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| Root (Post University athletics) |
Brianna Root, Post University women’s volleyball
The Eagles had a terrific regular season, and Root was rewarded for her efforts.
Root, a sophomore, made the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference’s first team for the second straight year. Root led the conference in assists per set at 11.22, and she finished second in total assists with 1,105. Root’s assists per set tally ranked 21st in all of Division II.
Post went 25-4 in the regular season.
In a CACC Tournament match on Tuesday, Root tallied 39 assists and 12 digs in a 3-0 Post sweep of Chestnut Hill.
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| Nicol (WCSU athletics) |
Mike Nicol, Western Connecticut State University football
The senior running back affected the Colonial season finale with his arm and his legs.
Nicol hooked up with Lucas Desouza on a halfback option pass for an 81-yard touchdown. Nicol was a high school quarterback at Wolcott, so throwing the ball was not a foreign concept to him.
Nicol ran seven times for 29 yards and caught a pass for 15 yards in the 42-7 WCSU win over Westfield State.
It was the final game for Nicol, who had a solid career at WCSU. He totaled 4,302 yards on offense and scored 38 touchdowns (31 rushing, 16 passing, 1 receiving). Nicol also recovered a fumble for a touchdown in his freshman season.
Nicol wore different hats during his time with WCSU. As a freshman, he played on defense. In his sophomore season, Nicol stepped in and played quarterback because of injury and tossed 15 touchdowns. As a junior, he ran for 1,319 yards and 14 touchdowns. In his senior season, Nicol served as a team captain.
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| Longo (WNEU athletics) |
Tom Longo and Phil Lebel,
Western New England University football
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| Lebel (WNEU athletics) |
Longo and Lebel played on some successful teams at Wolcott High School, and that has continued with the Golden Bears.
Western New England University plays Husson this weekend in a NCAA Division III playoff game. The Golden Bears completed their second straight undefeated regular season over the weekend, and this is the program’s third NCAA appearance. Longo, a junior offensive lineman, and Lebel, a sophomore tight end, have both seen playing time for WNEU this season. Lebel has played in seven games while Longo has taken part in six.
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| Cruz (Trinity athletics) |
Noah Cruz, Trinity College football
Speaking of undefeated football teams, this former Bristol Central standout was a part of one with the Bantams.
Trinity capped a 8-0 season with a 45-21 win at Wesleyan. Cruz, a freshman, played in three games. The highlight of Cruz’s freshman season came in a Oct. 22 game at Bowdoin. Cruz had five total tackles, including assisting on one for a loss. He also had half a sack in that contest.
The Wesleyan game was a reunion for Cruz. Krys Nizielski, a teammate at Bristol Central, is a freshman defensive lineman. Nizielski played in three games.
Statistics compiled from team websites.
