5 Super Athletes With Ties To Montville

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Montville 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. Doug DuBose (Football)

A standout running back, DuBose reached the pinnacle of football success as a member of the San Francisco 49ers team that won Super Bowl XXIII. A proud graduate of Montville High School, he excelled in college football with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. DuBose played two seasons in the NFL and later competed for the Sacramento Surge in the World League of American Football.

2. Ned Hanlon (Baseball)

Known as "Foxy Ned" and revered as "The Father of Modern Baseball," Montville native Hanlon left an indelible mark on the sport. His innovative strategies, including the hit-and-run and the Baltimore chop, revolutionized baseball and helped his teams secure five National League pennants between 1894 and 1900. As a manager, Hanlon compiled a remarkable 1,313–1,164 record and guided Hall of Fame players like John McGraw and Willie Keeler to greatness. Hanlon’s influence extended beyond the field, earning him a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.

3. Kim Hawkes Weidman (Running)

Weidman achieved an unparalleled high school athletic career at Montville High School, becoming the first athlete in school history to earn All-State honors for four consecutive years. As a cross-country runner, she consistently excelled, placing as high as second at the State Open championships and leading her teams to four ECC Championships, four Class M State titles and three CIAC State Open victories. In track, she was a four-time ECC champion and three-time CIAC state champion in the 1500 meters, setting records that still stand today. A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Weidman continued her athletic dominance, earning an impressive 12 varsity letters across cross country, indoor track and outdoor track.

4. Alexis Michon (Softball)

A dominant right-handed pitcher, Michon compiled a 24-1 record while leading the 2022 Eastern Connecticut State University softball team to a national tournament berth. A native of Montville, Michon won her final 21 decisions of the season with a remarkable 1.07 ERA, earning prestigious honors such as NFCA Division III Pitcher-of-the-Year and the Hank O'Donnell Female Athlete-of-the-Year Award, presented by the Connecticut Sports Media Alliance. Her accolades also include first-team NFCA All-America and recognition as the Most Outstanding Player in multiple NCAA regional tournaments.

5. Matt Kobyluck (NASCAR)

Kobyluck made history as the first Native American driver to win the NASCAR Camping World Series East Championship, claiming the title in 2008. Born in Montville, Kobyluck began his racing career at Connecticut’s Waterford Speedbowl before advancing to regional and national stages, where he earned 14 wins and over 50 top-five finishes across more than 150 races. Kobyluck also captured the prestigious NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown twice, solidifying his legacy as a top competitor.

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