The
Avon Record Volume XCVII Issue 1
Andrés Calderón Suárez ’27
The Student Newspaper of Avon Old Farms School
Friday, October 20, 2023
Roberto Clemente Jr. Visits Campus
Staff Writer
On October 6th, Roberto Clemente Jr. spoke to the Avon Old Farms community in Brown Auditorium about his influential father, Roberto Clemente, who was a Hall of Fame baseball player. “He was a wonderful human being, who also happened to play baseball,” Clemente Jr. mentioned, emphasizing that his father’s success went beyond the baseball field. Playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Clemente Sr. became the first Latin American and eleventh baseball player in Major League Baseball history to achieve 3,000 career hits. Unfortunately, his 3,000th hit was also his last. On December 31, 1972, an earthquake hit Nicaragua, and Clemente Sr. boarded a plane to ensure aid was delivered to the victims. Tragically, the plane
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Clemente Jr. spoke about his father’s charitable work during his baseball career. In this photo, he poses with Mr. Cantrell.
crashed, and he died at thirty-eight years old. Now, his legacy lives on through his son. Clemente Jr. remembers his father as a man keen on helping others and
as an inspiration for countless people. During his talk, Clemente Jr. mentioned his brief career in professional baseball, playing for
the Philadelphia Phillies, the San Diego Padres, and Baltimore Orioles. After suffering a career-ending injury, Clemente became the voice of the New York
Yankees, as well as a commentator on ESPN. Simply by carrying his father’s name, Clemente Jr. has had the chance to meet various presidents and world-class athletes. Through his stories about conversations with Michael Jordan and Barack Obama, he emphasized a powerful message: people will remember those who do good in the world. Clemente Jr. explained that everyone has a unique fingerprint. Depending on what people do and how they treat each other, everyone can either leave a good or bad mark with their fingers, and people are responsible for the fingerprints they make. Following the speech at Brown Auditorium, Clemente Jr. and his wife met with students and members of the AOF community; they shared more personal stories and reminded the AOF students that they should always strive to make this world a better place.
Phamily Phun: Pheasant Hunts on Phamily Weekend Dominik Sedlak-Braude ’25 Staff Writer
It was Family Weekend in the Autumn of 1997. The air was crisp, with colorful leaves gently falling to the ground on the Avon Old Farms campus. The anticipation grew as parents gathered at the starting line in the woods, eager for the contest to begin. A deafening gunshot shattered the silence—a father taking aim at a pheasant—and so the hunt began. The Pheasant Hunt tradition began soon after Avon Old Farms reopened in 1948, having served as a refuge for blind veterans for the previous four years. Traditionally, it was held on the Saturday of Family Weekend. The hunt was open to all students and their family members.
A week prior to the event, the Nimrod Club would create a marked trail between trees in the woods. During the hunt, students would hide behind trees throughout the trail and spin cages with pheasants bought by faculty the day before. As families approached, the students would release the confused and dizzy pheasants in the direction of the hunters. There was no prize for hunting the most pheasants, the hunt was simply meant to be an amusing time for families to bond. No injuries ever occurred during the Pheasant Hunt on Family Weekend, but in 1998 the then Head of School Mr. LaRocque along with Mr. Rice and Mr. Crocker decided that the hunt was too dangerous, so they discontinued the tradition.
Members of the 1956 Nimrod Club gather before a club hunting trip.
Author’s note: I would like to thank Mr. Custer and Mr. Rice, for spending their time retelling the tales of the Pheasant Hunt.
Not only did I learn about pheasant hunting, but I learned a great deal about their time here so far and the history of Avon Old Farms.
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Mr. Rice and Mr. Custer both have incredibly unique stories that I look forward to sharing in future editions of The Avon Record.
On the Inside...
