The Law boys tennis season begins on April 5. (Photo courtesy @editsbynxg)

By Henry Smith – Staff Reporter

The Law boys tennis team is gearing up for its spring season.

The team is led by senior captains Dean O’Donnell and Sean Luxeder. 

“My goal for the team is to make States and go farther than we did last year,” Head Coach Mr. Wood said. “We need some players to take on new roles. If this happens we will be successful.”

The team is focused on making the State Tournament again this season.

“Competing at States is our biggest goal,” Luxeder said. “We should be more improved from last year.”

The team starts their season April 5 at Xavier.

“I’m very excited for the season to start,” junior Santiago Peganos said. 

Preparing for their first match, the team is motivated, focused and ready to take on the challenges ahead.

The team’s young players are expected to play a large role this season. With a mix of experienced upperclassmen and rising underclassmen the roster has good potential.

“I’m looking forward to big improvements from our sophomore and juniors,” Wood said. “I think that good leadership from captains Sean Luxedor and Dean O’Donnell will help us.”

With strong leadership, young talent, and a clear goal in mind, the team is prepared to make a statement this season.

“I think that we can make States and compete with other schools,” O’Donnell said. “The team looks good this year.”

The team finished their season 9-11 last year and hopes to improve this year. This year, they aim to win the close matches and strengthen their overall play.

“The goal for the season is to make States and improve our players skills,” sophomore Pierce Marini said.

The team has welcomed a few new players this season looking to make an impact. 

“I’m excited for my first season with the tennis team,” sophomore Arnav Saxena said. “I’m ready to work hard and help the team succeed.”

(Photo by @edits.by.ethan)

By Dani Kotansky – Staff Reporter 

The Jonathan Law baseball team has been preparing for months to get back out on the field in 2025. 

The first varsity game scheduled for 12:00 at Ludlowe on April 5. The captains for this season are seniors Michael Merchant, Christian Galligan, and Alex Rodriguez. 

“Our number one goal going into every season is to qualify for the CIAC State Tournament,” Head Coach Mr. Simler said. “Every team needs to win at least eight games to automatically qualify, so we set our sights on getting to eight wins as soon as possible.”

Senior captain Christian Galligan is ready to take the field and be there for his team. 

“I’m very excited to hopefully return to being someone every pitcher knows they can depend on defensively, and hopefully improve more offensively,” Galligan said. 

Sophomore Aiden Ramos is also looking forward to returning to a positive playing environment.

“I am looking forward to getting back on the field with my teammates,” Ramos said. “We have a lot to prove this season after losing a tough game in the state semifinals last year.”

The varsity team’s first home game is set for 3:45 against Career on April 7. (For the whole schedule, check out @lawmenbaseball on Instagram.)

Freshman Logan Soulsby is excited to join the team and experience high school baseball.

“I am looking forward to working with the team and growing as a player,” Soulsby said. 

The team will face off against cross-town rival Foran April 19 (away) and May 20 (home). Some other home games include Fairfield Prep, Lyman Hall, Shelton, and West Haven. 

“I’m really excited to play with my teammates and have a great time on the field,” freshman Aaryan Doshi said. “I can’t wait for the season.”

While numerous players have personal goals for the season, there are goals set for the team, especially when it comes to offense. 

“Going into this season we are looking to improve upon our run production on offense,” Simler said. “We have been swinging the bats very well in the pre-season and are hoping to see an increase in the number of runs we score per game.”

Most importantly, the team looks to have fun and work hard this season. 

“The team atmosphere is very energetic and fun, but when it comes time to be serious everyone locks in and focuses,” Ramos said.

(Photo courtesy @JLHSTrack)

By Brady O’Neil – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law boys outdoor track team is gearing up for an exciting 2025 season, looking to build on last year’s success.

With many returning athletes, the team is determined to keep improving and competing at a high level throughout the season.

One of the biggest accomplishments from last season was the progress made by the throwers. Several new athletes joined the group and worked hard to improve, and their dedication paid off. This year, they are focused on refining their form to achieve even greater distances. 

“The team has many athletes qualified for States and Regional performances,” junior Dylan Hurley said. “Now it’s all about doing better at those meets, hopefully winning and going All-SCC or All-State.”

The 4x400M relay continues to be one of the team’s strongest events. The athletes competing in this race push themselves to the limit, showing their commitment to the team and their desire to win. 

“These athletes perform so well because they are devoted to the team and want to win while giving their all,” junior Ryan Nobles said. “With a strong group of sprinters and hard work in practice, we are all hoping to make a big impact in relay events this season.”

Logan Mullarkey, one of the team’s top sprinters, had an impressive indoor season, running a 6.85 in the 55M dash and qualifying for states. Now, he has his sights set on even bigger goals for outdoor track. 

“For outdoor, my goal is to hit low to mid-11s in the 100M dash and keep improving in the 200M as well,” said Mullarkey

The jumpers are also looking to improve in their respective categories.

“I jump, so my coaches are very critical with my form, and we concentrate on correcting the little things first so by the end of the season I’m fine-tuned and polished,” junior David Guery said. “Small adjustments can make a big difference, and I’m focused on making every jump count”.

As the season progresses, the team is working hard to sharpen their skills in all events, including sprints, distance, long jump, discus, and javelin. 

