Date: Fri 08-Sep-1995

By KIM HARMON

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: KIMH

Illustration: I

Quick Words:

Boys-Tennis-History

Full Text:

Boys' Tennis History

There was a stretch in there - between 1987 and 1992 - that the Newtown High

School boys' tennis team struggled for victories and respectability, but it

seems that since Frank Tomaino took on the program in 1966 it has always been

good.

Paul Miles and Charles Jacobi were the names to know early in the 1970s, as

Jacobi won a Western Connecticut Conference singles title in 1971 and Miles

won one in 1973. The early part of the '70s were good years under coach Norm

Westlake, especially in '72 when the Indians finished 10-2.

But tennis history seemed to take off in 1979 when a young freshman by the

name of Woody Freeman took to the court for the 1979 season. Freeman became

the first freshman ever to win a WCC singles title and first to win a title

since Miles when he defeated Steve Philips of Weston 7-6, 6-4.. He helped lead

the Indians to a 14-2 record and WCC championship.

It was more of the same in 1980 and 1981. Freeman won singles titles both

seasons while the Indians went 12-3 (second in the WCC) in '80 and 14-1 (first

in the WCC) in '81. The Indians won the title in '81 by defeated Weston. Ron

Roman and John Feeley had an important doubles match in that final win over

Weston and Dan Craven turned in a critical singles victory.

Woody did not return for his senior season, instead taking an early graduation

to play in the New England Lawn Tennis Association tournaments. Nevertheless,

the Indians, under first-year coach Gary McMahon, finished 14-2 and second in

the WCC. Craven was the No. 1 singles, followed by Mark Bloomberg (a WCC

champion), and Doug Rau. Scott Fellowns and Pete Wolcott were the first

doubles team.

The Indians returned to championship form in 1983, finishing with a 14-1

record and the title after defeating Pomperaug, 5-2. Dan Craven (15-3), Doug

Rau (19-0), and Mark Bloomberg (18-0) won WCC singles titles while three

doubles teams finished runner-up.

The Indians remained near the top through 1986, going 13-4 in 1984, 10-6 in

1985, and 10-4 in 1986. Kris Svensson, Steve Bigham, and Doug Rau were the top

players of the era.

Then things started to slip. Even though Steve Bigham reached the semi-finals

in 1987, the Indians only finished 3-10. They returned to their winning ways

in 1988 - only slightly - with an 8-6 record behind Chris Gardner, Matt

Spengler and Bigham. That was the best record the Indians would record until

1994.

In 1993, No. 4 singles Dave Waite won a WCC championship while the Indians

earned an 8-7 mark. In 1994, it was a tough year all around as the Indians

struggled not only to find a coach but to find victories.

But in 1995, the Indians climbed back near the top, challenging for the WCC

title but finishing 10-5 under Matt Guzzetti. Jason Calandruccio was the No. 1

singles player (12-3), ahead of Greg White, David Miller (12-2) and Wes Baff

(12-3). Matt Miller and Rob Anders were the No. 1 doubles team and went into

the semi-finals of the WCC tournament. Wes Baff was undefeated for most of the

season, as was Miller.

Consistent and good - that's been the story of the boys' tennis team.

Nighthawk Track And Field Teams Host Meet

New Heights Vacation Bible School Returning

Next HRRA Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event Scheduled In Newtown

Genealogy Club's Next Program To Dig Into 'Dissecting A Civil War Pension Record'

Choral Society Planning ‘Voices Of America’ Performance

The editorial took no position on the budget going up or down so you're reading things into the editorial that simply aren't there. The turnout is tied to the lack of passage, in that people who came out to vote last time did not this time, indicating a lack of support on their part. Perhaps it wasn't spelled out clearly enough, but that's what the editorial was driving at, people showing lack of support by not casting a vote. The editorial did address likely concerns among voters that may have led to lack of support and lack of turnout. This lower turnout also follows increasing turnout over the past four referendums in three years (meaning it is an aberration from that), and increased turnout is something that I do push for regularly in editorials. Any disappointment you might be seeing is at the break in that trend, not at whether the budget passed or not. I'd rather see more people come out and vote "no" then not vote at all.

