October’s Elite Eight- Local Athletes of the Month

Rocky Hill's Nico Capasso earned a spot as an athlete of the month following his 100-yard, two touchdown performance on Oct 26. Photo courtesy of Rocky Hill Football Boosters

Grace Mikan- Cromwell (Cross Country): Mikan has had an incredible first season on the high school trails. The freshman finished as the team’s first runner to cross the finish line at the Class SS on Oct 26, finishing with a time of 22.42, and helping pace the Panthers to a fifth-place finish overall, which was the girls’ highest finish in multiple decades. She also set a personal 5k record (21:02) at the Shoreline Championships held at CHS on Oct 18, earning her 2nd team all-conference honors. Head coach Doug McGough has been impressed with her steady improvement throughout the season and is glad Mikan has three more seasons at CHS, “Grace began the season In the middle of the pack running just over 24 minute for a 5K. Throughout the season she has dropped time and charged her way to the front of the girl’s team. Grace is a talented athlete with a bright future in this sport.”

Chris Danas- Middletown (Football): Danas was dazzling, throwing for 515 yards and five touchdowns in a 37-21 win over Farmington on Oct 26. It was the second straight phenomenal performance for the senior signal caller, who threw for 229 yards and two scores in a win over Hartford Public the previous week, giving him a two-game total of seven touchdowns with no interception, while completing 74% of his passes for a passer rating of 142.3.  

Nico Capasso- Rocky Hill (Football): Capasso is the Terriers leading rusher and ran for a season-high 100 yards, averaging 8.3 yards per carry, and scored a pair of touchdowns in Rock Hill’s 41-0 victory over Bulkeley/HMTCA/Weaver on Oct 26. The senior teamed with Matt Sevigny (99 yards and a touchdown) and a stable of other backs, helping Rocky Hill rush for a season-high 227 yards as a team in the win over the Bulldogs. 

Gabriela Targonska- Newington (Swimming): Targonska has been a varsity swimmer for the last three years at Newington High. This fall the junior is having another outstanding season, consistently dropping time in her 200 Individual Medley and is working to get back to the Class L state meet in the 100 Backstroke. Head coach Crystal Connery commended Targonska for working incredible hard, “Gabby is an athlete who constantly leads by example. She is the first person in the pool almost every day at practice and always gives a hundred percent effort. She is a great asset to our team.”

Abbey Keane- Wethersfield (Swimming): Keane is a captain on an Eagles swimming and diving team that recently captured their 11th straight conference title following a win over Rocky Hill on Oct 29. During the meet against the Terrier, the senior edged out a good field to capture first place in the 500 Freestyle, capping the team’s Senior Night in style. Head coach Lee Schwartzman said Kean’s strong finish in the event vs Rocky Hill showed the kind of grit and determination that has led to her success over the years. The veteran coach also praised her dependability and leadership, “Abby is our consistent distance swimmer, meaning she swims the 200 and 500 freestyle almost every meet. Over her career Abby has improved drastically every single year in the 200 and 500. She works hard every single day in practice and really pushes herself to the limit. She is always encouraging to all of her teammates.”

Newington- Trey Sadler (Soccer):  Sadler scored the game-winner in a 2-1 victory over Hartford Public on Oct 22 and then dished out the game-winning assist, feeding Youseff Khadrani for the game’s only goal in a 1-0 win over Rocky Hill last Friday. The senior captain has been an offensive force all season for Indians, who have hit their stride in the latter half on the season, winning four of the last five entering the week.

Kaitlin Lewkowicz- Cromwell (Volleyball): Lewkowicz has been a do-it-all player for the Panthers this season. The senior captain has been the team’s steady setter, including in a crucial four-set win over East Hampton on Oct 25 when she filled the stat column with 27 assists, 10 digs, nine kills, and six aces. She then dished out 16 assists and teamed with senior teammate Sadie Budzik, combining for 14 aces, in an impressive win over Amistad last Friday.   

Erica Paradis- Newington (Volleyball): Paradis has been a consistent leader and setter for Newington all season. The senior closed out the regular season schedule with a 22-assist, three-dig, two-ace performance in a three-set victory over Wethersfield, giving the Indians 15 wins. She ended the regular season with a team-high 183 service points to go along with her 385 assists and 55 aces. Head coach Chris Wanner said Paradis has been steady and reliable, “She is a leader by example with a great work ethic and a lot of determination. As the season has progressed, she has learned how to connect well with each of her hitters and help them show their best.”