Lebanon
The New Hampshire Recreation and Parks Association bestowed its Rowland “Kim” Perkins Award for special event programming to Lebanon at its all-day conference on Sept. 13. The award went to Lebanon Parks and Rec for its Shamrock Shuffle 5K Road Race, a department staple scheduled around St. Patrick’s Day every year since 2001.
A fundraiser for the department’s youth programs, the Shamrock Shuffle has gone from an idea suggested to current director Paul Coats to the event signaling the arrival of the Upper Valley running season. The run has grown to the point of drawing more than 1,000 participants during some editions.
Additionally, organizers have never repeated colors in the long-sleeve T-shirts given out to runners. The run also encompasses a local school challenge to increase running participation among youths and their families.
The next Shamrock Shuffle is scheduled for March 10, 2018. Registration is already underway at www.shamrock5k.com.
Barton Among VT50 Winners
Brownsville
The 44-year-old Barton nearly broke the four-hour barrier in recording his victory, finishing the route in 4 hours, 18 seconds to win by less than a minute ahead of Connecticut’s Neal Burton (4:01:22). The top 25 in the field included Windsor’s Bobby Farrell (11th, 4:17:31) and Norwich’s Josh Chu (14th, 4:20:45). Norwich’s Jane Lemasurier was second among all women and one of just two women in the top 100 overall in a time of 4:56:23, good for 69th place.
Colton Gale, of Bend, Ore., won the 50-mile run in 7:10:28, while Manchester’s Larisa Dannis was the top women with a seventh-place time of 7:55:56. Hanover’s Kevin Hartstein took fifth overall in 7:45:14. Another Hanover athlete, Vanessa Garlick, was fifth among all women and 21st overall in 9:03:15.
The 50-kilometer run division went to Keith Lundquist, of Hopkinton, N.H., in 4:11:17. Sarah Burke, of Cambridge, Mass., was the top woman, taking seventh in 5:04:41. Upper Valley competitors in the top 25 included Rick Evans, of Bradford, Vt. (third, 4:30:46), Lebanon’s Emily Harper (eighth overall, second among women, 5:09:57), Norwich’s Michael Fenzel (16th, 5:28:31), Brownsville’s Natalie Searle (19th, 5:33:29), Norwich’s Jay Fauci (24th, 5:42:58) and Lebanon’s Barry Howe (25th, 5:43:03).
LSC U9 Canes Win
Meriden
Behind a Sacha Palm hat trick and two goals from Colin McLaughlin, the Canes started the day with a 5-3 defeat of United FC. LSC did much of the damage in the second half, as Yuvraj Sathe and Nate McFetridge backed Palm and McLaughlin as the Hurricanes pulled away.
LSC also grabbed a 6-3 win from GPS Metro South on Sunday. Palm and Sathe scored in the first half, McLaughlin netted a second-half hat trick, Nolan Bourn also scored and Jamie Coughlin led an effective Hurricane defense.
Fire, GPS Deadlock
Meriden
Fire striker Murphy Hunt made his own good fortune on his team’s goal, intercepting pass in GPS territory, rounding the goalkeeper and holding off a defender to slot the ball home. Jack Maynes kept the shutout going with a couple of solid saves, and Jack McGrath and Palmer Okai teamed up to provide defensive cover for the keeper.
Tucker Chapman nearly doubled LSC’s lead on a 28-yard free kick in the second half that clanked the crossbar. GPS also found the frame once before striking the equalizer in the second half. Daniel Mladek and Seth Carl excelled in the midfield for the Fire.
Surge Wins Again
Bow, n.h.
The Surge used short passes into open spaces to support the rout. Ainsley Smith and Joanna Bujarski scored in the first half for LSC, while Smith added a second after halftime.
Reece Kenney had a goal and an assist, and Deming Dwyer and Katharine Moseley also dented the net for the Surge.
Nashua Dims Stars
Nashua, n.h.
Ava Goletz and Juliana Masland shook off the oppressive conditions and handled their offensive and defensive midfield roles well. Braelyn Park had the Stars’ best scoring chances in the second half.
Sparks Blank Seacoast
Epping, n.h.
Casey Havrda took a star turn for the Sparks, scoring her first hat trick, all in the first half. The Sparks added second-half strikes from Mary Rainey and Mo McBride to complete their second win of the fall season.
he Sparks are back at KUA on Sunday to host the Seacoast Express United.
Referee Class in Hartford
White River Junction
Classes will be held at Hartford High School on Monday and Thursday evenings beginning on Oct. 30. The classes are open to both Vermont and New Hampshire residents. There will be a cost involved for class materials and the post-session exam.
For more information, contact Dan Pause at 802-683-9315 or email danpause@gmail.com.
Maxfield Dedication Set
White River Junction
The ceremony honoring the Maxfield family will be held at 10:45 a.m. immediately before the Hartford-Springfield high school varsity girls soccer match. The town of Hartford signed an agreement with the Maxfields for the land that would become the complex on Sept. 23, 1997, a donation that required the land be used for recreation, agriculture and education. The 52-acre facility opened three years ago and now boasts four tennis courts, two basketball courts, three pavilions, regulation baseball and softball diamonds, four Little League fields, three multipurpose fields and a 1-mile walking and jogging loop. It is also home to the NECBL’s Upper Valley Nighthawks summer college baseball team.
The public is invited to attend the dedication on Saturday.
Hartford Hockey Classic
Randolph
The annual 18-hole scramble tournament helps fund the Hurricanes’ varsity hockey programs. The team fee of $240 includes greens fees for a foursome along with prizes and a post-tournament dinner.
Registration begins at 11 a.m., with a shotgun competition start of noon.
Dinner, awards and prizes will take place at 4:30 p.m.
The tournament will be held rain or shine.
Contact Hartford High boys hockey coach Todd Bebeau at 802-296-6068 for more information.
Adult Field Hockey
Grantham
Adult indoor field hockey is open to women and men ages 18 and older. While geared toward experienced players, newcomers are welcome to give the game a try. Plans are to hold games every Thursday from 6-8 p.m. for four weeks, beginning on Oct. 5.
Players must pre-register with Grantham Indoor in order to determine if the program has enough participation to proceed. The cost is $40 for four weeks; no drop-ins, please.
Email mvalleyrec@gmail.com for more information.
Hartford Archery Class
Wilder
The four-week class will meet on Thursdays through Oct. 12. Participants will work on improving upper-body strength, concentration, self-confidence and relaxation. All gear is provided, including lightweight bows and targets or varying distance.
The class fee is $65 for residents and $85 for nonresidents. Visit www.hartfordrec.com or call 802-295-5036 to learn more.
Speedskaters Sought
West Lebanon
The club holds sessions at Campion Rink in West Lebanon. Instructors include past Olympic competitor Dan Weinstein.
Email Weinstein at dweinstein09@gmail.com or Amelia Ihlo at amelia.ihlo@gmail.com to learn more.