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Hypnotist Imbus entrances campus yet again
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Halloween Season Special
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Student-Athletes Attend First-ever Founders Summit
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The Avon Record | News | Friday, October 20, 2023
Elephants Never Forget: Dorm Renovation Honors Its History In a return to older Avon traditions, the school has implemented more sitdown dinners this year. With the COVID pandemic, several Avon traditions—like daily sit-down meals—were temporarily abandoned. In the last two years, sit-down dinners were brought back on Mondays and Thursdays, requiring only a smart casual dresscode. This year the school added Tuesday sit-down dinners and is requiring classroom dress to restorate an Avon tradition. In addition, Chef Hector and the kitchen
Elephant dormitory is the only one whose annexes are used as student housing.
Joel Taylor ’24 Staff Writer
The start of the school year saw many exciting new changes to our campus, weekly schedule, and sit-down meals. Following the renovations to Diogenes Dormitory during the
summer of 2022, Elephant Dormitory received several modifications. Students residing in the annexes enjoy refurbished doors, new ceilings, and updated hallway flooring. Additional closet space and copper finials decorating the roof topped off this past summer’s work.
staff have added a new pasta, salad, and sandwich bar, which is accessible prior to each meal, and new entrees such as pulled pork and macaroni and cheese. Another update to the Avon Old Farms campus is the construction of a pavilion between the Refectory and Jamerson Green. The pavilion will feature future cookouts, barbecues, and social events. On November 5, Avon Old Farms will host Miss Porter’s School on the pavilion for an open mic jam session.
EVAN SAYLES / THE AVON RECORD
Preston Eder ’24 claimed the recent renovations to Elephant were, “new and refreshing,” giving the dormitory a more modern and contemporary feel. Updates to Elephant will continue throughout the coming years, and renovations to Eagle and Pelican will follow.
JOAQUÍN ACUÑA / THE AVON RECORD
Once construction is completed, the new pavilion and patio by Jamerson Green will be a space for events.
Hypnotist Brian Imbus Returns for Encore Performance Andrew Foster ’24 Staff Writer
What’s it like to get hypnotized? It’s a fascinating question most people have thought about. In front of students from both Avon Old Farms and Miss Porter’s School, the question is answered for a few lucky audience members during hypnotist Brian Imbus’ show. The annual show has become one of the most anticipated weekend activities on campus. Seeing one’s friends hypnotized on a stage—dancing unpredictably, staring intently at the audience, laying down flat on the ground—is a must see. “My favorite part was seeing all the crazy things the hypnotist had people do. I also enjoyed watching my friends and some of the new students get hypnotized,” mentions Miss Porter’s student Laurel Benson ’24. This fall, the audience in Brown Auditorium was treated to a backflipping karate fighter, a screaming Tarzan, and a guest appearance by Rocky Balboa, all courtesy of this year’s group of hypnotized students. But how does it feel?
It is surreal and eye opening. I share this from personal experience—I’m the one laying on the floor in the photo to the right. When Brian Imbus first selected the group of a dozen or so students to be hypnotized, I was not one of them. I was initially disappointed, but then I heard: “You can even get hypnotized in the audience.” My journey began after being told to stare at a bright sparkling light put up on the stage. Imbus began giving instructions to slowly start relaxing different muscles while taking deep breaths. Reaching a completely relaxed state, the words “sleep now,” made me fall forward in my seat. I was able to hear the sounds of the people around me laughing while remaining in a relaxed state of consciousness. Then a loud noise ended my state of hypnosis—or at least that’s what I thought, until Brain Imbus himself came down from the stage, inquiring about the “person hypnotized in the audience.” I raised my hand, expecting to have him go back to the stage after realizing I was fully conscious. Instead, I was met with the direction to look intently
Andrew Foster ’24 passes out on stage at the command of Mr. Imbus.
at his palm. Before I knew it, I was running up onto the stage, where I conducted an imaginary orchestra in front of 400 people. My state of hypnosis was not fully unconscious
though, I could still hear everything and see my surroundings. I was definitely conscious enough to resist anything that would have gone against my will. The hypnosis was more of a state
JOAQUÍN ACUÑA / THE AVON RECORD
of agreeableness, during which normally embarrassing activities felt normal. If you want to discover the feeling of hypnosis, make sure to go to Brian Imbus’ next show!
