2015 Award Winner Biographies
Chris Adams
Erik Hilinski
Amy Jeffers
Todd Lathrop
Norine Nadeau Brown
Rich (Richie) Serafin
Tricia Shatley
Jonathan Torres
Chris Adams
Chris Adams was introduced to riflery at age five by his father who was the coach of the NFA Small-bore Rifle Team. Small-bore rifle competition involves shooting .22 caliber precision rifles at very small targets. He credits his temperament for being well suited for riflery, which requires tremendous self-control and the ability to mentally focus for extended periods of time.
In shooting, each rifleman generates their own score, which in team competitions is combined with those of his teammates. Scores represent a pure measure of the shooter’s performance. The equipment, the rifles in particular, are all almost identical in their performance, which creates a truly level playing field for competitors. In smallbore riflery, the targets center is the size of the head of a pin, set at a distance of 50 feet from the shooter.
Chris developed his skills through his father, his first coach, and became part of the local competition community around age seven. Riflery involves firing from four positions (prone, sitting, kneeling, and standing) and as Chris was introduced to outdoor riflery, many new variables had to be dealt with. Shooting at targets up to 100 yards required careful adjustments of sights to compensate for variables such as wind, and competing through matches that can last for eight hours.
Chris made the All-State Team from 1981-1988, which is a notable achievement in Connecticut as numerous riflery dynasties in this state qualify for the Olympics and even win World Championships. Being a member of the All-State Team enabled Chris to represent Connecticut at the National Rifle Championships. During his eight summers at this “ultimate summer camp”, he learned the intricacies of shooting by studying his fellow competitors. One such competitor who became his idol was Colonel Lones Wigger, who holds dozens of world records and is a member of the 2008 Olympic Hall of Fame.
At age nine Chris attended the Olympic Rifle Training Camp and received coaching by some of the best shooters in the world, and in 1987 at age 17 he captained the National Champion Junior Prone Team. His Connecticut team placed among the five top teams in the country, to include the world-class professional military teams.
While attending NFA, he led the school’s rifle team to 4 League Titles and 2 State Championships, while individually earning All-State status every year. After high school Chris became a cadet at West Point and was given a place on the Army Collegiate Rifle Team (Black Knights), but was medically discharged after suffering several injuries in his freshman year. He received a scholarship to King’s College, in Pennsylvania and Captained their Rifle Team, leading them to 3 National Championships (1990-92). In 1990, Chris was invited by Team USA to the tryouts for the U.S. Olympic Team.
Today, Chris professionally trains shooters and coaches in several shooting disciplines, for both the government and private organizations.
Erik Hilinski
Erik Hilinski, as a youth, competed in Town Teams and Franklin Grammar School Teams. He participated in baseball, basketball, soccer and football. He captained the baseball and football team. He also played senior league baseball.
Erik attended NFA (1982-1986) and continued his enthusiasm for sports. In his freshman year he played football. In his sophomore year he played varsity football and remained on the varsity team through his senior year. He was a varsity letter winner 3 years starting on both offense and defense. He was elected Team Co-Captain by fellow letter winners in 1985. In his senior year he was named to the Eastern Connecticut Conference All-Star Team and received All-Area recognition by local media. He was the winner of the team’s most outstanding player award and recipient of the Arnold Redgrave Trophy, one of the Academy’s most prestigious athletic awards.
Erik was a 4 year letter winner in wrestling. He wrestled as the Team Heavyweight in his sophomore, junior and senior years. In his junior year, he took 2nd place in the Class LL State Championship. In his senior year, he won the title. In all 4 years, his wrestling team was the Class LL State Champion and in Erik’s senior year the team was undefeated setting a team record at 23 and 0. He set NFA records for most points scored in a season and most points in a career. He had most wins for a season and for a career. He also set the mark for most falls. Erik was honored as the Most Outstanding Senior Wrestler. At graduation, he received the Fletcher-Wiley Cup, NFA’s award for the top male athlete. He was elected by his varsity peers to serve as a Team Captain in his senior year. During his 4 years of wrestling, Erik received numerous awards and established several school records. Erik is proud of the fact that he and his fellow co-captains, Mike Mathieu and Mike Senecal, were National Merit Scholars who all advanced to outstanding academic Institutions. (Erik to Yale, Mathieu to Harvard and Senecal to the US Coast Guard Academy)
In his first year at Yale, Erik was a starting Offensive Lineman (OL) for the freshman football team and a member of the Frosh wrestling program. He was a 3 year member of varsity football and earned a starting OL position in his junior season. In his senior year, the Yale team shared the Ivy League Championship with Princeton, a feat that was earned when they defeated the Tigers in a head-to-head match-up.
