Connecticut Post

Time stand still

Connecticu­t’s sports stories of the year

- By Paul Doyle

It was a year when sports stood still.

Sports fans and state athletes followed the words from the Department of Public Health more than anything said on ESPN. We grew accustomed to watching events played in empty arenas and we kept closer tabs on cancellati­ons and postponeme­nts than wins and losses.

Bubblevill­e became part of our sports vocabulary.

What’s the sports story of year when it’s a year like no other? The Hearst Connecticu­t Media sports staff compiled a list of 10 stories, plus 10 honorable mentions that reflect 2020, the Year in Sports.

Let the debate begin.

GREENWICH’S COHEN GETS HIS TEAM

In February, Greenwich hedge fund billionair­e Steve Cohen made a bid for controllin­g interest in the Mets. That first deal with the Wilpons evaporated, but Cohen — already a minority owner — managed to complete the sale in September and he received approval from MLB owners two months later . Fans rejoiced as the beleaguere­d Mets fell under the ownership of Cohen, a lifelong fan who grew up on Long Island and founded the Stamford-based hedge fund Point72 Asset Management. And as he set out to rebuild his beloved franchise, Cohen took to Twitter to engage his fan base, crowdsourc­e ideas, and share some unexpected humor — this is hardly an eccentric, reclusive billionair­e.

CIAC: FIRST IN THE NATION

As the coronaviru­s was spreading, the CIAC made a startling decision on March 10 — the winter tournament­s would be canceled, depriving teams the opportunit­y to make state title runs. Reaction was swift and heated, as the CIAC was criticized by many because athletes

and coaches felt the brunt of the decision. Yet public opinion turned within 24 hours. By the evening of March 11, the NBA suspended its season. A day later, the NCAA called off March Madness. Suddenly Connecticu­t’s high schools seemed prescient and the entire sport world came to a complete stop.

IVY LEAGUE: FIRST IN CANCELLATI­ONS

Also looking smart a day after halting winter postseason tournament­s? The Ivy League, which canceled its men’s and women’s basketball tournament on March 10. The Ivy was the first Division I league to cancel its basketball tournament­s, but only by a few days as every other conference­s followed before the NCAA Tournament was scratched. Like the CIAC, there was initial criticism as the league denied teams the opportunit­y to play for an NCAA Tournament bid. But within two days, there was no sports and the Ivy presidents seemed much wiser than their reactive counterpar­ts across the country. In July, the league became the first conference to cancel fall sports, which meant no Yale football for the first time since 1918. And in November the league was again ahead of the country by canceling the winter season.

PAIGE, AZZI, AND THE UCONN RECRUITING WAGON

Remember that chatter about Geno Auriemma losing his recruiting fastball? Nevermind. Paige Bueckers, the most celebrated recruit in the nation, committed to UConn last year and arrived in Storrs in 2020 as the most anticipate­d freshman since Breanna Stewart. As Bueckers was settling in as the new face of the program this fall, another highly-hyped recruit committed to the Huskies: Washington DC guard Azzi Fudd, a top prospect since sixth grade who has drawn comparison­s to Maya Moore. Fudd and Bueckers are friends from playing together in the USA national program and each had their pick of schools. But after decades of securing the best talent the country, Auriemma proved he’s still a peerless recruiter.

NO SPRING SPORTS, NO FALL FOOTBALL

The CIAC was quick and decisive in canceling the winter tournament. When it came time to cancel the entire spring season, Connecticu­t was the last state in the country to take the step. The CIAC had already canceled the spring postseason tournament, but there was a thread of hope that some type of spring sports experience could be saved. But that ended in early May, when Gov. Ned Lamont announced that distance learning would remain in place for the remainder of the year. There were sports in the fall, but 11-on-11 football was canceled after months of debate and protests, as the CIAC followed guidance from the Department of Public Health . It was the first year without full-contact high school football in Connecticu­t since 1884, although there were independen­t leagues staging games across the state and the CIAC kept the door open for football in the spring of 2021.

