Norwich Sports Hall of Fame announces Class of 2026 | Zanor column

Norwich Tech's Maya Stimson

Norwich Tech's Maya Stimson

Norwich Tech's Maya Stimson

Norwich Tech's Nani Garcia

Norwich Tech's Nyomi Barboza

Norwich Tech's Nyomi Barboza

Norwich Tech's Nyomi Barboza

Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech

Ellis Tech's Sophia Welply

Ellis Tech's Aubrey Butler

Ellis Tech's Aubrey Butler

Ellis Tech's Ava Butler

Norwich Tech's Carden Stimson

Norwich Tech's Carden Stimson

Ellis Tech's Cardyn Feen

Ellis Tech's Cardyn Feen

Ellis Tech's Cardyn Feen

Ellis Tech's Cardyn Feen

Ellis Tech's Hailey Haggett

Ellis Tech's Hailey Haggett

Ellis Tech's Hailey Haggett

Norwich Tech's Layla Risk-Adams

Norwich Tech's Layla Risk-Adams

Ellis Tech's Makayla Horan

Ellis Tech's Maya Stimson

Norwich Tech's Maya Stimson

Norwich Tech's Maya Stimson

Ellis Tech's Makayla Horan

Norwich Tech's Maya Stimson

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Norwich Tech's Maya Stimson

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Norwich Tech's Maya Stimson

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Norwich Tech's Maya Stimson

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Norwich Tech's Maya Stimson

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Norwich Tech's Nani Garcia

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Norwich Tech's Nyomi Barboza

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Norwich Tech's Nyomi Barboza

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Norwich Tech's Nyomi Barboza

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Ellis Tech's Sophia Welply

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Ellis Tech's Aubrey Butler

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Ellis Tech's Aubrey Butler

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Ellis Tech's Ava Butler

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Norwich Tech's Carden Stimson

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Norwich Tech's Carden Stimson

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Ellis Tech's Cardyn Feen

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Ellis Tech's Cardyn Feen

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Ellis Tech's Cardyn Feen

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Ellis Tech's Cardyn Feen

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Ellis Tech's Hailey Haggett

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Ellis Tech's Hailey Haggett

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Ellis Tech's Hailey Haggett

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Norwich Tech's Layla Risk-Adams

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Norwich Tech's Layla Risk-Adams

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Ellis Tech's Makayla Horan

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Ellis Tech's Maya Stimson

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Norwich Tech's Maya Stimson

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Norwich Tech's Maya Stimson

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Ellis Tech's Makayla Horan

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Photo gallery: Norwich Tech versus Ellis Tech softball

Norwich Tech's Maya Stimson

Just thought I’d empty out my reporter’s notebook while wondering if the Connecticut Sun are going to win a game in their Sunset Season in Uncasville.

Norwich Sports Hall of Fame

The Norwich Sports Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2026. The five new inductees are Myles Bradley, Roland Carrignan, Chris DeLucia, Bryan Moretti, and Jeff Mullen.

The Hall of Fame Celebration takes place on June 7 at the Holiday Inn Norwich starting at 4 p.m. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased by contacting Jim Homiski at 860-7106676. They can also be purchased online on Norwichsportshalloffame.org.

Bradley was an NFA track star (2002-2005) who set 7 school records while winning numerous ECC, Class LL, State Open and New England championships. He was selected the Gatorade Track and Field Athlete of the Year. Bradley earned All-American track and field honors at Stanford.

Carrignan, who passed away in 2014, was a gifted baseball and football athlete. Nicknamed “Beansie”, he was a World War II Purple Heart recipient. Carrignan starred in the Norwich City League from 1946-1952. He also played semipro football.

DeLucia starred in golf at St. Bernard and UConn. He is a two-time champion of the prestigious Norwich Invitational golf tournament.

Moretti played basketball at NFA (1990-1993) before becoming a decorated and all-conference player at Nichols College and Eastern Connecticut State. He is the longtime boys basketball head coach at Hall in West Hartford.

Mullen played football and track at NFA (Class of 1969) before attending Mitchell and UConn. His football coaching resume includes stints with Norwich Youth Football, New London High, St. Thomas More Prep, Griswold High (head coach), UConn and Coast Guard.