“We plan to maintain and enhance our competitiveness throughout the season by improving our form for all of our events and doing our best to keep pushing ourselves to higher standards to achieve faster times and farther distances,”  senior Kevin Lembo said.

As the season progresses, everyone is looking to improve their scores and become better athletes. The team is patiently waiting for its season to start and is prepared to make the most of it. 

Junior Captain Avery Mouklton (Photo courtesy yearbookavenue.com)

By Taylor Coretti – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law girls track team is starting off its season on a positive note and has been practicing for their upcoming meets everyday. 

The girls have have been very successful over the past few years, breaking personal records, and reaching a goal every team has – qualifying for SCCs and States. Head Coach Corriveau loves to coach the girls, and enjoys celebrating and helping them reach their accomplishments.

“My favorite part about coaching is watching students improve every season,” Coach Corriveau said. “It’s always rewarding to see how all of the effort and dedication can pay off with every new PR.”

Junior Captain Charlotte Baldieri participates in the 100M and the 4x100M. She has a few goals in mind for this season that she hopes she can reach. 

“My goals for the season are to break my own record of 13.1 seconds in my 100M and for our 4x100M team to make States again this year,” Baldieri said.

Junior Captain Avery Moulton participates in the 4x800M and the 800M. She can’t wait to participate in the meets and she is looking forward to being a mentor for the incoming freshman who haven’t had this experience before. 

“This season I am looking forward to the meets,” Moulton said. “I am excited to make new friends and help the freshman learn about track and the different events.”

Junior Molly Croce participates in the open 100M, 4x100M, and the 4x400M. She is looking forward to improving her skills and competing against other SCC teams. 

“This season, I am looking forward to improving my running skills and getting faster times,” Croce said. “I am also looking forward to the relays, which are very fun, and we have a lot of strong runners which is great for the relays.”

Sophomore Talia Hagan participates in the 4x400M and wants to compete in the 4x100M. She is looking forward to finding out her new teammates she can race with.

“One thing I am looking forward to this season are new possibilities for relay teams,” Hagan said. “We have had quite a few legs leave, and I am interested to see who will fill them.”

Senior Tyler Davis (Photo courtesy yearbookavenue.com)

By Dylan Gaillard – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law boys lacrosse team is looking forward to its upcoming spring season. 

The two senior captains, Tyler Davis and Evan Nash, are looking to make a huge impact on Law’s season this year.

“As captain, I have been talking with the team to try to make the game more respectful,” Davis said. “The whole team is working their hardest and improving each other every day.”

Nash said the team has spent time together in the offseason to prep for the spring.

“As a team, we’ve had captains’ practices where we’ve done some shooting, passing and just bonding because without a tight team, you don’t have trust and trust is the most important thing,” Nash said. “We also had team lifts to get everyone stronger and prepare ourselves for the challenges ahead throughout the season.”

Last season, the team went 6-11 and is looking to continue to improve this year.

“The boy’s lacrosse team is expecting to continue to build on the progress made from the 2024 season,” Head Coach Frank Skawinski said. “The boys won six games last year, which was double the wins from the season before.”

The Lawmen have several goals and expectations for their upcoming season. 

“I am expecting seven wins or more this year, which would get us into States,” sophomore Alex Konlian said. “I’m also expecting to beat Foran for the first time, and I also expect that we not only grow as teammates but as family.”

Law also wants to get back into the CIAC State playoffs this season like they have in years past.

“We are aiming to qualify for the CIAC State playoffs this season,” Skawinski said. “We also want to increase our goal output from last season (6.125 per game last year) by four goals per game.”

Law graduated five seniors, but that isn’t stopping them from expecting a successful season. 

“We have a very strong senior class this year, led by captains Tyler Davis and Evan Nash,” Skawinski said. “We are expecting to compete in every game we play and are instilling the motivation of outworking every opponent we play.”

The Lawmen have done a lot to be ready for their upcoming season.

“Our team has had lots of conditioning to get ourselves in shape for the season,” Konlian said. “We have also been hitting the wall to get more practice.”

(Photo courtesy @lawsoftball)

By Christian Galligan – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law softball team is looking forward to the upcoming spring season.

The girls open the season on April 5 and they have high hopes when they face Trumbull at home.

“A huge goal for us that we have been working on since September is building a strong culture that will result in the girls playing for each other rather than themselves with the TEAM mindset being at the forefront of everything we do,” Head Coach Mrs. Blude said.  “We are excited to watch the direction this particular group of girls has taken.”

Senior Haley Stroffolino is one of three captains for this year’s team, alongside two juniors, Charlotte Doyle and Emily Roos. This is the athletes’ first year as captains, and they’re confident they can work together to get the team where they want to go.  

“We’ve kept the team engaged by getting together every month since school started, we did team bonding activities,” Stroffolino said.  “We’ve also had pasta parties to keep everyone excited and we are going to have one pasta party every week to keep the chemistry going.”

The key to this year’s team will be getting the underclassmen involved. Freshman Gabby Rodriguez is the new starting shortstop and is very excited for her opportunities. 

“I am expecting to be a part of a really strong team because we have both talent and chemistry to succeed,” Rodriguez said.  “I am hoping for a very good season while having a lot of fun with my new team.”

