The Dizzy Llamas - Satisfying Your Sports Addiction | Sports

Mike Claffey - December

The club's Basketball championship drought of over 7 years finally came to an end this December, and no individual was more of an influence to Dizzy Llama White's title than Mike Claffey. Averaging 13.5 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists per game in the postseason, his versatility at the point guard position made him a standout on a complete team effort. Combine his skills and vision with his hustle and contagious optimism, and Mike was the spark that lifted Dizzy Llamas White to the top of the 24-team CAC Co-Ed Fall Championships.

Jesse Lowe - November

Since joining the Dizzy Llama Dodgeball program just over a year ago, nobody's game has improved more than Jesse Lowe. Each and every week he is learning strategies and applying new techniques to go along with a raw talent for the sport. In November, Jesse helped lead his Green squad which ultimately finished 4th in the league in the regular season.

Dan Leahy - October

Although he has only been with the club for a few short months, Dan epitomizes the Llama Way better than almost anyone. Always with a smile on his face, Dan is always eager to help out and pitch in anywhere he can. In a Fall Softball season riddled with attendance issues and injuries, he was a consistent presence at the hot corner as well as at the top of the batting order. For his Basketball squad, you could always find Dan hustling for loose balls out of bounds and fighting for rebounds against players much larger than him.

Derek Price - September

The 2010 Softball Player of the Year took his game to a new level in 2011, hitting for power and average for two, sometimes three, teams every Sunday all summer. In September, Derek helped lead Gray to their 3rd BWCS Championship in 4 years. He hit nearly .800 in the playoffs and played stellar defense at First Base, a position he had never held down consistently before.

Jamie Kerr - August

Jamie came onto the Llama Softball scene with a bang, hanging around a .900 average for Red early in the season. His silky-smooth swing and versatile defense earned him a role on Gray late in the season, and in August he helped push the team through the playoffs en route to their 3rd championship in 4 seasons. His talents on the diamond were only equaled by his care-free attitude and optimistic personality.

Lauren Kelly - July

Lauren and her vicious left-handed hook make her one of the best females in all of CAC, but its her infectious attitude that helped her team succeed in the hot summer days. With Purple entering the month of July at 1-5, Lauren rallied her team by way of motivational pre-game pep talks, and of course nearly 15 points per game. Her team finished the season 3-0 en route to the 4th seed in the playoffs.

Mark Sinnamon - June

Mark joined the Llamas relatively quiet 3 years ago, but since then has become a solid leader on the softball diamond. However, his accolades in June were for soccer, a sport he'd never played before but has picked up quickly and with complete dedication. Mark has been a spark for Green's offense, helping them to an undefeated regular season and a finals appearance.

Casey Byrne - May

There may have been a bit of a championship hangover for Softball Blue, but their 4-3 record to start the season was in big part due to their new pitcher. Casey finished the season in the top 3 in the Burlington Division in Innings Pitched, Wins, Strikeouts, ERA, and WHIP. She's also a leading MVP candidate, hitting in the top 5 for females in all offensive categories.

Greg Martinage - April

Greg has been a constant in the Dizzy Llamas Dodgeball program for many years, but no season had as much drama stuffed into one month like this past April. Sitting in 9th place and on the cusp of missing the playoffs for the first time in team history, Greg led White to an 11-1 record in the final night of the regular season just narrowly making the postseason. The following week in their semi-finals series, his team found themselves down 2 games to 1 in a best-of-3 series. Alone on the court against 3 opponents, Greg battled back to win that game, and the Llamas won the series en route to the championships.

Phil Putis - March

If you look in the dictionary under the word HUSTLE, chances are there's a picture of Phil Putis's face in there. Like a freak of nature straight out of a Prefontaine biography, Phil runs his heart out everytime he is on the court/field. For his basketball team, he's been a solid 2nd option offensively (only behind the league MVP). On the football field, his quick feet and long arms have made him one of the best pass rushers in the league. Even with his abundance of talent, he's been humble and encouraging as a teammate, and is easily one of the most optimistic people you'll ever meet.

