The Starting Five: Local Athletes of the Week

Anthony Caracoglia- Cromwell (Soccer): Caracoglia registered a hat trick, scoring all three Cromwell goals in the Panthers 3-1 victory over St. Paul last Saturday. The senior has helped the team get off to a 3-3-2 start this fall.

Chris Danas- Middletown (Football): Danas threw for 231 yards and four touchdowns in Middletown’s 39-0 win over RHAM last Saturday. Danas, a first-year starter, has played well behind center, throwing for seven touchdowns compared to only one interception through the first three games.

McKenna Deluca- Newington (Field Hockey): McKenna scored the game’s only goal in a 1-0 win over Somers last Friday. The senior, best known for her work on the softball fields, helped the Indians secure their first victory after dropping their first five games this season.

Olivia Thompson- Wethersfield (Swimming): Thompson has had a phenomenal beginning of the season. Through three meets she already has achieved Class L state qualifying times in all four freestyle events, ranging from the sprint to the distance races, and in the meet vs. Glastonbury she won the 50 freestyle by over three quarters of a second.  Thompson’s coach, Lee Schwartzman, said the junior’s success is in direct relation to her effort level at practice, which is recognized often by her teammates, and that she attacks every set with a determination to reach the extremely high end of season goals she has for herself.   

Erica Paradis- Newington (Volleyball): Paradis totaled 34 assists in straight sets wins over New Britain and Windsor early last week, and then had a season-high 28 assists in a loss to E.O. Smith last Friday. The senior setter is one of the leaders on an Indians team that has won six of their first eight matches this fall.