College Notebook:  Leonardi top runner at MMA

October 21, 2013

By John Garner Jr., Cape Cod Times

Liz Leonardi didn't begin long-distance running until her junior year at Sandwich High, because she was performing in ballets such as The Nutcracker in Boston.

But it didn't take Leonardi long to shine in cross-country, as she's become an outstanding harrier and currently senior co-captain and pace-setter for Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

"I was in the middle of high school and wanted to become more involved on a team, because I might be missing out," said Leonardi. "It's fun to get out there and run and be competitive."

She was recently the Bucs' top runner for the sixth straight week, as she covered the Westfield State James Earley Invitational at Stanley Park 5K in 22:50.43, good for 186th place in a field of 361, while senior Jenelle Piche and freshman Kylie Foster (Sandwich) followed in 240th and 243rd place with times of 23:51.91 and 23:59.97.

"Liz is a joy to coach," said MMA coach Linda Letourneau. "She's a great team leader, both in competition and on campus. She has a sunny disposition that motivates others to be at their best, and she has made a lasting, positive impact on our program and the Academy as a whole."

She finished 32nd at the Community College of Rhode Island Tri-State Invitational 5K course in 24:12.24 and placed 13th at 22:14 at MMA's Lt. Travis J. Fuller Women's Cross Country Invitational.

"It's all about creating a balance at the Academy," said Leonardi. "Whether it's studying for courses, playing sports or drilling, you're always keeping busy and that's the way I usually like it."

Leonardi is an environmental protection safety major at MMA and due to graduate next May.

MMA will compete in the MASCAC/New England Alliance Championships at Southern Maine on Nov. 2.

On Campus

Sophomore Nick Foley (Falmouth) is a member of the Elon cross-country team, one of several Falmouth harriers and tracksters competing in Division I, along with long-distance runner Ella Martin at Brown and Sam Bombaugh and Jen Cardeiro at Louisville.

Foley finished eighth in the Elon Invitational with a time of 26:41 and ran a 26:59.34 at the Mountaineer Open in another 8K run. Last season, he ran a 27:48.0 at Queens Royal XC Challenge and finished 28th with 16:40 in a 5K race at Three Stripe Invitational.

Former Dennis-Yarmouth standout Jillian MacDonald is a member of the Springfield field hockey team. She is a 5-foot freshman defender who hails from South Yarmouth.

Two Massachusetts Maritime Academy athletes earned MASCAC Rookie of the Week honors, including freshman goalie Thomas Funkhauser in men's soccer and freshman James MacVarish in cross-country.

Funkhauser made 10 saves without allowing a goal, including seven saves for his first career shutout in a 3-0 victory at Anna Maria and added three first-half saves in a scoreless double overtime draw at Fitchburg State, as he's posted two wins and 0.33 GAA and a .944 saves pct. for the Bucs, who got off to their best start ever at 5-0-2. Funkhauser is the third MASCAC Rookie of the Week to come from MMA this season, joining Konnor Scarponi and Joe Cohen.

MacVarish earned his second cross-country award in three weeks for the Bucs, placing 10th in a field of 91 runners to earn All-Invitational honors at Elms Blazer Invitational, covering the 8K layout in 28:48. MacVarish also won the MASCAC honor after 20th place at the University of New England Invitational.

Sophomore Meghan Talerman (Centerville) is one of the leading scorers on the nationally-ranked Bentley field hockey team. The former Barnstable standout has compiled four goals and two assists for the Falcons.

Junior Tyler Savonen (Orleans) netted his first career hat trick to lead the nationally-ranked Brandeis men's soccer team (11-2) to a 6-3 win over MMA. Cohen, a freshman, made a career-high 14 stops in the loss for the Bucs as Brandeis outshot MMA, 34-12.

Former Dennis-Yarmouth standout Emily Coholan is senior tri-captain of the undefeated (11-0) Stonehill field hockey team. The team's goalie coach is Courtney Osier, also a D-Y graduate.

MMA freshman placekicker Ryan Quinn was named MASCAC Special Teams Player of the Week after the Bucs' 54-53 victory at Western Conn. Quinn converted all six of his points after leading MMA to its fourth highest-scoring output in school history. Quinn has converted 15 of 19 PAT attempts and booted two field goals, including a 35-yarder against Fitchburg State.

Senior Stefan Gustafson and junior Brad Skeffington of the MMA football team earned spots on the MASCAC Offensive and Defensive Weekly honor rolls after its win at Western Conn. Gustafson rushed for career-high 235 yards and four TD's while Skeffington compiled seven tackles, forced and recovered a fumble, had a pass break-up and extra-point block.

Tickets for Women's Hockey East Championship are on sale at Hyannis Youth & Community Center. Tickets are $10 for general admission, and $5 for groups of 10 or more. Tickets can also be ordered via mail order, download ticket order form, visit www.hockeyeastonline.com.

The Hockey East Tournament weekend begins March 8 with 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. semifinals at Kennedy Rink. Single admission tickets are valid for both semi-final games. The winners advance to the championship March 9 at 1:30 pm.

Youth hockey organizations can contact Amy Harwood at amy.harwood@town.barnstable.ma.us or 508-790-6345 (Ext. 112) in order to find out about how their U10 and under teams can be part of the Championship weekend. One-on-one opportunities include the chance for a few lucky youth players to have some on-ice interaction with the college teams on Friday, March 7, during team practices.