Erik is employed in the Steel Industry which has taken him to several locations throughout the world. He became a volunteer tutor of secondary school students. He and his wife Kami have also served as Youth Ministries Program Leaders. They are the proud parents of Abigail Grace, Isabel Joy. The Hilinski family resides in Chicago and he still plays softball in what he calls a “fun league”.
Amy Jeffers
Amy began playing sports in the third grade the time period, the 70’s. Her dad signed her up for her first basketball camp at NFA which at the time was called; NFA Summer Boys Camp. At this time in sports there were no camps in the area for girls. Although she was denied the first time she tried to join the camp she went back the following year and along with her dad went to the heads of the NFA camp and pleaded her case. Finally she was allowed to attend. Amy not only attended the camp she won the camp 1 on 1 championship and was voted CAMP MVP! Quite an accomplishment for Amy and for girls’ sports. The following year the name of the camp changed to the NFA Summer Basketball Camp and girls were now officially allowed. Amy continued to attend as well as many of her friends who she would eventually play with in high school.
Growing up Amy played in Church League basketball as well as P.A.L. Soccer, Norwich Little League baseball and softball. Often she was one of only a couple of girls on her team. Amy credits being on mostly “boys” teams as the reason for her aggressive play as well as helping her improved her ability level.
At Norwich Free Academy, Amy earned nine varsity letters competing in 11 seasons of basketball, softball and soccer. She was All ECC in Softball in 11th and 12th grades and All ECC in basketball and soccer from 10th – 12th grade. In her senior year at NFA, (1991) Amy was named Kodak All State Honorable Mention for basketball.
Amy continued her athletic career at Mitchell College playing both basketball and soccer for a season on a basketball scholarship. During her college years Amy also instructed Tennis for the Norwich Rec Department Summer program from 1991-1994.
Amy took a few years off to pursue other life goals but returned to coach in 1997 as Head softball coach at Kelly Middle school from 97-99. Amy has also coached at the Dr. Charles E. Murphy School Girls Head Basketball coach 99-2000, Head coach for the Marlborough Soccer club boys kindergarten team 2010, first grade 2011 and second grade 2012. Currently she is assistant coach of her oldest son’s U9 travel team.
Amy adds; although her title has changed over the years, from player, to coach, to mom back to coach she is thankful for all that she has experienced throughout her sports career. “Not for a second do I feel my sports time is over, instead really just beginning because I am now the person who has the opportunity and ability to encourage, inspire and teach young athletes just as I once was.”
Amy is married and has two sons.
Todd Lathrop
Throughout his successful athletic career, Todd relied on the strong foundation from his participation in various Norwich youth baseball, soccer and bowling programs. Todd played in the Norwich Pioneer, Minor, Little and Senior baseball leagues gathering several All-Star awards along the way. He also was an outstanding leadoff hitter for the Norwich American Legion baseball team for several years. Todd took advantage of the Norwich Youth Soccer programs offered by the Recreation Department. His bowling career begin at age five initiated by his fathers’ participation. Additionally, Todd remembers the “blue bus” that picked up the school bowling team each week for transport to the bowling alley for practice and parental pickup! While attending Norwich Regional Vo-Tech School, he was a four year member on the baseball team earning QVC All Star awards. He also earned three varsity letters on the Tech soccer team.
After high school, Todd played baseball at Thames Valley Community College under the tutelage of Norwich legend Joe Romanski. He then continued his participation with the bat and ball as a reliable outfielder in virtually all southeastern Connecticut Softball Leagues for twenty years until a shoulder injury forced him to focus solely on bowling.
All the years that Todd was on the baseball diamond, he was also honing his bowling skills to where he had a major impact on the local, state, New England and Professional bowling scenes. As a dominant bowler on the local alleys since his youth, he was inducted into the SE CT Bowling Assoc. Hall of Fame earning many All-Star team honors. State-wide, he was elected into the CT State USBC Hall of Fame winning two CT state Doubles Championships along the way. He was the New England Bowling Assoc. Bowler of the Year in 2013 in addition to winning three High Average titles demonstrating his consistent, dominating play over the course of years. Additionally, he holds innumerable local, state and regional bowling awards and tournament titles. Some bowling numbers: As of this printing, he has bowled eighty-seven (87) perfect games of 300, over forty 800 series games and still holds the Vermont State Bowling Series Record of 889 (11 pins shy of a 900 perfect series!).
