<![CDATA[THE EAGLE EYE - Athletics]]>

<![CDATA[THE EAGLE EYE - Athletics]]>Thu, 14 May 2026 11:28:21 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Running Through the Life of Stephen Carr]]>Tue, 12 Jun 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.eagleeyewhs.com/athletics/running-through-the-life-of-stephen-carrBy Jane Rumley

In life you come across a small portion of people who make a huge impact on others. For many students that person is Stephen Carr, a social studies teacher at Wethersfield High School. Not only is he a teacher but a friend who is easy to talk to and due to his young age of 34 he understands a lot of things that kids might be going through.

Being a teacher at Wethersfield High School since 2010, he has had two generations of freshman work their way up to becoming young adults and has watched them adapt to the ever changing world. “I think over the course of time with renovations school has changed in a positive way, student wise I think it’s a different generation of kids who are coming through who need more supports. I think that school moral and school spirit can improve because you know a lot of time there's not as strong of a bond among groups.” Carr hopes that this progression continues and has great hopes for the future generations of Wethersfield High.

Mr. Carr better known as just Carr has a exuberant personality that lights up the room and the ability to turn anyone's frown upside down. When asked why he chose to pursue to career of an educator and how got into the profession his answer was plain and simple, he needed something more fulfilling in his life besides just being a sales manager, he wanted a “noble profession.” “I felt like doing sales, I was impacting no one but myself, and I think this is something you can have a lasting impact on and you relate with people and could change somebody's life.” Our youth represents the future of our society and our educators are tools used to help guide those students towards the path to success. The quality of the education one receives can change their entire outcome of life and our teachers are a huge part of that educating the future of the world. Many teachers don’t understand that however Mr. Carr does.

Carr holds himself to very high standards not only as a teacher but in his day to day life. He believes honesty and the ability to make someone laugh and be happy are the keys. To living, to achieve this he says he tries to do one nice thing each day for a new person and hopes his students do as well. Aside from teaching social studies, Carr also coaches the girls cross country and long distance track teams leading many girls to all conference/state titles. He pushes his runners to do the best and most they can do, often times completing their workouts or runs right along side with them motivating them every step of the way. He is able to push the girls he trains to potentials he knows they can have. From experience under his coaching he has taught me proper techniques on how to run faster and more efficiently and has boosted my confidence tremendously. Just as a teacher, when he coaches, Carr works to establish strong relationships with his students. He wants kids to see him as someone in the school they can go to for support, advice, help or simply just to have a person to laugh with.

Not only is he a teacher and a coach he is a man with an open mind wanting to explore the world and all the world has to offer. When asked if he could change one thing and what it would be he responded with this, “I wish more people communicated and tried come to common ground as opposed to just being strong within your beliefs that you can’t see anybody else's side.” Continuing on he said, “That would change the way that people view the world. And that goes along with my idea of travel, I think by traveling you break down barriers and your sort of allow yourself to see somebody else's perspective and not be so narrow minded.”

Carr is the teacher students go back after graduating to specifically visit, he makes lasting impressions and always makes sure to keep in touch with those he builds connections with. Whether he is running around the streets of Wethersfield with his track team or simply walking his dog Cinnamon, Carr is the teacher you hope to run into on a bad or good day. He has a sweet cherubic smile and is certainly one of the most stylish teachers at Wethersfield High School. He has made a huge impact on many people’s lives.

]]><![CDATA[Ms. Mclaughlin Interview]]>Fri, 08 Jun 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.eagleeyewhs.com/athletics/ms-mclaughlin-interviewBy Jon Hopkins

“It’s something I’m not used to doing, and I wanted to challenge myself by doing something I have never done and that’s why I became a track coach.”

That was the response I got when I asked Ms. Mclaughlin what she thought about becoming the new throwing coach for the WHS track team. Mclaughlin, who has no previous track experience, has shown tremendous confidence even though she is being tossed into the fire with a very inexperienced group of throwers, on a track team with high hopes for the season.

“It’s obvious that the team we have here is an inexperienced group, but I believe with every day of practice, we all take a step in the right direction, and that includes me as a coach. Every day I think about the steps we need to take to become a better team individually, and as a team. Our goal here is to improve throughout the season obviously, but we can’t do that unless we get the most out each other every single day we step onto the track.”

Mclaughlin is determined to be a coach, and it’s easy to tell by the way she prepares on a daily basis. It’s clear to see that she doesn’t want the throwers on the WHS track team to be considered the weak part of the team. She wants everybody to put in the same kind of effort she puts into the team on a regular basis.

