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| Love (WCSU athletics) |
Kevin Love, Western Connecticut State University basketball
Former Bristol Eastern player Kevin Love seems to be fitting in just fine with his new college.
Love, who transferred to Western Connecticut State University, posted a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds off the bench in a 93-90 home loss to UMass-Boston. Love played 29 minutes, blocked two shots, dished out an assist and picked up a steal.
Love has played in all seven games for the Colonials, including one start. He’s averaging 22.9 minutes per game. Love has put up an average of 9.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest.
Love began his collegiate basketball career at Lyndon State College in Vermont.
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| Hylan (Sacred Heart athletics) |
Kim Hylan, Sacred Heart University swimming and diving
Hylan was a special swimmer at St. Paul Catholic High School, and she is now competing for a Division I team in Fairfield.
Sacred Heart finished third in the ECAC Winter Championship, and Hylan played a part in it. On the final day of the three-competition, Hylan helped the Pioneer 400-yard freestyle relay take third place. She also finished seventh in the 500 freestyle with a lifestyle best swim time.
Hylan finished third individually in the 200 breaststroke, and she helped Sacred Heart to third place finishes in the 200 medley and 800 freestyle relays. Hylan also took an eighth place finish in the backstroke.
Karissa Smith, Western Connecticut State University volleyball
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| Smith (WCSU athletics) |
This fall, Smith concluded a fantastic career with a strong senior season.
The former Bristol Eastern star is not just an athlete though. Smith is a well-rounded student-athlete.
Here’s proof: Smith was just named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Third Team. Smith, a psychology major with a 4.0 GPA, was chosen for the team by the College Sports Information Directors of America. She was also chosen for the CoSIDA Academic All-District squad.
As for her senior season, Smith had 443 kills and 375 digs. Smith was named First Team All-Conference in the Little East after WCSU put together a solid regular season. The Colonials did see their LEC Tournament run end in the semifinals, but that doesn’t take away from the season, and career, that Smith had. And that was both on, and off, the court.
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| Nelson (WNEU athletics) |
Josh Nelson, Western New England University wrestling
A former grappler at Bristol Central, Nelson is in his sophomore season with the Golden Bears of WNEU.
Josh Nelson won a tough 9-6 decision over Sam Lindblom in a dual meet against Rhode Island College on Dec. 2 on the road. Nelson was one of four WNEU wrestlers to post a win in his team’s 22-15 loss to RIC.
After a tough start to the season, Nelson picked up a win while competing in Springfield College’s Doug Parker Invitational on Nov. 19.
Nelson is majoring in Criminal Justice.
Kiera O’Donnell, Assumption College basketball
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| O’Donnell (Assumption athletics) |
This former Holy Cross star has started seven of eight games to begin her junior season with the Greyhounds.
O’Donnell is averaging 27.4 minutes per game and 7.3 points. She is second on the team in rebounding at 6.6 per game and is also averaging 2.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.5 blocks.
O’Donnell had a season-high 12 points, plus five rebounds, in a 76-65 loss at Bentley. At the time, Bentley was the top-ranked team in the WBCA Division II Top 25. Bentley won the 2014 Division II NCAA national championship.
O’Donnell’s top rebounding effort is nine, which she has done twice. She’s also had eight rebounds in two different games.
O’Donnell is majoring in Human Services and Rehabilitation Services.
Statistics compiled from the websites of each athlete’s school.