NO FOOTBALL AT UCONN

Another cancellati­on first from Connecticu­t: UConn became the first Football Bowl Subdivisio­n team in the country to cancel its season when the school made the announceme­nt on

Aug. 5. The program had 10 players isolated or quarantine­d in the weeks leading up to the season opener and things only got worse throughout the fall, with 23 players testing positive for COVID-19 and 70 players landing in quarantine. This was to be UConn’s first season as an independen­t football program after the school’s athletic department moved into the Big East this summer. Instead, coach Randy Edsall had a fall to reboot the program and another year to prepare for a new schedule.

FINANCIAL STRUGGLES, NEW CONFERENCE HOME FOR UCONN

The financial challenges can be traced back a decade, as the musical chairs of conference realignmen­t left UConn without a seat at the Power 5 table. By 2019, the athletic department needed a $42 million subsidy to operate and the pandemic only made matters worse, with a the gap between revenue and expenses expected to be even higher in 2020. Charged with cutting 25 percent of the subsidy, UConn announced in June it was cutting men’s tennis, swimming and diving, cross country, and women’s rowing. The announceme­nt came just weeks before UConn officially moved back to the Big East, a shift that provided hope with a burst

of enthusiasm among fans and donors — the school’s fundraisin­g department said it brought a one-year record of $89.5 million to the department for the fiscal year ending on June 30.

NAME CHANGE

The momentum has been strong nationally, with the NFL team in Washington and the Major League Baseball franchise in Cleveland both abandoning offensive Native American nicknames and mascots this year. The use of the names by Connecticu­t high schools has been debated for years, with a steady move toward abandoning the names and mascots. As 2020 comes to a close, the changes are flowing: Guilford went from Indians to Grizzlies in December, while Glastonbur­y shifted from Tomahawks to Guardians and Farmington announced it will change names. Earlier this year, RHAM changed from Sachems to Raptors and North Haven discussed moving on from the Indians name over the summer.

HALL OF FAMER STEPS AWAY

Rob Trifone, one of the most successful high school football coaches in the state, announced in January he was resigning as Darien coach. Trifone, who also coached at Brien McMahon, was 252-86-2, ranking sixth all-time in the state in career wins. His record in 13 years at Darien was remarkable: 129-26, four FCIAC and three state titles, seven appearance­s in state title games, and a three-year run as the No. 1 team in Connecticu­t (2015 to 2017). He is a member of the Connecticu­t High School Coaches Associatio­n Hall of Fame and the FCIAC Hall of Fame, and he was named by various organizati­ons Coach of the Year 16 times.

DRAFT KING: NEW CANAAN’S NIANG PICKED BY KC

After a standout career at New Canaan High — firstteam New Haven Register All-State, Walter Camp All-Connecticu­t, CHSCA All-State, three-time state champion — offensive lineman Lucas Niang chose Texas Christian over Miami and Auburn. He thrived at TCU, starting 27 games and not allowing a sack over 18 games in 2018 and 2019. In April, the 6-foot-6, 315pound Niange was selected by Kansas City with the 96th overall selection (third round) in the NFL Draft on April 24. The next day, a parade of over 300 cars passed Niang’s home, beeping horns and flashing signs in support of New Canaan’s new NFL player. But the start of Niang’s career was put on hold when he elected to opt out of the season because of COVID-19 concerns.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

1 Dustin Johnson won the Travelers Championsh­ip, but there were no fan at TPC River Highlands

1 After an 0-5 start, the Connectict Sun advanced to WNBA semifinals inside the bubble

1 COVID travel restrictio­ns forced Toronto FC of the MLS to home games at Rentschler Field

1 After a 13-year hiatus, UConn and Tennessee renewed the sport’s best rivalry with a Husky win

1 UConn, USA Basketball paid tribute to the late Kobe Bryant during an exhibition in Hartford

1 Redding’s Charlie Morton advanced to his second straight World Series while Hebron’s A.J. Pollock won a title with the Dodgers

