More from NU women's basketball coach Zacher

Last week I spoke with Norwich University women's basketball coach Mark Zacher about the upcoming season. And then his team went and won its first two games, taking the Plymouth State College Tip-Off Tournament and sophomore Aliah Curry was named the tournament's MVP.

Not a bad start.

Here's more from Zacher that did not make my story that ran last week:

"She hasn’t been tested other than one scrimmage, she missed our second scrimmage with the rugby finals," Zacher said of freshman Riley Blankenship, who starred at Lyndon Institute. "Riley, for her size, she’s an extremely quick and athletic player in addition to being tremendously strong. We did a drill in practice where the ladies had to complete four layups, going up, grabbing the basketball from a chair, in a matter of 14 seconds. The final came down to Kristin and Riley, which shows you some of the athleticism of that young lady."

"Jessalyn Sweeney, she had to play more of a 4 last season and we can move her to more of a 3 position, which is more her natural position," Zacher said of the senior co-captain. "Plus, she’s healthy. She’s gone through a series of injuries her first two years, and she is playing outstanding. Last year, at 5-foot-8, she was our leading rebounder. Kelsey Lotti is a kid who played a umber of positions and did outstanding. We’re excited about our perimeter players. It’ll be about how our younger players perform inside, which is where we recruited."

"We are a pressure team, but we’re a team that forces teams to take contested outside shots. Our goal is to own the paint and not let teams get in to where they want to get in close."

"Potentially this could be, in my four years here at Norwich, the deepest team we’ve had. It’s going to come down to how quickly the freshmen sort out the rest. When the light goes on with them, we’re going to compete. Talent 1-15, it doesn’t drop off significantly, each of them can contribute in their own way."

And more from junior co-captain Kristin Brown, who played three sports at Williamstown:

"I was a little nervous but excited," she said of finding out she would be a captain this season. "I just want to do anything I can to help the team. Coach thought I would be good for this role with the team, and he has every bit of my confidence in him and I’m going to step in and do what I can to help this team."

"I’ve changed a little bit. Toward the end of high school I tried to make myself more of a scoring threat but here I drew myself back. I had great juniors and seniors, so I decided I was going to distribute the basketball. We had Christine Daniels, Laurel McWilliams and Karissa Doyon, they’re all going to score potentially 20 a night. My role was to get them the basketball in the best position to score points, but I think now I need to become more of a scoring threat."

"I say it every single year, that us Vermonters really have to carry the team. I’m always happy when we get Vermont players, people downplay Vermont basketball and even some of our players from out of state. I say, ‘Look around you, look at Karissa and Laurel and Riley, look at her banging on the boards, and look at Erin Clark, she’s got some of the best post moves on our team. They’ve been outstanding.’"

The Cadets, both the men and the women, are home this Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m. against Johnson State College.

- Anna Grearson 

Some good news for local Red Sox fans

That's right - I said GOOD news and Red Sox in the same headline.

The Boston Red Sox completed their trade for new manager John Farrell with a local face - former Vermont Mountaineer David Carpenter. I wrote about Carpenter last summer when he was making his rather successful MLB debut with the Houston Astros (he was drafted by Saint Louis, though). He was then traded to Toronto and will be starting his second season in the big leagues in Boston.

Here's a link Vermont GM Brian Gallagher sent when he excitedly announced the trade this weekend:

http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/21235351/sox-receive-david-carpenter-jays

New 4-year NVAC realignments

The NVAC (Northern Vermont Athletic Conference) issued its realignments for the next four school years recently.

Here's how they break down:

For fall sports:

Field Hockey: Metro Group A will include CVU, Middlebury, Mt. Abraham and South Burlington while Group B is Bur;ington, Colchester, Essex and MMU. The Capital Division includes Harwood, Lyndon, Milton, Missisquoi, Montpelier, U-32, North Country, Rice, Spaulding, Stowe and St. Johnsbury.

Cross Country (boys & girls): Metro Division includes BFA-Fairfax, BFA-St. Albans, Burlington, CVU, Colchester, Enosburg, Essex Middlebury, Missiquoi, Mt. Abraham, MMU, Rice, Richford, South Burlington, Spaulding, St. Johnsbury and Vergennes. The Mountain Division includes Danville, Harwood, Hazen, Lake Region, Lamoille, Lyndon, Montpelier, North Country, Northfield, Oxbow, PA, Randolph, South Royalton, Stowe, Thetford and U-32.

Girls Soccer: Metro Division includes BFA-St. Albans, Burlington, CVU, Colchester, Essex, MMU, North Country, South Burlington, Spaulding, St. Johnsbury. Lake Division: Middlebury, Milton, Missiquoi, Mt. Abraham, Rice, Vergennes. Capital Division: Harwood, Lamoille, Lyndon, Montpelier, Northfield, PA, Randolph, Stowe, Thetford, U-32. Mountain Division Group A: BFA-Fairfax, Enosburg, RIchford, Winooski. Mountain Division Group B: Danville, Hazen, Lake Region, Oxbow.