Features
Student Profile: Taiyo Minami ’24 Charlie May ’25 Staff Writer
Taiyo Minami is a fouryear student from Tokyo, Japan. He arrived at the Farms after hearing about his older brother’s great experience in the class of 2021. Ever since, Taiyo has shared his positive attitude, his strong leadership, and his infectious smile with the Avon Old Farms community. In the classroom, Taiyo is a Headmaster’s List student who takes pride in his work and constantly seeks out challenges. Taiyo’s favorite teacher is Mr. McElheny, saying: “He knows how to relate to kids and keep them interested.” Taiyo is a key contributor to the varsity soccer and squash programs. When asked about last year’s Founders League champion and Class A New England semi-finalist soccer team, Taiyo mentioned: “We were a real family. That is why we won so much.” This year he hopes to continue finding success on the field and court. Around campus, Taiyo is no stranger to leadership. As the Head Monitor in Brown Dormitory, the President of the International Club, and a member of the Student Council, Taiyo serves the
In the spring of 2023, Taiyo received the Yale Book Award for his outstanding leadership and scholarship.
school community and is a role model for younger Avonians. During his sophomore year, Taiyo won the Woodwell Leadership award, which is given to an outstanding student leader in the sophomore class and is selected through an essay
competition. The award’s prize includes a trip to an Outward Bound program, where the student’s leadership skills are tested in a challenging environment. Not only is Taiyo a stellar athlete and leader, his involvement in the school stretches beyond sports and
student government. He is a member of Avon’s top singing group, The Riddlers, and the newly founded Tri M Music Honor Society. When asked what advice he would give younger students, Taiyo stressed the importance of becoming as involved in the community
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as possible: “Try music or try a new sport.” Taiyo also emphasized the importance of being a part of the Avon Army and supporting one another. After his senior year, when Taiyo goes on to do great things in life, he will have left Avon a better place than he found it.
Faculty Profile: Mr. Lundell
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Mr. Lundell brought his history class to the Distinguished Alumnus Hall on September 11 to share the story of Lieutenant Colonel Asad Khan ’78, who conducted special missions in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Logan Glass ’25 Staff Writer
After working part time as an assistant Varsity Wrestling Coach, Mr. Eric Lundell finds himself at the Farms full time. With five
years as a wrestling coach and twenty years in the Avon Police Department, Mr. Lundell says, “Avon Old Farms was certainly a place that I wanted to come to.” When Mr. Lundell celebrated his twentieth anniver-
sary in the police force, Avon Old Farms (AOF) posted an opening for a history teacher. After an exciting career in the Avon Police Department and the SWAT team, he opted for a change and decided to pursue a career in education.
“From my earliest memory, I wanted to be a police officer,” he says. Growing up in Middletown, CT, Mr. Lundell lived in a household where his parents were teachers; however, their neighbor was a police officer. Mr. Lundell would watch him leave and come home every day, aspiring to one day contribute to his community like his neighbor. After completing a summer’s worth of high-paying construction in high school, Mr. Lundell realized that construction, despite his love for it, is not a “forever” job. After studying criminal justice in college, he worked in the Avon Police Department under none other than AOF’s Associate Headmaster and retired Avon Police Captain, Mr. Robert Whitty. Along with being a police officer, Mr. Lundell enlisted in the Connecticut State Army National Guard and was deployed to Afghanistan. He recounts his experience, explain-
ing he went through Basic Training “came home for two weeks, and then met [my] unit down in Fort Bragg, North Carolina for mobilization training. From there, I went to Afghanistan for a year.” Returning from Afghanistan after eighteen months away from the police force, Mr. Lundell was assigned to the Drug and Gun Task Force. Then, in 2007, he joined the SWAT team, and eventually, worked his way up to a team commander. This year, Mr. Lundell departed from the police force and joined the AOF community as the Director of Campus Security and as a history teacher. During the fall, he has been in the weightroom, assisting the Strength and Conditioning Program. Mr. Lundell says his favorite experience so far was “seeing the boys return to campus,” and he is looking forward to the winter, where he will be assisting Major Bourgalt in the wrestling room.
