Blue Knights Sports Roundup & Preview

SHS Girls Swim NMS PHOTOGRAPHY

Several fall Southington High School athletic teams have already begun postseason play while others are gearing up for the playoffs. Here are the latest results and the next matchups on each squad’s potential playoff path.

Boys Cross Country

Southington boys cross country competed in the Central Connecticut Championships on October 14, winning the CCC South Division. The Blue Knights placed third overall with a score of 106.

Junior Samuel Cheek led the way, finishing 11th with a time of 17:09. Senior Ethan Hoffman was right behind in 16th (17:25) while sophomore Logan Perella finished 17th (17:28). Junior Michael Blankenship came in 27th (17:42) while junior Stephen Rahenkamp placed 35th (17:58).

The Blue Knights will next compete in the Class LL State Championship on October 25.

Boys Soccer

The Blue Knights lost both of their matchups this week, falling to 3-10-2 on the season. Southington fell 2-0 against Newington and 3-1 against Plainville.

Boys soccer has just one regular season game remaining, at home against New Britain on October 21.

Boys Golf

The Blue Knights stayed busy this week, competing in two matches and the Central Connecticut Conference Championships. They began by earning a pair of victories, ending their regular season at 14-3.

First, Southington defeated Northwest Catholic 153-170, completing an undefeated season at home. Junior Kaeden Bass earned the medal with a 36. Junior Evan Moscibrodzki was right behind with a 37 while senior Brady Staszewski carded a 38.

Bass again earned the medal in the Blue Knights’ 152-155 victory over Lewis Mills, shooting a 34. Moscibrodzki carded a 37 while Staszewski shot a 40. Junior Ryan LaRosa put up a 41.

Southington would then go on to compete in the CCCs on October 16. The Blue Knights came in third out of 15 teams with a 308.

Moscibrodzki led the Blue Knights, finishing in a six-way tie for third place with a 74. Both Bass and LaRosa shot a 17, tying with four other golfers for 15th place. Stasewski tied for 36th with an 80.

Southington will now compete in the Division I State Championship on October 21.

Field Hockey

The Blue Knights dropped a pair of away games, moving to 3-10-1 on the season. Southington lost 5-1 to Simsbury and 4-0 to Farmington.

Field hockey will end their regular season with a pair of away games, against South Windsor on October 22 and Avon on October 24.

Football

Southington football was off this week, entering their bye with a 2-3 record. They’ll next take on Manchester away on October 24.

The Blue Knights will then play four straight home games to end their regular season, culminating in a Thanksgiving matchup against Cheshire.

Girls Cross Country

The Blue Knights won the CCC South Division, coming fifth overall at the Central Connecticut Championships on October 14. Southington put up an overall score of 207.

Senior Katie Cavanaugh finished first in the CCC South Division and eighth overall with a time of 20:10. Freshman Maddie Canner-O’Mealy finished 38th (21:41) while fellow freshman Emily Phipps placed 50th (22:25). Freshman Emily Blankenship finished 56th (22:39) while sophomore Jenna Tartarelli placed 63rd (22:56).

Southington will compete in the Class LL State Championship on October 25.

Girls Soccer

Southington opened their week with a 3-0 loss against Newington. However, they battled back to earn a 4-0 victory over Plainville, moving to 7-5-2 on the season.

The Blue Knights will play two more regular season games before entering the playoffs. Their last home game will be on October 20 against Maloney before ending their season with an away match against New Britain on October 21.

Girls Swimming

Southington girls swimming dropped a pair of away meets this week, moving to 6-3 on the season. They lost 99-81 to Conard before a 101-82 loss against South Windsor. Away meets are particularly difficult for the Blue Knights due to their lack of divers. See our recent profile of the girls swim team for a more in-depth analysis.

Still, the Blue Knights saw 11 swimmers earn new best times against Conard. Furthermore, two more qualified for the Class LL Tournament.

Southington will have one more regular season away meet against Meriden Co-op on October 21 before returning home to face Berlin on October 24.

Girls Volleyball

Southington continued their winning ways this week, earning victories in both of their matches. The Blue Knights defeated Newington 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-17) and Plainville (25-16, 25-16, 25-13) to move to 9-7 on the season. Southington has gone on a hot streak lately, winning four straight CCC matches.

