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08/03/2017 12:00 AMSebastiano Gallitto is not only a dynamic threat as a speedy scorer for the Old Saybrook boys’ soccer squad, he’s also a budding entrepreneur who has plenty of skills when it comes to making sales.
Sebastiano, a striker who is entering his senior year at Old Saybrook High School, helped the Rams notch an undefeated regular season and win their first Shoreline Conference title since 1964 last fall, after which they advanced to the Class S State Tournament final.
The recent school year also saw Sebastiano display his abilities as a salesman by raising more than $4,000 for the Rams’ boys’ soccer team. As a result, Sebastiano won the NFP Sports’ Top Seller Scholarship Award, a statewide scholarship that is given annually to a student who raises the most money for his or her team by selling fundraising products. Sebastiano was presented with a $1,000 check for this achievement. He will be awarded a total of $2,750 upon entering college and still has another year of fundraising to go.
“I ended up selling the most gold cards, which gave discounts to restaurants around the Old Saybrook area,” Sebastiano says. “I have the new record with selling over 500 the past three years. It was great for me in setting goals for myself and achieving them.”
Sebastiano netted four goals for the Rams during the 2016 campaign. While he enjoys finding the back of the net like everyone else, Sebastiano always wants to do whatever is best for his team in any scoring situation.
“The passion I have for soccer drives me to keep scoring goals and being the best I can be,” says Sebastiano. “It’s all about being with the team and also relying. You have to figure out when to pass it to a teammate or head it in and take it yourself. You also have to know the fact that you can score and beat the defender in front of you every time.”
One of Sebastiano’s most pivotal moments with the Rams came when he took on a different assignment on the field. In the end, it turned out to be a change for the better as the move was tailor-made for Sebastiano’s strengths.
“I used to be a midfielder when I started out in high school, but because of my speed, I changed my position,” he says. “Playing striker fit my physical abilities better, and my coaches really helped me find my place and full potential on the field.”
Old Saybrook Head Coach Sam Barnes praises Sebastiano, who’s also known as Sebby, for helping his teammates unlock their potential, while also working hard to reach his own targets.
“Sebby works hard and always gives 100 percent. He sets high goals for himself and pushes others to be their best,” says Barnes. “Sebby is truly a team player and adds depth to our team...He is truly an asset to our team.”
After the Rams came up one victory shy of ultimate dream season last fall, Sebastiano would love nothing more than to cap off his time at Old Saybrook with a state crown this year. Sebastiano also has aspirations of competing at the varsity level in college, but he’ll be happy just to be on the field one way or the other.
“We want to win Shorelines again this year, get back in states, and have a chance at the title. We have a good-looking team returning, so hopefully, we’ll get the same results,” says Sebastiano, who thanks NFP executive James Thomson, along with all of his coaches through the years. “I hope to play soccer in college or at least intramural [or] club soccer, because my passion for the game never stops, and I hope to stick with it.”