To add onto the effort she puts in on a daily basis for the throwing team, she also is a Physical Education teacher at WHS. So I asked if her teaching abilities help with becoming a coach. Here’s what she had to say:

“Absolutely, in school I have to teach kids from a variety of ages, some are easier to teach than others, but it definitely helps that I get to coach the same kids that I teach in Gym class. Obviously some of the kids I coach are little difficult,and don’t always listen, but most are really good, and are fun to be around.”

When it comes to coaching, some days are a little more difficult than others. With this being Mclaughlin’s first year being involved with track, she really had to learn on the fly when it came to throwing.

“I look forward to coaching about 95% of the time, most days are really fun and I learn a lot, but some days can be harder than the others. Overall I enjoy coming here to have a good time with the same kids I’m used to having in class, and I learn a lot in the process, so it’s a plus plus.”

It is still early in the season for the WHS track team only having played in 2 meets so far this season, and recording 1 win and 1 loss. So, there is definitely a lot of time left in the season for WHS and plenty of room to improve. Mclaughlin has shown that she truly enjoys being a coach, “So, far I have really enjoyed being a throwing coach, mostly because I am learning so much about a sport I have never done before, and that I get to spend some time with kids outside of school.” and she addressed whether or not she will continue to coach after this year. “As long as they let me!” Mclaughlin said jokingly, “I really enjoy coaching you guys and I would definitely do it in the future.”

It is a challenge that Mclaughlin loves to face on a daily basis. She has proven to be a determined person, I mean it’s hard enough to coach a sport you have played, but to coach something you have near no experience with and enjoy it, now that’s a challenge, and she is willing to face it every single day.

]]><![CDATA[The Best Smile In Wethersfield High School]]>Fri, 08 Jun 2018 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.eagleeyewhs.com/athletics/the-best-smile-in-wethersfield-high-schoolBy Atlee Myers

Throughout the numerous renovations, multiple principals, and dozens of graduating classes, there’s one thing at Wethersfield High School that has never changed and his name is Sco. Richard Scopetto graduated Rocky Hill High School with the class of 1966 and has been working for Wethersfield Public Schools for 45 years. It can be said with great confidence that he is the most indispensable member of the WHS staff. When you roam through the collection of yearbooks in our library, you can always count on Sco’s lighthearted smile being on at least one of those pages.

Scopetto chose to work in education because he says, “I figured where can I go where I can see a lot of smiling faces early in the morning and a lot of them?”, and what better place to find that then a school. When asked why he chose to teach high school physical education, he replied with a little chuckle, “Because high schoolers don’t pay attention, so can you imagine what first grade is like.”

He has a bubbly outgoing personality and always has a joke waiting to be told. When he isn’t teaching multiple physical education classes, Scopetto also coaches freshman boys soccer in the fall and girls tennis in the spring and in his past has coached wrestling, cross country and both indoor and outdoor track.

As a coach, his players, like female tennis double player Kendall Cathcart, say “Sco is a positive influence to everyone who plays for him. In stressful situations or if people are tired of practice, he finds a way to make us laugh.” And it has worked, last year the team finished with a winning record of 15-3 and the conference championship title. In the present season they hold a 4-2 record and just recently had a great win over top ranking Simsbury.

Scopetto uses his practices to teach his players more than just tennis skills but life skills. Cathcart says she’s learned to think less and just play, which is a metaphor one can transfer into their day to day life, “He always tells us that if we over think the game we mess up more and don’t have as much fun. And to always smile, no matter what the turn out just smile and have fun.” How Mr.Scopetto lives his life can be summed up in that quote, no matter what just smile.

As a senior and captain of the tennis team, Cathcart has spent the past 4 years playing for Scopetto and when asked what her favorite memory of him, she says there are just too many to hone in on one specific moment. Instead she says, “My favorite memory is him just cracking jokes about the other team when we are down to try and motivate us. He also takes players who win a tough match like Glastonbury or if no one wins, the players that win the most games in their match out to dinner to a nice restaurant like Bricco or Jay Gilbert’s. At the dinners, I love hearing his life stories, dumb stuff he did and funny stories he tells us.” Scopetto’s dedication to his players goes beyond the tennis court, he works to establish lasting and trusting relationships with his team.

If Scopetto wasn’t a high school teacher he says he “Would probably be an astronaut.” Whether that is a genuine passion of his or just a joke, we will never know. That’s the thing about Mr.Scopetto, he jokes so much you can never be quite sure when he is being serious, but he would surely be an interesting addition to the NASA team. This being said, his sense of humor and laid back attitude makes him a favorite among students and a teacher I for one will never forget.

