Pomperaug Sports Program Ends Championship Year

Success begets success; after winning ten sports titles this year, nobody knows that more than Pomperaug High School Director of Athletics Joseph Velardi.

"We may have just finished our most successful year in athletics," said Velardi.

The Panthers completed a banner year by adding ten titles to an already extensive trophy collection. In the spring alone, Pomperaug brought home three state championships in Baseball, Girls Swimming and Boys Swimming.

"Three state champions and three sports that were runner up," said Velardi. "Nearly all of our teams finished .500 or better and had more students named to the All-State team and more state champions than ever."

The Baseball team took home the Class LL State Championship for the first time in school history.  While the play of the entire team contributed to the title, two players - Adam Cherry and Brett Koliani - stood with All-SWC and All-State honors.

The success of the team had as much to do with X's and O's as it did with how Head Coach Michael Eisenbach taught his players how to carry themselves.

"[Eisenbach] is one of the more caring people you see in coaching," said Velardi.  "You can see it in his personality how he cares about coaching and cares about his kids.  This carries over into how kids treat each other, the team was very close from the start thanks to his coaching style, very respectful of all the players and it filters down."

But the Panthers are more than just the number one Baseball team in Connecticut.  The Spring Sports rosters are rife with talent.  Six other athletes joined Cherry and Koliani with All-State honors: Jamie Silverman as a member of the Girls Lacrosse team, Max Wallersetain, Bryan Fusco, Jacob Critelli and Phillip Critelli on the Boys Track squad, and Kate Nadler of the Softball team.

Nadler, who played shortstop for the panthers, also competed at a high level in soccer and basketball.  Philip Critelli took home All New England honors as well after placing third in the 800-meter event.

For a complete list of spring honors, click here.

The strong showing in the spring sets the table for a competitive fall season where the Panthers will look to duplicate their success.

"I think we're going to be really strong in everything," said Velardi.  "Our football team was strong last year and I think they can duplicate their success.  The same goes for both of our soccer teams.  Our girls and boys swimming won the states last year and several of our strong swimmers are returning.  Field Hockey has always been very strong and should be able to reload again this year.  Even our cross country team has some fast girls coming back too."

Velardi says that their time on the field doesn't affect their performance in class.

"The kids who are athletes, when its school time, they blend right back in to the everyday school routine," he said.

While the bar is set high for the Fall, Velardi thinks that the community can keep the season in perspective and enjoy the ride.

"We may not win the state championship in everything, but we will certainly compete hard in all sports," he said.