Todd was as a member of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) for twelve years bowling in tournaments throughout the United States. A professional bowling highlight was winning the PBA Regional Title in Atlantic City, N.J..
Todd currently resides lives in Colchester while traveling to bowling tournaments as far west as Nevada with a next stop this month in Texas. Good luck, we know Norwich will be well represented.
Norine Nadeau Brown,
Norine participated for 4 years in basketball and outdoor track serving as a captain in each sport. Her coaches were Paul Giardi in Basketball and Gary Makowicki in track. As a three year starter during her basketball career, the team comprised a 63-13 record with 2 Eastern Connecticut Conference titles.
Norine was a four year letter winner in track. The teams she participated on won 2 class LL state titles, finished second twice and won a state open championship. She set school records in the 300 hurdles, heptathlon and 4X400 relay. The heptathlon and hurdles records still stand. Norine qualified for the New England championships in multiple events all four years, events included the long jump, javelin, 300 hurdles, 4X400 relay and the 4X100 relay. Senior year she placed 4th in the hurdles at the New England championships. Norine was ranked nationally her upper and senior year in the heptathlon. She was invited to participate in the prestigious Golden West Invite in Sacramento California. Only the top 8 athletes in the country are invited. Norine finished 4th at this meet. In 1992 she was selected as the Norwich Sports Person of the Year.
Following high school Norine continued her track career at Bucknell University. She qualified for Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference championships in the javelin, heptathlon and 4 X 400 relay in her freshman year. Also in her freshman year, Norine qualified for the Junior Olympics I the heptathlon and competed in Spokane, WA. She earned all east honors at the ECAC meet for three years. She won the high jump at the patriot league championship three times and established a school record. Norine qualified for the Penn Relays 4 years in a row with a 5th place finish her senior year. At the time of graduation Norine was ranked in the top 10 all time in 9 individual events. At graduation, Norine was presented the Christy Mathewson award as the most outstanding senior athlete and awarded the outstanding performer award at the patriot league championship scoring in 6 individual events and claiming titles in the high jump and long jump.
Norine’s life since college has remained full of coaching and competitions. She was an Assistant Coach for the cross-country, indoor and outdoor track programs at CCSU. She has run numerous 5K and half marathon races and completed 2 marathons. She has also competed in adventure racing, mountain bike racing, and triathlons throughout New England states and completed an Olympic distance triathlon placing 2nd in her division.
Norine and her husband Josh Brown currently reside in Portland, CT and are the parents of pre-teenagers Alex and Evan.
Rich (Richie) Serafin
Rich (“Richie”) was a long-time resident of Norwich but now resides in Atlanta, GA. He graduated from NFA in 1960 and UCONN in 1965. Rich and his wife Betsy have been married for 48 years raising sons Mike and Doug, both who were exceptional athletes at NFA. Rich served in the U.S. Army and Reserves from 1966 to 1982. He served a tour in Vietnam from 1968-69 in Special Ops and is a Bronze Star Medal recipient. He was honorably discharged in 1982 with the rank of Major. He, also, worked for 25 years with The Travelers of Hartford holding various management positions.
A well-known area athlete, Rich played in many local basketball and baseball leagues during his early years and well into adult life. Although he made a name for himself in basketball circles for his quickness and shooting skills, it was his passion for baseball that led him to stardom in that sport. He was best known for his hitting prowess and base stealing. During his baseball career Rich was a member of numerous regular season, playoff and tournament championship teams throughout CT and RI. He was a perennial all-star, base stealing champion, RBI and a batting champion. Rich batted .400 or better eleven times over his career. During one 4- year span in the Norwich City League, from 1963-66, he batted .400 or better each year. The best of those was the 1963 season when he batted .488 and led the league in hits, RBIs and was 2nd in HRs. His .488 season was believed to be the highest recorded up to that time. Although there were very few base stealing stats kept during his playing days, Rich was arguably one of the leading base stealers of his time in all area leagues. One of the highlights of his baseball career was being a member of the Electric Boat “Dream Team”. His baseball achievements led to interest from major league baseball teams, especially the Red Sox who extended him a contract offer after the 1965 season.
A noteworthy accomplishment that speaks to Rich’s natural athleticism was his participation in the 1961 New England Regional National Presidential Fitness Program. He placed first in both the vertical high jump and the 40 yard dash coming within one-tenth of a second of the New England record, without the use of starting blocks. He thus became highly recruited by the UConn track team but he passed on that opportunity in favor of baseball.