Boys Soccer: Metro Division includes: BFA-St. Albans, Burlington, CVU, Colchester, Essex, MMU, North Country, South Burlington, Spaulding, St. Johnsbury. Lake Division: Middlebury, Milton, Missiquoi, Mt. Abraham, Rice Memorial, Vergennes. Capital Division: Harwood, Lamoille, Lyndon, Montpelier, Northfield, PA, Randolph, Stowe, Thetford, U-32. Mountain Division Group A: BFA-Fairfax, Enosburg, Winooski. Mountain Division Group B: Danville, Hazen, Lake Region, Oxbow.

For Winter sports:

Gymnastics: Northern Conference includes CVU, Essex, Harwood, Middlebury, Milton, Randolph, South Burlington, St. Johnsbury, U-32.

Nordic Skiing: Northern Conference includes: BFA-Fairfax, BFA-St. Albans, Burlington, CVU, Colchester, Essex, Harwood, Lake Region, Lamoille, Lyndon, Middlebury, Montpelier, MMU, North Country, Oxbow, PA, South Burlington, South Royalton, St. Johnsbury, Stowe.

Alpine Skiing: Northern Conference includes: BFA-St. Albans, Burlington, CVU, Colchester, Essex, Harwood, Lamoille, Lyndon, MMU, North Country, Rice, South Burlington, St. Johnsbury, Stowe.

Boys Basketball (This gets tricky, so bear with me): Metro Division is divided into two scheduling groups with two-year rotations. You play each team in your group twice, each team in the other group once in addition to non-league games. Metro Group I for 2013-2014 and 2014-2015: CVU, Colchester, North Country, South Burlington, Spaulding. Group II for same time period: Burlington, Essex, MMU, Rice, St. Johnsbury. Group I for 2015-16 and 2016-2017: Burlington, Essex, MMU, North Country, Rice. Group II for same time period: CVU, Colchester, South Burlington, Spaulding, St. Johnsbury. Lake Division includes: BFA-St. Albans, Middlebury, Milton, Missisquoi, Mt. Abraham, Vergennes. Capital Division: Harwood, Lamoille, Lyndon, Montpelier, Oxbow, Randolph, Thetford, U-32. Mountain Division (two groups for all four years, play each team in your group twice, each team in other group once, plus non-league games): Group A includes BFA-Fairfax, Enosburg, Lake Region, Richford, Winooski. Group B: Danville, Hazen, Northfield, PA, Stowe.

Girls Basketball: Metro Division (no groups for girls) includes: BFA-St. Albans, Burlington, CVU, Essex, North Country, Rice, St. Johnsbury, Spaulding. Capital Division includes: Harwood, Lamoille, Lyndon, Montpelier, Oxbow, Randolph, Thetford, U-32. Lake Division includes: Colchester, Middlebury, Milton, Missisquoi, Mt Abraham, MMU, South Burlington, Vergennes. Mountain Division (same as boys Mountain Division group rules) Group A: BFA-Fairfax, Enosburg, Lake Region, RIchford, Winooski. Group B: Danville, Hazen, Northfield, PA, Stowe.

Wrestling: Northern Conference includes: CVU, Colchester, Enosburg, Essex, Harwood, Middlebury, Vergennes, Milton, Mt. Abraham, MMU, North Country, Randolph, Richford, Spaulding, St. Johnsbury.

Cheerleading: Metro Division includes BFA-St. Albans, CVU, Essex, North Country, South Burlington, Spaulding. Lake Division includes: Lyndon, Milton, Mt. Abraham, U-32, Vergennes. Mountain Division includes: BFA-Fairfax, Lake Region, Richford, Winooski.

Dance: Northern Conference includes: BFA-St. Albans, Colchester, Lamoille, Middlebury, Missisquoi, MMU, South Burlington.

For Spring sports:

Boys Golf: Metro Division includes: BFA-St. Albans, Burlington, CVU, Colchester, Essex, Mt. Abraham, MMU, Middlebury, Milton, Missisquoi, North Country, Rice, St. Johnsbury, South Burlington, Spaulding, Vergennes. Mountain Division includes: Enosburg, Harwood, Hazen, Lake Region, Lamoille, Lyndon, Montpelier, Northfield, Oxbow, PA, Randolph, Richford,Stowe, Thetford, U-32.

Girls Golf: Metro Division includes: BFA-St. Albans, Burlington, Colchester, Essex, Missisquoi, MMU, North Country, Rice, South Burlington, Spaulding, St. Johnsbury, Vergennes. Mountain Division includes: Enosburg, Harwood, Lake Region, Lamoille, Lyndon, Montpelier, Northfield, PA, Randolph, Stowe.

Girls Tennis: Metro Division includes: Burlington, CVU, Colchester, Essex, MMU, Rice, South Burlington, St. Johnsbury, Stowe. Mountain Division includes: BFA-St. Albans, Harwood, Lake Region, Middlebury, Montpelier, North Country, Spaulding, U-32.

