5 Super Athletes With Ties To Clinton

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

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Mark Carlson (Football)

Mark Carlson began his football career at The Morgan School in Clinton, where his athletic talent also shone on the basketball court. As a senior, he led the Huskies basketball team to a sweep of rival Daniel Hand, posting double-doubles in both games. Carlson continued his football journey at Southern Connecticut State before playing as an offensive tackle for the Washington Redskins (currently the Washington Commanders) during the 1987 NFL season. That year, the team secured victory in Super Bowl XXII, earning Carlson his championship ring.

2. Lisa Barbaro (Volleyball)

Clinton native Lisa Barbaro excelled in volleyball, basketball and softball during her high school career, contributing to six state championship teams. A two-time New Haven Register Athlete of the Year in 1995-96, Barbaro earned all-state and first-team all-conference honors in all three sports. Her impressive achievements led to her induction into the New Haven Tap-Off Club’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Clinton Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.

3. Greg Novarro (Football)

A graduate of The Morgan School, Greg Novarro made history at Bentley University as the football program’s first All-American. From 1990 to 1992, Novarro set multiple school records, many of which still stand today. Inducted into both Bentley's Hall of Fame in 1999 and Clinton’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022, Novarro’s legacy endures despite his untimely passing in 2023.

4. Meredith Thornton (Soccer, Basketball)

Meredith Thornton excelled as a multi-sport athlete at The Morgan School, earning All-Shoreline honors in soccer multiple times and All-State recognition in basketball. A 1,000-point scorer, she led her team to both Shoreline and State Championships. Today, Thornton serves with the Guilford Police Department, receiving the "Salute to the Finest" award in 2024 for her lifesaving work in the field.

5. Patrick Hedge (Baseball)

Clinton’s Patrick Hedge was a two-sport standout at The Morgan School, earning All-State honors and captaining both the football and baseball teams. At the University of Hartford, he became a three-time captain of the Hawks, leading them to the championship game in 1988. Following this, Hedge played in the Baltimore Orioles minor league system before transitioning to a career as a strength and conditioning coach in their organization.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.