The Monadnock region is ripe with talented college athletes, whether they’re from our home high schools making their communities proud around the country or they’ve come from all around the globe to play at Franklin Pierce. Here are just a few of the local standouts making headlines this winter.
Franklin Pierce University
Women’s Ice Hockey
Franklin Pierce senior goaltender Jill Hertl is on the watchlist for the Hockey Commissioners’ Association Goalie of the Year. Through 20 games, Hertl leads the Northeast Women’s Hockey Association in goals against (1.98), save percentage (.947) and winning percentage (.579). Hertl has two shutouts on the season and set a season-high with 56 saves in a tie with Assumption on Jan. 24. She’s also the Ravens’ career leader in saves (2,358), games played (80) and wins (43), and she’s two shutouts behind Emme Ostrander’s career record of 17.
Men’s Basketball
Sophomore Anthony Parker, a 6’3″ sophomore, is currently the second-leading in the Northeast-10 Conference, with his 18.2 ppg just behind JoJo Wallace of Southern New Hampshire University (22.7). Parker has been named NE-10 Player of the Week twice, most recently following a season-high 31 points at St. Anselm. The Ravens are 5-16 on the season.
Men’s Ice Hockey
Sophomore wing Mario Paganini is second in the NE-10 in both goals (19) and points (32), trailing Assumption’s Jonathan Surrette (26, 47), who’s also the conference leader in assists. The Ravens are 9-13 on the season.
Local student-athletes
Brynn Rautiola of Rindge is a junior at Keene State College, where she is the starting point guard for the Owls’ women’s basketball team. Rautiola, who reached the 1,000-career-point milestone earlier this season, is currently averaging 19 ppg, and the Owls are 15-6.
Emma Tenters of Jaffrey is a junior at Rhode Island College, where she plays forward for the Anchorwomen basketball team. Tenters is averaging 2.8 ppg and 2.4 rebounds over 11 games played.
Isabella Hart of Rindge is a sophomore at Regis College, where she is a member of the Pride women’s basketball team. Hart missed the entirety of her freshman season due to injury and is still working her way into the lineup.
Hannah Manley of Jaffrey is a freshman at Rochester Institute of Technology, where she plays for the Tigers’ women’s basketball team. Manley is averaging a point and an assist per game over her first 13 appearances.
Gage Blanchette of Jaffrey is a freshman at Keene State College, where he is a member of the Owls’ indoor track team, participating as a thrower. Blanchette has career bests of 10.42m in the shot put and 9.85m in the weight throw.
Kaden Colby of Jaffrey is a freshman at Keene State College, where he is a member of the Owls’ indoor track team, participating as a hurdler. Colby has career bests of 8.72 seconds in the 55m hurdles and 9.44 seconds in the 60m hurdles.
William Simard of Francestown is a freshman at UMass-Lowell, where he is a distance runner for the Riverhawks’ indoor track team. Simard has set personal bests in the 1,500m (3:58.95), 3,000m (8:17.66) and the mile (4:13.36).
Maxx Telofski of Peterborough is a freshman at Plymouth State University, where he is a member of the Panthers’ indoor track team, participating as a thrower.
Laurel Bennett of Rindge is a junior at Plymouth State University, where she is a member of the Panthers’ swim team. Bennett generally competes in the freestyle and breast strokes.
Florence Schaumloffel of New Ipswich is a freshman at Plymouth State University, where she is a distance runner for the Panthers’ indoor track team. Schaumloffel’s best times to date are in the mile (7:01.89) and 3,000m (13:55.22).
Molly Dishong of Francestown is a senior at Colby-Sawyer University, where she is a member of the Chargers’ alpine ski team. Dishong’s top finish thus far this season is 34th place in the slalom at Colby College in January.