Against Newington, junior Lily Eidukaityte made 17 kills and six digs while junior Grace Zehnder put up 14 digs. Sophomore Ava Interlande made seven digs while junior Meredith Barry had seven kills. Senior Sehere Coma recorded six kills and three aces while fellow senior Camilla Garcia had five kills and one ace. Freshman Emme Steindl had 30 assists and three digs.

Senior Laura Esguerra led the team in assists against Plainville with 23, alongside three aces. Steindl made another 12 assists as Barry put up nine kills. Senior Alexandra Wagner recorded seven kills while fellow seniors Cameron Wallace and Garcia put up six. Eidukaityte made eight kills and two aces while Coma had four aces and three kills.

Before competing in the playoffs, the Blue Knights will end their regular season with an away game against New Britain on October 20 and their final home match against Glastonbury on October 23.

Girls Swimming Picks Up Speed As Postseason Approaches

NMR PHOTOGRAPHY

When Meghan Wittneben took over the role of head coach of the Blue Knight girls swimming team this year, she wasn’t unfamiliar with the position. She had served as head coach back in 2006-07 and as an assistant in 2024. The team she was coaching had also been around for a while – it predominantly featured returners, with only two new swimmers on this year’s squad. There were bound to be some changes with the new coach, but the Blue Knights didn't blink and have adapted strongly, putting forth an impressive campaign individually and as a team.

“I knew a lot of them from last year. I knew their strengths and weaknesses. It was nice to have a lot of familiar faces returning,” Wittneben said. “The girls have been super receptive and super willing to take on my coaching style, which is a little different than the previous coach’s. So far, they’ve been doing excellent. Overall the vibe on this team is really positive.”

As they prepared to begin the season, coach and swimmers spoke about their goals and what Southington overall wanted to accomplish. Wittneben convinced the Blue Knights that she could help them improve their best times. They developed a practice plan that would progress as the season went on so that they would be peaking by the end of their campaign.

Once their regular season commenced, Southington was able to show what they’re made of.

Coach Wittneben congratulates Blue Knight swimmer

Blue Knights Make A Splash During Regular Season

The Blue Knights opened their season with five-straight wins, taking down Manchester Co-op (88-76), Plainville (102-82), East Catholic (85-83), Bristol (80-67) and Hall (105-78). Wittneben watched Southington work together to reach new heights and create a positive energy.

“The energy was really high,” Wittneben said. “My two captains are really leading by example. It’s a positive atmosphere, everybody really has the same goal in mind. They have really come together as a team. They all want to do their best but they are also really supporting each other.”

Their matchup against Hall stands out for Wittneben for a number of reasons. For starters, it was an away meet. Southington girls swimming does not currently have a diving team. That means that at every away meet, the Blue Knights enter the competition automatically down 13 points.

It’s something that could lurk in the back of each swimmer’s mind. However, Southington didn’t let it affect them against Hall. Instead, they buckled down and found a way to put up points.

“These away meets are particularly difficult. They know that we’re already starting with negative points,” Wittneben said. “But they have really focused on our relays. Relays are where you can get a lot of points. The girls realized the importance of those relays. Even if we don’t get a first or a second, the depth in our swimming has really allowed us to battle back from our lack of divers.”

In that meet, Southington’s B 200-meter freestyle relay team of senior Maren Tarfano, sophomore Grace Wittneben, senior Madelyn Pugliese and sophomore Norah Muccino placed third, a finish that helped lead the Blue Knights to victory. The squad’s A 200-meter freestyle relay team of junior Niya Villanueva, sophomore Brooke Scott, freshman Emma Niro and senior Alexandra Szczepanik finished first place in their race, showing off the team’s relay prowess.

Kylie Samson

Eventually Southington suffered its first loss, going down 84-72 against Farmington on October 1. Wittneben says the team felt a bit defeated, since they had battled hard. The Blue Knights had to refocus and be prepared for their next opportunity to compete. That came one week later on October 8 against Newington. Southington earned a 85-75 victory, proving their newfound outlook successful.

“We talked about getting back in that place where we take it one meet at a time, one swim at a time,” Wittneben said. “It’s about going back out there, trying to do our best individually but also as a team. They were able to come back and produce some best times, get a few additional State qualifiers, and win the meet.”