The Law softball team has been working very hard in the offseason to get the underclassmen ready on and off the field.

“Something I have done in the offseason to help lead my team along with other captains was working closely with the underclassmen, especially the Freshman to lay out the standards and expectations of playing Law softball,” Doyle said.

Blude emphasized Law’s depth at every position. The team is confident at every position, from the backups to the starters.  

“Each and every one of them have been working really hard this year, more than ever,” Blude said. “We have options at every position and they continue to push each other in practice, bringing out the best in each other.”

The team is very excited for the season and to see how far they can advance in the SCC and State tournaments.

“Our team’s goals are to always help each other, pick each other up and hold each other accountable,” senior Madyson Bull said. “This will help us grow as a team together and knowing we have each other’s backs will help us have more success on the way to SCCs and States.” 

Sophomore Aiden Ramos (Photo courtesy Aiden Ramos)

By Amilio Venditti –  Staff Reporter

With the baseball season in full swing, sophomore catcher Aiden Ramos continues to make a name for himself as one of Law’s standout players.

Over the years, Ramos has evolved into a well rounded athlete, constantly working hard to reach new heights and goals. His growth has been shown in all aspects of his game.

“He has sharpened every part of his game, both offensively and defensively,” Assistant Coach Mr. McPartland said. “His hitting and base running offensively, in addition to his work behind the plate and his arm, have grown tremendously, not to mention his overall baseball IQ has certainly skyrocketed with his increased experience.”

For Ramos, one of the biggest influences on his baseball career was a former travel ball coach who continued to help him improve.

“My biggest influence is one of my old travel ball coaches,” Ramos said. “He has taught me so much about the game and how to be a better player. I still work with him to this day, and he is always giving me ways to improve as a player.”

Junior teammate Brady O’Neil, who has played with Ramos since childhood, spoke about their friendship and Ramos’ impact on the team.

“I’ve been playing with Aiden since I was eight years old,” O’Neil said. “He’s been one of my best friends for years, and being able to grow up and play with him is one of my favorite things to be a part of.”

Beyond his own achievements, Ramos has become a leader for the team, setting a high standard through his actions and work ethic.

“Even though Aiden is only a 10th grader, he shows leadership qualities,” Head Coach Mr. Simler said. “One of the things he does to show this is his work ethic and effort every day. He leads by example.”

His presence on the field brings confidence to his teammates, especially in tense moments.

“It’s great, he’s someone you can always count on, on the field,” senior Christian Galligan said. “If there’s ever a tough situation, he’s the guy I want handling it.”

Like a lot of other athletes, Ramos has a pre-game ritual that he has had since childhood.

“One day when I was 11, I ate a bag of Haribo gummy bears before a game and I hit two home runs,” Ramos said. “Ever since that game, it stuck with me.”

Sophomore Selena Batres was a State Open champion for the second year in a row this season. (Photo courtesy Jack Lilly)

By Kayla Markowitz – Editor-In-Chief

Jonathan Law sophomore Selena Batres recently her second wrestling season on March 9 at the New England Women’s Championship where she earned All-New England honors. 

Batres pinned down an impressive season with a record of 20-0 against girls in Connecticut, a 24-2 record in New England, and a 70-34 record overall, wrestling both boys and girls. Beyond her record, Batres is a two-time State Champion, a Queen of the Mat Champion, and a fourth-place finisher in both the SCC and New England tournaments. 

“Selena is an extremely determined and resilient wrestler,” Assistant Coach Mr. Ruzbarsky said. “I can’t wait to see what she does in the next two years.”

Batres’ hard work this year paid off during the postseason. She also gives credit to those around her for helping her get to where she is today.

“I am inspired to be a female wrestler at Law by the support of my teammates and my coaches,” Batres said. “My accomplishments also drive me to work hard in practice every day.”

Reflecting on her season, Batres acknowledges that her success also came with challenges.

“My best successes this season was getting my name on the banner again and getting my name on a new banner as well which I couldn’t have done without my coaches and my parents,” Batres said. “Some challenges this season were having to wrestle boys.”

Looking forward to her next season, Batres has her sights set on even bigger accomplishments.

“I want to obtain 100 wins my junior year,” Batres said. “I also want to be a three-time State Champion and place higher at New Englands again.”

Throughout her season, Batres found support from her coaches, friends, and teammates — as well as Brayden Hancock’s mom’s after-weigh-in snacks. 

“I’m so glad I’ve been able to wrestle with Selena these past two seasons because she inspires me and is a great friend on and off the mat,” sophomore Nicoletta Pacific said.

Sophomore Taylor Mola was a member of Norwalk’s State Championship bowling team. (Photo courtesy Taylor Mola)

By Ava Grippo and Molly Lynch – News Editors

Jonathan Law sophomore Taylor Mola recently helped Norwalk High School win the CIAC State Bowling Championship. 

Mola has been bowling since she was seven years old. Bowling has been a tradition in her family for as long as she can remember.  

“My whole family bowls so I have always been bowling,” Mola said. “I kind of just got put into it, but as I got older, I started to grow a love for it and started taking it seriously.” 

Over the years, Mola’s scoring average has continued to climb. Her highest single game score was 274, and her highest series (total between three games) was 640. 

