Four High School Athletes Announce College Commitments

DAN FAPPIANO PHOTO

Flanked by family left and right, four Southington High School athletes made their official college commitments on Wednesday. For athletic director Bob McKee, it was an opportunity to highlight their individual achievements as well as what Southington athletics has to offer.

“As a Southington resident, a person that went to this school, played here, went to college because of my experience in Southington, it brings me a lot of joy to see kids have that same opportunity,” McKee said. “Southington provides a lot of opportunities for these kids to excel and shine. It’s all you want for the kids, an opportunity to showcase themselves. They’re great people and great students. I’m very excited to see what the future holds for them.”

Alexa Poutouves will be going to Bentley University while Reece Archer will be going to American International College, both playing softball. Rocco Davino will be playing baseball at Southern Connecticut State University while Kylie Savage will be playing flag football at Post University.

The ceremony began with each player’s coach outlining how they got to this stage. The four athletes then had a moment to thank their supporters on the journey. Finally, they announced their official college commitment before signing their letter of intent.

Kylie Savage Always Had College Sports Dreams

Savage always dreamed of playing a college sport. The Southington girls flag football team gave her that opportunity, and now those dreams have become reality.

“It has always been my dream. I’ve always known I wanted to play a sport in college,” Savage said. “I’m just incredibly honored that I get this opportunity now. Thank you to Coach Jon and everybody for giving me this opportunity and letting me live my dreams.”

The Blue Knights’ starting quarterback, Savage has been a crucial piece of Southington girls flag football’s success since their inception. As she prepares to join the college ranks, she won’t forget the lessons she learned at SHS.

“I’m going to keep moving forward with this momentum I’ve gained from Southington,” Savage said. “I’ve learned everything I know from my coaches and teammates. I’m going to continue with every life lesson they’ve given me and take it through college.”

Head coach Jon Esmail grew up with Savage’s parents. He has known her since birth. To see her journey come full circle won’t be a moment he soon forgets.

“I’ve known Kylie since she was born,” Esmail said. “It’s been great to see her evolution as an athlete and to land a sport that is growing across the country, across the world, certainly in our town. Being the ambassador and face of our team and our league, being able to play at the next level, is one of the coolest things for me as a coach and a friend.”

When she first joined the program, Savage was a wide receiver. But she put in the work during the offseason to transition to quarterback. Esmail acknowledges that comes with high expectations. When Southington wins, she’ll get the praise, but if they lose “everyone is looking at you.”

That was not a problem for Savage, who embraced all the challenges. And that allowed her to continue playing at the college level.

“She was super talented as a wide receiver,” Esmail said. “She naturally progressed through hard work in the offseason to be able to be the quarterback. Came back, took that on and said, ‘This is what I want to be.’ How she attacks the game, how she prepares for the game, works in the offseason sets the tone for our team as a whole. She embraces the challenge. She takes it on really well.”

Reece Archer Claims Right Field

Michelle Boisvert has only been head coach of Southington softball for one season. But she was well aware of what Archer brought to the diamond. A long-time assistant coach, Boisvert watched Archer battle through a knee injury her sophomore season. But the outfielder never backed down, coming back stronger in her quest to play at the highest level.

“You came back strong this past year,” Boisvert said. “You did a great job in the outfield. You kept going back and forth with that injury, but you fought through it. Because you knew there were better things ahead of you. And there certainly have been.”

At the plate, the head coach has been impressed by Archer’s ability to let things go and take the at-bat one pitch at a time. In right field, Boisvert commends the senior’s arm and speed. But most of all, Archer is always willing to put her body on the line and track down any ball. As Boisvert told Archer in her speech, “Right field is yours, you own it.”

“The most important thing about you is you don’t hesitate,” Boisvert said. “You decide to go for a ball, you go for it. Not like you say, ‘Should I, should I not?’ It’s always, ‘I’m going for it.’ You dive for every ball and that is a tremendous thing to do.” You do it and you do it well, you’re not afraid to do it. When you run and get a ball, you’re going to get it.”

Ever since she started playing softball, Archer wanted to compete at the college level. With her commitment to AIC, she’ll be playing alongside her sister Delaney. She is excited to reunite and see how her game translates to the next level.