Games
Be the first student to bring a solved maze to Mr. Sayles and win a Hawk’s Nest prize!
Friedman’s Sudoku
The Avon Record Staff Editor-in-Chief Joaquín Acuña ’24
Sports Editor James Sheehan ’24
Managing Editor Donovan Crowley ’24
Faculty Advisors Daniel Hodgson Evan Sayles
Layout Editor Colin Lee ’24
The Avon Record | Features | Friday, October 20, 2023
Spooky Season Sweeps the School
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Ask an Avonian Donovan Crowley ’23
Henry Kice ’24
“Do you believe in ghosts?”
Staff Writer
It is Halloween on the Farms again, and the seasonal cheer is sweeping through campus. Leaves are beginning to fall, pumpkins are emerging on Faculty doorsteps, ghost stories are being told in the Quad, Club Forge is launching pumpkins with their trebuchet, and the school is preparing for the best costume contest—will the Among Us inflatable make another appearance or will Christopher Bowers ’24 finally win once-and-for-all? I suggest you get ready: Grab yourself a cozy sweater and a beanie from the Hawk’s Nest and settle down as the snow approaches. Order a warm coffee with a shot of pumpkin spice and take a freshly baked apple cider doughnut—delicious! Take a walk around campus, notice the cool autumn air as you inhale, then the warmth of the coffee as you take a sip. Venture into the Oak Grove and see the deep orange as some of the falling leaves land on Mr. Custer’s canvas tent. Lie down and close your eyes. Smell the nostalgic scent of leaves and relax. Take a walk to Beaver Pond, notice the geese resting on the water as they prepare for
A survey of 71 AOF students shows that the school is split on the status of spooky specters. Here’s what a few stuents have to say about it.
“It’s a made up tale for scaring little kids.” Parker Gibson ’26
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Bogdan Korniyashik ’26 stuns as Purple for last year’s costume show.
their journey South. The water thrives with fish that jump as you dip your fingers in. The sky turns purple and the trees bright red—it’s getting late. Halloween is near. Spend time with friends.
Scare them as much as possible. Remind them that on October 31, the Samhain, when ghosts of the dead will return to earth, is approaching. The worlds of the living and the dead will become one.
“There is one right next to me.” Jack Donnelly ’27
“Who the heck believes in ghosts? Like come on. Maybe supernatural powers but ghosts are unrealistic.” David Hebbeler ’26
“I don’t want to be nothing after death. Ghost is a good option.” Jeff Cai ’27 Student-carved pumpkins decorate Mr. Detora’s office steps in 2022.
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Narrative: Untold Tales of the Elephant Dorm Ghost Every night at 2:00am, I hear it. I’m afraid to open my eyes. I just lay there, trying to fall asleep. I hear it again. The dreadful noise I first heard two weeks ago echoes through the halls of Elephant Dormitory as I hide under my sheets. Is it coming from the bathroom? From the closet? From downstairs? The window? Where is the noise coming from? After what feels like hours, I poke my head through my blankets. The window is locked—it
can’t be the wind. A single beam of light shining from the bathroom illuminates the door, confirming it’s locked. As I build up the courage to leave my bed, I hear it again, more clearly now—a sharp, hammering noise, magnified by the wooden hallways. I cautiously tread through the cold floor on my way to the door. Again—eight hammer strikes. I’m sweating, unable to see anything through the small gap in my door. CLANG.