Years of practice culminated for Mola on March 8 when she and her Norwalk High School Co-Op teammates Mola won the CIAC Bowling Championship at the Bowlero Bowling Alley in Milford. 

“My teammates and I really had to focus and come together as a team to get through it,” Mola said. “It was really great to have a supportive team that all helped each other when someone was struggling.” 

For qualifying, each team had to bowl a total of 10 games. Norwalk finished with a score of 1955, earning them first place. 

Mola said she was proud of how her teammates battled throughout the day. 

“I definitely took a lot away from this,” Mola said. “There was a lot we could have improved on but one thing we did well was staying focused. We never let anything bad get to us.”

(Graphic courtesy Ella Franzman(

By Abigail Merenda – Staff Reporter 

The Law girls and boys basketball teams recently came together to host a pair of Coaches vs. Cancer charity games.

Many coaches, parents, and players put time into the event to make it something bigger than just another regular basketball game. 

Assistant boys basketball coach Mr. McPartland said the game had a special meaning for the team.

“We think it’s important for our players to understand that everything is bigger than just basketball,” Mcpartland said. “The ‘Pink’ game is something that we have been doing for quite some time and is our way to give back to a cause that’s important to us – cancer research. This year, Coach Anderson connected with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and from there, we encouraged our team and school community to participate in fundraising efforts. Ultimately, we hope that by participating in Coaches vs. Cancer, our players not only develop as athletes but also as leaders who understand the value of giving back.” 

Assistant girls basketball coach Ms. Healy said that the team’s win over Foran made the Coaches vs. Cancer game even more memorable.

“The games were great,” Healy said. “We had a stellar performance against Foran and came out with a solid win. The team played really hard and cohesively and executed at a high level to end our regular season with a big win over our cross-town rival.”

The game had special meaning for Law girls basketball captain Ella Franzman.

“Playing in the Breast Cancer Awareness game is always super rewarding and there’s lots of pressure, especially since the game is also against Foran,” Franzman said. “For me playing in the game is super emotional as my grandfather passed away from breast cancer and was a very well-known girls basketball coach in the town of Milford.” 

Senior Captain Cam Upchurch said he was proud to be a part of the event. 

“Playing in a game for charity makes it special and meaningful,” Upchurch said. “We know that the game is for a good cause and all the proceeds we help bring in money for something good.”

Senior Captain Taylor Coretti was happy to play in a game that also that spread awareness for an important cause.

“I enjoy playing in games for charity because it feels good to be supporting a cause,” Senior Captain Taylor Coretti said. “I think bringing awareness through sports is so fun and helpful because it gives people a chance to donate to a cause while also enjoying watching us play.”

Paige Kantor (Photo courtesy yearbookavenue.com)

By Madison Krauss – Staff Reporter

Senior Co-Captain Paige Kantor recently closed out the 2024-2025 gymnastics season by being named All-SCC. 

Kantor played a key role in leading the Law gymnastics team to a runner-up finish in the recent SCC Tournament, alongside senior Co-Captain Olivia Pisacane. Their leadership was crucial in helping the team achieve a strong season.

“I think we got off on a rocky start at the beginning of the season and we weren’t scoring our best,” Kantor said. “As the season progressed we all got better and competed better, helping us end up making states which was really exciting.”

Kantor competed in every event at meets this past season. Her consistent participation across all events highlighted her dedication to the team and her determination to contribute to its successes. 

“One of my biggest accomplishments for this year was making the SCC team, along with placing fourth at the SCC meet on vault,” Kantor said. 

Kantor served as a strong role model for her teammates throughout the season, offering guidance and support whenever needed. Making a safe and welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and encouraged.

“Paige is always motivating everyone to do their best no matter what,” sophomore Ashna Punjabi said. “She always makes sure everyone feels supported and confident in their skills.”

Kantor’s dedication to the team is truly evident in everything she does, her teammates said. Her commitment and hard work are constantly recognized and appreciated by the the team’s underclassmen.

“Paige is a very hard worker that is supportive and positive towards others,” sophomore Lily Stankevich said. 

Law gymnastics has qualified for State competitions each of the past four seasons. The team is determined to continue this success and aims to make States in the seasons ahead. 

(Photo courtesy Law Boys Basketball)

By Connor Ryan – Staff Reporter 

The Law boys basketball team recently finished off the winter season with a record of 7-13.

The senior captains of this year’s team were Alex Rodriguez, Cam Upchurch, and Charlie Becker. The captains thought the season went unexpectedly well after posting a 4-16 record a year ago.

“I think the season this year went better than many people expected,” Rodriguez said “We had some really fun, intense, and exciting games.”

Assistant Coach Mr. McPartland said that Law will use this season’s outcome as fuel for next year.

“If you lose your very last game of the year, it’s the worst day of the season by far,” McPartland said “However, I do think it’s important to hold onto that feeling a bit and use it to fuel the work we do in the offseason.” 

Upchurch said his most enjoyable game this season was at Branford.

“The most enjoyable game for me was probably Branford away,” Upchurch said “It was a great team win and it was fun before the game and a great bus ride home.”

Becker he enjoyed all of the games as well as watching his younger teammates play.

“I didn’t have one most enjoyable game,” Becker said. “I enjoyed all the games in general, I liked watching the young kids play JV and freshman ball, and lastly, I loved the group of kids we had on this varsity team.”

