The Bristol Sports Hall of Fame will be inducting the following individuals into their Class of 2023 on Friday, Nov.17: Mark Dunn, Frank Owsianko Jr., Chris Michalowski, Rob Nicoletti, Chuck Nolan, Sara Paradis, Carol Langlois Panigutti and Tim Washington Jr.
Leading off today are Mark Dunn and Frank Owsianko Jr. In the next several articles two of the inductees will be introduced to our readers.
The evening will begin at 6 p.m. at The Doubletree by Hilton Bristol. Tickets for the evening can be purchased at the Hall of Fame website, BSHOF.org
Mark Dunn
Mark Dunn has spent several decades in state athletics as an athlete, coach and administrator. At Bristol Eastern High School, he competed in football for four years as well as both outdoor and indoor track. He set the school record of 9.9 seconds in the 100-yard dash, while also being a member of the record-setting 4×200 relay squad.
After graduation from BEHS. he went on to showcase his speed and athleticism while playing on the Southern Connecticut State College varsity football team.
In Dunn’s adult years, he became a fixture at Stafford High School. He served in many capacities, including as athletic director for 17 years. He was a state championship coach in girls’ gymnastics and cross country. He was Connecticut’s High School Coach of the Year in girls track in 2001 and was twice nominated for “National Coach of the Year” honors.
He has a combined 1,712 victories as coach of five different sports at Stafford High School. He served on several CIAC committees and was chairman of the Boys Outdoor Track committee for 10 years.
As athletic director he was responsible for Stafford’s all-weather track facility and soccer and baseball fields. He was inducted into the Connecticut High School Association‘s Hall of Fame in November 2021. He joins his late brother, John, as an inductee.
Frank Owsianko Jr.
Frank Owsianko played two years of basketball and baseball for St. Stanislaus school, pony league baseball and one year of American Legion.
He went on to be all-conference for St. Paul High School in basketball, while once making 239 consecutive free throws in practice. St. Paul won two state titles with Owsianko playing a key role.
His baseball team also won a championship in 1972, while losing the following season in the finals.
Owsianko has coached Forestville Little League boys’ baseball and girls’ softball. Other coaching duties included St. Paul softball and freshmen basketball, Bristol Central JV basketball, JV and varsity basketball at Lewis Mills, and boys’ and girls’ basketball at St. Matthew.
He has officiated at the Boys and Girls club at both grammar and freshmen levels. He’s been a Senior member of the former Forestville Boys Club and plays an integral part in decorating Forestville center with U.S. Flags during holidays. He joins his Father Frank, “a.k.a.” The General” with his induction.
In our next article, we will introduce Chris Michalowski and Rob Nicoletti.
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