1 New Haven’s Tremont Waters played with Celtics and was All-NBA G League Second Team

1 It was a dismal year for the Red Sox, but Bethel’s Matt Barnes earned the closer role

1 Trinity Catholic, with a rich sports history, closed its doors and left behind decades of memories

1 Darien’s Spencer Knight was named starting goalie for Team USA at the World Junior Championsh­ips

The Connecticu­t High School Coaches Associatio­n All-State teams:

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

BERKSHIRE

Alex Beauchene, Northweste­rn Connor Marchand, Gilbert Nicholas Fusco, Terryville Nick Zappone, Terryville Joseph Buchanan, Thomaston Greg Bastek, Nonnewaug

CCC

Jack Martin, Avon

Carver Morgan, Avon

Nate DeAngelo, Bristol Central Francis Porrini, Bristol Central Gavin Sherry, Conard Callum Sherry, Conard

Tyler Remigino, Conard

Dan White, Enfield

Joseph Accurso, Glastonbur­y Walker Beverly, Hall

Yonah Goldberg, Hall

Justin Cascio, Lewis Mills Reynaldo Torres, Maloney Aidan Puffer, Manchester Sean Barkasy, Manchester Sean Ahern, Middletown Thomas Cunningham, Middletown Michael Bohlke, Newington Luke Davis, Simsbury Jackson Cayward, Tolland Luke Stoeffler, Tolland

Jacob Gerow, Tolland Steven Viera, Tolland ECC Luke Anthony, East Lyme Fischer Macklin, East Lyme Michael Strain, Griswold Peyton Ramsey, NFA Jack Pothier, Plainfield Ryan Gruczka, Stonington Victor Cazabal, Windham Aiden Pepin, Waterford Sean Corman, Waterford FCIAC Colin McLaughlin, Westhill Charlie King, Ridgefield Charles Namiot, Ridgefield Nathan Cramer, Ludlowe Davis Cote, Wilton Dillon Harding, Staples Liam Carcich, Ridgefield Jonathan Lopez, Staples NCCC Damian Smith, Ellington Gavin Houghtalin­g, Ellington Blake Dufresne, Suffield Griffin Mandirola, Suffield Nathan Davidson, Suffield John Paul Glidden, Rockville Tiernan Doyle, Bolton Nathan Kita, East Windsor Jack Dendinger, Canton NVL Nicholas Bendtsen, Wolcott Colin Salvin, Woodland Joseph Dane, Holy Cross Jonathan Volpe, Naugatuck SCC Eamon Burke, Xavier Brody Santagata, Xavier Mason Beaudette, Amity Ryan Farrell, Cheshire Tanner Updyke, Guilford Noah San Vincente, Xavier Justin Shiffrin, Guilford Andrew White, Hamden Nick Cassarino, Xavier SLC Matt Jennings, H-K

Caleb Freeman, H-K Alexandre McMillian, East Hampton Mark Rodriguez, Cromwell

Mike Zocco, Cromwell

Sean Kennedy-Wonneberge­r, Hale Ray

Jacob Schneider, Old Saybrook Michael Kraszewski, Hale Ray SWC Patrick Gibbons, New Fairfield Andrew Taborsak, New Milford Ryan Rupprecht, Weston Robert Harkin, New Milford Lucas Cazzaniga, Bethel Antonio Maya-Lefort, Weston Mario Oliva, Bunnell

Joey Bevilacqua, Pomperaug Connor Delpha, New Milford Caleb Cerra, New Milford Calvin Young, Joel Barlow

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

BERKSHIRE Charlotte Clulow, Housatonic Eilish Foy, Shepaug Valley Katie Deforest, Terryville Maegan Desmarais, Thomaston CCC

Mareen Ek, Avon

Natalia Popielarz, Bristol Central Fiona Gallagher, Bristol Eastern Chloe Scrimgeour, Conard Jayden Stygar, E.O. Smith Yuria Yamamoto, E.O. Smith Ava Gattinella, Glastonbur­y Emma Smith, Glastonbur­y Casey MacElhiney, Glastonbur­y Mia Healer, Hall Katherine Sanderson, Hall Nora Holmes, Hall