The Law basketball team is a very young team and returning members are excited to see even more improvement next season.

“We have lots of young players in the program on the JV team as well as the varsity team,” freshman Dylan Gaillard said. “On this year’s team we had six seniors and we had seven non-senior players on varsity.”

McPartland thought that the captains did a wonderful job being the leaders on this year’s team. They made the underclassmen feel welcome and at home.

“A huge part of what we do revolves around the standards we have for each other and how we do things., McPartland said “The upperclassmen have not only modeled what we expect from our players on the court in terms of doing the little things how we hardly play etc… but they have also shown them what it means to be a Lawman to put other people first into care deeply about the community of which we are a part.”

Charlotte Baldieri and Maddie Nash (Photo courtesy Law Cheerleading)

By Taylor Mola – Staff Reporter

As the 2024-2025 Law cheerleading season comes to a close, junior Charlotte Baldieri and sophomore Maddie Nash are enjoying a very strong, successful finish.

Baldieri and Nash were judged based on their performance at the recent SCC Cheerleading competition and were named to the All-SCC Team. As a team, Law also had a great performance, placing ninth.

“It feels like a big accomplishment to make All-SCC,” Baldieri said. “Ï didn’t have this opportunity last year so it’s very new to me.”

Baldieri and Nash practiced different drills four times a week to prepare for the competition.

“It feels really well to make All-SCC,” Nash said. “I know that everything that I have had worked on for months finally pays off. I really want to work on getting stronger and grow my tumbling.”

They will both now turn their attention to what they need to improve on for next year’s competition season.

“Next season I would want to have cleaner tumbling,” Baldieri said. “It would help my teams score and my individual SCC score overall.”

The pair has been taking notes and making plans for what they need to improve on. They also want to continue to grow as leaders of the Law cheer team on and off the mat.

“We prepare as any other team would, by consistently working on improving and perfecting our skills,” Head Coach Morgan Colombo said. “In our case, when stunting, you must work as a team and stunt group. If one person not do their job, then the whole stunt falls. We work on consistency and improving our level of difficulty.”

The cheer team is eager for its last competition of the season this weekend. They will be competing at the State Tournament on March 1 at Trumbull High School.

Nash is excited to end the year on a positive note.

“This season was really fun and I cant wait for next season to see what new people bring to the team,” Nash said.

(Photo courtesy Madi Franklin)

By Brady O’Neil – Staff Reporter

After a two-year rebuild, the Jonathan Law girls basketball team is back and better than ever.

With a strong team mentality and a lot of hard work, Law won 13 games, qualified for States, and are now preparing for a big run in the State Tournament.

“It wasn’t an easy season for the team,” Senior Captain Lily Baird said. “We wanted to make a statement after last year and our record of 10-10 after a tough 0-20 year before. We wanted to be great this year, and once we figured out how to work together and play for the team and not just ourselves, we got to where we wanted to be.”

One of the biggest turning points of the season was Law’s dominant 17-point win over Foran at home. It was a game that proved just how far the team had come.

“Beating Foran at home by 17 was a great display of how strong our team is when we all work together,” Senior Captain Tessa Piselli saod. “It showed what we are capable of, and it was definitely a game that gave us confidence heading into the rest of the season.”

That confidence has helped Law put together one of its best seasons in recent years. But none of it has been easy; the players and coaches have put in hours of hard work every day in practice to keep improving.

“Our coaches have continued to push us throughout practice, and as we enter states, we have all been putting in hard work,” Senior Captain Ella Franzman said. “We know that nothing is guaranteed, and if we want to make a deep run, we have to give everything we have and work together as a team and not individually.”

The players are proud of how much they’ve improved. While there were plenty of great moments throughout the season, the Foran game stands out as the one that proved their growth.

“Our record displays our hard work paying off,” Coretti said. “Our Foran win at home was our most rewarding moment from this season. It showed everyone our improvement as a team.”

Now, all eyes are on the State Tournament. Law feels ready to take on the challenge.

“Working together as a team has helped us get the results we want,” Senior Captain Chloe Konareski said. “We have a great lineup for states, and we are hoping to make it past the first round. We have been working really hard at practice to make this happen.”

Dylan Gaillard (Photo courtesy Nathan Galicinao)

By Reid Moulton – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law boys basketball team finished their season with a 7-13 record with a freshman on varsity playing a key role.

Freshman Dylan Gaillard had spent most of the season playing varsity and helped the team by being one of the first players off the bench and contributing with a game-winning three-pointer against Guilford at home.

“I tried to be the best version of myself for the team, and fulfill my role and help us be the most successful team we could be,” Gaillard said. “During the offseason, I’ll prepare for the next season, practicing and working harder and really focusing on being the best player I could be and helping the team be even more successful.”

Assistant Coach Mr. McPartland has helped Gaillard throughout the JV and varsity seasons, helping him become a better player as the year progressed.

“Dylan was dealing with a knee injury for the first week or two of the season, once he came back, he quickly moved up from freshman to JV and then to both JV and varsity; however, upon returning from his injury, Dylan brought a spark of energy to practices and games. He communicated well with his coaches and always challenged his teammates to be the best versions of themselves at practices – after all, iron sharpens iron,” McPartland said. “One thing about Dylan is that he’s always looking to get better, he improved a ton throughout the season from his shot-making to the mental side of the game, he was always asking questions about what he could do better and it was clear that he’s looking to make a big impact and I’m looking forward to seeing the work he does in the offseason.”