Boys Tennis: Metro Division includes: Burlington, CVU, Colchester, Essex, MMU, Rice, South Burlington, Stowe, St. Johnsbury. Mountain Division includes: BFA-St. Albans, Harwood, Middlebury, Montpelier, North Country, Spaulding, U-32.

Track and Field (boys & girls): Northern Conference includes: BFA-Fairfax, BFA-St. Albans, Burlington, CVU, Colchester, Enosburg, Essex, Harwood, Hazen, Lake Region, Lamoille, Lyndon, Mt. Abraham, MMU, Middlebury, Milton, Missisquoi, Montpelier, North Country, Northfield, Oxbow, PA, Randolph, Rice, Richford, South Burlington, South Royalton, Spaulding, St. Johnsbury, Thetford, U-32, Vergennes.

Boys Lacrosse: Metro Division (two groups for 4 years, play each team in your group twice, each team in other group once. Group A needs additional 4 non-league games, Group B needs 5) Group A includes: CVU, Essex, Middlebury, MMU, South Burlington. Group B includes BFA-St. Albans, Colchester, Spaulding, St. Johnsbury. Mountain Division includes: Burlington, Harwood, Lamoille, Milton, Montpelier, Mt. Abraham, Randolph, Rice, Stowe, U-32, Vergennes.

Girls Lacrosse: Metro Division includes: Burlington, CVU, Essex, MMU, South Burlington. Lake Division includes: BFA-St. Albans, Colchester, Rice, Spaulding, St. Johnsbury, Vergennes (2015-2016 & 2016-2017). Mountain Division includes: Chelsea, Harwood, Lamoille, Montpelier, Oxbow, Randolph, Stowe, U-32.

Baseball & Softball: Metro Division includes: BFA-St. Albans, Burlington, CVU, Colchester, Essex, Middlebury, Milton, Missisquoi, Mt. Abraham, MMU, North Country, Rice, South Burlington, Spaulding, St. Johnsbury, Vergennes. Capital Division (two groups; play each team in your group twice, each team in the other group once, in addition to various non-league requirements) Group A includes: Lamoille, Lyndon, Montpelier (baseball only), Northfield, U-32. Group B includes: Harwood, Oxbow, Randolph, Thetford. Mountain Division includes: BFA-Fairfax, Danville, Enosburg, Hazen, Lake Region, PA, Richford, Stowe (softball only), Winooski.

*This is just for scheduling purposes, not divisional realignments.

- Anna Grearson

Oxbow plans Cancer Awareness games

You have all probably seen the pink accessories worn by professional, collegiate and even our local high school athletes to promote cancer awareness. Oxbow will take it one step further this fall and host three cancer awareness games.

Here's the details from Olympians athletic director Rich Thornton:

Just a reminder during the next couple of weeks fall athletic teams at Oxbow High School will have one of their remaining regular season games designated for cancer awareness.  Along with the NFL and Universities across the country during the month of October, Oxbow student athletes will be donning pink socks, shoelaces, and wristbands to help support the fight against cancer.  Also, a representative will be on hand from the Vermont Cancer Society to hand out pink ribbons to fans for a donation to cancer research.  Fans are encouraged to wear pink to the game that day.  All donations as well as a portion of concession sales will be donated directly to the Vermont chapter of the American Cancer Society.  Below is a schedule of games.

10/13 (Sat) 11am   Varsity Boys Soccer  vs. BFA Fairfax   "Kick Cancer Game"
10/13 (Sat) 1:30pm  Football vs. Winooski  "Tackle Cancer Game"
10/17 (Wed) 4:00pm V/JV Girls soccer  vs. Hazen  "Kick Cancer Game"

- Anna Grearson

BIG news for former Mountaineers AJ Pollock & Darin Mastroianni

I love getting these updates, they never ever get old.

From Vermont Mountaineers general manager Brian Gallagher:

 

Aces Win Triple-A Championship!

09/18/2012 10:47 PM ET

DURHAM, NC–Reno scored the game's first-eight runs and never trailed Tuesday night, knocking-off International League champion Pawtucket, 10-3, at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in the 2012 Gildan Triple-A National Championship.

The victory caps the most successful season in Aces franchise history-a campaign that included a club-record 81 wins, the team's first Pacific Coast League title and, now, the first Triple-A crown in the club's four-year history. This marks the second Triple-A championship in Arizona Diamondbacks history-the first since the Tucson Sidewinders captured the title in 2006.

On Tuesday, Reno jumped out of the gates quickly and never looked back. Reno scored three in the first, three in the second and added two more in the third to take a commanding eight-run lead that was never seriously threatened.

Aces outfielder A.J. Pollock was named Most Valuable Player of the annual event. He finished with a double, triple, two runs scored and one driven in. Just days ago, Pollock earned MVP honors in the Pacific Coast League Championship Series.

