Windham Tech has won its first Michael's Achievement Cup in the Regional/Vocational division. Since 1985, Michael's Jewelers has sponsored the Michael's Achievement Cup Awards which honor the state's top athletic programs. Choices are based on competition (wins-losses) and other factors such as participation, academic support, sportsmanship and substance abuse education. Windham Tech will be honored along with 6 other high schools at the Connecticut Sports Writers' Alliance Gold Key Dinner at the Aqua Turf in Southington.

Athletic Director Jeff Belanger said that receiving the award was a very satisfying feeling and demonstrates the progress the program has made in the last few years. Windham Tech has won two Constitution State Conference division titles in girls volleyball and two in boys soccer in recent years. They have also won two boys cross country conference titles, division and conference titles in baseball, a softball division title last year and conference titles for boys golf three years in a row. Windham Tech's co-cop football team with Coventry also has won a Pequot Uncas championship and clinched playoff spots in 2005 and 2006.

Belanger, who has also coached Windham Tech's boys basketball for 10 years and is a Windham Tech graduate, summarized his feelings. "It's been a good time to be here.

Veteran Coach Charlie Rayner (left) and Athletic Director Jeff Belanger (right)
with Michael's Cup Award