Senior Captain Alex Rodriguez helped Gaillard with his seasonal playing style, while both helping each other become the better version of themselves.

“Dylan really stepped up in his freshman year, bringing the energy and a much needed shooter this season,” Rodriguez said. “As a freshman, Dylan showed leadership with his work ethic in practices and games, as well as his support and encouragement.”

Senior Captain Cam Upchurch, who was a freshman starter earlier in his career, helped Gaillard get through the season. The two had an early connection with each other which helped as the season went on.

“Dylan contributed to the team by bringing great shooting and leadership off the bench,” Upchurch said. “He was a leader for the freshman and the younger guys because he is a freshman so he relates better with younger players, especially since he spent time on all three of the levels, freshman, JV, and varsity.” 

Sophomore Matthew Wittiman, a freshman starter for part of the season last year, also formed a bond with Gaiilard.

“Dylan contributed in some crucial moments,” Witteman said. “He helped out in every way, whenever people needed he was there for them. He brought a very positive attitude and was always ready to get after it which is important for leadership.”

(Photo courtesy @JLHSAthletics)

By Kishal Shah – Staff Reporter

Law’s gymnastics team recently wrapped up a successful winter season by placing at the SCC Tournament.  

As the season came to a close, the gymnasts reflected on their season and their individual and team accomplishments. 

Senior Co-Captains Paige Kantor and Olivia Pisacane played a vital role in helping to lead the other gymnasts through the season and boosting the team’s morale. Kantor’s main goal as a senior gymnast and leader was to set a positive team environment and promote a fun and collaborative environment. 

“As a leader and fellow athlete to the underclassmen, I hope they learned that the most important thing in Law gymnastics is to have fun, and bond with each other,” Kantor said. “I wanted them to know that there is no reason to get stressed out from a bad score or a bad routine so they should just have fun with it.”

Kantor acknowledged that the most vital part of a productive team dynamic is to always support your teammates.  

“I hope they learned to be very supportive of other gymnasts and teams and to always work hard,” Kantor said. 

Kantor’s favorite aspect about meet days was that they allowed for the opportunity for team bonding.

“My favorite part of meet days was definitely when the whole team would eat our sandwiches together before the meet,” Kantor said. “ I wouldn’t say I had any personal rituals, but as a team we would always wait to be the last team to do our cheer before we competed. It gave us good energy, hyped us up, and was sort of a good luck charm for our team!”

Pisacane feels very satisfied with her individual and team performance this season and over the past four years. 

“I did accomplish what I wanted,” Pisacane said. “It’s been amazing watching the team grow the past four years and each year seeing the new gymnast come in.”

Even though Pisacane was injured for most of the season, she had the opportunity to watch her fellow teammates achieve major milestones this season.

“Personally, I was injured most of the season and was not able to compete a lot,” Pisacane said. “However, I loved watching teammates achieve their records and achievements.” 

Junior Hailey Zapata has one more year left on the team, and as this season ends, she is focused on setting future goals for the upcoming season. 

“I wish to have a fun season next year with the team and just make the best out of my last season,” Zapata said. “I strive to do my best and challenge myself, but more importantly I want to enjoy my last year.”

As a freshman, Abbi Leydon felt very welcomed as a newcomer to the team, and remembered feeling a sense of reassurance knowing that the upperclassmen and sophomores were welcoming to her.

“The team is always positive and supporting others, cheering each other on and always happy and in a good mood,” Leydon said. “They’re very welcoming and funny and always know how to make anyone laugh. Some memories I remember are funny TikTok’s on the bus and (Head Coach) Mr. Simon always had a smiley face clipboard and would always hold it up when we would compete to make us laugh and be happy not nervous.”

Will Smith (Photo courtesy Henry Smith)

By Henry Smith – Staff Reporter

Senior wrestling captain Will Smith recently placed second at the SCC Tournament and third at Class Ms and hopes to continue his success into the upcoming State Open Tournament.

Smith has had lots of success this season with a record of 32 wins and 17 loses. He has placed in three out of the four tournaments the team has participated in, third in the Berlin Invitational, second in the SCC Tournament, and third in the Class M Tournament.

“I can attribute my success this season to a couple things such as my teammates and coaches who push me to be my absolute best,” Smith said.

Smith hopes to make the “Blood Round” at the State Open Tournament and place in the Top 6 at the 190 pound weight class.

At the Class M Tournament, Smith placed third, losing to the eventual champion. He wrestled the whole tournament with a cold.

Smith wrestled all offseason with Team Tugman wrestling club. He traveled to Penn State and other places to wrestle the best of the best and improve himself.

“Ever since Will started wrestling in the offseason he has improved by gaining more skills and pursuing his goals,” senior Tim Firla said.

Smith’s coaches have been with him throughout his years wrestling and have helped him the most.

“Throughout my wrestling career my coaches have helped me the most,” Smith said, “After wrestling for a little less than seven years they’ve always been in my corner.”

Smith exemplified his captain role after his placement in the Berlin invitational. He sets a good example for the team on how to practice.