Aces starter Trevor Bauer took a no decision Tuesday, allowing just two runs on four hits with six strikeouts over 4.2 frames. After his exit, Mike Demark worked 1.1 scoreless frames to collect the victory. Sam Demel allowed a run in the seventh, Jensen Lewis worked a scoreless eighth, and Jonathan Albaladejo ended the proceedings in the ninth.

Reno banged-out 13 hits on the night, including multi-hit efforts from Pollock, Tyler Kuhn, Josh Bell, Brent Clevlen, Tyler Bortnick and Keon Broxton.

The Aces will begin their title defense in April 2013. Season tickets are on-sale now by calling (775) 334-4700. For more information on the 2013 Triple-A All-Star Game in Downtown Reno, please visit RenoAces.com.

And: (accompanying video)

Mastroianni's aggression leads Twins past Tribe
By Zack Meisel / MLB.com | 9/19/2012 12:55 AM ET
MIN@CLE: Mastroianni manufactures game-winning run
CLEVELAND -- Darin Mastroianni stood in front of the TV, watching his 
virtual self sprint around the bases. At last, he saw why third-base 
coach Steve Liddle ushered him home and how he crossed the plate with 
the go-ahead run.

It seemed as though the Twins wouldn't be afforded another chance on 
Tuesday. When that extra opportunity surfaced, however, Mastroianni 
was ready.

The speedy outfielder hustled home from second base on a single to the 
cut of the right-field grass as the Twins outlasted the Indians in 12 
innings, 6-5, on a chilly night at Progressive Field.

"At that point in the game, you just need the ball to land out there 
and see what happens," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Mastroianni didn't know where the ball landed as he rushed around the 
bases in the 12th, but it didn't matter. The rookie singled and stole 
second base with two outs. Alexi Casilla then pulled a grounder to 
short right field, where Tribe second baseman Jason Kipnis corralled 
and tossed the baseball to first baseman Matt LaPorta. Anticipating a 
clean hit to right, LaPorta had trotted toward the middle of the 
diamond to serve as a cutoff man. That allowed Casilla to beat him in 
a foot race to first, and Mastroianni scampered home.

"You don't think. You see the ball go through," Indians manager Manny 
Acta said of LaPorta's gaffe. "You have to see the ball go through 
before you decide to become a cutoff man. That's pretty much a routine 
ball to second base. Plus, if that ball goes through, we don't need a 
cutoff man. It was too softly hit and they have one of the fastest 
guys in the game running with two outs. It was a big mental mistake 
there."

With two strikes and two outs, Mastroianni darted toward third as soon 
as he saw Casilla begin his swinging motion. When he saw Liddle waving 
him home, he knew something was awry.

"I knew it didn't get through the infield, but I didn't know if it was 
bobbled or what," Mastroianni said. "I kind of peeked back to see what 
was going on and saw Matt had the ball at first, and the umpire called 
him safe, and at that point, I just had to get to the plate before the 
ball got there."

It was a redeeming display of hustle for Mastroianni, the New York 
native who is batting .252 in 75 games as a rookie.

With the Twins and Indians deadlocked in a 4-4 tie, Mastroianni pinch-
ran for Ryan Doumit, who opened the eighth inning with a double. 
Mastroianni, however, was caught straying too far off second base on a 
comebacker to Tribe pitcher Vinnie Pestano, who nabbed the 27-year-old 
for a crucial first out.

"I wasn't happy about that," Mastroianni said. "When you're put in as 
a baserunner, you can't make mistakes like that. I didn't think there 
was any way Vinnie was going to get that ball. Trevor [Plouffe] hit it 
hard, and from my angle, I thought it was going to get by him, so I 
took off. Then he jabbed his glove down and made a great play."

Gardenhire opted to credit Pestano's impeccable reflexes rather than 
chide Mastroianni's aggressiveness.

"I know the old rule is 'make it go by the pitcher,' but that pitcher 
made a [heck] of a play," Gardenhire said. "He snagged that ball. That 
ball was a rocket. I don't even know how he caught it. I don't care -- 
good baserunner, bad baserunner -- that was a really tough baserunning 
play."

Still, the Twins couldn't convert countless opportunities to 
commandeer the lead late in the contest. In the seventh, after 
Minnesota had rallied to tie the game at 4, Justin Morneau grounded 
into an inning-ending double play to prevent any further scoring. In 
the ninth, Morneau grounded out with runners and the corners and two 
outs.

Twins catcher Joe Mauer, who leads AL hitters in on-base percentage 
and is challenging for his fourth career AL batting crown, reached 
base in each of his five trips to the plate, singling in his first 
three at-bats and walking in his final two. He upped his average to .
325.

In the end, though, it boiled down to aggression on the basepaths.

Minnesota finally broke through against the Indians' club-record 10th 
pitcher of the night, southpaw Scott Maine. Mastroianni felt relieved 
he could make up for the previous baserunning blunder. It was just as 
rewarding on the TV replays as it was during the actual dash to the 
plate.

