Officially coming to an end this past Saturday, the 2025 Sacred Heart Academy winter sports season has been one of the most prosperous seasons in SHA history. Each team made it into the SCC championships, with Competitive Cheerleading, Basketball, and Indoor Track and Field all competing in and placing in states. While each team as a whole did exceedingly well, there were also an exceptional number of athletes this season who were recognized by the SCC, who went All State, and who received varsity letters. Not only did our Sacred Heart Academy Athletics program join together as a whole this winter sports season, but our individual SHA students excelled far beyond words in their individual performances.

Sacred Heart Academy competition and gameday cheerleading both had extraordinary seasons. Competitive Cheerleading had an excellent competition season, competing in six competitions statewide. At each of these competitions, SHA placed in the top ten out of twenty or more teams. After qualifying for states as a team, the SHA cheer team competed, and brought back seventh place out of thirty teams. Competition cheer did well as a team, bringing back high scores and high remarks, and also producing state-recognized athletes. Captain Madison Kuczynski, Nashaly Zabala, and Daniel Patrick were each awarded All SCC and All State for their achievements in competitive cheerleading. Game day cheerleading practiced their routines for game day tirelessly so that they may bring our Sacred Heat Academy school spirit to all of our wonderful games. The team that gives, but does not receive in return, truly outdid themselves this season, as every game was filled with zeal, and the routines were awestriking and engaging.

SHA basketball has had one of the best seasons in winter sports history. With a season record of 22-1, SHA basketball was ranked second in the state in comparison to much larger and much higher seeded teams. With outstanding skill and practice, Sharks basketball was able to play their way to states this past Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Mohegan Sun. After a tiring game against Southington, a school with a reputation for girls basketball, SHA basketball won the state game with a score of 57-47. Each athlete was recognized with a state ring as a memorial of their excellence on the court at this game. Emily Mennillo was also recognized by the SCC with two awards, one being The Girl’s Basketball 2025 Player of The Year, and the other being the 2025 Tournament Most Outstanding Performance award.

SHA Ice Hockey also had an incredible season, with many great games. SHA Ice Hockey had a season record of 13-7 during regular season, and went on to compete in the SCCs. SHA Ice Hockey won the SCC playoffs and championship, becoming number one in the SCC. While the team had an good season, two Sacred Heart Academy athletes were recognized as outstanding among the rest, Alessandra Picard and Hailey Azzarone. Alessandra Picard made the All State 1^st Team, and Hailey Azzarone made the All State 2^nd Team.

Last but not least, Sacred Heart Academy Track and Field had an exemplary season with great meet placements, individual performances and personal records, and many athletes recognized at the All state, SCC, or varsity level. SHA Track had a season record of 2-25, moving on to place second in SCC West, and taking home second in states. The 4 X 800 team placed so well at states that they were able to proceed to Nike Nationals this past weekend, March 15 and 16. Along with excellent team performances, several athletes received either SCC or state awards. Maya Quaranta received All State 1^st Team Shot Put, Academic All State, New England Champion, and 1^st Place All State (breaking the meet record). Cassidy Colantonio was recognized as All State 1^st Team 4X800, Academic All State, 1^st Place SCC 4X800 (breaking the school record). Mavis Banks was recognized as All State 1^st Team for the 4X800, Academic All State, and 1^st Place SCC for the 4X800 (breaking the school record). Jianna Pompano was recognized as All State 1^st Team 16 point Scorer and Academic All State. Avery Steward was recognized for the All State 1^st team 4X800, Academic All State, and 1^st Place SCC 4X800. Camilla Murphy was recognized as All State 1^st  team 16 point Scorer and 1^st Place SCC 4X800. Finally, Abigail Chang was recognized as All State 1^st team 4X800 and 1^st Place SCC 4X800.