Category: Athlete of The Month

A Rising Star on the Field:

Noel Vargas has quickly become a top player in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference (FCIAC). As a junior at Stamford High School, he has been making waves with his exceptional performance. Noel’s statistics for the month of September are nothing short of impressive. In 8 games played, he scored an astonishing 8 goals and provided 1 assist. His consistency and ability to find the back of the net were on full display with 1 hat trick and 2 braces during the month.

An Exciting Local Talent:

Noel’s journey as a soccer player is not just about statistics; it’s about his passion and dedication to the sport. He brings an electrifying energy to every match, captivating fans and teammates alike with his skill and determination on the pitch. His impact on Stamford High School’s soccer team is undeniable, and his contributions are a source of inspiration for aspiring young athletes in our community.

Jhonny Arteaga, Head of JA Elite Football Club, has nothing but praise for this talented player. He says, “Noel is an exciting local player. We are thrilled to have him at JA Elite Football Club, and happy to see him doing well with SHS. I’m certain that he will continue to do great things with both his school team and our club team.”

Noel’s dedication to both his school and club teams is a testament to his commitment to honing his skills and constantly pushing himself to excel. His work ethic, sportsmanship, and love for the game are qualities that make him not just a standout athlete but also a role model for his peers.

A Bright Future Ahead:

As we celebrate Noel Vargas as our September Athlete of the Month, we are excited to see where his journey in soccer will take him. With his remarkable talent, determination, and the support of his coaches, teammates, and community, we have no doubt that Noel has a bright future ahead.

Noel, keep chasing your dreams and inspiring those around you. Your achievements on and off the field make us proud to celebrate you as First County Bank’s September Athlete of the Month. We here at Bobby Valentine’s Sports Academy, eagerly await the incredible feats you’ll accomplish in the days, months, and years to come.

Gia Scortino:

Gia Scortino has been a vital part of the Lady Titan’s program since she joined us at 14u. Over the course of four years, Gia showcased her skills on the field, primarily as a first and third baseman. Her journey reached a significant milestone when she graduated from Norwalk High School. Gia’s leadership qualities were recognized when she was named softball captain during her senior year. She’s not only a fantastic player but also the “mom” of the team, offering guidance and support to her teammates. Gia is now furthering her education at Keene State College in New Hampshire, where we have no doubt she will continue to shine.

Analise Trani:

Another Lady Titan’s stalwart, Analise Trani, joined the program at 14u and played as a third baseman for four years. Analise graduated from Greens Farms Academy and has made the exciting decision to continue her athletic and academic journey at Western New England in Springfield, MA, where she’ll be playing Field Hockey. Her two-year stint as a softball captain at GFA showcased her leadership skills. Analise is known for her team spirit and creative team nicknames like “St. Joes” and “Stormy.” Her pre-inning tradition of gathering the team for a game of rock, paper, scissors is a testament to her ability to bring positivity and camaraderie to the field.

Christina Zinicola:

Christina Zinicola, who joined the Lady Titan’s program at 14u, spent four years primarily playing second or shortstop. After graduating from Stamford High School, Christina has taken the next step in her academic journey at Manhattan College. Her senior year at Stamford High saw her being named softball captain, reflecting her leadership on and off the field. Christina is known for her fearless playstyle, never shying away from taking the extra base or making a spectacular diving play. We can’t wait to welcome her back next summer.

Jenna Soltis, aka “Jenny from the Block”:

Jenna Soltis, affectionately known as “Jenny from the Block,” joined the Lady Titan’s program at 18u and played as the starting centerfielder for two years. Graduating from Wilton High School, Jenna has decided to further her education at Ohio State. Much like her namesake, Jenna was a speed demon on the field, always taking the extra base and being an aggressive base runner. Her leadership qualities were recognized when she was named softball captain at Wilton High during her senior year.

Cassie Robotti:

Last but certainly not least, we have Cassie Robotti. Cassie started her journey with the Lady Titans at 14u, initially playing baseball before transitioning to softball. As a middle infielder, primarily at shortstop, Cassie displayed exceptional skills and dedication. Currently pursuing her education at Penn State, Cassie graduated from Stamford High, where she served as a softball captain for two years.