"As far as aggressive baserunning, that's what he is," Gardenhire 
said. "That's what he brings to this team. He's going to make some 
outs out there, but he's also going to make some big plays, just like 
he did tonight. We'll take the big plays over those outs."

Cool news out of Mass. for Travis Roy Foundation supporters

I wish they had sent a photo as well, but here's a release from the Goss Farm in Massachusetts, which has created a corn maze in the shape of the Travis Roy Foundation logo and will donate proceeds to the TRF. The farm is home to a boy who received funds from the foundation after he was paralyzed in a car accident. Very cool story about paying it forward. Also, Roy was recently at Thunder Road - He's  abig race fan and his family has a camp on Lake Champlain.

- Anna Grearson

Goss Farm to Raise Money for the Travis Roy Foundation with Travis Roy Foundation Logoed Corn Maze

Boston, MA (September 10, 2012) – The Goss Farm in Dunstable, Massachusetts has integrated the new Travis Roy Foundation (TRF) logo into a one-of-a-kind, five-acre corn maize to help raise money for the Travis Roy Foundation.
 
The relationship between the Travis Roy Foundation and Goss Farm came about when Ben Goss received a $5,000 grant from the Travis Roy Foundation to help cover the cost of specialized vehicle modifications which allowed him to drive. Ben had been paralyzed in an auto accident at the age of 14. Now a high school senior, Ben helps to manage the family farm.
 
“The New England community was incredibly supportive of my family and I after my accident, and for the past 15 years that support has continued through the work of the Travis Roy Foundation,” said Travis Roy. “It’s great to see the Goss family pay the support they received forward so that other spinal cord injury survivors can continue to receive adaptive equipment grants. In addition, half of the money raised for the TRF goes toward research, which we hope will one day bring an end to paralysis.”
 
In recognition of the Foundation’s 15th anniversary, the corn maze will be open every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through October 28th. Goss Farm also has an ice cream stand, petting zoo, corn cannon, tractor rides and other fun activities. The farm is located at 446 Pleasant St. in Dunstable, MA.
 
Since its official launch in 1997, the Travis Roy Foundation has awarded over $4 million in adaptive equipment grants to spinal cord injured individuals and to SCI research. “The last 15 years have been remarkable in our effort to Help Others Move Forward, and I'm incredibly proud of the Foundation’s success. Its evolution and growth over the years are a direct result of the extraordinary support we've received from our donors and volunteers,” said Executive Director Marge Oppold.

Additional information can be found at GossFarm.com or the TravisRoyFoundation.org websites.

 

#############

 

TRAVIS ROY FOUNDATION: Founded in 1997, the Travis Roy Foundation distributes grants to spinal cord injury survivors in financial need and to research projects and rehabilitation institutions across North America. The Travis Roy Foundation is uniquely positioned to touch individual lives with its focus on providing adaptive equipment and sponsoring research. To make a donation to the Travis Roy Foundation or to learn more about applying for a Travis Roy Foundation grant, please visit our web site at www.travisroyfoundation.org.

Stowe has runners, too!

An unintenional oversight, but Stowe was not included in my cross country preview that ran earlier this week.

Here's what should have been in there about the Raiders:

Stowe returns many of its top boys talent that led the Raiders to a narrow fifth-place finish at the Division III state meet last fall (they were one point out of a tie for 4th and two points out of a tie for 2nd). They return their top finisher from the state meet in junior Sam Puddicome, who finished in 4th in 19:20.5. Two of the rest of the top five also return: senior Kyle Duffy and sophomore JJ Clark.

On the girls side, although the Raiders did not place as a team in the state meet in 2011, youth is on their side. Now-junior Josie Gelfin was 30th in 26:01 out of 71 runners.

Good luck to the Raiders and all of our local runners this fall!

- Anna Grearson

Barre's Nick Sweet wins VSSA Athlete of the Month for July

From the Vermont Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association, of which Jamie Biggam and I are active members:

VERMONT — The Vermont Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association has named Barre racecar driver Nick Sweet as its July Open Division Athlete of the Month.

Sweet, who was nominated by VSSA member Anna Grearson of the Barre-Montpelier Times Argus, edged fellow nominees Vermont Mountaineers baseball player John Mishu and two swimmers, Peter Mikheyev of the St. Albans Sharks and Kira Hancock of the Town of Essex Swim Team, in a statewide vote of all VSSA members.

Sweet really hit a dominant stride in July in the top division at the Thunder Road racetrack. The Late Model driver from Barre had five top-five finishes, including three wins, to boost his point lead to over 100 points by month's end over reigning King of the Road Dave Pembroke of Montpelier.

Sweet started off the month with a win in the Northfield Savings Bank Holiday event (out of 23); was sixth in Charter Communications night (out of 25); won the Vermont Governor's Cup (out of 30); won the Times Argus Mid-Season Championship, worth double points (out of 22); and was eighth out of 24 in the We Dig Barre event.