Dave Grubb - February

Dave has been a Llama for many years, but never has he embraced the role of leader on the basketball court like he has recently. As captain for Blue, he has led his squad to a quick start and poised them for a run at the title. For Green he has become a dominant offensive force, draining 3's at will and averaging nearly 16 points per game. In addition to his contributions on the court, he has helped the Llama basketball program grow by helping with practice sessions, as well as filling in wherever needed.

Ben Nelson - January

A two-year Dizzy Llama soccer veteran, Ben Nelson was the backbone of a DL Green soccer team that rebounded from an 0-3 start to win its last three games and qualify for the playoffs during the last BSSC indoor session. A keeper's best friend due to his excellent defensive positioning and tackling ability, Ben also starts attacks and gets forward to score key goals for his team. Ben is a consummate teammate, offering direction on the field and tips for improvement off of it, always in a positive fashion.

Andy Hatin - December

Since joining the Dizzy Llamas, Andy has been one of the most versatile athletes in the club. Every season, he is a member of multiple sports, and contributes to each of them with his athletic ability and dedication to excellence. In December Andy was once again part of three sports, and made an impact to all of them. On the Football field, his explosiveness off the line has made him a go-to target over the middle, and his raw speed allows him to thread through the defense for yardage after the catch. In Dodgeball, Andy has been an intricate part of our top team, often times being the main thrower with his deceptive left-handed throws. It's his contribution on the pitch, however, that has made him so valuable to the club. He is the heart of his team's defense, while also possessing uncanny offense awareness and a lethal goal-scoring foot.

Lauren Rappoli - November

Lauren burst onto the Llama Dodgeball scene last Spring with ferocity, raw talent, and a will to win. Unfortunately, being a rookie on a team filled with other rookies did not help her situation, nor did the 5 month offseason that followed. Once the season resumed in the Fall, she earned a promotion to one of our feature teams and picked up the playbook almost instantly. With a cannon arm, velcro hands, and a heightened understanding of the game, Lauren helped lead her team to a 4th place regular season finish, as well as an appearance in the Championship game.

Dustin Williams - October

Being a coordinator in the DLAC is a thankless and tiresome job, yet also very rewarding. In his first season at the helm of the Football program, Dustin was put up against impossible odds: five teams to manage, low signups, conflicts with Softball and Soccer, and the toughest competition the club has ever had to face. Dustin managed it all with a smile on his face, often playing 4-5 games each and every Sunday as well as fulfilling his Softball duties. Through all the adversity, Llama Football sent three teams to the postseason, one of which (led by Dustin) lost in overtime in the Championship game by 1 point.

Jen Kuzmick - September

Throughout the Fall season, Jen was the epitome of "Multi-Sport Athlete." While most people relax on Sundays and watch football, she was out on the field each and every weekend. With a glaring shortage of females in the Flag Football program, Jen would never hesitate to fill in, often times causing her to rush from softball games to make it in time. On one Sunday, Jen played in six total softball/football games, not only sacrificing her spare time but also being a big contribution on the field and diamond. The organization wouldn't be the same without her positive attitude, undying work ethic on the field, and unparalleled athletic ability.

Dan Slade - August

Plenty of Llamas have used their talents on the field over the years, but few have done so with the positivity, bravado, and utter insanity as Dan Slade. Dubbed by his teammates as "Falcon", Dan and his endless array of giant-brimmed hats kept the mood light on Softball White all summer, especially in August as the team tore up the Cambridge division playoffs en route to the division finals. In 2010, Dan led the team in runs, while also finish second in batting average, slugging percentage, extra base hits, and RBI's. Ultimately it was his light-hearted attitude, in addition to his stellar shortstop skills, that gave his team the extra spark it needed to be so successful throughout the season.

Rory Hart - July

Orange Softball began their season with just four returning players, but in spite of their revamped roster, they finished 4th in 2010 in arguably the toughest division in the EMAAC. Llama rookie Rory Hart was a huge part of their success, hitting .600, leading the team with 29 RBIs, and playing solid outfield. Rory has also been a vital member to his basketball team, filling the point guard role on a Waltham squad that was in desperate need of one. Along with his stellar athletic contributions, his dedication to the club was most obvious in his willingness to help out wherever needed, substituting for fellow Llama teams in need of players.