We are immensely proud of each of these talented athletes and their achievements both on and off the field. They exemplify the values of teamwork, dedication, and leadership that we hold dear at BVSA. While they may be moving on to new adventures, they will forever be a part of the BVSA family. Congratulations to Gia, Analise, Christina, Jenna, and Cassie, our First County Bank, August Athletes of the Month! We can’t wait to see the incredible feats you’ll achieve in the future, and we look forward to welcoming you back whenever you’re in town. Good luck, and keep reaching for the stars! 🌟🎓🥎

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from BVSA, where we celebrate the excellence of our young athletes month after month.

Bobby Valentine’s First County Bank Athlete of the Month for July is Ava Quinlan! Ava is going into fourth grade at Springdale Elementary School,  and currently plays for the Stamford Stars 8u Red team. This isn’t just any 8u softball team, this team just recently earned a spot in the Babe Ruth World Series in Jensen Beach, Florida. Surprise, surprise, Ava was just awarded Player of the Game during the World Series Tournament!

Ava has played for the Stars for the last five years, starting at just four years old. This is her second year playing travel softball, and it has certainly been a successful one. She is hitting .614 and leading the team in RBIs with 26. She leads the team with 15 extra base hits, including her first career home run in the State Championship game. She ended up hitting for the cycle that game and took home MVP honors along with the championship trophy. 

Ava trains at BVSA in the offseason with Coach Danielle doing both hitting and pitching, and she has already verbally committed that she wants to work here when she is older.

Other than softball, Ava loves dancing at Center Stage Dance Studio and plays basketball for the Stamford Young Timers. Her favorite baseball team is the New York Yankees, with her favorite player being Aaron Judge. In ten years, you can find Ava starting at second base or on the mound for the University of Florida, as she already knows she wants to be a Gator.

Bobby Valentine’s First County Bank Athlete of the Month for June is seventeen year old Alex Benevento! Alex is a three year varsity starter for the New Canaan High School baseball team, currently finishing up his junior year.

“Seeing Alex grow these past three years has been amazing to watch. He came into BVSA as a freshman and you could see that his energy was on a different level. Not only did he want to improve at every aspect of the game, but he pushed others to do the same…

The dedication that he shows is evident, with an even higher level of respect for the craft. He proves this even further when working with younger players in our clinics, giving plenty of helpful tips while making it a fun experience. The sky is the limit for Alex in his future baseball endeavors, and I can’t want to see how far he can go.”

— Matt Diurno, BVSA Instructor

Alex is primarily a center fielder, but can play the infield as well. In addition to baseball, he is also one of the captains for the NCHS varsity football team. When not on the field, he is watching the New York Yankees or his favorite player, Diamondbacks outfielder, Corbin Carroll. Alex has a 4.0 GPA and plans to study data analytics and play baseball at Brown University. 

Bobby Valentine’s First County Bank Athlete of the Month for May is sixteen year old Marissa DelCarmine!

Marissa started playing softball at the age of five and began her training at BVSA three years later. She is a pitcher and a shortstop, playing for both New Canaan Softball and the BVSA Titans.

“It has been an absolute pleasure getting the opportunity to coach Marissa over this past year with the Titans. She has a competitive presence to her that is unmatched and not just brings the best out of her, but elevates her teammates as well…

Marissa’s passion and drive for excellence makes her exactly the type of player coaches hope to be able to have on their team and in their program. I am excited to see what the future holds for her on the diamond and in the rink!” – Justin Virgulak, BVSA Facility Director

In addition to softball, Marissa plays volleyball and ice hockey for New Canaan High School. She is a honor roll student, undecided on what she might want to study in college being only a freshman.

Marissa is a big New York Yankees and New York Rangers fan, and enjoys watching the Florida Gators on the softball diamond when they are nationally televised. When not playing sports, she can be found at home enjoying time with her twin brother, older sister, and her two French Bulldogs.

Bobby Valentine’s First County Bank Athlete of the Month for April is Matthew Scholtz. Matt is currently in fourth grade and a part of the 10U Red team for New Canaan Travel Baseball. Last year as 9U Red, his team made it to the Regional Semifinal in West Hartford.

Bobby Valentine’s First County Bank Athlete of the Month for March is Henry Reagan. Henry is currently the first baseman and designated hitter for CTBC.