Chris DeLucia lines up a putt during the Norwich Invitational in 2023. The two-time champion is being inducted into the Norwich Sports Hall of Fame on June 7.

Softball Top 10

After an amazing week that saw the Norwich Free Academy softball team defeat East Lyme, Fitch, and Waterford to capture the Eastern Connecticut Conference Division I regular season championship, the Wildcats (14-2) remained on the outside of the state-wide GameTimeCT Top 10 poll.

NFA is still ranked No. 11 after Jonathan Law moved into the Top 10 by defeating their Milford rival No. 6 Foran, 6-1.

Here is this week’s Game TimeCT Top 10 poll.

1. Cheshire 16-0
2. New Milford 15-0
3. Masuk 12-1
4. Brookfield 14-1
5. Southington 13-1
6. Foran 12-2
7. Darien 11-2
8. St. Paul 15-1
9. North Branford 13-1
10. Jonathan Law 13-3

More: Plainfield's Gedney embracing leadership role on softball diamond

NFA might have a hard time breaking into the next Top 10 poll following a 2-1 loss against Hale Ray last Monday at DePina Field. The Noises (15-3), who were the Little Noises many moons ago when I covered the Shoreline Conference for the New Haven Register and Middletown Press, got a 14 strikeout performance from pitcher Lily Jahne. Jahne also walked nine and allowed only two hits to NFA seniors Sophie Miner and Amelia Driscoll.

It was a tough loss against the Noises but don’t fret Wildcat Nation fans. NFA will get a chance to strut their stuff against two Top 10 teams next week. The Wildcats host No. 9 North Branford on Monday, May 18 at DePina Field before ending their regular season on the road against No. 4 Brookfield on Wednesday, May 20.

More: These CTC softball rivals are ending the season on different notes

Comments and observations …

• During a Red Sox season that is quickly going south, there’s nothing better than a joyous look at a Manny Ramirez highlight courtesy of @NESN on X. On May 14, 2008, Ramirez made a running, over the shoulder catch in the outfield, climbed the wall at Camden Yards and high-fived a fan in the left field bleachers, and then threw the ball to Dustin Pedroia, who doubled up the Orioles’ Aubrey Huff at first base. A patented Manny Ramirez-Dustin Pedroia-Kevin Youkilis double play. And clearly one of the greatest plays in MLB history.

• In a perfect sports world, Mike Trout would become a Boston Red Sox, Giannis Antetokounmpo would become a Boston Celtic, and Brady Tkachuck would become a Boston Bruin.

• On May 8, the Red Sox celebrated the 125th anniversary of their first ever home game in Boston. In 1901, the team was called the Boston Americans and played at the Huntington Avenue Grounds, which is now the site of Northeastern University. Throwing out the ceremonial first pitch last Friday night at Fenway were Yaz, Pudge, Big Papi, Petey, Jim Ed, and the Chicken Man. Of course, that’s a legendary lineup of Carl Yastrzemski, Carlton Fisk, David Ortiz, Pedro Martinez, Jim Rice, and Wade Boggs.

STUCK IN THE 70s

On May 11, 1972, the Boston Bruins clinched their second Stanley Cup title in three years with a 3-0 victory over the New York Rangers in Game 6 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Bobby Orr, who scored four goals and dished out four assists in the series, won his second Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP.

Orr’s first period power play goal proved to be the game-winner. He also had the Stanley Cup clinching goal in 1970. Gerry Cheevers, the best money goaltender of all time, finished with 33 saves. Wayne Cashman scored two third period goals with a pair of assists from Phil Esposito. Ken Hodge and Orr also had assists.

The game featured 74 penalty minutes, including a 10-minute misconduct for Orr when he argued with the referee. There were also three heavyweight fights: Ken Hodge versus Vic Hadfield, Derek Sanderson versus Rod Gilbert, Wayne Cashman versus Walt Tkaczuk.

The Bruins didn’t win another Stanley Cup until 2011.

Jimmy Zanor

Jimmy Zanor is a sportswriter for the Norwich Bulletin and can be reached at jzanor@norwichbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter@jzanorNB.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich Sports Hall of Fame announces Class of 2026 | Zanor column