In a year that has seen a girls soccer state championship and women’s sabres title, another phenomenon has occurred – freshmen have begun to take a larger role on the varsity field, court, and track. 12 freshmen have started at least one game on the varsity roster this year.

These freshmen are contributors now and will continue to grow and expand upon their roles during their time at Morgan. The following 4 freshmen meet the criteria of playing consistent minutes and being a key factor to good programs.

Rocco Passante

Rocco Passante plays soccer and basketball; starting the majority of the soccer season and dressing for varsity for basketball. As a central midfielder, Passante had an impressive debut season recording 6 goals and 9 assists, the best stat line of any freshman in the Shoreline Conference. Passante’s primary focus is on soccer as he plays for Connecticut Rush Select in the off-season to improve his game.

Passante started 12 out of the teams 22 games and played in every game besides one, senior night. Passante got his first starting opportunity against Cromwell halfway through the regular season, after senior Wilson Rivera could not attend the game.

Passante would frequently start when his teammates were injured or could not play due to league rules. Morgan boys soccer head coach Ross Demay said “His first HK game we had some injuries and players not able to play because of it, he got thrown to our biggest opponent of the season. There you can see he, like a few of the younger kids, was nervous and it was his first real challenge of the season playing a bigger stronger opponent that was willing to hit you” said Demay.

Passante played an important role in the team’s post season push, finishing alongside his team as Shoreline Conference runner-ups and losing in the semi-finals of the State Tournament. Both losses were to HK. Passante was the lone scorer in the shoreline final vs HK, showing his experience outweighs his age. “Rocco was a player that through his hard work and high soccer IQ made a difference on the field, so he made it difficult not to have him on the field” said Demay.

Passante was an important piece for Morgan this year, and with 8 starters graduating, he will take on a bigger role next season.

“Rocco was willing to put in the work… You could see Rocco throughout the season learning and becoming more comfortable… As the season progressed, he let his IQ take over and learned to lean into the bigger hits. He adapted to the level of physicality. One thing about Rocco is that he has such a drive to be on the field and is very coachable… This is why Rocco got the time he got” said Demay.

Joseph Berrios

Joseph Berrios is a left-handed pitcher, first baseman, and outfielder for Morgan boys baseball. Berrios has been playing for 11 years, and outside of Morgan, he plays for the highly competitive Connecticut Crush. The southpaw (a common term used for lefties) “has been a pleasant surprise to the 2026 baseball team,” according to head coach Trevor Brown. Berrios has made four starts on the mound and appeared in nine games. In 15 innings pitched, he has conceded 8 earned runs. At the plate, Berrios has 3 hits and 3 walks in his 7 plate appearances.

As Morgan looks to make a deep run in the playoffs, and has 5 games left in 10 days to round out the regular season, there are plenty of innings to be pitched. “Joey will play a big role from now till the end of the season,” said Brown.

With senior Nathan Levy graduating, who occupies innings as a left-handed pitcher and first baseman, he is likely to step into that role.

Addisyn Massey

Addisyn Massey is one of the most accomplished freshman athletes at Morgan. Massey plays soccer and runs both indoor and outdoor track and field. Track is where she specializes in as she runs the 200m, 400m, and recently began to run the 4x100m as well. Massey has run PR’s of 13.1 seconds in the 100, 61 seconds in the 400, and 26.6 seconds in the 200. Massey recently got 2nd in the 200m at Ellington invitational, running her PR of 26.69. An invitational with 34 schools and 45 girls running the 200m. At the same invitational Massey finished 4th out of 37 girls in the 400, finishing in 61 seconds.

During the fall season Massey started outside back for the girls soccer team. In the post season Massey was playing 90 minutes every game and was crucial in the teams state championship victory. Helping her team keep a clean sheet in the final. With five starters graduating, Massey will take on more of a role next year.

This past indoor track season Massey impressed. At the Shoreline Indoor Track Championship Massey finished 1st in the 55m and the 300m as well. In the 55m she finished the race in 7.63 seconds, and in the 300m she ran a 43.65. Massey also anchored Morgan’s 4x200m, and they finished 2nd, just 1 second behind Cromwell. Finishing 1st in an event at the Shoreline Championship puts the runner on the all conference first team.

Massey’s track coach, Jordan Bean said,“Addy is the consummate competitor. She always strives to put herself in the best position possible to win races. What she did at our Indoor track Shoreline Championship…[she] was not only Instrumental to our team’s success but just flat-out impressive as a freshman. She always asks questions to improve performance and works relentlessly on her technique. I’m looking forward to seeing her continue to grow and succeed on the track!”

Dylan Miller

Dylan Miller is having a dominant season for Morgan boys tennis. Morgan boys tennis, who have already secured the Shoreline title. Miller has been playing tennis for 6 years and plays anywhere from singles 2 to singles 4, depending on the opponent. He is currently 13-0 and dominating alongside the rest of his team. Miller has played in every single game so far, playing a crucial part in the team’s success.

Miller has a UTR, or universal tennis rating of around 5. UTR is a global tennis rating system that provides a numerical value from 1-16.5 to measure a player’s skill level based on match performance, not age or gender.

With 3 seniors graduating and 2 of them playing singles, Miller will receive a bigger role for the team and will likely play singles 2 for the 2027 season.

Boys tennis coach Christopher Zawadski said, “Dylan Miller has had an outstanding season… Dylan brings competitiveness and can figure out his opponents’ weaknesses. It is clear that he has grown up around the sport because the more pressured the situation, the better his performance. He elevates his game during the big points, which is crucial to tennis. I’m looking forward to coaching him the rest of his high school career.”