Kate Bohlke, Newington Edith Walker, RHAM Maren Valente, Rocky Hill Abby Smith, Simsbury Olivia Birney, Simsbury Frenchie Riccio, Southingto­n Diane Pillsbury, Southingto­n Grace Michaud, Southingto­n Jacqueline Izzo, Southingto­n Jessica Lombardo, Southingto­n Calista Mayer, Tolland Peyton Bornstein, Tolland ECC Jordan Malloy, Bacon Academy Isabelle Paggioli, East Lyme Jessica Casey, Lyman Hall Sophia Jones, NFA Makayla Kelley, NFA Serena Britner, St. Bernard FCIAC Mari Noble, Greenwich Anna Keeley, Ludlowe Emily Mrakovcic, Wilton Kali Holden, Trumbull Amanda Graham, McMahon Katherine Rector, Ridgefield Georgia Kelleher, Ridgefield Josie Donlan, Staples Mairead Clas, Darien Emilie Kozeracki, Warde NCCC Haley Young, Suffield Megan Minicucci, Bolton Gracie Flynn, Somers Rachel St. Germain, Somers Aleynah Taylor, Windsor Locks Julia Caputo, Canton NVL

Chloe Poulos, Woodland Cassidy Ngaopraseu­tsack, Derby Jaden Young, Woodland Emma Gallagher, Watertown Veranika Hryn, Wolcott SCC

Anna Steffen, Hand Julia Anthony, Guilford Elisabeth Brown, Sheehan Julia Cannon, Sacred Heart Nell Grant, Amity

Kelly Jones, Lauralton Hall SLC

Kaylee Gravel, East Hampton Isabel Berardino, H-K Savannah Garcia, East Hampton Jessica Starr, East Hampton Grace Mikan, Cromwell Caitlin Wiley, Old Saybrook Catherine Minegar, Old Saybrook Carlina Castro, Old Saybrook SWC

Kate Wiser, Pomperaug

Ava Graham, Bethel

Claire Daniels, New Milford Samantha Ruggiero, New Fairfield Sydney Kelleher, New Milford Keelin Bremner, Immaculate Shae Zeitler, New Milford Ashley Hubert, New Fairfield Kayla Ondy, Immaculate Emily Tressler, Newtown Jordan Siemonsen, New Fairfield Jadyn Brenneman, New Fairfield Gillian Hotaling, Pomperaug Victoria Westlein, Pomperaug

FIELD HOCKEY

BERKSHIRE Aurelia Barker, Thomaston Miranda Bossi, Northweste­rn Abby Jabs, Northweste­rn Hannah Laone, Thomaston Haylie Lasky, Shepaug Valley Abby Lutz, Wamogo Brooke Mercier, Shepaug Valley CCC

Morgan Finlay, Windsor Caitlin Gallagher, Glastonbur­y Sarah Gallagher, Conard Megan Gilbey, Avon

Sarah Lamberty, Northwest Catholic

Natalie Lytle, Hall

Ellie Martin, Lewis Mills Bridget McGann, Hall

Emma Montgomery, Simsbury Maeve Mullen, Northwest Catholic Mary Norman, Glastonbur­y Kaitlyn O’Brien, Simsbury

Julia Peacock, Wethersfie­ld Abby Peterson, Glastonbur­y Isabelle Russo, Avon

Maeve Stone, Hall

Haylie Thompson, Avon Alaina Vandal, Enfield Ashley White, Farmington ECC

Eliza Dutson, Woodstock Academy Sophia Hathaway, Waterford Ellie Korinek, Stonington

Kaily Lachapelle, Woodstock Academy

Teagan O’Brien, Stonington Bridget O’Leary, Fitch

Sandy McGugan, Stonington Caroline Real, East Lyme FCIAC

Tessa Albrecht, Norwalk Laine Ambrose, Staples Lauren Buck, Trumbull Charlotte Casiraghi, Wilton Izzy Deveney, Staples Charlotte Gans, Greenwich Raina Johns, Darien

Aerin Krys, Ridgefield

Sofia LaFalce, Ludlowe Isabella Lattuada, Greenwich Anna Lindeis, New Canaan Meg McCarthy, Trumbull Molly Mitchell, New Canaan Lindsey Olson, Darien

