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12/22/2016 11:00 PMIn the fall of 2016, senior Elise Symon motored her way past many competitors on her way to a season that will forever be etched in the North Haven history books. Also this fall, the Indians’ girls’ swimming and diving team saw tremendous postseason success, while girls’ soccer made a triumphant return to the playoffs.
Girls’ Cross Country
North Haven’s campaign was highlighted by senior Elise Symon making history in more ways than one on the course.
Following the regular season, Symon began her remarkable run by finishing fourth with a time of 19:54 at the SCC Championship, earning her All-SCC honors for the third year in a row, plus First Team accolades for the second-straight season. Symon followed that performance by taking first place at the Class MM State Championship behind a mark of 19:52, which was three seconds ahead of runner-up Meredith Bloss from Guilford. On the heels of this All-State run, Symon posted a time of 19:37 to finish 12th out of 187 runners at the State Open and become the first athlete in program history to qualify for the New England Championship. At the regional meet, Symon ran the 5K in a time of 19:07.15 to come in 40th place out of 261 competitors in Rhode Island. Symon was named North Haven’s Most Valuable Player and also a New Haven Register All-Area selection.
As a team, the Indians finished in 11th place at the SCC Championship and 10th for the Class MM State Championship. Reagan Forbes, Macey DiCarlo, Hillary Hoyt, Clare Connell, Shannon Reilly, and Olivia Hoyt competed for Head Coach Carl Jackson’s club at both meets. Forbes was the team’s Most Improved Player and Maia Annunziato won the Sportsmanship Award for Head Coach Carl Jackson’s club.
Boys’ Cross Country
North Haven posted with a record of 5-4 for the regular season, after which the Indians finished in 17th place at the SCC Championship and 19th for the Class L State Championship.
Jordan Tong raced to a first-place finish in North Haven’s last regular season meet at the Supply Pond in Branford. Sophomore Gabe Durante was the Indians’ top finisher at both postseason meets by placing 42nd at the SCC Championship and 45th at states.
Tong, Corey Reilly, Jonathan Opramolla, Jackson Frank, Josh Bryson, and Alex Savenelli were the Indians’ other athletes who ran at the two postseason competitions. North Haven’s head coach was Carl Jackson.
Girls’ Swimming and Diving
After going 6-5 during the regular season, the Indians delivered with excellent performances at their postseason competitions. First, North Haven came in fifth place at the SCC Championship. Two weeks later, the team posted its best all-time showing at a state meet by taking fourth place in the Class M State Championship.
At the conference meet, freshman Angela Gambardella made All-SCC in two events by swimming a time of 1:07.12 to take second place in the 100 breaststroke, along with a mark of 2:12.65 for third in the 200 individual medley. Senior Lauren Spencer placed third in the 500 freestyle and earned All-SCC distinction. Then at states, Gambardella made All-State in those same two events with second-place finishes in the IM and breaststroke. Spencer collected All-State honors in the 100 backstroke by claiming third place. Spencer and Gambardella teamed up with junior Laura Borrelli and senior Callyn Priebe to place fourth in the 400 freestyle relay with a school record time of 3:44.95.
Gambardella and Spencer were named the Indians’ co-Most Valuable Players. Mackenzie Montesi won the Most Improved Player Award, while Borrelli took home the Sportsmanship Award for Head Coach Martha Phelan’s team. The Athletes as Allies Diversity Award went to Avery Hill.
Girls’ Soccer
Rocco Christiana took the reins as the Indians’ head coach and the team went on to qualify for the Class L State Tournament for the first time in a few years.
Christiana’s first victory came when North Haven edged Lyman Hall 1-0 at home on Sept. 13. The Indians continued to play well, then hit a bit a rough patch in the middle of the season, but still worked their way into the state bracket by notching a 2-1 road victory over Cross-Hillhouse-Career on Oct. 24. North Haven went 6-9-1 for the regular season and then took a 6-2 loss at Berlin in the first round of the Class L State Tournament.
Senior Elya Paolillo earned All-Housatonic Division honors for the Indians. Angela Sanzari was North Haven’s Most Valuable Player, Camille Sahirul was named the team’s Most Improved Player, and Joslin Valiyaveetiil was presented with the Sportsmanship Award. North Haven’s senior captains were center back Maria Scarano and attacking wing Emily Shea.
Boys’ Soccer
North Haven won one game in the 2016 campaign and it came in the form of a 7-0 victory at Putnam in the team’s season opener. The Indians closed the campaign by taking a 1-0 defeat to Foran on Senior Night.
North Haven’s seniors were captains Matt Iovanne and Steve Pugliese, along with Jon Goodrich, Ryan Harvey, and Ben Kuru. Pugliese was an All-Oronoque selection for North Haven. Federico Fiondella was in his 15th season as the Indians’ head coach.
Football
One year after recording an unbeaten regular season and reaching the first state final in program history, North Haven moved up from Division II to Tier 1 in the newly aligned Southern Connecticut Conference. The Indians finished with a record of 4-6 in a campaign that featured several close defeats against elite teams.
North Haven’s victories came against Hamden (55-0), Foran (38-21), Hand (33-7), and Amity (49-14). The Amity win came on Thanksgiving and marked the Indians’ eighth straight victory in the series. It was also victory No. 300 in program history. Also on the season, North Haven dropped narrow decisions against Cheshire (24-21), Notre Dame-West Haven (49-34), Shelton (35-34), West Haven (35-26), and Fairfield Prep (43-42).
The senior captains for Head Coach Anthony Sagnella’s squad were quarterback/tight end/linebacker Jack Steinman, tight end/linebacker Kyle Melillo, running back/safety Max Sullivan, and quarterback/cornerback Tom Dodge. Steinman was the Offensive Player of the Game in the Amity victory and junior running back/safety Mark Montano was the Defensive Player of the Game. Dodge and Steinman earned All-SCC Division I honors at defensive back and tight end, respectively. Both athletes also sealed spots on the Levi Jackson All-Star Team with teammate Anastasio making it on the defensive line. On top of that, Dodge was selected to the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Class L All-State Team at defensive back.
Volleyball
North Haven introduced a new head coach in Brianna Kleckner, whose team was led by senior captains Bella DelVecchio, the libero; and Celeste Battipaglia, an outside hitter.
Kleckner picked up her first career victory with the Indians when they beat Lyman Hall 3-1 on Sept. 14. North Haven’s biggest win of the campaign was a 3-1 home victory against Law on Sept. 28. The Indians finished with an overall record of 5-15 for the season.
DelVecchio was named North Haven’s MVP, Jessica McInnis won the Most Improved Player Award, and Anna Stowe received the Sportsmanship Award.
Field Hockey
North Haven finished with a record of 3-13 this year. The Indians netted a 1-0 win against Lyman Hall, defeated Shelton 2-0, and then beat the Gaels again, 3-1, later in the season.
The Indians’ senior captains were Lucy Aquaro, Arianna Mongillo, and Rochelle Furino. Bri Ferriola was voted the Most Valuable Player for Head Coach Kim Bouffard’s squad. Emily Casamento won the Most Improved Player Award, while the Sportsmanship Award went to Lindsay Rowland.