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By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC sporty shout out is sent along to one of Putnam’s oldest residents and a truly great guy Theodore “Ted” Messier Sr. who is approaching his 99th birthday. Always friendly and vibrant, Messier can still hold his own and gets around very well. Ted, keep getting up each morning. RPC thinks you’re a great sport.
Whenever there’s a Smutnick making news in the sports section, it’s usually John Smutnick. He’s often found on a winning foursome for a local charitable golf tournament or receiving recognition for his exploits on the baseball diamond from his winter home in Florida.
This week there are two Smutnicks in the news a male, Major Doug Smutnick of the United States Air Force 188th Fighter Wing and Margo Smutnick of Norwich University, where she’s Cadet Corps Battalion Commander.
Maj. Smutnick, a graduate of Woodstock Academy, was recently cited for his exemplary service while on assignment in 2012 in Bagram, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Col. Mark Anderson in a commander’s call ceremony at Fort Smith, Arkansas presented Maj. Smutnick with an Air Force Combat Action Medal.
Maj. Smutnick was a key participant in a troops-in-contact predicament during a close-air support combat mission July 4, 2012, while piloting a 188th A-10C Thunderbolt II “Warthog” defending the lives of Coalition ground troops engaged in a firefight with the Taliban. It was because of Smutnick’s action that day that multiple Coalition troops made it home safely to their families.
“I remember noting the date (July 4) when I was completing my admin paperwork at the operations desk before stepping to the aircraft. But after I sucked the gear up and heard the troops in contact call come over the radio, the date as well as all other nuances quickly melted away,” said a humble Maj. Smutnick.
Maj. Smutnick is the son of John and Laura Smutnick of Pomfret and Avon Park, Fla.
Margo Smutnick, cousin of Maj. Smutnick and also a graduate of Woodstock Academy, is a senior at Norwich University in Northfield, Vt. Norwich University is the oldest private military college in the United States.
Smutnick, a political science major with a Chinese minor, is due to graduate in May, when she will be commissioned by Ret. Asst. Commandant of the United States Marine Corps 4-Star General Richard I. Neal. Following graduation she’ll enter the Marines. Her pinning ceremony, when she’ll be commissioned a 2nd Lt., will be done by her father David Smutnick, a former Marine. Her mother is Mary Smutnick. The Smutnicks reside in Pomfret.
Putnam resident Roger Franklin, a 1960 graduate of Norwich University and a Ret. United States Army Reserve Colonel, is a member of the Norwich University Board of Trustees. He recently had the privilege of meeting Miss Smutnick when he attended a Board meeting on the campus.
The Stars Are Bright
The Eastern Connecticut Conference continues to release its fall sports all star teams, the latest being men’s soccer and women’s field hockey luminaries.
Two Woodstock Academy booters, midfielder Cam Hartland and defender Austin Beaupre received Honorable Mention accolades in the Large Division.
Sportsmanship Awards went to Kyle Duethorn of Woodstock, Nathan Martins of Killingly, Jared Beauregard of Plainfield and James Bellows of Tourtellotte.
Killingly’s outstanding goalkeeper Kristy Gallant headed a group of First Team All-Stars who were honored in field hockey. Joining Gallant on the First Team was her teammate defensive standout Emma Guillot and Woodstock Academy’s Stephanie Marasco. Midfielders Kathy Wu and Alyssa Rainey were recognized in the Honorable Mention category as was Helena Ives of Woodstock. Defensive players Kristen Cunneen of Killingly and Allie Swan of Woodstock received Sportsmanship awards.
Former Marianapolis
Standout Recognized
The Connecticut 6 Classic, the annual gathering for the state’s six mid-major men’s basketball teams was held Saturday at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport. The six schools participating were the University of Hartford, Quinnipiac University, Central Connecticut State University, Yale University, Sacred Heart University and Fairfield University.
The 2013 All-Connecticut Preseason Team, selected by the head coaches included former Marianapolis forward Ike Azotam of Quinnipiac University. It was further noted in the tournament notes that Azotam along with another former Golden Knight Ousmane Drame, form one of the best rebounding duos in college basketball. The two make the Bobcats of coach Tom Moore one of the best rebounding teams in the nation.
Soccer Team Honored
Putnam Science Academy honored its soccer teams Nov. 6 at an Awards Presentation Evening held at the school. The Mustangs had three teams on the field this fall with more than 60 players participating on the varsity, junior varsity and 3rd squads.
Senior Suleyman Ozgul walked away with most of the varsity honors, including team Most Valuable Player. During the season he led the Mustangs to 7-5 record as he recorded 14 goals and 20 assists.
From The Annals
of Putnam Sports History
Although Putnam usually played football on Thanksgiving Day, in November 1906 on Thanksgiving afternoon, Putnam defeated Leicester Academy in basketball 35-8, in a game played at the Armory. (Information contributed by Willie Zamagni)
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: A bird in the hand… can be messy.