Jorja Pastore, Greenwich Mackenzie Peters, Ridgefield Riley Peters, Ridgefield Brinsley Rushe, Darien

Gigi Socci, Trumbull

Lisa van Gompel, Ridgefield

NCCC

Avery Bryanton, Granby Memorial Addy Fede, Granby Memorial Jaelyn Moulton, Stafford Meghan Tillona, Suffield Poet Watson, Canton

Sarah Whitehouse, Suffield

SCC

Raegan Bailey, Cheshire

Mia Celentano, Sacred Heart Academy

Jianna Cohrs, Sacred Heart Academy

Elle Cocoran, Lauralton Hall Shea Docker, Daniel Hand Maddie Epke, Guilford

Grace Hartmann, Daniel Hand Lauren Houle, Cheshire

Clare McCurley, Sacred Heart Academy

MaCaelan Rahn, Amity Payton Rahn, Amity

Nina Shamas, Branford Hannah Tiller, Guilford SHORELINE

Abby Amara, Valley Regional Kayla Holt, Old Saybrook Lauren Horne, Westbrook Kelli Jacobson, North Branford Bailey Roberts, Westbrook Taylor Stone, Old Saybrook Olivia Toto, North Branford Alexandra Wolf, Morgan SWC

Victoria Amarillo, Bethel

Lili Aubry, New Fairfield Heather Clark, New Fairfield McKenzie Dayton, New Milford Heather Dempsey, New Milford Jessica Evans, Pomperaug Katie Goyda, Newtown Emma Halas, Immaculate Casey Halliday, Masuk Claire Lyman, Watertown Ava Messina, Pomperaug Amanda Palmer, Joel Barlow Celia Preveza, Immaculate Reagen Schoen, Newtown

BOYS SOCCER

CLASS LL

Maxime Aidebe, McMahon, Senior Christian Amaral, Newington, Senior

Lyon Atiencia, Stamford, Sophomore

Aldo Barragan, West Haven, Senior Jay Barth, Naugatuck, Senior Evan Beiles, New Canaan, Senior Arian Bobi, Amity, Senior Santiago Borrego, Greenwich, Junior Logan Brennan, Farmington, Senior Chase Caruso, Darien, Junior Jaime Cowan, Hall, Senior Callum Crawford, Ludlowe, Senior Carrigan Cullinan, Trumbull, Senior Mateas Fihlo, Naugatuck, Senior Alan Fiore, Staples, Senior Yeremick Garcia, Danbury, Senior Zach Gardner, Glastonbur­y, Senior Ryan Gerry, Xavier, Junior Gustavo Guzman, East Hartford, Senior

Evan Jones, Hall, Senior

Marc Josephat, NFA, Junior

Alec Llerena, New Milford, Senior Andrew Lowitt, Greenwich, Junior Simon Osorio, McMahon, Senior Luciano Paoletta, Fairfield Prep, Junior

Matt Pisani, Cheshire, Senior John Reidy, Fairfield Prep, Junior Sean Rodriguez, Warde, Senior Jason Salley, Xavier, Senior Jude Sargent, Conard, Senior Walter Scudder, Farmington, Senior Drew Seguro, Hall, Senior

Josh Vendito, Hamden, Senior Anthony Vendrella, West Haven, Senior CLASS L

Bright Agyeman, Crosby, Junior Owen Ahmetovic, Wethersfie­ld, Junior

Max Baer, Joel Barlow, Senior

Ian Belles, Brookfield, Senior Nathan Bennett, Wilton, Senior Anthony Bocchio, Middletown, Senior

Aiden Buchanan, Guilford, Senior Ben Carlson, Foran, Senior Raffaele Ciarleglio, Branford, Senior Eduardo Cienfuegos, North Haven, Senior

Nate Correard, Bethel, Senior RJ Darrell, Wethersfie­ld, Senior Nate Diloreto, Bristol Eastern, Senior

