5 Super Athletes With Ties To Simsbury

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Simsbury area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch is celebrating five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. This list is just a snapshot, with countless other athletes helping shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Maxim Naumov (Figure Skating)

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Maxim Naumov grew up in Simsbury, where his parents coached at the International Skating Center of Connecticut. He won the 2020 U.S. junior national title before earning a spot on the 2026 U.S. Olympic team after taking bronze at the U.S. Championships. His parents, former world pairs champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were killed in the January 29, 2025 plane crash near Washington, D.C., a loss that briefly made Naumov question whether he would continue skating.

2. Sara Hendershot (Rowing)

Simsbury native Sara Hendershot was a three-sport athlete at Simsbury High School before becoming a standout rower at Princeton University. She earned All-American honors and won gold at the 2010 World Rowing U23 Championships and 2011 World Rowing Championships. Hendershot then qualified for the 2012 U.S. Olympic team and finished fourth in the women's pair in London. The Simsbury High School Hall of Fame notes that she also won state championships in soccer and rowing while at Simsbury High.

3. Tommy Cross (Hockey)

Simsbury's Tommy Cross starred at Simsbury High School before playing college hockey at Boston College. He was selected by the Boston Bruins in the second round of the 2007 NHL Draft and helped Boston College win the 2010 NCAA championship. Cross went on to play in the NHL and spent much of his professional career in the American Hockey League.

4. Lisa Griswold Lindley (Lacrosse & Field Hockey)

Lisa Griswold Lindley was a standout two-sport athlete at Simsbury High School, earning multiple All-State honors and helping the field hockey team win a state championship. She went on to become an All-American in both lacrosse and field hockey at UMass and later played for the U.S. national lacrosse team. Lindley won gold with the United States at the 1989 World Cup and was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2020. The Simsbury High School Hall of Fame also recognizes her as one of the school's most accomplished multi-sport athletes.

5. Katie McGregor (Soccer)

Katie McGregor was one of Simsbury High School's most decorated soccer players, earning All-State, All-New England and All-Region honors all four years. She was named Connecticut Player of the Year twice and helped Simsbury win a state championship as a senior. McGregor continued her career at Boston College, where she earned All-Big East recognition. The Simsbury High School Hall of Fame notes that she was also part of the U.S. Under-19 national player pool.

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