“If he asks me to do something I listen; he sets an example of how to practice,” junior Santiago Peganos said. ”He has helped me improve my own wrestling skills by being a good example.”

Smith has helped the team by making new and less experienced wrestlers push themselves and become better.

“Will pushed me when I thought I had nothing left and made me try over and over until I did the moves correctly,” junior Max Steele said.

Smith’s height gives him an advantage when on the mat. 

“Will is so tall it is hard to do any moves on him,” sophomore Alex Morillo said. “It helps me by trying new styles and techniques, it really challenges me.” 

Faisal Karzoun (Photo courtesy Faisal Karzoun)

By Dylan Gaillard – Staff Reporter 

Senior captain Faisal Karzoun is a sprinter for the Jonathan Law boys indoor track and field team.

Karzoun led the team to an incredibly successful season.

“I think the team exceeded expectations this season,” Karzoun said. “We lost a lot of seniors last year, which is always pretty hard to overcome, but we did.”

Karzoun is a strong leader and pushes his teammates to be the best they can be. 

“He is a positive role model and starts practice with stretching and talking to really connect to his teammates,” Assistant Coach Liam Fedigan said. “By him being one of the best it makes people naturally look up to him and want to learn from him and become one of the best up there with him.”

Karzoun puts a lot of work in during the offseason and pushes himself to compete at a high level during the season. 

“What I did to train for the upcoming season was work my hardest in practice,” Karzoun said. “Also anytime I had the time I would try to get to the track.”

Karzoun is an accomplished sprinter but that isn’t his only ability. He is commended for learning on the fly and taking advice from coaches. 

“He is a positive role model and starts practice with stretching and talking to really connect to his teammates,” Fedigan said. “By him being one of the best it makes people naturally look up to him and want to learn from him and become one of the best up there with him.”

Karzoun is always reliable, rarely making mistakes. But even when he makes mistakes, he doesn’t let them get to his head and let it affect his game. 

“Almost every meet I’ve seen him PR and if he doesn’t he pushes people to their best and by him being positive and happy jumping around and hyping people up,” Nash said. “But he can be very serious when he needs to be but funny when necessary.”

Karzoun said he always tries to support the underclassmen. 

“Faisal has helped me improve by giving helpful tips and always supporting me,” sophomore Logan Mullarkey said. “He makes me want to work harder by pushing me to my limits.”

(Photo courtesy yearbookavenue.com)

By Christian Galligan – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law wrestling team has concluded their regular season with a dual meet record of 18-18, and now hopes to storm into States and finish the season even stronger than it started.

Although unexpected challenges have arisen throughout the season, the team holds out hope that its preseason goal of qualifying four to five wrestlers for State Opens will be met.

“Thus far, the season has gone slightly below expected in terms of our overall record – we finished the season with a dual meet record of 18-18 overall which wasn’t the goal we’d been trying to achieve,” Head Coach Mr. Schoonmaker said. “With that being said, we continue our preseason goal of having four to five Class M place winners.”

The team has been reliant on its upperclassmen and has had great success leaning on their seniors, especially their captains.  

“I believe my season as an individual has gone extremely well. I ended with a record of 33-15, placed second at SCC, and placed third in Class Ms,” Senior Captain Will Smith said. “As a team, I believe we performed up to our coach’s expectations, but I believe we could’ve done better in some areas.”

The upperclassmen have led the way and leave the team with high expectations for next year. 

“I feel like I will use this season as motivation for next year,” sophomore Amilio Venditti said.  “The seniors have helped the underclassmen discover what they’re capable of, and helped the team connect on another level.”

Not only have the underclassmen realized the success the upperclassmen have brought to the team, but fellow upperclassmen also acknowledge and recognize their teammates’ contributions  to a successful season. 

“I feel the seniors have been able to display what being a member of the Jonathan Law wrestling team means, on and off the mat,” senior Tim Firla said.

The team was led by seniors but also relied on the hard work and dedication of some underclassmen.

“At state qualifiers, we should have a few wrestlers make the State Open,” sophomore Henry Smith said.  “Senior Brayden Hancock, senior Will Smith, and sophomore Amilio Venditti have put in hard work all season for this tournament.”

The team remains excited for the State Tournament and the noise they feel they are capable of making.

Amilio Venditti (Photo courtesy yearbookavenue.com)

By Aiden Ramos – Staff Reporter 

With the 2024-2025 wrestling season now concluded, sophomore Amilio Venditti is reflecting on a strong finish to his year.

Venditti was a key contributor to the squad this season, and his hard work and determination were evident in both practice and competition.

Building on a solid freshman campaign, Venditti pushed to surpass his previous accomplishments, but was one win short from going back to State Opens. Last year, he placed sixth at the Class M State Championship, a performance that earned him a spot in the State Opens.

“During practice, Amilio always puts in his best effort,” sophomore wrestler Henry Smith said. “His effort and focus during practice makes his teammates want to work harder”

Venditti’s dedication paid off on the mat. As a freshman, he posted a respectable 28-22 record. This season, he made noticeable improvements, finishing with a 30-12 record. With his strong performance, he reached the 30-win mark an impressive feat for any high school wrestler, let alone a sophomore.

“As a first-year freshman last year, he placed 6th at Class M’s, and qualified for State Opens,” senior Peter Gill said. 

