers are up a little bit.” The success of the wrestling program has coincided with football having its best run-in school history. Killingly has played in four state finals over six seasons, winning two of the program’s four championships in 2017 and 2021. “(The football coaches) support getting the kids onto the wrestling team, give it a try, if they’re not doing anything in the winter,” Bowen said. “So there’s support all around for all the sports. It just seems like it’s a little better in general in that way for sure, and it makes for a good atmosphere for all the programs, not just the wrestling team.”
Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces CT Players of the Year
The Walter Camp Football Foundation has announced their Connecticut Players of the Year. This years two players are Rocky Hill native and Syracuse defensive back Justin Barron and Glastonbury native and Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Van Dyke.
Last season for the Orange, Barron totaled 89 tackles, 8 pass breakups, 3 forced fumbles, 1 interception and 0.5 sacks. For Van Dyke, he played for the Miami Hurricanes before transferring to Wisconsin this offseason. For the Canes in 2023, Van Dyke passed for 2,703 yards and 19 touchdowns with 65.8% completion percentage.
To learn more about this years Walter Camp Football Foundation Connecticut Players of the Year, checkout this article from the Walter Camp Football Foundations website.
ECC Girls’ Basketball Finals Are Tonight At Mohegan Sun
Tonight, Mohegan Sun will be hosting the ECC Girls’ Basketball Finals. At 6:00PM, the ECC Girls’ Division 2 Basketball Finals will take place as #1 seed Stoninginton (14-8) faces off vs #2 seed Windham (18-4). Immediately after that game, the ECC Girls’ Division 1 Basketball Finals will tip-off at 8:00PM. #1 seed New London (18-4) squares off with #6 seed Ledyard (13-9).
Both games should deliver a high level of basketball and entertainment so make sure you don’t miss out on both competitions.
CHSCA Basketball Players of the Week
The votes are in, and the first edition of the CHSCA Basketball Players of the Week have been decided. The Girls’ CHSCA Basketball Player of the Week is Newtown High School basketball player Izzy Caron. And the CHSCA Boys’ Basketball Player of the Week is Bacon Academy basketball player Troy Johnson.
Congratulations to both Izzy and Troy on their hard work being rewarded. Remember to vote on the CHSCA website each week for who you think should win CHSCA Basketball Players of the Week.
CHSCA Ice Hockey Players of the Week
One of the best traditions in Connecticut high school sports is the weekly CHSCA Ice Hockey Player of the Week program sponsored by Cheshire Sport & Hamden Sports Shop. This week, we have two extremely talented student athletes taking home the award.
This weeks Boys’ Ice Hockey Player of the Week is Fairfield Prep forward, James Murphy. Murphy takes home the award after an impressive stretch of games for Jesuits. Congratulations James!
This weeks Girls’ Ice Hockey Player of the Week is Hamden Co-op goaltender, Kyra Sweeny. Sweeney tallied an excellent stretch of games in net for the Dragons earning her the award of Girls’ Ice Hockey Player of the Week. Congratulations Kyra!
ECC Athlete of the Week Winners
We’re back for another week of recognizing the best athletes from the ECC for the ECC Athlete of the Week program sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings.
This weeks ECC Boys’ Athlete of the Week is Woodstock Academy indoor track athlete, Christian Menounos. Menounos performed at an extremely high level on the track for Woodstock Academy and his hard work paid off as he won this weeks ECC Boys’ Athlete of the Week. Congratulations Christian!
This weeks ECC Girls’ Athlete of the Week is Waterford High School indoor track athlete, Elle Dibuono. Dibuono had an impressive week for Waterford High School this past week on the track which earned her the award of ECC Girls’ Athlete of the Week. Congratulations Elle.
Newington Weightlifting Club set to Kick Off David’s Cookie Dough Campaign
If you’re interested in purchasing cookies and supporting a good cause, you should look to support the Newington High School weightlifting team. From Triple Chocolate cookies with Hershey Kisses to White Chunk Macadamia Nut, you can purchase a box of delicious cookies while also helping out the Newington weightlifting team.
All you need to do is scan the QR code below, pick out which cookies you would like to purchases and then checkout. In the checkout process, you’ll be able to pick which athlete on the team you would like to support so they can get credit for your purchase!