Pat Brown - June

Pat has been a vital part of the Llama Basketball program for almost 10 years, but nowhere near as valuable as in the summer CAC season. Averaging 16.4 points and 12.9 rebounds per game during the regular season, teams simply could not find a solution to the 6'4 monster who banged the boards down low but also drained countless three-pointers. In their playoff matchup against the eventual league champions, Pat led his squad in an epic double-overtime battle, and although they fell short of a victory his name was often mentioned in the league-MVP discussion. Even in defeat his attitude was positive, as well as contageous, giving hope to the future of the DL Basketball program.

Amy Johnson - May

Until recently, the Dizzy Llama Soccer program has taken a back seat to our other sports, but thanks to the efforts of Amy and many others, Soccer has now earned itself a legitimate spot in the DL family. Amy's on-field leadership, positive attitude, and stellar offensive skills earned her indoor team a playoff berth, and when the program moved to outdoor in May, Amy was the obvious choice to captain one of our 7v7 squads. In addition to her skills on the pitch, Amy has improved greatly on the softball field. She went 8-9 with 6 runs and 11 RBI in a double-header sweep on the 16th, and on the 23rd made two sensational defensive plays at catcher in the final inning of a tight 5-4 victory. In addition to her phenomenal athletic abilities, Amy's baking skills always keep her fellow Llamas in high spirits and full stomachs.

Spencer Moore - April

In just his second season playing Dodgeball with the Llamas, Spencer was forced into a captain's role and filled it with ease. The team was comprised of mostly rookies, yet Spencer was patient and taught the team all the strategies that have made the Dizzy Llamas one of the most successful programs in the league. In addition to his skills on the Dodgeball court, he also has been a valuable asset on the Softball and Football fields, as well as a great source of optimism and positivity off them.

Mark Goodman - March

Mark has been a Llama for over 2 years, yet no month was better in his DL career than March of 2010. Both Soccer teams were undefeated through 6 games, and a big thanks to that goes to him as the program's coordinator, as well as Blue's goalie. Since Volleyball moved indoors last fall, Mark has also been a welcome addition to our top Volleyball team, which made it to the playoff semi-finals earlier this month. The icing on the cake was by far Mark's success in the Dizzy Llama Poker League, where he was leading by a comfortable 4 points at month's end en route to his eventual season championship.

Patrick Millina - February

Patrick played football during the 2009 winter season, but in the month of February he really came on strong. As a pass rusher he caused chaos in the backfield which led to turnovers in the secondary, and as a receiver he became a solid goal line option for his team. He was also a welcomed piece of Basketball White's defensive plan, averaging 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals this season. Above all, Patrick is smiling face on any team he plays on, always willing to lend an encouraging word to teammates, and a hearty handshake after games to opponents.

Luke Adams - January

Not many rookies have made as much of an impact in their first season as Luke did when he joined the Llamas last December. In a system desperate for goaltenders, Luke slid into the role easily and gave his team the boost it needed to finish the season 4-2 en route to the playoffs. The gloveless goaltender was spectacular in their first round matchup stopping countless shots throughout the game, including 2 very important ones in extra penalty kicks to give his team a victory.

Shane Knowles - December

Shane became the first 3-time Llama of the Month recipient not just for his abilities on the field, but also his dedication to the organization. While nursing a knee injury that ultimately resulted in surgery, he led his Dodgeball team to a playoff championship appearance, his team's third in the past four seasons. Shane is also a valuable part of the Llama's top Football team, going 2-0 in December. While Shane's presence will be missed in games, his leadership and positive attitude will still be a welcome asset until he returns to the field.

Jen Kuzmick - November

November was a great month for Dizzy Llama athletics: Championships in both Dodgeball and Softball, as well as a Silver Bracket title in Flag Football. The constant on all three teams was Jen Kuzmick. She's been a valuable member to the Llama organization for over a year, and her worth was never more obvious as she helped build the Dizzy Llama resume during the Fall of 2009.

Brielle Kissel - October

Brielle was part of the Orange Football title squad, along with the playoff-bound Black Softball and Green Football. Not only was she integral to the success of the Llamas in October, she also played football and softball through the last half of the month with an injured hand, and play superbly at that.