His Governor's Cup win (and Pembroke's second-place finish) gave him the Vermont State Late Model Championship series tie with Pembroke (244 points) with one event remaining: a 100-lapper at Devil's Bowl in September. He won the first VSLMC race at Thunder Road on May 27.

His streak of success in July earned him another invite to the annual ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, also in September.

The VSSA will grant another Open Division honor in August, and then for September and throughout the academic year will again hand out Male and Female High School Athlete of the Month honors as well as the Open Division award.

Lots of news ahead of this weekend's Labor Day Classic at Thunder Road

What's on the line for Maine's Austin Theriault this weekend?

AT Racing: ACT Late Model Tour
Austin Theriault Thunder Road Race Preview

THE STORY

Austin Theriault of Fort Kent, Maine, will try and earn his first career victory at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, Vt., when the ACT Late Model Tour competes in the Labor Day Classic 200 at the track on Sunday, September 2. The Brad Keselowski Racing development driver sits just 28 points out of the ACT championship lead with two races remaining, and he hasn't finished outside the Top-6 in any ACT event since finishing ninth at Thunder Road back in May. Theriault remains the only ACT driver to have finished in the Top-10 in all eight races held in 2012.

THE FACTS

WHO: Austin Theriault, Fort Kent, Maine
TEAM: AT Racing No. 57 Pelletier Ford Ford Fusion
CREW CHIEF: Mickey Green, South Paris, Maine
BEST CAREER THUNDER ROAD FINISH: 5th (September 2011)
MOST RECENT THUNDER ROAD FINISH: 8th (May 2012)
WHAT: ACT Late Model Tour Labor Day Classic 200
WHERE: Thunder Road International Speedbowl, Barre, Vt. (.25-mile banked oval)
WHEN: Sunday, September 2 – Practice, 10 a.m.; Qualifying, 1 p.m.; Race, 4:30 p.m.

ACT Late Model Tour
LAST RACE: August 25, Can-Am 200, Circuit Riverside Speedway, Saint Croix, Que. (6th)
NEXT RACE: September 8, Showdown At Chaudiere, Autodrome Chaudiere, Vallee-Jonction, Quebec (.25-mile oval)
CURRENT POINTS POSITION: 3rd

DID YOU KNOW?

• Austin Theriault was named the winner of the 2012 “Maine Young Guns” competition on Wednesday and will make his series debut with Go Green Racing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East G-Oil 100 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 22.

• Austin Theriault recorded his best career Thunder Road International Speedbowl finish – fifth – in the Labor Day Classic 200 last year.

• The next Super Late Model start for Austin Theriault with Brad Keselowski Racing is slated for Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa, on Saturday, September 15.

• Austin Theriault has six Top-5 and eight Top-10 finishes in eight ACT Late Model Tour races this season.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

AUSTIN THERIAULT, Driver of the No. 57 Pelletier Ford Ford Fusion, On heading back to Thunder Road International Speedbowl this weekend: “We've been hit or miss over there, to be honest. I think this time, we'll probably hit on something. In years past, I hadn't had the experience there and we hadn't had enough cars to kind of figure out what we needed to be really good.

“It's definitely a big points race and a big point weekend for everybody. I think this weekend will probably be one of the deciding factors in the championship. It can be a crapshoot there. Things happen quick. You've got to keep your eye on the ball all weekend.”

On how a 200-lap race changes things at Thunder Road: “Changing tires is going to change it a little bit and add a little bit of strategy. I think it will give guys second chances if you're starting in the back or the car isn't so good. You'll have more of an opportunity to work up through the field.”

On how he approaches the final two points races of the season while running for the ACT Late Model Tour championship: “I found out last weekend that we really can't focus on points anymore. We keep it in the back of our mind, but things are going to happen – a lot of times, they're out of our control. But things are going to happen, and we're just going to try our hardest.

“Everybody says that, but we're going to go down fighting. That doesn't mean we're going to go win two races, but we're going to do the best that we can.”

MICKEY GREEN, Crew chief of the AT Racing No. 57 Pelletier Ford Ford Fusion, On racing at Thunder Road International Speedbowl: “I'd be lying if I didn't say I was a little concerned with Thunder Road. We're either really good or really bad there. But we're bringing the new car, which we haven't had there before, and we've got some good ideas.”

On how pit strategy changes racing at Thunder Road: “I think it lets you ride a little bit, as much as you can at Thunder Road. I think you can be a little more patient. Last year, we got burned by taking tires too early.

“It definitely throws a little bit of strategy into it. I think I'm cautiously optimistic that we're going to have a good run there. We weren't that bad there in the spring. Points-wise, it's time to either make a good stab at it or not. But anything can happen up there – up there, (fourth-place Joey Polewarczyk Jr.) could come out leading the points. It's going to be a long couple of days, but we'll be ready.”

UP NEXT

The ACT Late Model Tour heads to its annual all-star race with the Showdown at Chaudiere at Autodrome Chaudiere in Vallee-Jonction, Que., on Saturday, September 8... Austin Theriault posted his best career finish in the event a year ago, finishing eighth in the 200-lap race.