CLANG. CLANG. Eight times the hammer strikes. Then silence. Everything stops. I can only hear my pounding heartbeat as I slowly unlock the door. I poke my head out and look to the right. Nothing. I begin to turn my head slowly. Sweat starts trickling down my neck. There is an unsettling creak to my left, and suddenly, a gentle breeze pricks up the hairs on my arms. I can hear my heart pounding as I, while holding my breath, slowly turn. At the end of the hallway, I see him. One of his
arms holds the attic door open; in the other, a long, metal hammer hovers above the floor. A dark coat covers his long back and extends to his ankles. His ghastly, bare feet curl over the carpet. He’s looking away from me. I’m frozen in place, terrified to make the slightest noise. Suddenly, he lowers both hands and begins to rise. The toes gripping the carpet finally let go. His head disappears through the crack. Followed by his back, then the hammer, then
his feet. CRACK. The trapdoor shuts closed. I could not sleep that night, nor the next. The hammering noise has disappeared. However, every night at 2:00am I wake up petrified. I can feel the man in the hallway walking with a hammer dangling from his left hand. I can feel the door to the attic open as he disappears. I can feel him everywhere I go, and everyday I wonder—is he still there? -Anonymous
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The Avon Record | Sports | Friday, October 20, 2023
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AOF Sends Delegates to Inaugual Founders League Summit Donovan Crowley ’23
upon integrity and competition. The purpose of uniting eleven highly selective On September 24, ten college preparatory schools seniors—Harry Stein, was to create a league that Robert Perlman, Andy encouraged educational Ramos, Henry Thornton, excellence, sportsmanship, Donovan Crowley, and leadership. Today, the Brannon Miele, Connor Founders League is one Naspo, Florian Lietz, of the most respected and Tyler Dufresne, and Eliel competitive athletic leagues Mercado—went to Miss in the nation. Porter’s School for the Logan Glass ’25, who did inaugural Founders League not attend the summit, Student Summit to discuss remarks that the Founders the upcoming year in ath- League is a “group of schools letics and sportsmanship. that have close relationships Established in 1984, the with each other, academiFounders League, comprised cally and athletically on the of Choate Rosemary Hall, field. It is an organization Ethel Walker, Hotchkiss, that has put the friendliKent, Kingswood Oxford, est yet competitive people COURTESY OF MR. BARLOW Loomis Chaffee, Miss together.” Founders League student-athletes listened to a keynote address during the summit, which focused on leadPorter’s, Taft, TrinityLeaders from each ership and sportsmanship at the high school level. Pawling, Westminster, and Founders League school Avon Old Farms, is built outlined the characteristics of their school’s athletic integrating the core prin- lead even on their most environment. Harry Stein ciples of integrity, person- difficult days. They must ’24 spoke about the Avon al growth, and sportsman- consider their impact and community, emphasizing ship, each group effectively understand they are cementthe Avon Army, Victory quelled the situation and ing their mark in history Bell, and 2022 New England acknowledged the inappro- for others to follow. As the hockey and Founders League priate paths of actions that Founders League Summit baseball victories. should be avoided. emphasized, the world will The Avon represenAs Diogenes Head always need leaders. tatives were later divid- Monitor Florian Lietz ’24 With gelato in hand, the ed into mixed groups to mentions, “Founders League boys from the Farms left the explore sportsmanship in members should just be Founders League Summit action. Simulating real- nice. They should be good with new insights to impleworld situations, the groups sportsmen.” ment on Avon’s campus and discussed the actions they Each group developed the in the athletic programs. As would take in response to definition and qualities of a a microcosm springboarda teammate’s or opponent’s leader. Along with setting ing into the deep waters, injury, a teammate or oppo- an example, a leader must the sportsmanship and nent “trash-talking” online effectively work with—not leadership discussed at the or in-person, or a teammate just command—their team summit will spread like a COURTESY OF MR. BARLOW Representatives from multiple AOF teams traveled to Miss Porters. or opponent who displays and show respect for rivals. wave through the Founders physical aggression. While In addition, a leader must League schools and beyond. Attendees received a commemorative T-shirt. Managing Editor