The Blue Knights did fall in their most recent meet against Conard 99-81. However, Southington saw 11 swimmers reach season-best times while another two qualified for the Class LL State Tournament. It may not have been a win, but Wittneben was proud of how her team competed.

“They swam as hard as they could,” Wittneben said. “But with Conard having diving and some pretty solid swimmers, unfortunately we did lose. Still the girls swam great, their spirits were up and they still produced best times. That’s all that I can ask for.”

Southington is now 6-2 on the season. They’ll next compete against South Windsor away on October 17.

Southington’s Roster Full Of State competitors

The Blue Knights are led by a pair of senior captains in Marren Tarfano and Alexandra Szczepanik. Tarfano swims the 100-meter breaststroke and 100 freestyle while Szczepanik is a sprinter, competing in the 50 and 100-meter freestyle.

Wittneben calls Szczepanik, who goes by Ola, one of the strongest swimmers on the team. She leads by example with her work in the pool. Furthermore, she is always there to encourage her teammates and push them through any moments of self doubt.

Alexandra Szczepanik

Tarfano brings positivity and enthusiasm, ensuring the Blue Knights are bound by camaraderie. She organizes the team’s weekly bonding sessions, which Wittneben says she gets creative with. Tarfano is always ready to lift up her teammates.

Both seniors bring individual qualities that make the Blue Knights stronger. But it’s their work as a pair that Wittneben thinks makes them an elite pair of leaders.

“They work together excellently,” Wittneben said. “They both bring this team together. When I’m lacking in something, they’re there to fill in the voids. They’re always there to give girls some positive words, to encourage the girls. They just make the girls overall a better team.” 

Ola is one of nine Blue Knights to have already qualified for the State Tournament. She’ll be competing in the 50 and 100 freestyle, her specialties. Szczepanik will be joined by Niya Villanueva in the 200-meter individual medley and 100-meter butterfly. Norah Muccino will be competing in the 200 and 500-meter freestyle while junior Rachel Alejandro swims the 50-meter freestyle and 100-meter butterfly.

Junior Raegan Burdeshaw has qualified for the 200-meter individual medley and the 100-meter breast stroke. Brooke Scott will be in the 100-meter butterfly, Emma Niro in the 50-meter freestyle and junior Cassandra Landes in the 100-meter breaststroke. Furthermore, sophomore Kylie Samson, who Wittneben calls one of the biggest point scorers on the team, has qualified in the 200-meter individual medley, 100-meter backstroke and 500-meter freestyle.

Southington will have a strong presence at 2025’s State Championship. That’s a fact Wittneben is proud of, especially with the group of Knights that have qualified.

“Being able to bring so many girls works to our advantage,” Wittneben said. “That’s two full relays we’re able to bring. We have a solid group that support each other as a team. I’m hoping that a few of them go beyond State trials, moving on to Finals and Open.”

Still, the season is not done. Amongst Southington’s remaining meets is the hallowed Central Connecticut Conference Championships. Wittneben is expecting her team to get faster and hopes to see even more girls advance to States. 

“These times are being swum in the middle of the season. I’m really looking forward to seeing what they can produce once they’re actually tapered and once we get towards the end of the season,” Wittneben said. “That’s typically when you produce those fast times, at CCCs. We have a few other girls that may be close. It’s going to be nice to see what they can produce during the rest of the season.”

Southington High School’s girls swimming roster features seniors: Bromley Corona, Alexandra Eggers, Maria Howey, Aubrey Perugini, Madelyn Pugliese, Arsa Shabani, Alexandra Szczepanik and Maren Tarfano; juniors: Rachel Alejandro, Raegan Burdeshaw, Cassandra Landes and Niya Villanueva; sophomores: Sophia Ysabel Gamboa, Sophie Laszewski, Norah Muccino, Kylie Samson, Brooke Scott, Desara Shabani and Grace Wittneben; alongside freshman Emma Niro.

Rachel Alejandro

Blue Knights Compete As One

Her first year back as head coach has been an exciting time for Wittneben. She said it has been a pleasure to coach this team. The amount of hearty laughs they’ve shared is only matched by the effort they put in the pool.

For the head coach, that is what sets Southington apart. Each swimmer has a shared goal of success and wants to improve at every opportunity. However, they aren’t doing so in spite of their teammates.

