East Haven Students Named SCC Scholar Athletes of the Month

East Haven’s Austin Thornberg and Alexandra Crisco were among the 15 student-athletes from eight high schools to be named The SportsCenter of Connecticut/Southern Connecticut Conference Scholar Athletes of the Month for September.

Now in its 10th year, The SportsCenter of Connecticut/SCC Scholar Athlete of the Month program will honor outstanding young men and women each month during the 2015-16 academic year.

“Many thanks to the Sports Center of Connecticut for its support of the SCC and the Scholar Athlete of the Month program,” SCC Commissioner Al Carbone said. “This conference has been proud of its success for the last 21-plus years, and to be able to recognize outstanding young men and women who demonstrate the desire and ability to succeed solidifies what the SCC is all about.”

Each SCC member school can nominate up to two honorees per season (fall, winter and spring). The Conference is announcing the fall recipients in September, October and November.

Student athletes who are selected must be a varsity letter-winner and have a 3.0/B average while demonstrating leadership qualities such as: being a positive role model; helping teammates overcome adversity; showing a commitment to self-improvement; or putting the needs of the team before themselves.

Sports Center of CT/SCC Scholar Athletes of the Month receive a certificate, commemorative T-shirt and a SportsCenter of Connecticut activity pass.

Thornberg, the captain of the Yellowjackets’ football team, is an exemplary performer in the classroom with a 3.69 grade-point average.

An honors student, Thornberg also serves as the captain of the outdoor track team.

“Austin has proven himself to be a leader in the classroom as well as on the field,” East Haven football coach Melvin Wells said. “He is our go to guy as an athlete and a person. He makes everyone around him better people.”

Crisco has experienced both academic and athletic success during her time at East Haven High School.

Currently a senior, Crisco has a 4.27 grade-point average and is ranked top 5 percent of her class. A member of the Yellowjackets’ girls’ soccer team, she is also president the schools PEP club, as well as a member of the Unified Sports team in the winter.

Crisco participates in outdoor track and dances competitively.

“Alex’s work ethic carries over to everything she does and is contagious, whether it be on the field or in the classroom, and she can always be counted on to give her best every day,” East Haven girls’ soccer coach Ray Curren said.