MONROE, CT — Panther Pride Awards recognized three historic Masuk High School teams at the third annual Masuk Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet, held at Tashua Knolls Golf Club on Oct. 9.
Among the recipients were the 1974 Masuk softball team. Led by Trudi Kelly, a coach affectionately known as “The Legend,” this team has the distinction of winning their school’s first state championship in the CIAC state softball tournament.
The other two recipients were the 2024 Masuk football team and 2025 Masuk softball team, who also won state championships.
Kevin Bresnahan, who was inducted into the Masuk Athletic Hall of Fame last year for his outstanding soccer career, presented the awards.
“This is the third year of honoring amazing players and amazing coaches,” Bresnahan said. “Masuk has such a legacy. My pride in Masuk has grown exponentially over the years.”
The following information on the three award winners was taken from the banquet booklet.
1974 Masuk softball team: Under Trudi Kelly’s guidance, the team won three consecutive Western Connecticut Conference (WCC) titles in 1972, 1973 and 1974) — going undefeated in each of those seasons.
The pinnacle of their dominance came in 1974, when Masuk captured the State Championship with a commanding 6-0 victory over Westbrook.
Liz Grabowski was the winning pitcher in that game, showcasing poise and power on the mound.
The team’s offense was just as fierce, with standout performances by Shell Tannucci and Julie Wolfer, whose incredible hitting helped secure the title.
The 1974 senior class — Mary Serafin, Julie Wolfer, Liz Grabowski, Eleanor Climes Brainard, Patty Borys, Shelby Tannucci and Lisa Jarrell — formed the backbone of a team remembered not just for its victories, but for its unity, skill and determination.
Trudi Kelly’s leadership style left a lasting impact on her players, who admired her, not only as a coach, but as a mentor. Her legacy lives on through the memories of that undefeated state championship run, the bonds formed among the athletes, and the pride they brought to Masuk High School.
They weren’t just winners — they were a team to be reckoned with.
2024 Masuk football team: Under Head Coach Steve Christy, the 2024 Masuk Panthers made a remarkable run to the CIAC Class MM state championship, upsetting No. 1 seed Windsor 24-21 in the finals.
The season’s signature moment came in the closing seconds when kicker Jackson Zylick, after a running-into-the-kicker penalty, converted a 27-yard field goal to give Masuk the lead and the state title.
Along the way, Masuk dominated the quarterfinal against Torrington 41-0, with sophomore quarterback Aaron Champagne throwing four touchdowns, and rolled past Bunnell in the semifinal behind Gavin Walker’s four touchdowns in a 41-13 victory. Masuk finished the season with a 10-3 record.
The Panthers’ leadership core was captured by Sebastian Nicolas, Nick Fox, David Marciano, Tariq Al-Hameedi and Ryan Putnam. On offense, Nicolas anchored the line, while Fox and Al-Hameedi were key contributors on defense.
Throughout the season, Masuk not only sealed upsets of top teams, but showed balance and poise in big moments — from a shutout at Torrington to the late-game heroics in the title clash.
Assistant coaches who were also core to the team’s success were: Eric Linderbeck, Ryan Mignone, Joe Diaz, Mike Diaz, Nick Chaco, Jerry Peck and Eric Labonte.
2025 Masuk softball team: The 2025 Masuk girls softball team won the Class L state championship by defeating Waterford 3-0. This was Masuk’s seventh consecutive state championship title!
The Panthers were an incredible 26-1, which solidified their reputation as one of the most formidable teams in the state.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Leigh Barone, assistants Emily Woznick, Brittany DaMota, Sam Schiebe, Phil Wilhelmy and captains Julia Bacoulis, Sofia Lieto, Alyssa Castillo and Ava Moretti the team demonstrated exceptional skill and resilience throughout the season.
Seniors, including the captains and key players, Aubrey Zvovushe-Ramos and Madison Aguirre, played pivotal roles in driving the team’s success.
The team’s highlights this season are nothing short of spectacular! They captured their seventh Southwestern Conference (SWC) title in eight years with a thrilling 1-0 victory over Brookfield in a grueling 10-inning battle and their seventh consecutive Class L State Championship.
One of the most memorable moments came in the semifinals, where Masuk overcame a 1-0 deficit against St. Joseph’s with a dramatic two-run homer by Grace Ely in the sixth inning, sealing a 2-1 win.
This remarkable season cements the 2025 Masuk girls softball team’s legacy as a powerhouse in girls’ softball.
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