Dustin Williams - September

Dustin joined the Dizzy Llamas mid-season, and made an immediate impact in the softball program. His bat, glove, and attitude have been a welcome addition to any team he's been a part of. This fall he has become a two sport athlete, continuing his dominance on the diamond as well as showing his skills on the football field. His dedication to the organization is displayed in his willingness to help out wherever he can, filling in for other teams when they need him, and doing so with a positive attitude that is truly welcomed among his teammates.

Mimi Drozd - August

Mimi has been a vital part of the Dizzy Llamas organization for over a year now. Her biggest mark has been made on the softball field, where she's been holding down third base for the organization's top-tier Gray squad. Always a bright spot to any event, she has slowly begun using her talents in other sports, including dodgeball, football, and basketball. Whenever a team is shorthanded, she is the first to volunteer her services and contributes in a big way. The highlight of Mimi's Llama career just may be the 2008 Mini-Golf Invitational, in which she won the women's title (4th overall) in a 2-hole playoff.

Dave Benevides - July

Dave Benevides thrived this summer in everything he's been a part of, on the court, grass, and asphalt. As a 4-sport athlete, Dave first gained notice on the dodgeball court, helping Orange to the BSSC title last season. He was a vital part of Black volleyball, who made it to the A-Division semi-finals, as well as the Orange softball team who finished 3rd in a very talented EMAAC Watertown Division. Always a presence on the field, he never ceases to keep a smile on his face, as well as give credit and support to his teammates and fellow Llamas.

Steph Baran - June

Steph Baran has made her mark with the Llamas in a very short time. She was a vital part of Dodgeball Black's success, consistently being one of the last players on the court in each and every game. Steph also thrived on the basketball court, leading her squad to a third place finish and leading all females in the league in points. Her versatility has also been a great addition, playing outdoor volleyball as well as on the Dizzy Llamas softball tournament team.

Sean Morgan - May

Sean Morgan stepped in with the Dizzy Llamas Dodgeball squad and quickly became a force to be reckoned with. In just 3 short seasons, Sean helped lead the Orange team to a BSSC dodgeball title. Sean has also joined the Dizzy Llamas Orange softball team and has proven to be a valuable weapon on both offense and defense. Sean has quickly become a favorite teammate of all who play with him and exemplifies the fun-loving but still aggressive mentality that is appreciated by teammates and the organization alike.

Andy Hatin - April

Andy Hatin made a name for himself with the Llamas on the soccer field, playing for Dizzy Llamas White and becoming one of the top goal scorers of the organization over the winter. What made Andy stand out in the month of April was his decision to give softball a try, attending as many practices, tryouts, and games as he could to quickly get up to speed, which proved useful as he made some great plays in his first ever softball game. In addition to jumping into softball head first, Andy has been a force on the dodgeball court helping to lead Dizzy Llamas Green to be one of the top teams in their division over the course of the month, and also took part in the first ever Dizzy Llamas poker league. Beyond the contributions to his own team, Andy has made it a point to attend as many Llamas events as possible, and most importantly make himself available to jump in on any team that could use his services.

Erin Calamari - March

Erin Calamari has been a Llama since the team started up again in Boston. While she has been an asset on every team she has been a part of, her efforts really stood out in the month of March. Erin has become a staple in the organization's volleyball program, and went out of her way to sub for the football squad on their way to the championship game. However, what really made Erin stand out in March was her efforts on the dodgeball court. Erin stepped up and carried her team through the last week of the regular season and the first two rounds of the playoffs on the White dodgeball team's run to the championship. Her tremendous athleticism, positive attitude, and team spirit make her an invaluable asset to the organization.

Andrea Nykiel - February

Andrea's constant dedication to her sport and the Dizzy Llamas Black soccer team made a group of talented but random players into one of the most feared teams in the league. She kept her team focused after falling behind in the first round of the playoffs, and pushed them through to the championship game where they ultimately took home the championship. In addition to her contribution on the field to take home the first Dizzy Llama championship of 2009, Andrea is an incredibly supportive and helpful team player. Her positive attitude and willingness to fill in for other teams and even other sports when needed is truly valuable.