If someone on the team has a bad race, Wittneben says it’s common to see three to four girls go up to her. Whatever they need at that moment, the Blue Knights are there to provide it. Their weekly bonding sessions have only strengthened their chemistry. Southington is swimming as one, making the strongest waves they can muster.

Cheering on teammates

“They are a team. Swimming is more of an individual sport, but this group really comes together and supports each other continuously. They are always cheering for every girl, every single one of their races. They have put in a lot of work this season. They all want to do well, and that shows in the meets. They’re super competitive, but also demonstrate really good sportsmanship.”

Entering the second half of the season, Wittneben said she couldn’t be prouder of how her team has competed. At the same time, not all of their goals are checked off. She wants swimmers to improve on their best times, knocking seconds off of their races. Furthermore, Wittneben is hopeful for a strong showing at CCCs. “We have more in us,” she says. She knows the Blue Knights are determined and hungry to show what they can do.

When Wittneben took on the head coach job, she had an open dialogue with the team. She wanted everyone to understand each other and the plans put in place. Southington has bought in completely and has put in the work. As the Blue Knights’ head coach looks back on her first season back at the helm, she’ll never forget this how this team strove for greatness. 

“This group has worked hard from the beginning,” Wittneben said, “and has been willing to put in the work. I told them it would show in their times, and it has, week after week they’re getting best times. They’re staying consistent, which isn’t a common thing for the sport of swimming. You typically have your ups and downs. But this group has not only been consistent, but improving over time. It just goes to show the amount of work that they’re putting in at practice.”

Wittneben is joined by assistant coach Francesca Ciniglio. She coached Ciniglio during her first tenure as head coach. Once Wittneben became head coach again, she thought she would give Ciniglio a call to ask if she’d be interested in joining the staff. Ciniglio accepted the offer, which Wittneben was grateful for, thinking she may have been tough on her as coach. Now back with the Blue Knights, the head coach calls Ciniglio a crucial part of Southington’s success.

Raegan Burdeshaw

Team spirit

See NMR Photography for more Blue Knights sports photography.

Blue Knights Sports Roundup & Preview (October 13)

SHS Girls Swimming NMR PHOTOGRAPHY

The postseason is approaching for all of Southington High School’s fall athletic programs. Check out the latest results and who the Blue Knights will face next on their path to the playoffs.

Boys Cross Country

The Blue Knights’ JV and freshmen teams had an opportunity to compete at the Wickham Invitational on October 11. The JV team took home first place out of 14 teams in their cohort with a score of 36. The freshman team finished fifth out of 10 teams with a score of 112.

On the JV side, junior Sawyer Colasanto led the way, finishing fourth overall (18:47). Junior Thomas Kohl was right behind in sixth (18:53) while sophomore Tanner Tortora placed seventh (19:01). Senior Jayden Gajewski came in eighth (19:15) while sophomore Eli Lord rounded out the top five in 11th (19:24).

Alongside the top five, sophomore Eli Weisz, junior Nathan Donorfio, sophomore Caden Rossignol, junior Collin Griffin and sophomore Houston Gonzalez all earned medals for their efforts.

For the freshmen, Kael Westendorf led the way by finishing third overall (18:58). Brody Battaglia (20:47) placed 21st while Leo Carnright (21:24) came in 31st. Owen Plate finished soon after in 33rd (21:32) while Elijah’Truth Matos rounded up the top five in 52nd (23:27).

Southington will next compete in the Central Connecticut Conference Championships on October 14 with a rain date scheduled for October 16.

Boys Golf

Southington played a trio of matches this week, coming out victorious in all of them. The Blue Knights are now 12-3 on the season. They began by defeating Avon 153-168 before taking down Farmington 148-151. Southington ended the week with a 152-156 win over Simsbury. Their score against Simsbury marked a new home record while their Farmington total was the Blue Knights’ lowest of the year.

Against Avon, senior Brady Staszewski earned the medal with a 37. Senior Jacob Baush-Lynch Junior Evan Moscibrodzki both carded a 38 while juniors Kaedan Bass and Matthew Siboriboun each shot a 39.

Staszewski again was named a medalist after shooting a 34 against Farmington. Bass was right behind him with a 35.

Against Simsbury, Bass came away with the medal after carding a 34. Staszewski had another strong performance with a 36.