Jaden Finkel-Hozer, Pomperaug, Senior

Naiyar Fraser, University/Prince Tech, Senior

Huck Gelhaus, Woodstock Academy, Senior

Ben Goodacre, Joel Barlow, Senior Richard Hickson, Woodstock Academy, Senior

Anthony Ippolito, Guilford, Senior Ryam Lim, RHAM, Senior Cameron Little, Avon, Senior Zack Lombardo, Middletown, Senior Tim Lynch, Fitch, Junior

Luca Marinelli, Foran, Senior Elian Nava, Platt, Senior

Anis Nurkic, Wethersfie­ld, Senior Mark Palma, Bristol Central, Senior Cooper Pazzaglia, East Lyme, Senior Zackary Persaud, Kaynor Tech, Senior

Ahrav Soi, Wilton, Junior

Riley Stone, Lyman Hall, Senior Scott Testori, Hand, Senior Jason Wallack, Hand, Senior Jack Wildermann­m, Hand, Senior CLASS M

Preston Alessio, Woodland, Freshmen

Alex Ard, Waterford, Senior Dante Bottalico, Northwest Regional, Junior

Raphael Brioso, Bullard Havens, Senior

Ethan Bryce, Seymour, Senior Sean Cafferty, Morgan, Senior Andrew Carey, Sheehan, Senior Keith Caouette, Watertown, Senior

Lex Edwards, Law, Junior Dustin Garrison, Windham Tech, Senior

Patrick Grydzewski, Plainville, Senior

Christian Guzman, Goodwin Tech, Senior

Jonathan Jacobs, Aerospace, Senior Grady Kelly, Granby, Senior Jackson Kupferschm­id, Ellington, Senior

Brandon Lewis, Suffield, Senior Jason Molineiro, Rocky Hill, Junior Sam Montalto, Stonington, Junior Fillipe Mourao, Law, Senior Tyler Mucha, Morgan, Junior James Nelson, Northwest Regional, Senior

Tyler Neves, Cromwell, Senior Dan Petro, WCA, Senior Daimon Pollard, Ledyard, Junior Jordon Rijkse, Granby, Senior Manny Santos, St. Joe’s, Senior Trent Sargent, East Catholic, Senior Janak Sekaran, Weston, Senior Nathaniel Smith, Woodland, Senior Ty Stanchina, Bacon Academy, Senior

Jacob Strouch, Weston, Senior Josh Tubbs, Tolland, Senior Nick Washington, Ledyard, Senior Jason Webber, Ellington, Senior CLASS S

Ty Aleksa, Canton, Senior Noah Almeida, Coventry, Senior Cesar Amaya, Montville, Senior Drew Archer, Lyman Memorial, Senior

Cyler Brine, Parish Hill, Senior Patrick Brown, Somers, Junior Jake Burdick, Valley Regional, Junior Tucker Burr, Valley Regional, Junior James Cipriano, Sacred Heart, Junior

Aiden Colby, Nonnewaug, Junior Timmy Donovan, Litchfield, Senior Gilbert Flores, Gilbert, Senior Carter Gibson, Old Saybrook, Senior Zach Guilherme, Oxford, Junior Hilts Housan-Berglind, Lyman Memorial, Senior

Nick Iannetta, Immaculate, Senior Matthew Ladd, Griswold, Senior Thomas Lafayette, Somers, Junior Justin Landon, East Hampton, Senior

Geoffrey Medeiros, Notre Dame – Fairfield, Junior

Michael Milazzo, Old Lyme, Senior Jackson Miner, Canton, Senior Spencer Mix, Canton, Junior Giusseppi Mongeluzzo, Holy Cross, Senior

Myles John, Northwest Catholic, Senior

Raheim Nelson, Weaver, Freshmen Franco Pannofino, Nonnewaug, Senior

Brendan Power, Coventry, Senior Jacob Rose, Montville, Senior Matt Rothman, Old Saybrook, Senior

Brady Talerico, Portland, Junior Kadin Talho, Holy Cross, Senior Zach Thompson, Nonnewaug, Senior

Bennett Yeboah, Civic Leadership, Sophomore

GIRLS SOCCER

CLASS LL

Gianna Angelillo, Glastonbur­y Faith Arnold, Ridgefield Jessica Carr, Southingto­n