Venditti’s leadership qualities gained recognition among his teammates. His commitment and example set a high standard for others to follow.

“Amilio is just one of those guys and you can see that he is leading by example and putting in the work where others don’t,” Senior Captain Will Smith said. 

With the season now behind him, Venditti remains focused on his future goals. His coaches took notice of his commitment to growth.

“Amilio is a hardworking and supportive teammate who pushes himself and others to improve,” Assistant Coach Mr. Ruzbarsky said. “He leads by example, showing dedication in training and competition. His positive energy and willingness to help others make him a strong presence in the team “ 

Looking beyond this season, Venditti hopes to be a contender for a state title before his high school career is over. For now, he reflects on his accomplishments while embracing every opportunity to improve and contribute to his team’s success in the coming years. 

“Unfortunately his season did not end as he and I would have liked as he was one match away from returning to the State Opens (lost in the Blood Round) but he had a successful season finishing with 30+ wins this season,” Head Coach Mr. Schoonmaker said. “I am extremely excited to have two more years to coach him.”

(Photo courtesy Nathan Galicinao)

By Amilio Venditti – Staff Reporter

With the 2024-2025 Law indoor track season recently completed, sophomore Logan Mullarkey Has his eyes set for the future. 

Mullarkey’s work ethic is one of his defining traits during this past season. During practice, he always gives his best effort, constantly pushing himself to his limits. Whether he’s sprinting or enduring intense drills, Mullarkey’s dedication is evident. 

“Logan is a very hard worker during practice and he always tries his hardest,” sophomore teammate Talia Hagan said. “He pushes himself to his limits and always makes sure he puts in 100 percent.”

Mullarkey’s commitment to track has made him a strong leader on the team. Not only does he excel individually, but he also helps those around him. His power to motivate his teammates and keep them focused is one of his greatest strengths.

“Logan motivates us mentally and physically, making sure we’re all putting in the work,” sophomore teammate Alivia Bogert said. “He also makes sure we’re ready mentally.”

Mullarkey puts a good deal of work into the preparation mentally before a race. He emphasized the importance of mental preparation.

“Before a race, I try to block out everything except my lane and my goal, I focus on my breathing, visualize my start and finish, and remind myself of all the work I’ve put in during practice,” Mullarkey said. “I also love to listen to music to build confidence and stay calm, and I always made sure to always eat correctly beforehand.”

A standout moment in Mullarkey’s season came when, after a particularly tough practice, he stayed behind to put in the extra work.

“While others had gone home after the practice ended, Logan stayed after practice to work even more,” junior Molly Croce said. “His hard work paid off for him, and in the following meet, he broke seven seconds in his 55 and had a massive PR.”

As Mullarkey prepares for the two seasons ahead, one thing is clear: his future in track is bright, and he’s ready to tackle every challenge that comes his way.

“I believe that improvement takes time, so I focus on my own progress rather than comparing myself to others,” Mullarkey said. “The key is staying consistent with training and enjoying the journey.”

(Photo courtesy @milfordboysswim)

By Dani Kotansky – Staff Reporter

The Milford Boys swim and dive team is wrapping up its 2024-25 season with their final meet on February 25.

The swim team, a combination of students from Law and Foran, is entering the final stretch of their season before they head to the playoffs. Their current record is 4-5 with their last meets scheduled for February 21 and 25. The captains of this season were Luke Vidosevic, Joe Lahav, Onuralp Unal, and Logan McCorkle. 

“I think the season went really well,” McCorkle said. “As a captain, I’m proud of how the team came together and put in the effort at every practice and meet.”

The team welcomed several new athletes this season to compete in individual and team events. 

Junior Sam Porzelt felt a sense of welcome during his first season on the team, not only from the coaches but teammates as well, which allowed him to improve as time went on.

“This season, I would say I improved a lot on my own personal times and form, but we also improved as a team working on the relay performances,” Porzelt said. “This being my first year swimming, I learned a lot from coaches but also other members of the team such as Logan McCorkle and so many others.”

Junior Hunter Corris noted that the team had a close connection, leading to success 

“The team atmosphere was very close-knit, and everyone was able to connect on a different level about the swim season,” Corris said. “One thing that helped the team get to know one another was the pasta parties before meets.”

Freshman Markiian Chervonyy emphasized that joining a new team can be difficult, but working together made it much easier for him. 

“Honestly, the first season is never easy for anyone and it was the same for me,” Chervonyy said. “But swimming is not only about challenges, it’s about team unity and how we cheer for each other, which we do very well and that’s what makes me want to stay part of the team.”

The team’s home matchups this season included Xavier, Daniel Hand, Sheehan, Fitch, Shelton and Cheshire. They also had a non-league meet against Waterford/Ledyard. 

Captain Onuralp Unal not only believed the team had a successful season, but also made personal progress this year. 

“I believe that the overall season was great especially with our first meet taking a win against Xavier which has always been a powerhouse,” Unal said. “Within my event the 100 fly I have seen my time decrease from my freshman year to this year as my technique has improved.”

Regardless of the outcome of this season, the team has been an important piece in many athletes’ lives. 

“It was definitely bittersweet since it was my last year, but I couldn’t have asked for a better group to finish my high school swim career with,” McCorkle said.