Archive - Apr 2011 - Sports Article
April 17th
BOSTON — For the elite runners at this morning’s Boston Marathon, the goal is to be the first to cross the finish line.
For several of the other participants, including Cumberland residents and forty-something runners Dave Constantino and Robert Lux, a winning performance is defined by the numbers on the clock when they reach their final destination at Copley Square.
Constantino and Lux, a pair of triathletes as well as good friends, those numbers they’re hoping begin with a two. In other words, a sub three-hour effort.
April 16th
BOSTON — Kara Goucher looks at her performances in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters runs at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and her inaugural appearance at the Boston Marathon two years ago as sharing a common theme.
Goucher was considered among the medal contenders at the Summer Games, but placed a still-respectable ninth in the 5K and tenth in the 10K.
LINCOLN – Mike Theroux doesn’t have to go too far back in his memory bank to recall the first time he went for a run.
That’s because it occurred just six years ago for the 47-year-old Lincoln resident.
“I ran from my house to Lincoln High School and back,” he said. “It was about a three-mile run. At the time I was happy I was actually doing it, but it was amazing how much that run took out of me.”
Theroux will be running three miles again tomorrow. Only this time, he’ll still have 23 more before he reaches his final destination.
April 15th
SMITHFIELD – Cumberland High survived injuries to its starting pitcher and catcher on Friday to outlast Smithfield 6-5 in eight innings.
“This was a great team effort,” Cumberland coach Paul Murphy admitted. “Our starting pitcher, Hayden Namaka, hurt his hand and left in the third inning. Eric Murray, who had pitched only one inning this season, took over and gave us five good innings. And then our catcher, Matt Billington, got hurt and we replaced him with Matt Bare in the fourth inning.”
April 13th
The problem with Red Sox fans is they don’t know how to deal with slow starts. During the Terry Francona Era, their favorite team has never been worse than 28-24 on June 1. That mediocre beginning, which looks downright red-hot compared to this season’s 2-9 start, occurred in 2005. Yes, Boston rebounded to make the playoffs that year, bowing to eventual champion Chicago White Sox in the Division Series.
WOONSOCKET --- A not-so-funny thing happened to Mount St. Charles Academy in its pursuit for its 50th consecutive victory earlier this week.
The Mounties claimed a 2-0 lead in their Division I match at home with South Kingstown High, only to watch the Rebels battle back to take the next three games and hand MSC its first defeat since 2008.
The loss was a bitter pill to swallow, but the Mounties found a way to bounce back nicely on Wednesday night and return to their winning ways at Coventry High’s expense.
CENTRAL FALLS — The Unified Basketball League, the second-year R.I. Interscholastic League program that matches Special Needs athletes with partners from their respective high schools, has not only grown in the amount of teams that participate, but in its competitiveness.
Division I Northern rivals Central Falls and Woonsocket demonstrated that aspect Wednesday afternoon at the Warriors’ Gymnasium with a thrilling, down-to-the-wire affair.
April 12th
WOONSOCKET — After nearly two decades as a Division I program, Woonsocket High dropped down to Div. II this spring – a new league with plenty of unfamiliar faces.
Head coach John Marsella is taking a realistic approach to how his team will fare in the lower division, refraining from getting over confident despite fielding a solid bunch of players.
April 10th
WOONSOCKET — It’s a little early for Mount St. Charles to start circling the wagons.
The two-time defending Division II champions have played just one game in Division I this season, a 6-5 loss to Smithfield, and this afternoon they host powerful Lincoln High in a 4 p.m. game that could be an eye opener for the Mounties.
Lincoln, which has scored 10 runs in each of its first two league victories (over St. Raphael and Cumberland), is led by Ryan O’Dell and a strong nucleus of players who should take the Lions deep into the playoffs in early June.
April 8th
PAWTUCKET – Nary a trace of resentment could be found in Hideki Okajima’s tone when asked if he felt he was bypassed by the Red Sox on Friday. Boston selected Felix Doubront – a pitcher who was shutdown during spring training with left forearm inflammation – to fill the club’s left-handed need in the bullpen after designating the ineffective Dennys Reyes for assignment.
“No,” was the straightforward answer Okajima came back with through interpreter Jeff Cutler after posed said question.
