The Dresden and Lebanon 12U Cal Ripken youth baseball teams both claimed district tournament championships last weekend to earn spots in their respective state tourneys this weekend.
Dresden claimed the Vermont District I title by going undefeated at its tourney at the Maxfield Sports Complex in White River Junction. After a 6-5 extra-inning win over Hartford to start things off, Dresen blanked North Country, 7-0, squeezed out a 2-1 decision over Lakes Region. Dresend closed out the championship with a rematch against Lakes Region, earning a 9-3 win.
Wyn Casey, Allie Muirhead, Finn Ware, Ben Aaron, Chris Ryckman, Jackson Souther, Sean Nam and Andrew Rudd combined on the mound to keep Dresden in charge. Sam Ames, Andrew McGuire, Ryan McLaughlin and Gavin Miller also played roles in the weekend success.
Dresden next heads to the Vermont state tournament in Cavendish, Vt.
Meanwhile, Lebanon won its New Hampshire District I tournament in commanding fashion with a 6-0 blanking of Claremont on June 20, 6-0, in Newport to take the crown in the three-team double-elimination draw.
sLebanon also beat Claremont, 19-8, to open the tournament on June 18.
Lebanon had six hits in the championship-game blanking of Claremont. Bennet Hewett and Estyn Elkouh both doubled to lead Lebanon, which also received singles from George Tafe, Dominic Calandrella, Declan Brandis and Jesse Richardson. Hewett tossed a complete-game one-hitter for the victory.
Lebanon opens play in the New Hampshire state tournament in Lancaster on Saturday.
SMITHFIELD, R.I. — The 3D Lacrosse Club Mountain team — carrying a roster with 11 Upper Valley residents — won the 2023 division of the Bulldog Brawl youth tournament at Bryant University on Saturday and Sunday.
After going 2-1 in pool play, 3DLC Mountain beat 4 Leaf Lacrosse, of Manchester, 4-3 in overtime, to advance from the semifinals. That set up a date with the 3D Providence (R.I.) Bears, with Mountain winning, 5-4.
Area contributors included Hartford’s Joseph Barwood; Woodstock’s Will Coates, Trey Jones, Michael LaCroix, Will Longfield, Griffin Piconi and Henry Trimpi; Norwich’s Angus Frew, Brendaon Logan and Zach Tracy; and Strafford’s Simon North. Woodstock’s Dave Willis and former Woodstock High player Conner Black coached the squad.
HANOVER — The Upper Valley Trails Alliance is gearing up for its annual Stoaked Trail Run, part of Western New Hampshire Trail Running Series, on Aug. 3.
The 12.5-kilometer race takes place on the Oak Hill cross country ski trail network at the Storrs Pond Recreation Area. Pre-registration for the run is $15 for adults and $10 for youths ages 15-19 through the day of the race. Same-day registration on site is also available for an additional $5.
Visit www.uvtrails.org or www.wnhtrs.org for links to online registration or for more information.
IN THE FIELD
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Norwich’s Zane Rodriguez led with his first of six throws and was never chased down to win his javelin age group in the National Senior Games on June 19.
The 60-year-old Rodriguez, competing in the men’s ages 60-64 bracket, opened with a throw of 146 feet, 3 inches and eventually secured the title with a throw of 167-4 on his fourth attempt. Rodriguez’s last three tries all topped 160 feet; none of the others in the division surpassed 150 feet.
Rodriguez competes for the Lebanon-based Thor’s Stone Athletic Club. The National Senior Games took place at the University of New Mexico.
WOODSTOCK — The Upper Valley Curling Club will be taking advantage of summer ice season at Union Arena by hosting a short course on the winter sport on July 7.
The class will start at 5:45 p.m. and is open for people who have yet to take up the game. The UVCC will provide all necessary equipment; participants should wear warm clothing, including a hat and gloves, as well as shoes with clean, non-skid soles. Experienced curlers will teach rules and technique before the class hits the ice for a practice.
The clinic cost is $25; advance registration is required. Visit www.uppervalleycurling.com to register or for more information.