Montville Girls’ Basketball Online Donations Campaign
This basketball season, the Montville Girls' Basketball team is fundraising through an online donations campaign. To donate to the Montville Girls' Basketball team and ensure that they have a great season, all you have to do is click on THIS LINK. From there, you’ll be able to choose which student athlete you’d like to support with your donation and then you can pick the amount. This is an awesome way to support the Montville Girls' Basketball team as they finish up an exciting season.
East Lyme Boys’ Soccer Rallies to Reach One Last Goal!
This offseason, the East Lyme Boys’ Soccer team is fundraising through an online donations campaign. To donate to the Vikings and ensure that they have a great offseason where they can purchase new equipment for players, all you have to do is click on THIS LINK. From there, you’ll be able to choose which student athlete you’d like to support with your donation and then you can pick the amount. This is an awesome way to support the East Lyme Boys’ Soccer team as they also gear up for an exciting season in 2024.
Conard Wrestling Online Donations Campaign Picks up Steam as they Close Out Their Season
This wrestling season, the Conard High School wrestling team is fundraising through an online donations campaign. To donate to the Red Wolves and ensure that they have a great season, all you have to do is click on THIS LINK. From there, you’ll be able to choose which student athlete you’d like to support with your donation and then you can pick the amount. This is an awesome way to support the Conard wrestling team as they finish up an exciting season.
Upcoming Events
Nike Coach of the Year Clinic Set For Their Annual New England Clinic!
It’s that time of the year! The Nike Coach of the Year Clinic has set their New England date for February 29th to March 2nd at the clinics usual location, the Windsor Marriott hotel. Some of this years great guest speakers are Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck, UConn head coach Jim Mora, Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun and UMass head coach Don Brown.
If you’re looking for more information regarding the clinic and how to register, you can go to: 2024 Nike Coach of the Year Clinics by NIKE Coach of the Year Clinics, Inc. The NFP team hopes to see you in attendance for the always great event.
Glazier Clinics Will Be Back in Connecticut in March!
The Connecticut High School Coaches Association shared the following message on behalf of their sponsor:
What separates great coaches from everyone else?
#1 They spend the off-season getting better.
#2 They go to in-person clinics.
#3 They learn from the best!
Glazier Clinics – the only provider of nationwide in-person football clinics – is coming to Greenwich March 8-10 with up to 150 sessions by some of the top coaches around:
Brad Idzik - WR Coach for Tampa Bay Buccaneers
John Marinelli - Pass Game Coordinator at UCONN
Aaron Whitecotton - D-Line Coach for New York Jets
Pete Lembo - Special Teams Coordinator at South Carolina
Brandon Napoleon - Safeties Coach at Jacksonville State
With a Glazier Unlimited Season Pass you get unlimited access for unlimited coaches to:
All Glazier’s 26 Clinics, and Leadership Summits, Coordinator Schools, Head Coach Academies, Athletic Performance Clinics, Option Clinics, and 8-Man Clinics.
Glazier Drive, a digital football coaching platform with more than 40 coaching systems and 2,000 videos with more being added each week.
Go to Glazier Clinics to register!
Follow Glazier on X and Facebook!
The Walter Camp Football Foundation Breakfast of Champions is Approaching!
Not only will Connecticut High School Football Coaches be busy with two great clinics at the end of February/beginning of March. They will have the opportunity to take part in the biggest high school football awards event in New England on March 16th. That is when the Foundation will host its 16th annual Breakfast of Champions. More information and a link to purchase tickets can be found at: Walter Camp Breakfast of Champions – Walter Camp Football Foundation.
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
Connecticut High School Coaches Association
Aqua Turf Club
Buffalo Wild Wings
Glazier Clinics
Stadium Systems
Town Fair Tire
Cheshire Sport & Hamden Sports Shop
Eastern Connecticut Conference
Brian Dagle Foundation
Buffalo Wild Wings
Dodd Stadium
Domino's of Southeastern Connecticut
Game On
JayPro Sports
Kelley's Pace
Metro Team Sports
University Orthopedics
Valenti Auto Group
Vocatura's Bakery
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If you’re interested in fundraising with NFP or looking to work with us on the sports marketing front, you can send an email to james@nfpbrands.com.