West Hartford’s Conard High School held its annual Senior Sports Awards ceremony on June 5, 2017, and have announced the following recipients.
Athletic Director Jason Siegal presided over the annual ceremony which honored and recognized senior student-athletes for their accomplishments on and off the field.
“Those being honored today have committed themselves to the sports they love, dedicating countless hours to practice, honing in on those skills necessary to play at the highest levels, in addition to maintaining high academic marks during their four years at Conard for which I am even more proud,” Siegal said.
“It is only right to recognize them for their efforts here tonight while they leave behind their footprint in this great Chieftain family.”
Recipients of senior awards were first nominated by their coach and then voted on by the coaching staff.
Comments included about each student were provided by Siegal.
Distinguished Athlete Award:
“Awarded to the senior student-athlete who participates in a varsity sport, is an exemplary young citizen and role model for younger students, and best exhibits the personal traits of courage, poise, self-confidence, and leadership.”
A two-sport athlete, earned five Varsity letters and was five-time member of CCC All-Academic Team. He is headed to University of Wisconsin – John Gibbons
Three-sport athlete and named captain senior year all three seasons, earned 10 Varsity letters, 10-time member of CCC All-Academic team. Next year she is headed to Univeristy of New Hampshire – Gretchen Hambrecht
U.S. Army Reserve Scholar-Athlete Award:
“Awarded to a male and female student-athlete, who has excelled in their sport and has demonstrated a strong, well above average academic performance.”
Three-sport athlete and two-time captain, earned six varsity letters and was six-time member of the CCC All-Academic Team – Kevin Puleo
Two-sport athlete, named captain her senior year. She is a five-time varsity letter winner and five-time member of CCC All-Academic team. She is an Academic All-American in lacrosse with a cumulative GPA 4.25. Next year she is headed to Wesleyan University as a member of the girls lacrosse team – Faith Haverty
Dale Harper Award:
“Awarded to the student-athlete who exemplifies the highest standards of sportsmanship both on and off the field.”
Two-sport athlete, named captain his senior year. He is a five-time varsity letter winner and five-time CCC All-Academic Team member. Headed to Trinity College – Patrick Gustafson
Two-sport athlete, two-time captain and has earned eight varsity letters and is an eight-time CCC All-Academic team member – Margaret Murray
Norm Johnson Managers Award:
“Awarded to a student who assisted the coach in the many daily tasks of coaching a team.” Coach John Provencher had to say this about the first recipient: “She is one of the most organized and pleasant managers I’ve ever had! She’s willing to do any project or small task to help the XC or track teams. She has set the standard for our other managers and future managers of our teams” – Zoe Schaefer. Zoe will be heading to UConn next year.
Coach Adam Linker had this to say about next recipient: “Lucas suffered a season-ending injury during preseason. After the injury he approached me and asked if he can stay on and help as manager. He wanted to be with his friends and be a part of the soccer experience as best he could. Experiences are what you make of them. Lucas could have walked away and healed on his own, instead he dedicated his time to be with his friends and be a part of memories that will be a part of him forever” – Lucas Teodoro. Lucas is headed to Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Service
Coach Matt Cersosimo had this to say about final recipient: “She was a very unselfish, hardworking part of the football team. She volunteered her time for the past two seasons to help us be more efficient and effective in every way. Her leadership and great personality will truly be missed” – Julia Bazzano
Justine Clark Award:
“Awarded to a young lady whose sensitivity to others and willingness to sacrifice for the team exemplify her total dedication to her team and Conard’s athletic program”
Two-sport athlete and was named captain senior year. She is a five-time varsity letter winner and a five-time CCC All-Academic Team member – Emily Cullina
Two-sport athlete and was named captain during her senior year. She is a seven-time varsity letter winner and a seven-time member of the CCC All-Academic Team. Next year she is headed off to nursing school – Nora Dynowski
Title IX:
“Awarded to a female student-athlete who possesses outstanding skill and ability, and who demonstrates the highest standards of sportsmanship, cooperation, and leadership in her commitment to Conard sports”
Two-sport athlete and was named team captain her senior year. She is a four-time varsity letter winner, four-time CCC All-Academic team member, a three-time All-Conference selection and was named All-State her senior year – Lauren Kumpa
The Coach Frank D’Annolfo Athletic Award:
“Awarded to a male, multiple sport student-athlete who exemplifies the essence of teamwork and good sportsmanship through his unselfish contributions to his team; his dedication, perseverance, positive attitude, patience, and work ethic; and ultimately reflects the spirit and pride of Conard Athletics”
Two-sport athlete, named a captain his senior year. He was a three-time varsity letter winner and three-time member of the CCC All-Academic team – Sam Porcello
Chuck Landroche Award:
