Five Boys Athletes Inducted in Masuk Wall of Fame

Five male athletes were inducted in the Masuk Wall of Fame during a ceremony at half-time of the Panthers' basketball game against Norwalk Thursday night.

Among those honored were volleyball stars Collin Neaton, Owen Burton and Connor Ryan; track standout Mark Fuller and football and baseball star Jon Testani.

Masuk football coach John Murphy read comments from coaches who could not attend the event and indoor track coach Ed Butler and boys outdoor track coach Justin Scarpati introduced Fuller.

Collin Neaton

Murphy read a few words about Neaton, Burton and Ryan from Boys Volleyball Coach Megan Miller. Miller said Neaton was one of the most versatile volleyball players and has also been one of the best centers in the state of Connecticut.

Neaton averaged 40 assists per match and led the team in service points and aces. He was named MVP of the SWC tournament and Connecticut Boys Volleyball MVP for the 2011 season. Collin also earned all-state honors.

Owen Burton

Burton was a commanding presence, according to Miller, and his strong hitting and blocking helped the team advance to the state semifinals and win an SWC championship. Burton was named 2011 first team SWC.

Connor Ryan

Ryan was a powerful hitter for Masuk last season, Miller said. He averaged 13 kills per match and helped lead the team to its third straight SWC championship.

Ryan was named to the SWC first team and to the Connecticut Post Boys Volleyball Tournament Team 2011. He was all-state.

Mark Fuller

Ed Butler said Fuller had joined the Masuk Indoor Track Team as a junior. At the conference championship he placed third in the long jump, fourth in the high jump and ran away with the 4-by-200 meter — winning the gold medal.

"He started his senior season in great style, setting a new school record for the high jump at 6'2 in the first meet of the year," Butler said.

Fuller had high jumps of 6 feet or more five times and also had long jumps of over 19 feet several times. In the conference championship he took the silver medal at 6 feet even and the bronz in the long jump at 19'5.

At the CIAC Classic Championship Fuller placed sixth in the high jump and tenth in the long jump. At the CIAC Open Championship, Fuller won the bronz medal with a high jump of 6'4 — a new Masuk record.

His performance earned him all state honors and recognition from the Connecticut High School Interscholastic Track Coaches Association.

Scarpati said, "He's a great kid. He worked really hard and really had a lot of fun. He was an incredibly talented kid. Our trip to New England last year was definitely the icing on the cake."

At that competition, Fuller had a long jump of 22 feet. 

Scarpati said Fuller was strong under pressure. "We used to call him Ice Man," he said.

Last year, Fuller took first place in the SWC with a high jump of 6'2, and third place at Class L with a high of 6'4, and second place in New England with a high jump of 6.45.

Fuller will continue to compete in track at college and Scarpati said, "The sky's the limit."

Jon Testani

Murphy spoke for baseball coach Ralph Franco, while introducing Jon Testani.

"I first met Jon as a sixth grader when he went to our annual spring and summer baseball games," Franco wrote. "Jon lived up to all the expectations that coaches and players had set for him. Jon is a four year starter and a captain in his junior and senior years. It was easy for me to recognize his ability to propel to the next level."

Testani started in his freshman year and played a pivotal role on Masuk's 2008 SWC League Championship team, according to Franco. Testani also helped the Panthers to earn a berth in the Class LL State Championship that year.

Jon's talents continue to grow. He had one of the best individual seasons I have seen since I started coaching," Franco wrote.

During his senior year Testani was recognized as an all state player for the CIAC as well as by the New Haven Register, which recognizes only 15 elite baseball players per season.

"Jon was instant offense for us that season," Franco said.

Testani hit .455 with a state leading 9 home runs. Twenty-three of his 37 hits were for extra bases. He also had 29 runs batted in, 39 runs scored and stole 14 bases.

"He finished with 101 career hits, with number 100 being a home run," Franco said. "Jon is currently playing baseball at the University of Connecticut. I look forward to watching his progress at the next level."

Testani also made the Wall of Fame as a football player.

"Jon was one of the key players in our state championship," Murphy said, adding he is the best football player he has ever coached.

Testani's mother accepted his plaque.