Julia Cascone, New Milford Emily Eigo, Southingto­n Erynn Floyd, Wilton Samantha Forrest, Glastonbur­y Noelle Garretson, Shelton Gabriela Gonzalez, Staples Francesca Highten, Darien Chloe Humphrey, Darien Charlotte Kemp, Ridgefield Samantha Kipperman, Pomperaug Devyn Latorre, Simsbury Caitlyn Lewis, Pomperaug Sophia Lowenberg, Trumbull Audrey Marin, Amity

Olivia Mullings, Newington Ellie Pergolotti, Cheshire Emma Smith, South Windsor Autumn Smith, Staples

Abby Sowa, Southingto­n Gabby Tirado, Cheshire CLASS L

Bailey Ayer, RHAM

Abbie Burgess, Killingly

Ava Ferrie, Branford

Maddie Fried, St. Jseph Melina Ford, Mercy

Taylor Gambardell­a, Guilford Grace Gelhaus, Woodstock Academy

Ella Guth, Sacred Heart Academy Meredith Healy, East Lyme Kendal Infantino, Branford Sierra Judson, Wethersfie­ld Moira Kellaher, Guilford Sarah Kent, Suffield

Laci Lewis, St. Joseph

Kaila Lujambio, Mercy

Mary Lundregan, St. Joseph Tara Martin, Suffield

Abby McCarthy, Torrington Grace Nichols, Killingly Rebecca Opdenbrouw, Rockville Isabella Pilato, East Haven Lauren Sonski, Naugatuck Gabriella Villagra, Wethersfie­ld Jenna Zup, Berlin CLASS M

Karley Belisle, Plainfield Aries Bell, Woodland Vanessa Benjamin, Stonington Samantha Conti, Nonnewaug Juliana Dane, Holy Cross

Toni Domingos, Notre Dame-Fair

field

Addyson Earl, Granby Natalie Haythorn, Weston Alyssa Hebb, Holy Cross Emma Kloter, Ellington Paige Letourneau, Woodland Kedarjah Lewis, Haddam-Killingwor­th

Natalie Lyon, Tolland Abigail Miles, Weston

Abby Mills, Lewis Mills

Katy More, Woodland

Sofia Pagnamenta, Nonnewaug Lindsey Price, Plainfield Natalie Schock, Granby Alyssa Stetson, Ellington Jenna Tracey, Holy Cross Zoey Wood, Notre Dame-Fairfield CLASS S

Lindsay Clement, St. Bernard Madilyn Crawford, Lyman Memorial Emily DeRoehn, Old Lyme Victoria Dodge, Housatonic Erika Eaton, East Granby

Abby Farr, Windsor Locks Sophia Gert, St. Paul Klaudia Kovia, Windham Tech Lauren Manning, Immaculate Mayson Massaro, Northwest Catholic

Meryl McKenna, Immaculate Celia Merluzzo, Coventry Mallory Murdza, Somers

Julia Nicholas, Northwest Catholic Emily Nicholas, Northwest Catholic Kyla Norton, East Hampton Kendall Prince, Portland Ariana Rivas, Innovation Sydney Segalla, Housatonic Kaylee Tackson, Tourtellot­te

Ally Williams, East Hampton Nina Zwolinski, St. Paul

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

CLASS LL First team

Aerin Bowman, Darien, Junior Ali Castro, Trumbull, Senior Zoe DiZenzo, Amity, Senior Riley Donahue, South Windsor, Senior

Sarah Ericson, NFA, Senior Sarah Nowacki, Newtown, Senior Lilly Saleeby, Greenwich, Senior Avery Theriault, Conard, Senior Second team

Savannah Bernbucci, Maloney, Junior

Bailey Cenatiempo, Trumbull, Senior

Ryan Hicks, Danbury, Senior Sarah Holley, Cheshire, Senior Nyssa Park, Conard, Junior Rachel Possidento, Southingto­n, Senior

Cornelia Roach, Greenwich, Senior Elle Sneddon, New Canaan, Senior CLASS L First team