“Awarded to a female and male senior athlete who demonstrate the qualities of respect, commitment, team spirit, leadership, and outstanding academic achievement”
Two-sport athlete, named captain senior year and is a four-time varsity letter winner. Next year he is headed to Trinity College – Henry Kneidel
Three-sport athlete and was named captain her senior year. She is an eight-time varsity letter winner and eight-time member of the CCC All-Academic team – Carly Gorman
Pride Award:
“Awarded to the student-athletes who have exemplified themselves as a student, as an athlete, a spectator, and as a citizen in the Conard tradition”
Three-sport captain, eight-time varsity letter winer, eight-time CCC All-Academic – William Allen
Three-sport, three-time varsity letter winner – Michael Mack
Three-sport varsity athlete, All-Conference cross country and track – Sam Nanni
Three-sport athlete, captain, four-time varsity letter winner – Nathan Rodrigues
Three-sport athlete, two-time varsity letter winner, headed to Springfield College – Jacob Ryor
Two-sport captain, six-time varsity letter winner, six-time CCC All-Academic team, headed to the University of Arizona – Katherine Blaine
Two-sport captain, eight-time varsity letter winner, three-time All-Conference and All-State – Maya Feigenbaum
Three-sport athlete, captain, seven-time varsity letter winner, seven-time CCC Academic, headed to Salve Regina Univ. – Allison Gilson
Two-sport athlete, captain, five-time varsity letter winner – Erin O’Meara
Two-sport athlete, two-time captain, six-time varsity letter winner, All-Conference swimmer, eaded to Lynn University in Florida – Tatiana St. Juste
Swim captain, four-time varsity letter winner, four-time CCC Academic, four-time All Conference, All-State, headed to the University of Rochester to swim – Emma Dowd
Three-sport athlete, captain, nine-time varsity letter winner, nine-time CCC Academic – Emma Oriol
Lance Corporal Lawrence R. Philippon Memorial Award: Presented by Leesa and Ray Philippon
“To a female and male senior athlete who show genuine respect for others, demonstrate dedication to their team, and show respect to the flag, for the Pledge of Allegiance, and to those who served our country”
To be eligible for this award, candidates had to submit an essay that answers the following questions:
- What do the words of the Pledge of Allegiance mean to you?
- What does being an American mean to you?
All submitted essays are read and chosen by Leesa and Ray Philippon (Larry’s parents). In addition to the award, this year’s recipients will receive a scholarship from the Philippon foundation in the amount of $500.
- Brooks Clement – three-sport athlete, captain, five-time varsity letter winner
- Michael Mack – three-sport athlete, three-time varsity letter winner
- Brendan O’Meara – three-sport athlete, five-time varsity letter winner
- Sean O’Meara – three-sport athlete, seven-time varsity letter winner, seven-time CCC Academic
- Sebastian Suarez – two-sport athlete, seven-time varsity letter winner
- Katherine Blaine – two-sport athlete, captain, six-time varsity letter winner, six-time CCC Academic
- Gwen Geisler – three-sport athlete, three-sport captain, All State cross country, indoor track, and lacrosse, two-time All American for lacrosse, playing lacrosse at Colby College next year
- Erin O’Meara – two-sport athlete, captain, five-time varsity letter winner
Bob McKee Award:
“Given to a Senior Football Player who embodies the characteristics, of what our first Head Coach Bob McKee would describe as a “True Chieftain Football Player” – Discipline, Character, Commitment, Leadership and Grit”
Three-time varsity letter winner, named captain his senior year. Headed to University of New Haven – Kyron Bridges
Jim Spignesi Award:
“Awarded to a member of the boy’s lacrosse team who demonstrates the qualities of commitment and dedication as a leader and team player”
Four-year participant on the lacrosse team earning a varsity letter all four years. He is a two-time CCC All-Academic team member and was named captain his senior year. Next year he is headed to Wesleyan University to play lacrosse – Samuel Lefante
CIAC Scholar-Athlete Award (Previously Presented):
The Scholar Athlete program recognizes two high school senior student-athletes – one boy and one girl – from each member high school in the state whose academic and athletic careers have been exemplary, whose personal standards and achievement are a model to others, and who possess high levels of integrity, self-discipline and courage. Each year the recipients attend a wonderful dinner banquet at the Aqua Turf in Southington with nearly 2,000 people in attendance. This year’s recipients are – Gwen Geisler (Colby College), Sam Morgan (Columbia University)
Mike Carr Award (Previously Presented):
“Michael Carr was member of the Conard class of 1973. He was a talented athlete whose legacy lies in the spirit of sportsmanship he demonstrated so vividly both on and off the field. This award, in his honor, goes to a student-athlete who exemplifies outstanding sportsmanship during his/her sports season” – Emma Dowd
The Carl P. Palazzotto PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) Award (Previously Presented):
“To the student-athlete who, by exhibiting a consistently positive mental attitude and by setting an example of enthusiastic achievement for other students, best exemplifies the qualities that “Coach P” demonstrated in his daily life. The candidate must have a GPA of 3.0 or better – Emma Oriol
Meyers Award(Previously Presented): Griffin Reid
Beaudry Award (Previously Presented): Dillon Forstberg
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