Featured Story
2020 Athletic Awards A Huge Success
The first (and ONLY) virtual St. Luke’s Athletics Awards Night on Tuesday, May 26, was a roaring success, as the Storm Athletic Department celebrated the accomplishments of our Upper School student-athletes in a creative new way.
Athletic Director Mike West, Associate Athletic Director Jennifer Besgen, Assistant Athletic Director Anna Knechtel, Assistant Athletic Trainer Nicole Guido, and Sports Information Specialist Dan Clarke collaborated to recognize the outstanding achievements of St. Luke's student-athletes and the community members who helped them succeed.
Over 200 St. Luke’s families joined the Zoom webinar, which took a look back at the 19 Upper School sports across all three seasons. Highlight videos included dedications to the 48 team captains for their leadership and also recognized the student-athletes who received post-season honors for their representation of the Storm.
Three hundred and six students, which represents 81.4% participation, were involved in our varsity, JV, or thirds teams, with 35 Middle School students playing with their Upper School counterparts.
Forty-five three-sport athletes or team managers were recognized for their contributions across all three seasons, and 55% of the student population represented the Storm across two seasons.
Lars Ernbeg ‘20 and Phoebe Kurth ‘20 received the Athlete of Distinction Award for their tremendous dedication as multi-sport athletes, across all seasons, during their upper-school years at St. Luke’s.
A special mention was given to the record number of student-athletes who will continue their commitment to athletics at the collegiate level. Twenty-one St. Luke’s seniors will play at the next level.
Throughout the evening, participants were encouraged to engage in the event, using the chat function to say hello to friends, connect with coaches, and congratulate award winners.
The night concluded with a wonderful senior tribute video created by Andrea O’Meara, highlighting the 66 graduating members of the Class of 2020 who were involved athletically.
West was thrilled with how the evening went: “To celebrate our Storm Athletic community was so important as we wrap up this academic year. The spirit, accomplishments, and incredible participation rate within St. Luke’s are a source of pride for our school. The class of 2020 is leaving an incredible legacy behind. I look forward to watching our rising SLS athletes as they step up to fill some big shoes in the coming years.”
2018-2019 Athletic Award Winners
Outstanding Senior Athletes:
Lea Panagiotidis and Bear Crystal
Peter Stratton Memorial (Humanitarianism, Team Spirit, Companionship,
Sportsmanship & Overall Contribution to St. Luke’s):
Phoebe Kurth and Lars Ernberg
Herbert Upson Memorial (Sportsmanship, Dedication, Over-Achievement & Intense Desire to Succeed):
Summer Klein and Tank Intrieri
Storm Award (Leadership & Performance):
9th Grade – Aidan Panian
10th Grade – Andrea DiTeodoro and Lili Messina
11th Grade – Eddy Boris
12th Grade – Dylan Johnson and Sadie Vehslage
Athlete of Distinction (Full Commitment):
Lars Ernberg and Phoebe Kurth
Team Manager of the Year:
Janelle Johnson and Raven Sead
Sportsmanship Team of the Year:
Girls Basketball
Storm Supporter of the Year (Game Management Personnel):
John Higgins
Middle School Coach of the Year:
Jennifer Besgen
Upper School Coach of the Year:
Tony Newsom
Heart of the Storm (Team Award for Commitment & Effort):
Cross Country – James Adamini
Field Hockey – Abbey O’Meara
Football – Everett Andersen
Boys Soccer – Max Mitchell
Girls Soccer – Jackie Thompson
Volleyball – Kayleigh Bowler
Boys Basketball –Chuck Clemons and Gavin Greene
Girls Basketball –Janelle Johnson and Summer Klein
Ice Hockey – Lars Ernberg
Ski – Harper Boege
Boys Squash – James Kontulis
Girls Squash – Kathleen Ehlers and Lucy Ehlers
Baseball – Mack Lemkau
Golf – Lars Ernberg
Boys Lacrosse – Justin Pearl
Girls Lacrosse – Quinn Gregorich
Softball – Raven Sead
Boys Tennis – Zach Amendola
Girls Tennis – Sadie Vehslage
Honorary Varsity Letters (Given to SLS seniors who fully commit to sports away from SLS that are not offered at school):
Riding – Sarah Bibb
Skating – Alexa Newhouse 
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 40 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Leading with Humanity curriculum builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.