After his baseball playing days Rich continued his involvement in the game by coaching teams in both the Norwich Little League and American Legion from 1978 to 1988, sharing his knowledge of baseball and teaching those skills to boys and young adults.
Tricia Shatley
Tricia was an outstanding competitor at Norwich Free Academy for four years. Upon entering NFA she became a member of the Girls’ Soccer Team, lettering all four years, receiving the Outstanding Freshman award, Outstanding Senior award and was captain of the team her senior year. When Girls’ Indoor Track was started in Tricia’s second year, she began her running and jumping career. She competed in 1000m and high jump, consistently being a top finisher in both events. When Outdoor Track season began she participated in 800m, 4 x 400 relay, high jump and long jump, continuing to be a top finisher in all of her events. In her senior year she placed 5th in the high jump at the CIAC State Open Tournament. She earned varsity letters in each of the 11 seasons in which she participated. Tricia earned numerous graduation prizes including the Charles P. Hamblen Cup (the top girls ‘athletic award), teams Most Valuable Senior Award for Girls’ Soccer, and the Alfred M. Barry, Sr. Memorial Award, which is given to the Senior Scholar Athlete.
Tricia graduated from Villanova University with a BA in Business Administration in 1994 and from the University of Delaware in l997 with a Masters Degree in Education. She did not compete in collegiate sports; however, she played in a number of intramural sports programs.
After college, while working at the University of Miami, Tricia took up golf, which she continued to play regularly until she had her children. In 200l she began running again and competed in the Disney World Marathon, Disney World Half Marathon and other local 5K runs. She presently volunteers for local “Girls on the Run” for 3rd – 5th graders.
In 1998 Tricia married her husband, Sanjo, who is a Civil Defense Attorney. They have two daughters—Leah, age 10 and Lexi, age 8. Leah is a member of the Junior PGA golf league and both girls have been taking tennis lessons since age three.
Tricia presently works part-time for the Women’s Defense Company, which provides self defense courses for women. She is a certified Rape Aggression Defense Instructor.
In 2008 Tricia began taking tennis lessons and is now competing on a “B Level” tennis team. The entire family now plays both golf and tennis together. Tricia says she is “happy to be competing again”.
Jonathan Torres
Jonathan Torres was introduced to competitive athletics as a member of the Cardinals Baseball team in the Norwich Little League in1972. The challenge offered by the games he played held his attention for nearly 50 years.
Before entering the Norwich Free Academy and beginning to compete at the High School level Jon and his Cardinals teammates had already experienced the joy of winning a championship and Jon had earned some individual All-Star recognition. In his freshman year at NFA, Jon played football returning kick-offs and punts. In the Spring, Jon patrolled centerfield for the Freshman Baseball team.
In Jon’s sophomore year, the Academy began a varsity Soccer program and Jon switched from Football to become the varsity Soccer Team Goalie. Jon was the starting centerfielder for the Baseball team for 3 seasons and captained the team in his Senior year. He finished NFA Baseball as holder of the most at-bats in a career Jon’s progress as a soccer player was outstanding. He lettered in his first year, earned All-League Honors in his second, and became the first NFA athlete to win All-State Soccer recognition in his third. He also led the Soccer team as a Co-Captain.
Jon played one season of Division One Soccer at Brown University. When he began his pre-med classes at the University of Virginia, Jon succeeded in convincing the school to sponsor a soccer team to compete in the Charlottesville Soccer league. In 1986 the team won the league championship and was unscored on in the playoffs.
After college, as a member of the U.S. Air Force (1990-93),Jon played goalie for the base team. He was one of four USAF Soccer Goalies Worldwide nominated to compete in the selection of playing spots for the USAF Soccer Team in Cocoa Beach, FL. A rib injury during the evaluation process caused his withdrawal.
In later years, Jon played many seasons in the Over 30 Soccer League in Portland, He often defended the goal from strikers nearly 20 years younger. Jon retired from competitive soccer after celebrating his 50th birthday.
Jon coached Little League Baseball and Youth Soccer for boys and girls. He was a Board Member and later President of the Yarmouth Colts Soccer Club. He developed a set of guiding principals that became the core of the club now numbering over 300 family memberships. – an organization that combats poverty and battles childrens cancer, Jon served 3 years in the USAF as a Flight Surgeon stationed in the Persian Gulf and he is presently employed as Medical Director at St.Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, Maine
Jon’s wife Joan (Hammond) was a classmate at NFA. They are the parents of Luke (24), Danielle (22), Sam (20), Emma (17) and Jonny (14) all of whom have been very active in athletics.