Allie Greer - January

Allie plays 3 of the 4 sports currently in season, and is an undeniable asset to all 3. As a first time captain of a Dizzy Llama team, Allie has lead her soccer team through a solid regular season, earning a #2 seed in the playoffs. In addition to that, she was a vital part to the Orange football team's success this season, as the leading female receiver (9 catches with a TD and an XP), and she also filled in for the Green football team as well when necessary. And if that weren't enough, Allie stepped up on the Blue Dodgeball team in the absence of captain Mike Bizier to help lead them to the Silver Bracket finals. She is also one of the best team players you could ask for, because she is always attentive, always upbeat, and always there when you need her.

Mike Bizier - December

A candidate for just about any month we play, Mike has been a big part of our winter sports captaining a Dodgeball team, Soccer team, and playing on the Orange Football team. Mike is a talented athlete on the football and soccer fields where he played strong seasons despite coming up short for the playoffs in each sport. On the dodgeball court however, he led the Dizzy Llama Blue team through a season that saw them reach the Silver Bracket Finals. But it's what Mike does off the field or court that set him apart from the pack this month. Mike is always positive, upbeat, and willing to help out in any way shape or form and this was most evident to Llama Nation with his efforts to make the Golden Llama and Casino Night the success that it was.

Scott Tarentino - November

Scott Tarentino thrives during the playoffs, and November gave him the opportunity to shine. Scott played for three playoff teams, winning almost all the games he played in dodgeball, football and softball, coming up with big plays when his teams needed them the most. Scott helped propel his softball team and the Green football team to the semifinals in their respective playoffs, and he was also a part of the White dodgeball team's run to their finals match against their rival. Tarentino is also one of the most dedicated Llamas we have subbing for any team that is shorthanded, and going out of his way to help out the team as a whole when needed.

Cameron Stewart - October

Cameron's emergence on the football field has propelled Green to a playoff caliber team. His quickness, surprisingly good hands and offensive awareness have been invaluable as Stewart serves as the second flanker. For softball, Stewart has transformed from a mediocre hitter at the start of the season into a line drive, singles hitting and top of the lineup option for any of our teams. While unconventional, he always makes the routine plays and can throw in a great running catch once in a while. He is a quiet guy, but he is an excellent teammate, dependable and could be one of the most improved players this summer.

Danielle Sullivan - September

Danielle has become a staple in almost all of the Llama sports, participating in not only multiple sports (Softball, Football, Dodgeball, and Frisbee), but also subbing for multiple teams within those sports whenever asked. In the month of September, Danielle helped the Softball teams start off their season undefeated with her speed on the base paths. She also has helped the Green football team start off undefeated as well, scoring several touchdowns and being a big part of the offense, while applying pressure to the opposing QB on the defensive side of the ball. Danielle's dedication to the team, and willingness to help out wherever needed has proven invaluable to the recent success the Llamas have enjoyed.

Caitlyn Cassara - August

Caitlyn (Cici) is a great athlete who is dedicated to not only several sports but team events as well. She was the leading scorer on the Dizzy Llamas frisbee team the Auburndale Disc Jockeys, one of the ladies on the championship White Dodgeball team, and a definite asset to the volleyball teams she's played for. In addition to all of her athletic accomplishments, Cici has one of the best and most positive attitudes on the entire team, and is a pleasure to be around on and off the field.

Eddie Reynolds - July

In 5 July games with DL White Softball, he went 14-21 with 9 runs and 14 RBI. DL White went 5-2 in July thanks in major part to him, helping the team to the #3 seed in the EMAAC Playoffs. Eddie also added a huge boost to the DL Gray lineup, where his powerful bat and great attitude helped push the team into the playoffs, where the team ultimately won the BWCS Championship. Eddie has been a solid contributor to the organization both on and off the field, and we expect great things from him in the future.

Shane Knowles - June

Shane has been the cornerstone of many different teams during his tenure with the Llamas, none more obvious than his role on Dodgeball Green. Down two games to zero in a best-of-three series with DL White, all by himself against 5 opponents, he battled back to win the game, and ultimately the match 3-2. Though DL Green fell short in the Finals (3 games to 2), his determination and never-say-die attitude kept hope alive when desperately needed. Shane also has been a rock in Left Field on the Gray Softball team, tracking down every ball hit near him. His power bat has been a huge part of DL Gray's success as they head into the playoffs and will continue to be a welcome part of an already solid lineup.

