Avon athletes earn accolades for performances this winter

written by Gerry deSimas, Jr., Collinsville Press | March 31, 2026

Several Avon High athletes were honored for their play during the past winter with their selection to All-Conference teams. One athlete earned All-State honors this past winter. Wrestler Mason Beecher was named to the Connecticut High School Coaches Association All-State team for capturing the Class M championship at 126 pounds. Beecher finished fourth at the State Open. He finished second at the Central Connecticut Conference championships, falling to four-time Class S champion Jack Gedney of Lewis Mills.

BOYS BASKETBALL
Coach: Kris Pedra
Record: 5-15, 0-9 CCC Central
All-Conference: none
All-State: none
CCC tournament: Did not qualify
CIAC state tournament: Did not qualify
Of note: This was the 11th season for Pedra at the helm

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Coach: Drew Faucher
Record: 11-12, 3-5 CCC Central
All-Conference: none
All-State: none
CCC tournament: Lost first round to East Catholic, 51-29
CIAC state tournament:  Lost Division III second round to Lewis Mills, 58-33

WRESTLING
Coach: John McLaughlin
Record: 12-11, 2-3 CCC North
All-Conference: Mason Beecher, Liam Hildinger, Ayden Beecher, Thomas Frez, Konrad Lojewski
All-State: Mason Beecher
CCC tournament: 16th place (92 pts.)
CIAC state tournament:  15th Class M (75), 42nd State Open (22½); 81st New England championships (7)
Of note: Beecher (126 pounds) won the Class M championship and finished fourth at the State Open

BOYS HOCKEY
Coach: Mike Barone and Kyle Sopelak (first year)
Record: 14-8-1, 7-4-1 CCC North
All-Conference: Logan Royer
All-State: none
CCC tournament: Lost semifinals of CCC North to NW Catholic 1-0
CIAC state tournament: Lost quarterfinals of Division II tournament to East Haven, 5-2
Of note: Avon was part of the Farmington Valley Generals co-op for the 15th year. The co-op includes players from Farmington (host school), Avon, Lewis Mills and Windsor

GIRLS HOCKEY
Coach: Mike Carerra
Record: 10-10-1, 5-5 CCC
All-Conference: Maya Fanelli, forward (Wethersfield)
All-State: Maya Fanelli
CCC tournament: Lost in semifinals to Hall/Conard, 2-1
State tournament: Lost in first round of Connecticut High School Girls Hockey Association state tournament to Hall/Conard, 2-1
Of note: Club was known as Avon/Southington. Other co-op participants included Bristol, Wethersfield, Lewis Mills, Newington, RHAM and Coventry.

BOYS SWIMMING
Coach: Todd Dyer, first year
Record: 5-6, 2-3 CCC North
All-Conference: Abir Dutta, Lizzie May
All-State: none
CCC tournament: Second at CCC North championships (233 pts.)
CIAC state tournament: 14th at Class M championships (153); 49th at State Open (4)
Of note: The Falcons won the Splash Classic, the girls-only championship meet for girls competing in boys swimming season. It was Avon’s second consecutive Splash Classic title since 2018 and 15th title since 2004.

BOYS INDOOR TRACK
Coach: Courtney Fusco
Record: No dual meet record
All-Conference: Brahm Bulow, Chris Campbell, Andrew Kessler, Riley Klotz
All-State: none
CCC Championships: 12th overall (18); CCC Central: 5th place (47)
CIAC state tournament: 5th place Class M (25); State Open: Did not score
Of note: Bulow set a new school record in the 5,000 meters at the Nike Indoor track and field national championship meet in Boston on March 13. Bulow had a record time of 15:02.98 to finish fourth in the Emerging Elite race.

GIRLS INDOOR TRACK
Coach: Courtney Fusco
Record: No dual meet record
All-Conference: none
All-State: none
CCC championships: tied 15 overall (6); CCC Central: 8th place (23)
CIAC state tournament: 11th place Class M (17); State Open: 0 points

CHEERLEADING
Coach: Alyssa Raponey
Record: None
All-Conference: Thea Gonzalez, Alexis Hoffman