‘Substance over style’
Averno, 3-sport standout and Maryland commit, eager for senior season
When Sisto Averno’s parents signed him up to wrestle when he was 4 years old, they had no idea the impact it would have on him.
Now a three-sport star and A-student at Calvert Hall, lacrosse is his top sport. But the senior recalls the challenges that came with his early time on the mat and the valuable lessons they provided.
“It’s such a competitive, one-onone sport and there’s nowhere to hide,” he said. “And you can translate that to team sports and also your academics and your relationships with teachers, coaches and friends. It kind of builds you up to be a well-rounded person.”
On Feb. 26, Averno made sure to soak in the last season-opening practice of his high school career at Calvert Hall when he took to the lacrosse field as one of the team captains.
This makes two years of varsity lacrosse and football, in addition to a four-year wrestling career during which he won two Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association individual titles. In the classroom, Averno, who is set to play lacrosse at Maryland, is a member of Calvert Hall’s prestigious McMullen Scholar Program.
The impressive resume comes with natural leadership that lacrosse coach Bryan Kelly is banking on from his standout midfielder. Averno knows only one way: full blast.
“He’s an example. Teammates respect him and they all admire him and look up to him,” Kelly said. “When Sisto speaks, it carries validity and weight because he lives it. I think we live in a world now where style is praised more than substance and just as a coach, I see our culture being about style over substance. He’s the absolute opposite. He’s substance and while he still has style, it’s substance over style.”
The substance Averno brings comes in a powerful 6-foot-3 frame. Originally a Jacksonville commit, Averno had a banner club season between his sophomore and junior years that opened more eyes. Included was Maryland coach John Tillman. For Averno, hearing the news that Maryland was interested was the biggest reward for the hard work he’s put in.
“Who wouldn’t want to play for their home state school with all the history there? So I’m just grateful for the opportunity,” he
said. “It’s probably one of the best feelings I’ve had, a direct correlation of the work I put in. … You’re putting in the work, putting in the work and it doesn’t show yet, but then all of a sudden it clicks. So that summer was a great feeling, but I’m still putting my foot on the pedal. I still want more — a lot of work left to do.”
That starts with this final high school season. The mighty MIAA A Conference provides a challenge that can’t be found in other leagues. Coming off a junior season slowed by injuries, Averno wants to emerge as the Cardinals’ offensive catalyst with his blend of skills, physicality, work ethic and intelligence. He wants to further grow as a leader and further refine his game.
“I’m just super excited. We got a really great group of guys this year and I can’t wait to get out there,” he said. “Every game, every practice you’re going as hard as you can. And every team you go up against is one of the best, and I think that’s what makes it such a special league. Everybody is good, there’s no cakewalk games, every team brings a battle.”
Annually, one of the guaranteed biggest games for Calvert Hall is against rival Loyola Blakefield. Dons senior midfielder Dallas
Mattheu, who started playing club ball with Averno in the fourth grade, knows what his team will be up against when facing his good friend.
“Sisto is definitely one of those guys where you look to your left and you’re going for a ground ball and you see this guy wants it just as bad as you or maybe even more in the moment. That’s going to fuel you more to try to do better and compete with that,” he said. “I would say everyone sees that from him and they try to translate it into their game.”
Where does that tough exterior Averno consistently displays come from? A good part comes from his namesake, his grandfather Sisto “Joe” Averno, who played for the Baltimore Colts in the 1950s.
Only 7 when his grandfather died in 2012, Averno didn’t have a lot of time to savor their relationship, but he has found other ways to be inspired.
“He’s a huge influence in my life,” Averno said. “Hearing stories about him when he played in the NFL, reading stories about how tough he was, it inspires me to play like that and carry that on through my life. My Dad tells me what a good father and family man he was and how he could talk to anybody. I try to embody that every day.”
“He’s an example. Teammates respect him and they all admire him and look up to him. When Sisto speaks, it carries validity and weight because he lives it. I think we live in a world now where style is praised more than substance and just as a coach, I see our culture being about style over substance. He’s the absolute opposite. He’s substance and while he still has style, it’s substance over style.” Bryan Kelly, Calvert Hall lacrosse coach