Happy Hamden Hall-o-ween Homecoming!

     “Chemistry and trust,” asserts Volleyball head coach, Gary Aurora, when identifying what makes this team successful. “We have played in 10 close matches this year and won 9 of them because of strong team chemistry and the trust players have in one another.” Despite having no seniors on the team, Coach Aurora certainly trusts in his co-captains, juniors Tami Afolalu and Summer Krajcir, to provide outstanding leadership. 

      Additional guidance is provided by a trio of assistants: Coach Mollor the varsity assistant an expert at diagnosing areas in need of improvement, Coach Montone, who coaches the JV's and gets the girls to fall in love with volleyball, and volunteer Coach Aileen Sokol, who brings her vast experience as a former division one college standout and as a former club coach.

     The team will need to dig deep to weather the St. Luke’s Storm from New Canaan. “The goal is simple,” says Aurora. “Whether we're winning by a lot or losing by a lot, we're always trying to get better.”

     And of course, no Homecoming is complete without a football game, and this year’s varsity squad has already been quite impressive as they prepare to square off against perennial Evergreen League rival Pingree School of Andover, Mass. The team has jumped out to a 5-1 overall record,and tied with Pingree for first place with a 4-0 league record, so this should be a classic.

 

      The team is full of talent and experience, with 10 seniors led by Tyler Gibson and Michi Holley. Gibson, who has committed to playing football at Cornell, is described by Head Coach Joe Linta as “a Swiss Army Knife” - in handling so many jobs including wide receiver, safety, long snapper on punts, and is the holder on extra points. Holley is a 2 way starter at guard and defensive end.  Quayvier Johnson, who has multiple Division 1 offers, has been a stalwart on defense as a linebacker.  Mark Schoonmaker, younger brother of alum Luke now playing with the Dallas Cowboys, also has multiple Division 1 offers, and has had an outstanding year as a tight end and defensive end.  Ryan Skoronski and Alex Prezioso have also been true standouts, with Skoronski leading the team with 5 touchdown catches from his wide receiver position. Chenna Onwausoanya and Sam Streater, also known for their basketball prowess, have been invaluable to the team this fall. Joe Sansone has been a rock on the defensive line, while Nick Tuccinardi has been a pleasant surprise at running back, averaging over 5 yards per carry.

 

     Junior QB, Charly Gulbin (16 TD passes against only 1 interception), linebacker Ash Wasserman, wide receiver, Qeanu Johnson, and offensive linemen, Vlad Acosta, Tyler Sullivan, and Grayson Nichol have not only helped the Hornets win this season, but ensure a bright future for the Hornet program. “The team is a very close knit bunch of 26 kids; the youngest players feel completely at home with the oldest players”, commented Linta.

 

     Coach Linta is now in his 12th year at the helm, and continues to provide one of the best high school football experiences in the state. But he is quick to share the credit with his staff that actually includes four former Hornets. “Melvin Wells '17, Kyle Williams '16, Steve Reynolds '15, and TJ Linta, '14 have all been to Bowl games and part of championships during their times at Hamden Hall, and I love how they are bringing that experience to the table in mentoring these young Hornets.”  

 

     Pardon the pun, but there is no Trick to these teams' success stories. It is a Treat to see dedicated coaches and staffs step up and provide outstanding guidance; a Treat that the students, including many underclassmen, respond to the challenge to be the best they can. And it is a Treat for the HH community to watch and cheer them on. So Happy Hamden Hall-o-ween Homecoming!