5 Super Athletes With Ties To Stonington-Mystic

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Stonington-Mystic 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. Matt Harvey (Baseball)

Matt Harvey, a Mystic native and Fitch High School alum, rose to stardom in Major League Baseball as a dominant pitcher, earning the nickname "The Dark Knight." Drafted seventh overall by the New York Mets in 2010, Harvey had a stellar debut in 2012 and a breakout 2013 season, earning an All-Star selection. Despite injuries that impacted his career, he played nine MLB seasons, including a key role in the Mets’ 2015 National League pennant win. He played for several other major and minor league teams before announcing his retirement in 2023.

2. Wally Kopf (Baseball)

Stonington-born Walter Henry "Wally" Kopf had a brief but notable MLB career with the New York Giants in 1921, playing third base in two games. A Dartmouth College alum and World War I veteran, Kopf later played in the minor leagues and semi-pro baseball, displaying a versatile sports career. Kopf’s legacy is tied to his roots in Stonington and his family’s rich baseball history, including his brother Larry Kopf, a Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer.

3. Haley Sutman Graham (Tennis, Basketball, Track)

Haley Sutman Graham of Stonington High School (Class of 1994) excelled in tennis, basketball and track, earning 11 varsity letters. She was an All-State track athlete and a key member of the Class M state champion basketball team as a senior. In track, she set records in the 4x400m relay and earned multiple ECC titles in the 400m. Graham continued her athletic career at Central Connecticut State University, earning All-Conference and All-New England honors in indoor and outdoor track.

4. Charity Schmitt Cress (Soccer, Basketball, Track)

Charity Schmitt Cress, a 2000 graduate of Stonington High School, excelled in soccer, basketball and track. A three-time All-ECC soccer honoree and Class M All-State selection, she was also part of the state champion 4x800m relay team in track. Cress continued her soccer career at Hofstra University, where she captained the team, earned All-Conference honors and was named team MVP as a junior.

5. Brianna Turgeon (Soccer, Indoor Track, Softball)

Brianna Turgeon is a Mystic native who earned 10 varsity letters across soccer, indoor track and softball during her time at Fitch High School (Class of 2011). Known for her impressive softball stats, she batted over .500 with a .610 on-base percentage and a .955 slugging percentage, which earned her Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year honors in both her junior and senior years. She continued her softball career at Fordham University and was inducted into the Fitch High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2021.

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