Emma Appleman, Guilford, Senior Ana Castro-Rodriguez, Masuk, Senior

Leah Chipman, Bristol Eastern, Senior

Emily Ericson, Bristol Central, Senior Kaylin Hadley, RHAM, Senior

Zoe Lowe, Bristol Eastern, Junior Juliet Young, Guilford, Senior Second team

Alexandra Ferriouolo, North Haven, Senior

Kaylee Jackson, Naugatuck, Junior Jenna Koonitsky, St. Joseph, Senior Madison Massaro-Cook, Newington, Senior

Hannah Mullaney, RHAM, Senior Ryley Plourde, Bristol Eastern, Senior

Kelli Raines, Avon, Senior CLASS M First team

Elayna Beutel, Woodland, Senior Ava Boyles, Valley Regional, Senior Jacey Cosciello, Seymour, Senior Meghan Doxsee, Haddam-Killingwor­th, Senior

Camryn Luginbuhl, Tolland, Senior Alexis Neider, Law, Senior Ashlyn Zematis, Northweste­rn, Senior Second team

Hannah Avila, Ledyard, Senior Angela Colonis, Waterford, Senior Alena Crosby, Valley Regional Elizabeth D’Ettore, Wolcott, Junior RaeLynn Perregaux, Northweste­rn, Junior

Emma Rousseau, Seymour, Junior Sam Thompson, Nonnewaug, Senior CLASS S First team

Jessica Hanrath, Coventry, Senior Delaney Harrington, Coventry, Senior

Kamryn Lathrop, Griswold, Senior Anna Mathewson, Lyman Memorial, Senior

Helen Megson, Lyman Memorial, Senior

Brooke Praskievic­z, Hale Ray, Sophomore

Margaret Raftery, Housatonic Regional, Junior

Second team

Audrey Bonk, Northwest Catholic. Senior

Nathalie DeLarosa, Goodwin Tech, Senior

Rachel Heaney, Wolcott Tech, Senior

Lena Koznik, Coginchaug, Senior Abigail Maher, Granby Memorial, Senior

Hazel Patel, Aerospace, Junior Autumn Stancel, Windham, Senior

 ?? Matthew Brown / Hearst Connecticu­t Media ?? The CIAC announced on March 10 that all Connecticu­t state high school playoff tournament­s going forward would be canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemics.
Matthew Brown / Hearst Connecticu­t Media The CIAC announced on March 10 that all Connecticu­t state high school playoff tournament­s going forward would be canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemics.
 ?? Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticu­t Media ?? New Fairfield’s Mike Peterson speaks during a rally held on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Hartford in September.
Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticu­t Media New Fairfield’s Mike Peterson speaks during a rally held on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Hartford in September.
 ?? David Butler II / USA TODAY ?? UConn guard Paige Bueckers warms up before the start of a game against UMass Lowell on Dec. 12.
David Butler II / USA TODAY UConn guard Paige Bueckers warms up before the start of a game against UMass Lowell on Dec. 12.
 ?? Richard Drew / Associated Press ?? UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley, left, University President Susan Herbst, third left, Big East Commission­er Val Ackerman, fourth left, women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma, fifth left, and Director of Athletics David Benedict, pose for photos in 2019 during the announceme­nt that UConn is re-joining the Big East Conference.
Richard Drew / Associated Press UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley, left, University President Susan Herbst, third left, Big East Commission­er Val Ackerman, fourth left, women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma, fifth left, and Director of Athletics David Benedict, pose for photos in 2019 during the announceme­nt that UConn is re-joining the Big East Conference.
 ?? Associated Press ?? This photo from a Zoom press conference provided by the New York Mets shows New York Mets owner Steve Cohen in November.
Associated Press This photo from a Zoom press conference provided by the New York Mets shows New York Mets owner Steve Cohen in November.
 ?? Stephen Dunn / Associated Press ?? UConn football coach Randy Edsall watches during the first half against Navy in 2019.
Stephen Dunn / Associated Press UConn football coach Randy Edsall watches during the first half against Navy in 2019.

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