Vicky Catalan - May

Vicky Catalan is one of only 4 or 5 players that is currently on 3 DL rosters (volleyball, softball, and dodgeball). She is considered one of the most improved players in all three sports helping bring the Green Dodgeball team to 3rd place in the standings a week before the playoffs, winning 2 championships with the Indoor Volleyball team, and pitched many shutout innings for the White Softball Team. In addition to being an asset to her own teams, Vicky has been of great help to many llama teams with her willingness to fill in when a female is needed. Vicky has filled in for the DL Gray softball team, and 2 other dodgeball teams on separate occasions. If that weren't enough, Vicky has barely missed a beat even while undergoing knee surgery in early May. Vicky has provided a great example of the llama spirit, and because of that she is May's Llama of the Month.

Mike Bizier - April

Mike Bizier joined the Llama organization in late November and has already made quite an impact. In April he was part of the DL dodgeball silver champions and the indoor soccer team that reached the finals, though an injury hampered his quest for glory. That didn't stop him from coming back the next week to be a much needed substitute for the outdoor team. Mike's dedication to the team earned him a promotion and he is now leading his own dodgeball team. He is a shining example of the Dizzy Llama spirit.

Dan Wilkens - March

One of the top offensive players on the Championship Dizzy Llamas volleyball, Dan Wilkens combined his natural quickness with his height and composure to lay waste to opposing teams. Not only was he one of the top hitters in the league, but he was also one of the most flexible, making poor sets into effective hits from any side of the court. Wilkens was also the top defender on the Dizzy Llamas' top soccer team. Wilkens helped make up for a bitter loss to a rival earlier in the month by stepping up in a doubleheader, double victory for the Llamas in the final week of the month. Thanks to his quick feet and stonewalling tactics, the soccer team is once again knocking on the playoffs door. Wilkens combined dedication with his great talent to make March one of the Llamas most successful months on record.

Ashley Parker - February

Ashley's dedication to the DL dodgeball team has never been questioned, nor has her talent. She was a big part of the Wednesday team's success in the playoffs, and was so impressive she drew interest from other teams looking to recruit her. She joined the volleyball team after injuries cut into their ranks and helped in posting 27-5 record in February. A mark which eventually led to a championship.

Keith Kantor - January

Kantor is one of the Dizzy Llamas most active members, and in January, he showed why he is one of the best. The top goalie in the DL Soccer Program, he batted away shot after shot, providing a safety net for a team that was learning to play together. Always consistent on the dodgeball court, Kantor was called upon to play on both teams for a stretch late in the month. His veteran experience allowed him to fit in with his new teammates, helping them to big wins before the playoffs.

Nick Bruce - December

As a Dizzy Llama Hall-of-Famer, Bruce had a lot to live up to his first season back after serving overseas in Kosovo with the U.S. Army, but the former great delivered. Playing point guard for the Basketball team, and out on point for the Dodgeball team, Bruce combined agility and determination to stand out in December.

Shane Knowles - November

Knowles used his cannon arm to propel the Tuesday DL Dodgeball team to our best start ever. Knowles tore apart the competition, leading the team in knockouts and rarely getting hit himself. His presence on the court was so overwhelming, teams often ignored other DL players and paid for their inattentiveness.

Derek Price - October

Price led a short-handed Llama softball team to victory over the Columbus Day weekend, then stepped in as a replacement for the DL football team in their journey through the Playoffs. Despite living in Worcester, Price travels out to Boston to play, and play exceptionally at that. He was in the top tier in almost every offensive softball category this year while holding down the hot corner at third base.

Tom Boates - September

Boates exploded out of the gate for the Dizzy Llamas, and promptly injured himself. Despite pain in his leg, Boates played both Football and Softball, posting the second best average and scoring nearly 20 runs for the latter. Without his trademark speed, he was still a dependable receiver and led the team in tackles for Football. Rather than hanging up the cleats, he stuck it out, and became our best all around player in September.

Pat Brown - August

Brown led the DL Basketball team in points, rebounds and blocks, carrying the struggling team on his back through the summer. In August he was at his best, and his shot was deadly. Brown's team took their opponents down to the wire in three consecutive games, and though they never came away with a win, they made waves in a league that had disregarded the Llamas until that point.

Llamas of the Month