Subvarsity Showcase Jadon Subbu ’25 Staff Writer
I remember my first athletic season at Avon Old Farms in 2021, playing Fourths Soccer on a team where none of us had ever played before. Were we so unskilled we lost to a middle school? Yes. But ask anyone about our season, and you’ll get the same answer: it was so much fun, and we learned a ton. Subvarsity level sports are not often talked about, but they should be. So, here is a quick recap on the start of their seasons. The JV Football squad is off to a strong start with a stellar undefeated record
and it makes our team like a family.” Thirds Soccer has found success this season, too. Under legendary Coach McElheny, they are off to a 4-1 start with the highlight of the young season being a remarkable 7-0 win against Salisbury. Fourths Soccer, with an 0-5-1 record, has yet to find EVAN SAYLES / THE AVON RECORD The JV and Thirds Football teams often practice and play together this season, forming a new Subvarsity a win. Dustin Sergeev ’27 comments: “We definitely super-roster. The combined group posed for their team photo on October 11. work just as hard as all the under guidance of the The Thirds Football squad, JV soccer, led by Coach other teams. Our season has varsity football coaching regardless of an unpredict- Sanford, has had a strong not been the greatest, but staff and Coaches Roller, able schedule and some tough start to the year, going 6-1 our games are getting better Spearman, and O’Leary. losses, continues to show up against some tough oppo- and better.” The highlight of Lucas Deblois ’26 sums it every afternoon ready to nents. Bryan Lee ’24 men- the season for this team may up: “Team atmosphere is practice hard. This group of tions: “JV soccer is the best not be in the win-loss record fun, yet when it’s time to underclassmen is dedicated place for enjoying soccer. We itself, but in how they have work, we work and win.” to making the team succeed. always have positive energy, competed.
PHILIP YU / THE AVON RECORD
The JV Soccer team celebrates a goal in their game against Hopkins School.
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On Thirds Soccer, Gabriel Enrique ’26 battles for possession of the ball against Pomfret.
COURTESY OF GAVIN ENGELS
The Fourth Soccer team makes up in team spirit what their record this season may lack.
Sports
Football Closes the Gap Logan Glass ’25 Staff Writer
Coach Jon Wholley and the Avon Old Farms Winged Beavers have hit the ground running in the 2023 season, where they remain undefeated. Ryan Puglisi ’24 and his offense seem unstoppable, racking up an impressive number of points in each game. The defense, led primarily by Jack Hines ’24, Bennet DellaValle ’24, and Kristian Strong ’24 (PG), have not disappointed either, holding down the opposing offenses. In the season opener against Kent, the offense continuously added points to the board while the defense pitched a shutout. Notably, during the first drive of the game Puglisi scrambled for the first touchdown of the year. The final score was 35-0. For game two, the Winged Beavers were excited to go up against the Loomis Chaffee
Pelicans. This is a team that the Winged Beavers had not beaten since 2013. Hungry for the win, post-grad Connor Cronin touchdown reception got the scoring started and the team never looked back, winning 41-7. The game also saw the Avon Army show up in style and provide great energy. Most recently, Avon had a cold, rainy Homecoming against the reigning New England Champion, Brunswick School. One of the most anticipated games of the season, the student section showed up in full force, led by Captain Avon, Harry Stein ’24. The game’s scoring started off with a run from Owen Moreland ’25 who pushed through a massive scrum into the endzone, but Brunswick answered, and the two teams went back and forth with the ball throughout the first half, which ended with score 12-14 in favor of the Bruins.
Cross Country Pushes the Pace
Andrew Foster ’24
EVAN SAYLES / THE AVON RECORD
The varsity football team celebrates Owen Moreland’s first-quarter touchdown at Loomis on September 30.
