The Starting Five: Local Athletes of the Week

Maren Valente- Rocky Hill (Cross Country): Valente, a first-year junior, earned all-conference honors and was 2nd overall in the Terriers eight-team division at the CCC championships at Wickham Park last Wednesday. Overall the Rock Hill girls won the CCC North conference title for the 3rd year in a row.

Caitlyn Smith- Newington (Field Hockey): Smith scored a pair of goals in Newington’s 2-1 win over East Catholic. The junior helped make it memorable day for the seniors, who celebrated Senior Day with a win, which was the team’s second win in three games.

Sam Geisler- Newington (Cross Country): Geisler finished second overall at the CCC Cross Country Championships at Wickham Park last Wednesday. The senior helped lead an experienced team to their third consecutive conference title, marking the first time in NHS history that a Cross Country team accomplished a conference three-peat.

Robbie Cozean- Xavier (Cross Country): Cozean ran a 16:03, winning the SCC Cross Country Championship and helping the Falcons capture their 13th team title in the last 26 years. The senior will continue to run at a collegiate level, recently committing to run cross country and track & field for historic Notre Dame.

Alice Kelly- Wethersfield (Volleyball): Kelly, a senior, totaled 40 kills, 19 digs, and 11 aces as the Eagles went undefeated last week, defeating Plainville, Windsor, and Rockville in 11 total sets. The three wins earned Wethersfield a berth in the state tournament.