And what about Williston's Brian Hoar?

RPM Motorsports: ACT Late Model Tour
Brian Hoar Thunder Road Race Preview

THE STORY

RPM Motorsports looks for its second straight Labor Day Classic 200 victory when Brian Hoar of Williston, Vt., continues his chase for a ninth ACT Late Model Tour championship at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, Vt., on Sunday, September 2. Hometown favorite Nick Sweet won the race last season driving as a teammate to Hoar's RPM No. 37 GossCars.com Dodge Charger, a victory that Hoar followed with wins in both the 48th annual People's United Milk Bowl in October and the Merchants Bank 150 this past May. Hoar enters the weekend fresh off his ACT-record 36th career win at Circuit Riverside Speedway in Saint Croix, Quebec, last week and he's moved to within 22 points of the series lead with two races remaining on the schedule. 

THE FACTS

WHO: Brian Hoar, Williston, Vt.
TEAM: RPM Motorsports No. 37 GossCars.com Dodge Charger
CREW CHIEF: Rick Paya, Georgia, Vt.
BEST CAREER THUNDER ROAD FINISH: 1st (most recently – May 2012)
MOST RECENT THUNDER ROAD FINISH: 1st (May 2012)
WHAT: ACT Late Model Tour Labor Day Classic 200
WHERE: Thunder Road International Speedbowl, Barre, Vt. (.25-mile banked oval)
WHEN: Sunday, September 2 – Practice, 10 a.m.; Qualifying, 1 p.m.; Race, 4:30 p.m.

ACT Late Model Tour
LAST RACE: August 25, Can-Am 200, Circuit Riverside Speedway, Saint Croix, Que. (1st)
NEXT RACE: September 8, Showdown At Chaudiere, Autodrome Chaudiere, Vallee-Jonction, Que. (.25-mile oval)
CURRENT POINTS POSITION: 2nd

DID YOU KNOW?

• Brian Hoar owns more victories (36) and championships (8) than any driver in ACT Late Model Tour history. Team owner and crew chief Rick Paya also has 27 race wins and eight championships as a car owner.

• Brian Hoar has won all four major Late Model events at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in his career – the Merchants Bank 150, the Memorial Day Classic, the Labor Day Classic and the Milk Bowl.

• Brian Hoar won the Labor Day Classic 200 in 2003. He finished 16th in the the event last year.

• RPM Motorsports is tied for the most wins on the ACT Late Model Tour this season with three.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

BRIAN HOAR, Driver of the RPM Motorsports No. 37 GossCars.com Dodge Charger, On the importance of winning last weekend in Saint Croix, Quebec: “Last week was big. Winning the race was huge. With (team owner and crew chief Rick Paya) having the broken leg – I said it last week, it's kind of a big-time downer, here we are running for a championship and arguably the most crucial member of the team breaks a leg. We're all going, 'Oh boy. Now what do we do?' I know Rick was really down, so it was a pretty awesome experience to have the team come together and put it all together and win.

“We've got two more (points races), and I'd like to think that we can win them both. (Winning) always helps. It gets everybody's head back in the game and gets everybody pumped up.”

On his recent good fortune at Thunder Road International Speedbowl: “This year, we definitely feel better going to Thunder Road than we have in the last couple of years. We'd just kind of missed a little bit there the last couple of years. Last season, we really worked hard to make some progress to make the car better. By the end of the year, we felt we'd done that with Nick (Sweet) winning in the team car in this race last year, and then us winning the Milk Bowl and then winning the first race out this year.

“That being said, Rick being at the track all year with another car he built for Trampas Demers, Rick feels like he has a feel for what the track is like and how the track has changed throughout the course of the summer – especially since they put the (traction compound) goop down to try and make for a better two-groove racing. We're pretty pumped.”

On how a 200-lap pit stop race changes things at Thunder Road this weekend: “It really only does because of the pit strategy coming into play. That's always fun. A couple of these races we've gone to this year have had that as well, and that's fun. It gets more of the guys on the team involved and makes them a bigger part of the outcome of the race. They've got to perform as well when we come down pit road.

“I enjoy pit stop races, I really do. We've got some good guys who are fast on the guns and the jack, so that always helps. But I like it because of the added strategy. Depending on how the car's going, if the green flag drops and you've got a bad car, you've still got a chance. Of course, that means the other guys have a chance, too. But I like it. The longer races suit my driving style. I enjoy 200 laps – it wouldn't bother me to go 250 or 300 laps at Thunder Road just to say we did.”

UP NEXT

The ACT Late Model Tour heads to the annual “Showdown At Chaudiere” All-Star race at Autodrome Chaudiere in Vallee-Jonction, Quebec, on Saturday, September 8... Brian Hoar won the race last year as part of a weekend sweep of back-to-back events in the Quebec province.

And the ACT teams in general?

