Area athletes honored as Scholar Athletes by CIAC

From left, Avon High field hockey coach Terri Ziemnicki, Rachel Spivak, Avon High principal Dave Peling, Jack Stokesbury and Avon High cross country and track coach C.J. Fusco. (Photo courtesy Bill Stokesbury)

CHESHIRE, Conn., May 6 — Three hundred forty-eight senior student athletes were honored as CIAC Scholar Athletes at the 35th annual Scholar Athlete banquet at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington Sunday night. The event is the largest of the many honors programs CAS-CIAC hosts each year.

The Scholar Athlete program recognizes two high school senior student-athletes – one boy and one girl – from each member high school 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. The honorees are chosen by the member schools and are submitted to the CIAC.

More than 1,700 students, family members, school administrators and coaches were in attendance salute the Scholar Athletes and recognize their achievements.

Family and friends surround Granby’s two 2018 Scholar AthletesGranby’s 2018 Scholar Athletes: Soccer Captain Maddy Attianese & XC and Baseball Captain Nate Orluk

Chiney Ogwumike, former number-one overall pick and WNBA Rookie of the Year and star for the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun gave the keynote address and film producer John Holt served as the host for the evening. Waterford High School senior Marissa Walker was recognized with the Michael H. Savage Spirit of Sport Award.

Area Scholar Athletes