“As soon as I started playing softball I knew that I wanted to take it to the next level after high school,” Archer said. “It has always been my dream to play in college. Now I’ll be playing with my sister at AIC. I’m just really excited to see what’s to come.”

As she prepares for her final season with the Blue Knights, Archer won’t forget how much growth she experienced. Working with Boisvert and former coach Davina Hernandez, Archer found herself as an athlete and person.

“I’ll always remember how I came into this program, not knowing nearly as much as I know now,” Archer said. “Both Coach Michelle and Coach Davina have really helped me become a better player, a better person as well as an athlete. Looking back to when I was a freshman to now, it’s a huge difference.”

Alexa Poutouves Finds Herself Through Softball

Originally a gymnast, Alexa Poutouves didn’t begin playing softball until she was 11. She knew she wanted to play sports and have exercise be a core part of life. Through softball, she found everything she wanted and more.

“It’s making younger me proud,” Poutouves said of being a college athlete. “I didn’t start softball when I was little like a lot of girls. I always wanted to keep sports around me, exercise has always been something I’ve really enjoyed. I really found my love for it through softball. I’m just really happy to be able to continue doing what I love in the next four years of my life.”

Once at the high school level though, Poutouves was forced to make another big chance. She switched positions from catcher to outfield. Boisvert commended her willingness to do so and how well she adapted to the switch.

“Sometimes that’s a really hard thing to do. You’re used to being in one position and now you’re playing another,” Boisvert said. “You sacrificed for your teammates, you were the best person we could put in that position.”

Once in center field, Poutouves went to work. She would train tirelessly on whatever was necessary, from footwork to catching the ball over her shoulders. In the batter’s box, Boisvert complimented Poutouves’ fight. She never has to worry about the senior battling off pitches or hustling down the line.

Moreso, Boisvert knows that Poutouves believes in herself. Now a leader in center field, she has become a strength of the Blue Knights.

“You’re the centerfielder, you communicate, you back up your other athletes, you’re always positive,” Boisvert said. “When you call for the ball, you’re loud, you’re clear and you’re going to catch it. Because you know you can. You’re the centerfielder, that’s your job and you do a good job of it.”

As she prepares to play for Bentley, Poutouves won’t forget how competitive her time with Southington was. She’ll be taking that drive with her to college.

“Here, sports are very high level, very competitive,” Poutouves said. “I hope to take that with me as I continue at Bentley.”

Rocco Davino Named Captain Before College Jump

Southington baseball opens their season, Rocco Davino will be the Blue Knights’ ace. Once Southern learned of his commitment, head coach Stan Switala said that program was already calling him with messages of excitement. He thinks Davino is in a place to continue succeeding at the next level.

“Super excited for Rocco,” Switala said. “He’s going to be our workhorse this year, he’s our No. 1 guy coming in. He pitches the big games for us. I think Southern is a perfect fit for him.”

Alongside his work on the mound, Davino will also be Southington’s captain. Switala has the outgoing captains nominate one player to take over the role. Davino was their choice – one he endorsed fully.

“They get one choice and he was their choice. He would’ve been our choice as well,” Switala said. “His leadership skills are great. The kids respect him. It helps that he’s the No. 1 pitcher and a bulldog on the mound. Everybody wants to follow him. I’m really excited he’s going to be our captain, it’s a good pick.”

For Davino, the senior is excited to continue playing in a competitive baseball environment. Furthermore, he knows Southern will offer him another opportunity to shine.

“It means the world,” Davino said. “After a long recruiting process, long high school years it feels amazing to know that I have a place to play for the next four years where I can play and where baseball is competitive. It feels wonderful.”

He’ll never forget his four years with the Blue Knights though. Southington helped mold him into the player he is now. Davino wouldn’t have it any other way.

“The guys. I love the coaching staff. I love my teammates. I love everything about this program,” Davino said. “I think this program has really made me the player I’ve become today. It taught me everything I know. I’m extremely grateful for the past three years I’ve had here and the one coming up this year.”

Southington is planning to hold two more signing days before the end of the school year, one in February, and one in April or May.