 

 

ACT Teams Ready For Bond Auto ACT Invitational After NHMS Test and Tune

Loudon, NH – The American Canadian Tour completed their annual Test and Tune session at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Wednesday, August 29. A total of 27 teams took advantage of the test session in preparation for the fourth annual Bond Auto ACT Invitational scheduled for Saturday, September 22. Teams completed over six hours of practice including two simulation heat races with no issues or wrecks.

Kawartha Speedway star Dan McHattie of Peterborough, Ontario set the fast time of the morning session with a 31.652. Former ACT Champion Jean-Paul Cyr of Milton, Vermont was second quickest followed by 2010 Bond Auto ACT Invitational Champion Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. of Hudson, New Hampshire, rookie Jimmy Hebert of Williamstown, Vermont and Brian Hoar of Williston, Vermont.

The afternoon session was paced by Hebert, Polewarczyk and Hoar once again. Joining the mix was Ray Parent of Tiverton, Rhode Island and Emily Packard of East Montpelier, Vermont. Current ACT point leader Wayne Helliwell, Jr. of Dover, New Hampshire, Shawn Martin of Turner, Maine, Austin Theriault of Fort Kent, ME and Guy Caron of Lempster, New Hampshire also posted times in the top ten.

East Montpelier, Vermont’s Joey Laquerre came from the ninth place starting position to win the first of a pair of 8-lap simulation races. Current Oxford Plains Speedway point leader Travis Stearns of Turner, Maine took the win in the second simulation event.

Many of the test and tune teams will be back in action this weekend as the Série ACT Castrol heads to Autodrome Montmagny in Montmagny, Quebec for a 150-lap event on Saturday, September 1. The ACT Late Model Tour returns to Thunder Road in Barre, VT for the 34^th annual Bond Auto Labor Day Classic on Sunday, September 2.

Cooper takes to Mill Rats' sideline

Frost Heave fans will remember David Cooper for his sharp-shooting from the perimeter, but now he'll be on the Mill Rats' sideline as the team announced today that Cooper will be the team's next head coach.

Here's the release from the NBL of Canada franchise:

David Cooper Named Mill Rats Head Coach

(Saint John, NB): The Saint John Mill Rats held a press conference today to announce that they have hired David Cooper as Head Coach for the 2012-2013 NBL Canada season. 

  

Cooper has been an integral part to the Mill Rats organization both on and off the court for the past five years. First as a player for three years, then as an assistant coach and VP of Marketing. 

  

His new role as Head Coach this year is an exciting turn, one that Cooper says will help him develop and train players at the next level. He has been involved with coaching and development for over 10 years now. 

  

Mill Rats General Manager Ian McCarthy states, "We are excited to have David Cooper take on this role for the team. He has been a role model for many and has earned the respect of the fans, organization and players. When the position opened up, it was a no brainer for us."

  

In 2002, while in college, he founded NetTime Sports an international Sports firm that specialized in the development and training of hundreds athletes throughout the United States and Canada. 

  

Cooper graduated from James Madison University in 2006 after playing Division 1 NCAA basketball. He holds a Major in Kinesiology/ Sports Management and Business.  

 

Cooper also played in the Northeast-10 Conference , was part of the USV1 National Team, was name to the Strength and Conditioning All American team and was a Mill Rats player for three years. 

  

During the 2009-2010 season, Cooper was named Head Coach for Hesser College and lead the team to the NCAA Final 4 Conference in their first year. Later that year, in 2010, Cooper became a co-founder of Manchester, New Hampshire's, Bishop Elite AAU Basketball. David Cooper also founded David Cooper Basketball and partnered with Matt Bonner from the NBA San Antonio Spurs to run clinics and workouts throughout New Hampshire to promote Matt Bonner Basketball. 

 

Since relocating to Saint John in 2010, Coop has also founded the Mill Rats Basketball Academy, dedicated to the training and development of players at an elite level. During his ten year tenor, Cooper has coached over 30 AAU teams from ages 10-17 on a local, national and international competitive level. He has personally developed over 100 collegiate and professional players.

 

The Saint John Mill Rats organization would like to thank former Head Coach Jaren Jackson, who earned the NBA Championship title in 1999 while playing for the NBA San Antonio Spurs. Jackson coached the team for the past two years but has decided to stay stateside this year as his wife accepted a legal job with the NCAA in Indianapolis. While helping his family during the transition, he will be missed. 

 

"We are appreciative of the two years that Coach Jackson gave to our organization and we all learned a lot from his NBA pedigree and experience," stated Ian McCarthy, Mill Rats President and General Manager. "However we are really excited about the new direction our team is taking.  We are confident that we will be a very, very competitive team this season."

 

The Saint John Mill Rats organization would also like to remind last year's season ticket holders that they have two weeks left to renew their seats before they become open to the public. Last day to renew is Friday, August 31.  

  

Season tickets are first come, first serve. Bowl tickets are good for the best available seats anywhere in the bowl. Tickets are available at the Harbour Station box office and at the Mill Rats Fan Zone located on the second floor in the Brunswick Square Shopping Centre.