HIGH 5 OF THE WEEK: Pechulis wins top swimmer award for second time

Madison Pechulis, Keene State College swimming

The former Bristol Central standout was named Little East Conference Swimmer of the Week for the second time this season after a terrific performance.

Pechulis won four events over a two-meet stretch for Keene State. The Owls beat UMass-Dartmouth, 163-90, and Western Connecticut State University, 189-43, in a tri-meet on Jan. 15, and the senior Pechulis was right in the middle of it. She swam on the winning 200-yard medley relay (1:59.85), and she took first place individually in the 100 breaststroke (1:10.19) and 100 freestyle (59.34 seconds). In a Jan. 18 tri-meet against Bridgewater State University (115-120 win) and Brandeis University (88-183), Pechulis finished first in the 50 breaststroke (32.12) and was second in the 200 breaststroke (2:33.76).

Pechulis was named LEC Swimmer of the Week back on Dec. 9, 2019.

Ashley Elder, Southern New Hampshire University indoor track and field

Speaking of former Bristol Central standouts, this former Ram continues to be a leader on the Penmen indoor track and field team as a graduate student.

Elder was named to the Northeast-10 Conference weekly honor roll after winning the shot put at Smith College’s Mary Grinaker Invite with a toss of 47 feet, 9.25 inches. That makes three shot put competitions and three victories for Elder this season. The three winning throws from Elder are also the top throws in the NE-10 so far this indoor season.

Connor Baston, Suffolk University indoor track and field

This former St. Paul standout took part in the Tufts Invitational on Jan. 18, and his efforts at that meet earned him recognition in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference weekly honor roll.

Baston finished fourth out of 35 competitors in the 200 meters in 23.58 seconds. That time is the fastest run in the event by a GNAC athlete so far this indoor season. He also ran in the 60-meter dash, where he took 11th out of 32 runners in 7.39 seconds.

Damian Grant, Albertus Magnus College basketball

This former Wilby standout came up big in the second half and overtime of an 80-75 overtime victory for the Falcons at Regis College on Tuesday.

Grant’s layup with 3:08 left in the second half put Albertus Magnus ahead, 60-58. In overtime, Grant’s layup gave the Falcons a 70-68 lead at the 4:21 mark. Later in overtime, Grant made one of two free throws to tie the game at 72 with 2:48 left on the clock.

Grant, a senior, played 18 minutes and finished with seven points on 3-of-5 shooting. He had six rebounds, including five on the offensive end of the floor, plus one blocked shot.

Brigid Johndrow, Utica College basketball

This former St. Paul standout has played in and started all 16 games for the Pioneers.

Johndrow, a junior, is averaging 8.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.5 steals in 24.8 minutes per game. As far as team averages go, Johndrow is second in rebounds, second in assists, third in rebounding and fifth in scoring.

In a 74-66 win over Alfred State College on Dec. 10, 2019, Johndrow played 28 minutes and had 14 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Headshots and statistics are compiled from the college websites of each athlete. No headshot was available for Baston.