WALLINGFORD — Over the past four years, “Patrick Doherty” and “Lyman Hall golf” have become virtually synonyous.
Doherty became a varsity starter in his freshman season and has been a leading player for the Trojans ever since. As a sophomore, and again as a junior, he was named team MVP.
Co-captain this spring as a senior, Doherty led LH with a 41 stroke average and seven medals. He shot a team-low 84 at the CIAC Division II Tournament.
Doherty also played basketball for Lyman Hall and was this year’s Trojan Award winner.
He graduated with a 3.86 grade-point average and was president of the National Honor Society.
No question, one of Lyman Hall’s top scholar-athletes in recent seasons has left the building.
“Pat’s passion for golf is evident, as he has been involved with The First Tee program from an early age and recently has served as a coach and mentor in the program,” noted LH golf coach Michael Blake. “He conducts himself with integrity on the course and in the community. He is well-revered by his teachers and administrators.”
Doherty was a scholar-athlete with the Record-Journal, Southern Connecticut Conference and Tap-Off Club. He’s a member of the Marching Band, the Health Occupation Students of America Club and the Knights of Columbus. He’s received an Outstanding Citizenship award from the Sons of the Revolution.
Come late August, Doherty will head off to UConn.
“The thing I will remember most about Pat is the smile that he always has on his face no matter how he’s playing,” said Blake. “UConn is getting an outstanding student-athlete and I’m lucky to have had the oppurtunity to coach him the last four years.”
Doherty was one of nine Record-Journal Scholar-Athletes selected by their coaches at Lyman Hall High School for the 2018 spring season. All nine are invited to the Record-Journal’s “Best of the Bunch” awards brunch, which will be held at the Aqua Turf Club this Sunday, June 24.
Alexis Agro, girls tennis: Lexi Agro is ready to go global. This fall, she heads to Lynn University to major in International Business.
While at Lyman Hall, Agro played field hockey and tennis, primarily at No. 2 singles. She also got behind her fellow athletes as a member of LH’s vaunted student fan section, the WOB MOB.
A High Honors student, Agro graduated with a 3.6 GPA and was inducted into the National Honor Society. She was also recognized for Achievement in Personal Finance.
Agro participated in SADD and DECA. She was also an LH advisory leader.
“This is my first year coaching tennis. I don't know Lexi very well. What I have learned is she is a hard worker,” remarked LH tennis coach Donna Bouffard. “Both academically and on the court, Lexi will give 110%. I wish her much success in her future endeavors.”
Connor Avallone, boys lacrosse: This midfielder capped his four-year Lyman Hall lacrosse career as a senior captain. He was also an outside linebacker and tight end in football.
A member of the National Honor Society, Avallone graduated No. 33 in Lyman Hall’s Class of 2018 with a 3.85 GPA. Also an All-SCC Academic selection, Avallone is heading to UConn.
“Connor is an amazing student-athlete who puts forth his best effort in all aspects of his studies as well as athletics,” said lacrosse coach Tim Castelli. “Connor is a team captain who leads by example on and off the field. He has been an absolute pleasure to coach for the past four years.”
Hollianne Lao, girls track: A multiple scholar-athlete with the Record-Journal, Hollianne Lao was the Essayist of Lyman Hall’s Class of 2018 with a 4.28 GPA born of 11 Advanced Placement courses.
The AP Scholar with Distinction swam four years with the Trojans. She was a two-time captain and was recognized as a Connecticut Swimming Scholar-Athlete.
She also earned an Excellence in Science Award from the Society of Women Engineers, an Outstanding Achievement in the Arts Award from the Connecticut Association of Superintendents and a Student Leadership Award from the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education.
Lao was president of the Student Council, so it shouldn’t be suprising to hear she’ll major in Political Science at UConn, where she’ll participate in the Honors Program and the Special Program in Law..
While at LH, Lao earned a Board for Youth Volunteers Community Service Award and President's Volunteer Service Bronze Award for the 300-plus hours she logged at Masonicare. Her track time this spring got Lao to the SCC Championship meet.