]]><![CDATA[Wethersfield Takes on the Big Leagues]]>Mon, 14 May 2018 16:37:15 GMThttps://www.eagleeyewhs.com/athletics/wethersfield-takes-on-the-big-leaguesBy Chelsea Pinchera

On May 10, 2017, the Wethersfield Varsity Boys Baseball team took to Dunkin Donuts Park in Hartford, CT to face Southington, where they lost 8-6. Dunkin Donuts Park is the brand new home of the minor league baseball team, The Yard Goats and holds many home games throughout the Spring-Summer Season.

This year’s team with a record of 9-6 consists of 38 players from sophomores to seniors. This year’s graduating seniors are James Sullivan (who will play at the University of Virginia next year), Tyler Fote (playing at Farleigh Dickinson next year), Jose Correa, Joshua Gray, Kyle Bukowski, Michael Mercado Ortiz, Ryan Skelly, Joe Luiz, Samuel Tenny, and Zachary Bonfiglio.

When I asked some of the seniors their thoughts on this big league-like game, “Well last time we were supposed to play there it got rained out so now that we actually are confirmed to play there it’s really exciting because is a once in a lifetime opportunity” Joe Luiz said.

Timmy Blaisdell, who will continue his pitching at the University of Hartford (a Division 1 school) said, “Southington was the best hitting team I’ve faced this year. As a team we made too many mistakes.”

After talking to Coach Bagdasarian (by students known as Coach Bags) he said, “Overall it was a great opportunity for the kids. Unfortunately we did lose this one, but it isn’t always about the winning or losing. They got to play in an amazing facility with great amenities and learned how to work as a team in situation like the big leagues. I think it something every one of them will remember”

Multiple food vendors that ranged from hot dogs to cotton candy to Dippin’ Dots were offered. Unfortunately, the fan favorite Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ was not open for this night’s game but there were other good eats available for purchase.

The weather for the night was the perfect springtime ending. While it wasn’t quite shorts and tank top weather, a light windbreaker or jacket would have been just right.

On behalf of the Eagles, I think we can conclude that the game was a success, although they did lose, the team along with school staff, students, and spectators had a blast.

]]><![CDATA[Eagles and Knights Face off Again]]>Wed, 14 Mar 2018 12:51:59 GMThttps://www.eagleeyewhs.com/athletics/eagles-and-knights-face-off-againBy Jane Rumley, Ali Fitzpatrick and Danielle Elliott

#5 ranked Wethersfield boys basketball will face #11 Southington for the second time in the first round of the CCC tournament.

After an amazing win over the Knights last time in double overtime, Wethersfield not only had home court advantage but also knew how they played and their key players that needed to be guarded.

Going in to the game everyone knew it would be a good game but we didn’t know how good it would actually be. As the ball
Photo credits to @grafx.eagle on instagram
is thrown up at the whistle the Eagles win the tip to start the game. The first shot of the game is by Mozzicato who is on his way to 1,000 points, coming down to the last couple of games in his high school career. The shot was no good giving the ball to Southington who immediately hit a three pointer followed by a layup directly after.

Down 0-5 with 2 minutes gone by, Connor Pace, the sophomore starter powers his way through a Southington player to make a layup, drawing the Knights first foul, giving Wethersfield its first points. As the minutes tick by in the first quarter the game goes back and forth with Mozzicato, Pace, and Tenney, adding two points each as the Knights continue adding to there already lead, making the score at the end of the first 9-11 Southington.

Wethersfield inbounds the ball, starting the second quarter before shortly losing the ball and giving it to Southington. Tenney rebounds the shot taking it down the court to give it to Sullivan to tie the game with 5:45 left in the half. Shortly after, Sullivan misses a three and Southington capitalizes on it and hits a three right after.

With that Southington calls a time out and Fanelli, the head coach of the boys, puts in Matt Amoddio and takes out Conor. Southington hits a jumper but Tenney hits a three pointer soon after.

At the end of the half the score is 15-19.

With a bunch of blocks and points scored both ways it’s a very back and forth game at the end of the third with the Eagles shortening the gap by 2, making the score 23-25. Certainly not the highest scoring game.

With the fourth quarter under way everyone could do nothing but hope the Eagles would pull off this win. Noel hit a three which put Wethersfield ahead for the first time all game, instilling more hope of a win into every fans mind. Unfortunately Southington didn’t allow that to happen. They came back with 4 points putting them up again and now down by 1.