But after an evenly matched third quarter, Avon entered the fourth quarter revitalized and ready to get the win. They racked up points with a stellar team performance, getting the
win over the reigning champions 31-21. When asked about the start of the season, senior captain Ryan Puglisi said: “I think [it] has been great so far. We still
have a lot to do and can’t get complacent with the good start we have had.” The players hope they can keep their momentum going and look forward to bowl season.
Strong Start for Soccer
The numbers, however, did not add up because of a computer malfunction, so the “And they’re off.” After a scores were recounted. After historic undefeated record much anticipation, the final and strong finish at the scores were announced: Avon Founders League Cross Old Farms won by 2 points. Country Championship in That same day, captain 2022, the Avon Old Farms Donovan Crowley ’24 traveled Cross Country team looks to to a different meet at Loomis continue with strong perfor- Chaffee. There, he scouted top mances for 2023. teams Avon doesn’t compete The team began the sea- against during the regular season by beating both Salisbury son such as Exeter and Taft. and Trinity Pawling at an Crowley raced against some all-boys school tri-meet. of the best runners in New Two weeks later came one England and earned an impresof the biggest meets in the sive 5th place finish. EVAN SAYLES / THE AVON RECORD season: the Gordon Glover Cross Country looks to conOscar Pickett ’24 races ahead of a fallen opponent in the game against NMH on October 11. Cross Country Invitational at tinue their success as they head Suffield Academy. into championship season. Marco Bannon ’25 over Kimball Union, Bridgton A vital part of the team’s After running with grit and With the Shaler Invitational, Spencer Andrews ’25 Academy, Trinity Pawling, success has stemmed from determination on a muddy, Founders Cross Country Staff Writers Brunswick, and Hotchkiss. the coaching and guidance tough course, and with an out- Championship, and NEPSAC Lucas Villamizar ’24 men- of Coach Stensland. When standing 5th place individual Division 1 Championship on Kicking off with a strong tions: “This team can achieve asked about moments this finish by Peter Mok ’23, the the horizon, the team hopes 5-1-3 start, the “boys of fall” a lot. We have the pieces. We season that have made him team was initially disappoint- their hard work will pay off look to continue their impres- have the team to go all the way believe, Coach Stensland said: ed with their third place over- and is excited to finish the sea- sive 3-0 Founders League run and win. I think right now “The Worcester Academy all finish. son strong. and recreate their historical we are in a position where we game. The reaction after we success of last season: winning need to find our identity. In went down 1-0, to score right the Founders League and pro- tough games, it’s a matter of away was huge. Just to limit gressing to the semifinals of the keeping our heads composed. their goal scoring opportuClass A New England Playoffs. We need to keep looking for- nities was also huge. Yes, we The Winged Beavers have ward—not back—and learn absorbed a lot of pressure, added 14 new players and Pappi from our mistakes.” but they really did not creDiouf ’14 to the coaching staff. Recently, the team was ate too much. That really Under the guidance of Coach tasked with taking on two made me believe. Going on Carl Stensland and captains NEPSAC giants: Worcester the road to Hotchkiss, the Kieran Marshall ’24, William Academy and Northfield way we bounced back from Bannon ’24, Teddy Lister ’23, Mount Hermon (NMH). In Salisbury, to go out there and and Tinashe Muhalari ’24, the both of these games, Avon just take care of business I boys have not missed a step. got one point in the stand- thought it was impressive.” The season began with a spir- ings, with scores of 1-1 against With five wins so far as ited 2-2 draw against the for- Worcester and 0-0 against well as three strong ties, the midable Roxbury Latin team. NMH. These successful perfor- team’s early season exploits Following the draw, the boys mances against two of the best suggest that Avon’s varsity socCOURTESY OF AOF COMMUNICATIONS The cross country team celebrates winning the Gordon Glover put together a slew of strong teams in New England brings cer team might be on the brink Invitational at Suffield Academy with Miss Porters this season. performances, triumphing hope for the future. of another memorable season. Staff Writer