The Blue Knights will end their regular season with matchups at home against Northwest Catholic on October 14 and away against Lewis Mills on October 15.

Boys Soccer

Southington boys soccer played a trio of matches this week, earning three different results. The Blue Knights began their week with a 5-2 victory over Maloney on October 6. Then, the Blue Knights tied Berlin 0-0 on October 8. They ended the week with an 8-1 loss to Wethersfield on October 10.

Southington is now 3-8-2 on the season. They’ll next be in action away against Newington on October 14 before returning home to face Plainville at home on October 17.

SHS Boys Soccer

Football  

The Blue Knights fell to 2-3 with a 42-14 loss against New Britain on October 10. New Britain managed to take a 19-7 halftime lead with just five seconds remaining. While Southington entered the third quarter with some firepower, the Golden Flashes were able to take over. Check out a full analysis and breakdown of Southington’s clash on the Southington Outsider.

Football will next be in action away against Manchester on October 24.

SHS Football at New Britain

Field Hockey

Southington split a pair of games to move to 3-8-1 on the season. The Blue Knights lost to Conard 6-1 on October 7 before defeating Lewis Mills 2-0 on October 10.

Field hockey will now take part in a trio of away battles, starting with Simsbury on October 14. They’ll then face South Windsor on October 15 before ending their week with a battle against Farmington on October 17.

Girls Cross Country

Southington’s JV and freshmen competed in the Wickham Invitational on October 11. The JV team finished fourth out of nine teams in their cohort with a score of 130.

Freshman Giada Pagnucco led the way, finishing 14th with a time of 24:04. Freshman Guiliana Angieri placed 21st (24:30) while sophomore Anna Janowski placed 27th (25:33). Junior Brooke Flugard came in 38th (26:10) while sophomore Gabriella Paskowski (27:46) rounded out the top five in 59th.

The Blue Knights will next compete in the Central Connecticut Conference Championships on October 14. Rain would push the meet back to October 16.

JV Girls Cross Country at Wickham Invitational JACLYN SULLIVAN PHOTO

Girls Soccer

The Blue Knights were in a heated 0-0 tie against Berlin with just three minutes remaining. That’s when junior Alannah Terry found the back of the net, giving Southington a 1-0 victory. They ended their week with a 1-1 tie against Wethersfield with the team’s goal coming from sophomore Lucia Muro.

Now 6-4-2 on the year, Southington will next take on Newington at home on October 14 before facing Plainville away on October 18.

Girls Swimming

Southington rebounded from a loss against Farmington to defeat Newington 85-75 on October 8. The Blue Knights are now 6-1 on the season.

They’ll next be in action away against Conard on October 14.

Girls Volleyball

Southington girls volleyball played a trio of games this week, going 2-1 overall. The Blue Knights fell to Maloney 3-2 (25-22, 25-20, 18-25, 21-25, 15-13) before defeating Berlin 3-0 (25-3, 25-22, 25-11). Southington ended their week with a 3-0 victory over Wethersfield (25-20, 25-16, 26-24). The Blue Knights are now 7-7 on the season.

Against Maloney, junior Lauren Warych filled the box score with 12 kills, eight digs, three aces and two blocks. Junior Lily Eidukaityte made nine digs and seven kills while fellow junior Meredith Barry had eight kills. Senior Paige Raines made 15 digs as junior Grace Zehnder put up nine. Senior Camilla Garcia recorded a team-high six aces while freshman Emme Stiendl had a team-best 32 assists.

In their win against Berlin, senior Sehere Coma made a Southington-high 11 aces while fellow senior Laura Esguerra put up six aces and six assists. Steindl again led the way with 17 assists. Barry made eight kills and an ace while Eidukaityte had seven kills and two aces. Senior Alexandra Wagner recorded six kills.

For a third straight game, Steindl led the Blue Knights with 29 assists. Eidukaityte made a team-high 10 kills alongside eight digs and three aces. Warych had eight kills while Barry and Wagner each made six. Garcia recorded a team-high five aces and tied Coma for the team-lead with two blocks. Raines had a Southington-high 18 digs.

The Blue Knights will next be in action away on October 14 against Newington. They’ll end the week by returning home to face Plainville on October 17.

For more photographs by NMR Photography please click link.