The Eagles lost 35-30.

]]><![CDATA[Wethersfield Eagles Look for a Big Run in the CIAC Basketball Tournament]]>Tue, 13 Mar 2018 23:43:26 GMThttps://www.eagleeyewhs.com/athletics/wethersfield-eagles-look-for-a-big-run-in-the-ciac-basketball-tournamentBy Brendan Dowd, Tim Blaisdell and Alex Tawrel

The Wethersfield varsity boys basketball team are looking to continue their run in the 2018 division II CIAC boys basketball tournament.

After a win in their first tournament game, the Eagles look to continue that trend as their next state tournament game is quickly approaching. Senior, big man Jimmy Sullivan said, “[The Team] feels confident, we have had a lot of practices and played good in our last game.”

This Wethersfield team has had great success in the regular season earning a 16-4 record. This is one of the best records the boys team has had in recent memory and this team has a serious shot at making it to the state finals at Mohegan Sun.

Not only is the team looking to continue their run in the tournament but also senior guard and forward Michael Mozzicato is only 27 points away from reaching 1,000 career points as an Eagle. “It would mean a lot because it hasn't been done in awhile” Mozzicato said when asked about what it would mean to reach 1,000 points.

Mozzicato averages 22.5 points per game so he has a good chance at reaching this impressive milestone. It is very possible that he reaches 1,000 points in the next game but if not, the Eagles will have to pull out another victory

The Wethersfield Eagles will play their quarterfinal game at home Monday, March 12 at 7 pm vs Glastonbury to see if they can come one game closer to the state final at Mohegan Sun.

]]><![CDATA[What Dance Team Is All About...]]>Tue, 13 Mar 2018 22:58:36 GMThttps://www.eagleeyewhs.com/athletics/what-dance-team-is-all-aboutBy: Chelsea Pinchera, Aniela Zawisa and Atlee Myers

Over this weekend, Wethersfield High School’s Dance Team headed to Hamden High School to compete in the CIAC State Championship. Hamden has been a long time rival of the WHS Dance Team, having won first place most years in every category they compete in.

At recent competitions the WHS team placed first in pom and second in jazz.

This weekend they were awarded fourth place for jazz and second in pom. The jazz performance to Hold Back The River was a solid performance for the Dance team. They hit almost every turn, stayed on count, and always maintained big smiles on their faces.The pom dance was upbeat and full of enthusiasm. Which would have won them first place if it weren’t for Hamden’s dominant performance.

Senior, and Dance Team Captain, Lea Sipala says of the recent performance, “Our two performances at states in my eyes felt like the best we have ever done. After we finished our second dance we all hugged and cried which was a really powerful moment for us”.

After finding out the scores of their dances, the team was disappointed but overall proud of what they have accomplished over this past season. When asked if there was anything they thought the team could improve on, Captain Lea Sipala said, “You can always point your feet more or smile harder or show more emotion but I believe our team gave it their all and I wouldn't change it for the world”.

Knowing states was ahead the team has practiced a lot harder than they had in the past to prepare for the state competition. We asked her [Lea Sipala] if she thought their team was prepared and what the team as whole did the best at. She said, “A couple weeks before our states competition I felt nervous knowing how competitive the other teams are and how well they dance. But as we came closer competing Wethersfield showed unbelievable improvement. Usually Pom is everyone's favorite to perform but this year I felt that as we grew closer to each other our Jazz piece brought out so much emotion which made us want to do it over and over again.”

We asked what the captain’s thoughts were on the last competition and they said, “It's a weird feeling going from practicing three days a week for months on end to finally being done. I'm going to miss my team so much and I couldn't have been more proud of them”

Wethersfield Eagles are very proud of what the dance team has been able to accomplish these past couple of years and it couldn't have been said better than by our own Lea Sipala.

]]><![CDATA[TENSION ON THE FIELD]]>Wed, 01 Nov 2017 16:56:28 GMThttps://www.eagleeyewhs.com/athletics/tension-on-the-field

By Grant Anderson and Kenny Harrison

The air of competition was heavy on Thursday night on Cottone field. Plenty of fans packed into the stands to cheer and watch as the boys soccer team take on the heavily despised Glastonbury Tomahawks.