“Hollianne is one of the most dependable and kind student-athletes I have coached. I marvel at her dedication to her team and studies,” said Lyman Hall track coach Ed Neilander. “We are so proud of this student-athlete and wish her all the sucess she deserves.”
Tyler Lyons, baseball: Tyler Lyons is coach Chuck Burghardt’s kind of player. He’s smart, he hustles and he’s got the right attitude.
This spring, Lyon wrapped up a three-year varsity career playing error-free in the outfield and batting .319 out of the No. 2 spot in the lineup. The senior captain drove in nine runs and scored 13.
Lyons also made High Honors throughout his LH career and finished with a 3.92 GPA. He was a three-year Varsity Scholar and was named All-SCC Academic.
He’s been a recipient of his team’s Trojan Award.
“Tyler is one of the best defensive outfielders in the state,” Coach Burghardt remarked. “He hasn’t made an error all year and has run down many a long ball that looked like extra bases. He has a strong and accurate arm.
“Tyler is a smart player who doesn’t make mental mistakes,” Burghardt added. “He always hustles and has made huge improvements at the plate this year.”
Katelyn Miller, softball: A Record-Journal Scholar-Athlete in field hockey and boys swimming, Kate Miller completed the hat trick with her selection in softball.
It’s no surprise. The National Honor Society member graduated No. 28 in her class with a 3.89 GPA.
Miller was a four-year participant in all three sports and collected 11 varsity letters along the way. In softball, she compiled a career average of .372.
Miller is moving on to Eastern Connecticut State, where she hopes to continue playing field hockey and softball.
“Kate is a dream player and I have had the pleasure to coach her for four years in all three seasons each year,” said LH coach Stephanie Lavado-Berghorn. “She is humble, a leader and a true team player. She always puts others above herself an offers a lending hand to anyone. Kate as an athlete puts in quality practice and effort each day and deserves every ounce of recognition she gets.”
Miller also competed as a member of DECA and HOSA-Future Health Professionals. In DECA, she was fourth at the state level in 2017 and, this year, competed at the national level.
Miller’s extracurricular resume also included French Club, SADD and CREW.
Sam Morgenstern, boys track: Sam Morgenstern returns to the Record-Journal Scholar-Athlete for a final turn. With a 4.35 GPA, how could you keep him off of it?
Morgenstern was both Salutatorian and Vice President of Lyman Hall’s Class of 2018. He was also captain of the track team.
“Sam earned his captainship through hard work and dedication,” said coach Ed Neilander. “He is the epitome of a student-athlete: dedicated to scholarship and devoted to his teammates.”
A Varsity Scholar, Morgenstern took earned honors in AP Calculus I and II, AP Economics and AP French. He founded the school’s Philosophy Club.
Next in store for Morgenstern is Storrs. At UConn, he’ll be a double-major in Applied Mathematics and Economics.
Rachael Ruggiero, girls lacrosse: Here’s a solid two-sport student-athlete for the Trojans. Rachael Ruggiero is a standout in cross country as well as lacrosse.
Though only a junior, she was a captain in both sports this year. She’s also a two-time team MVP in cross country.
Academically, Ruggiero will take a 3.877 GPA into her senior year. She’s taken Advanced Placement courses in Government and Politics, Economics, and Language and Composition.
“Rachael is a very well-rounded student athlete who juggles not only academics and sports, but a part-time job as well,” remarked coach Courtney Shanley. “Her academics are clearly important to her and she puts forth her best effort in all that she does.”
Fred Torres, boys tennis: Senior Fred Torres was a big part of Lyman Hall’s successful 2018 season, in which the Trojans went 13-7, qualified for the Class M state tournament and excelled as student-athletes.
“Fred has been on our team for four years. Throughout his time on the team he has been an essential part of our varsity lineup and a top student,” noted coach Dave Battipaglia. “This year was our strongest year in my nine years of coaching, both on and off the court. Fred is emblematic of our players’ commitment to the game and to academics We will have a tough time replacing him next year.”
A High Honors student, Torres graduated with a 3.733 GPA. He was a two-time scholar-athlete, having also won for soccer.
Torres will study civil engineering in college.