Lower Turnout Results In Two Budget Defeats

Clearly, property owners no longer want to bear the burden of expenses while the state does not meet it’s responsibilities. Rising costs must be addressed by actions that do not include yearly increases of property owners’ taxes. The state of CT must meet its share of the educational costs, and other costs.

Town And School Budgets Fail At Referendum

This feels like an oddly misleading headline and narrative, particularly coming from the Editorial Board. The headline "Lower Turnout Results in Two Budget Defeats" pushes a misleading narrative regarding voter turnout, and then seeks to tie the outcome of the referendum to that misleading narrative. Sure, voter turn out for this year's referendum, 18%, was lower than last year's. However, last year's turnout, 25.4%, represented the highest turnout in the most recent 10 budget referendums. If you take the time to examine turnout percentages between 2017 and 2026 (2017: 19.9, 2018: 15.7, 2019: 17, 2020: 0, 2021: 8.98, 2022: 7.7, 2023: 8.8, 2024: 15.1/17.49, 2025: 25.4, 2026: 18), this year's turnout was actually the third highest in the past 10 cycles. Perhaps the headline of this article should say "Lower Voter Turnout Than Last Year", which is more accurate, rather than creating an impression that this year's turnout is some type of aberration - a narrative that the turnout numbers, in all their binary glory, simply do not support. Further, the headline of this article appears to tie the "lower turnout" to the defeated budgets. Sure, that could be true. But, perhaps, its more likely that Newtown residents are feeling the squeeze of multiple economic influences. In Newtown, we've experienced property revaluations and increased municipal spending. Eversource continues to raise rates. The state legislature gives PURA the authority to impose Public Benefit charges that benefit a tiny percentage of the public (and subsequently burdening the rest of us). At the national level, inflation has run rampant for years and many of those costs remain high to this day. In short, the data tells a far less dramatic—and far more honest—story than the headline suggests. This wasn’t an electorate vanishing in apathy; it was a fairly typical turnout delivering an verdict that, perhaps, some at the Editorial Board didn't like. At some point, it’s worth considering that residents aren’t confused, disengaged, or misled by turnout; they’re simply doing math at their kitchen tables and concluding that “no” is the only responsible answer left.

Enjoyed the forum which only confirmed my support for Brandon Moore as the Democratic candidate to run for the state representative position. Brandon Moore did not waiver about his duty to all the people, if elected, when an issue presents itself that requires that he voice a difference of opinion for the wellbeing of Newtown residents. If Michelle Ku’s 16 years have led to her loyalty being to other elected officials, as she implied, then Newtown is going to continue to witness actions that do not protect its residents. She could not unseat republican, Mitch Bolinsky, during a Blue Wave, and once again, will not do it now. Winning that seat is critical for all. That explains why her previous campaign committee now campaigns for Brandon Moore. It explains all the endorsements he has received from local elected democratic officials. It’s why we need Brandon Moore to be the democratic candidate to run for state representative.

Second Newtown DTC, League Of Women Voters Candidates Event Planned

Appreciated the opportunity to hear from both candidates as we were present for the College Dems forum but only heard from Brandon Moore. It was an opportunity to see who can unseat the Republican incumbent and there is no doubt that Brandon Moore should be the Democratic candidate. One concerned parent posed a question about discrimination unaddressed by the school district and interestingly enough, Michelle Ku, who proudly speaks of her Board membership years, said little, while Brandon Moore passionately addressed the issue along with his experience as an Apache Helicopter Commander. This family is supporting Brandon Moore. We need change and someone who is not afraid to disagree, especially about the rising costs of living in Newtown.

<< May 2026 >>
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
26	27	28	29	30	1	2
3	4	5	6	7	8	9
10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30
31	1	2	3	4	5	6

Log In

Date: Fri 08-Sep-1995

Leave a Reply Cancel reply