The game was an even match from the start. Both teams had about equal possession and were both getting chances in front of the net.
Unfortunately the Tomahawks took the lead with a goal in the 22nd minute. A Glastonbury forward, passed the ball across the box for an easy tap in at the back post. This then lead to a very tough battle to the end of the half.
With 58 seconds left, Wethersfield forward Brendan Barry got the ball inside the box and capitalized on his opportunity right before the end of the first half.
Going into the second half, the atmosphere was ecstatic and the fans were electric. Wethersfield started with ball to kick the second half off. The hopes for an impressive victory were high for the Eagles as they tried to capitalize on the weaknesses of the Glastonbury team. But Glastonbury’s weaknesses did not show when a Glastonbury midfielder hit a screamer from outside of the box to give the Tomahawks a 2-1 lead.
Tensions were high and Wethersfield knew that they had to get the next goal to stay in this game. The Tomahawks would go on to score another two goals ultimately giving them the 4-1 win over the infamous Wethersfield boys.
It was a solid effort for Wethersfield, who fought hard but in the end they were out matched by a better team. This impressive battle does give hope for a deep run in the state tournament for Wethersfield.

]]><![CDATA[A TRIBUTE TO REMEMBER]]>Wed, 01 Nov 2017 16:48:20 GMThttps://www.eagleeyewhs.com/athletics/a-tribute-to-remember

The field hockey team at WHS is one of the closest knit teams you’ll ever find. Last December, tragedy struck the community when beloved classmate Vanessa Carbone passed. She played the position of goalie for the Eagles and was the defensive foundation for the team.
To honor her legacy, the team decided to retire her jersey and present it to her family on Cottone field. The team came to this decision alongside coach Colleen Budaj and athletic director Michael Maltese.
The Eagles played Wednesday, October 18th for a home night game and dedicated the game to her. Adorned with purple hair ribbons the girls played for her in mind. After the game was finished, speeches were made by the Carbone family and others to share her legacy with family, friends, and fans.
They also hosted a bake sale with goods made and donated by the players and their families, and gave all proceeds to the organization “Cherish The Children”, a local organization founded to help families in need of medical assistance for children in Wethersfield. At the moment, the foundation is helping out a young girl who attends Alfred W. Hanmer Elementary School.

]]><![CDATA[A BIG NIGHT FOR WETHERSFIELD SOCCER]]>Tue, 03 Oct 2017 22:07:18 GMThttps://www.eagleeyewhs.com/athletics/a-big-night-for-wethersfield-soccer

By Grant Anderson and Kenny Harrison
The boys and girls soccer's teams took on two difficult opponents this past Thursday. The boys took on the Farmington Tomahawks at Tunxis Meade Field while the girls team played the Glastonbury Tomahawks who are also a very tough opponent. The Farmington team and the Glastonbury team are both ranked in the Top 15 for the state according to Maxprep.com rankings.
There was tension in the air as the girls team prepared to take on the Glastonbury. The team knew it would take their best to beat that team. The Tomahawks are ranked at #3 in the state according to Maxprep.com and the Eagles are ranked 35, so clearly the odds were stacked against Wethersfield.
The girls game started with both teams getting a feel for each other. Each team was making plays but nothing that was really leading to any chances on goal. The momentum seemed to shift towards Wethersfield and it felt like Glastonbury was playing as if they has already won. The Eagles then made a chance at goal, and scored a goal that sneaked over the goalies hand and slide into the top of the goal. The Eagles were electric and celebrated but Glastonbury suddenly looked like they were ready to play.
After about 10 minutes Glastonbury had a break away and made a great pass that set up the striker with a 1 on 1. She finished the shot into the left corner leveling the score. After that the Eagles made a bad tackle right outside the box, setting up a free kick. The Glastonbury player struck the ball into the top right corner making it 2-1. It was a downhill slope from there as Glastonbury took control and ended up winning 4-1.

As for the boys team, they fell to an early lead within the first 20 minutes. They had to step it up on defense for the rest of the first half. With 5 minutes left in the first half, Farmington scored to make it 2-0. At the start of the second half the tension was high. Wethersfield was putting more pressure on the Farmington defense getting more shots off but nothing was getting in behind their goalkeeper. In the end the challenge was too much and the boys lost the game after a good effort.

Senior captain, Christian Labella was asked what his thoughts were on the Farmington game? He said “I thought we could of been less direct on attacks and if we played them again we would win”. The next question was, how do you think the rest of the season will play out? He said “ I think we have only gotten better and smoother since game one and we will end with a winning record and make states if we all work hard enough”. Finally, we asked Labella how close is the team? Do you think you play well together? He said “ we are very close, our team chemistry is high on and off the field”.

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