2012 Inductee Biographies

On Saturday November 17, 2012, the East Longmeadow High School Athletic Hall of Fame held its 3rd annual Hall of Fame Induction ceremony. Twenty-one inductees were enshrined at the Elmcrest Country Club in front of nearly 260 attendees.

Steve Alminas 2002

Steve Alminas was a four-year varsity golfer. He was selected to the All-Western Mass first team all four years of his High School career. Steve led the team to three Western Mass titles and one State title. He led Western Mass in scoring and finished 2^nd individually in his senior year. He played in the 2000 US junior amateur, and in 2001 US amateur championships. Steve went on to play college golf at Winthrop University. He currently works at the Longmeadow Country Club in Longmeadow MA, as an assistant professional.

Peter Avdoulos 1981

Peter Avdoulos was a three-year swim team diver and a two-time All Western Mass first team selection. As a junior, Peter won his first All Western Mass diving championship. He won the ‘Triple-Crown’ of high school diving his senior year, winning the Western Mass, Mass State and New England Championship titles. He was undefeated during his junior and senior years. Peter continued diving at Springfield College where he became a New England Champion and two-time national qualifier and competitor. Upon graduating from college, Peter became the head diving coach at Springfield College. Along with many conference titles, his divers have achieved well over 100 All-America honors, 7 national championship titles and many national runner-up finishes. He has been honored 20 times with conference ‘Coach of the Year’ and 5 times with NCAA national ‘Coach of the Year ‘ awards. He lives in East Longmeadow with his wife Sue and their three daughters. His daughter Melanie is a two-time All Western Mass diver, and the current holder of the East Longmeadow High School diving record.

Kate Brunelle 1995

Kate Brunelle was a four-year, two-sport athlete, participating in both soccer and basketball. She was a two-time All Western Mass first selection in soccer. She captained the soccer and basketball teams during both her junior and senior years. During her senior year, Kate was the driving force that led her soccer team to the Western Mass Soccer tournament by scoring 12 goals and 8 assists during the regular 14 game season. She continued her academic and soccer career at Western New England University where she was inducted into the Coach Downs ‘Hall of Fame for Soccer’. With a BA in Psychology from WENEU and a Masters in Communication Disorders from U-Mass, Kate works as a Speech and Language Pathologist in Early Intervention. Kate resides in East Longmeadow with her husband Matt and their three children. As their child Elizabeth emerges as a soccer player she and Matt look forward to contributing to the success of the youth soccer programs in town.

Bob Carlson 1963

Bob Carlson played baseball throughout his high school years. He was selected to the All Western Mass first team as a pitcher during his junior and senior years. In his junior year Bob finished fourth among small schools pitchers with a 10-5 record. Bob served as team captain during both his junior and senior years. While playing for East Longmeadow Legion Post 293, Bob pitched a no-hitter on opening day of the New England finals, striking out 21 batters including 8 in a row. Bob keeps a congratulatory telegram from his high school coach as a treasured memento. Bob continued his baseball career as a pitcher at AIC. He was offered a contract by the St. Louis Cardinals, but declined due to family obligations. Bob is the father of six daughters and two sons and resides in East Longmeadow with his wife Sally.

Brian Fazio 1986

Brian Fazio was a five-sport athlete, participating in hockey, track, baseball, football and tennis. Brian and his teammates were Western Mass Tennis Champions during his senior year. A prolific hockey scorer, he scored 58 goals and had 66 assists in 63 games during his career. Brian led the Fay/Wright division in scoring his senior year, scoring 26 goals with 21 assists in 17 games. Brian was selected to the All Western Mass hockey first team for two consecutive years and served as team captain during his junior and senior years. Brian continued his hockey playing at Western New England University, graduating in 1990. Brian passed away in 2003 while jogging. His wife Dawn and son Riley live in North Mankato, Minnesota.

Kristen Gonsalves 2002

Kristen Gonsalves was a two-sport varsity athlete in field hockey and swimming. She was selected to the All Western Mass field hockey first team during her senior year and was team MVP. Kristen was a four -year All League and All Western Mass first team selection in swimming. As a part of ‘The Fab Four’, she led her teams to four undefeated seasons and four consecutive Western Mass Championships. Kristen was a member of the record setting 200 medley and 400 free relay teams. She was team MVP during her senior year. Kristen works as a graphics designer in Olde Town VA and resides in Springfield VA with her husband Ted where they are expecting their first child..

Erika Gregory 2002

Erika Gregory was a four-year varsity swimmer. She was named to the Coaches All League and All Western Mass teams all four years. Erika’s remarkable career includes many accomplishments: Western Mass Championship butterfly in 1999, 500 freestyle relay in 2001, 400 free relay all four years, athlete of the week in 2000, and was awarded the prestigious Western Mass High Point award in 2002. Erika played an integral role in the four-year undefeated girls swim team competition, finishing 47-0 during the regular seasons. Erika received her B.S. degree in Marketing and Communications from Western New England University in 2006. She is employed as a senior technical recruiter and resides in Bethesda Maryland.

Mike Lewis 1977

Mike Lewis was a four-year football player. He was an All League and All Western Mass first team selection during his senior year. Mike was selected as Suburban League MVP during his senior year when he led the division in scoring with 110 points. He amassed 852 yards during the season and was a breakaway threat with a 94 yard kick-off return and an 80 yard run from scrimmage. In his senior year Mike finished number 2 in the state and led his team to a league championship. Mike continued his football career at Wilbraham-Monson Academy. While caring for his grandmother, Mike joined the Marines where he served two tours. Mike lives in Greenfield MA and is currently a student at Greenfield Community College, he also works with children for the Greenfield Housing Authority, and remains committed to helping veterans.

Devonia Long 1992

Devonia Long was a four-year track and field athlete. As a freshman she tried many events and came to love the triple jump. She placed first in the triple jump and the 4x110 yard relay in the PVIAC championship meet as a freshman. Devonia was selected All-League and All-Western Mass for three consecutive years, placing first in the triple jump in each of those years. She captained the team during her junior and senior years. She finished in the top five for the 100 m dash in the States and 2nd in the NE regionals. She also participated the 200 m runs and the long jump but remained dominant in the triple jump with a record setting 38’ 11.75”. She remembers her experience as one that taught her the value of teamwork and good sportsmanship. Devonia resides in Springfield where she is pursuing her master’s degree in Criminal Law at Western New England University. She has been employed as a correctional counselor in Connecticut for more than 13 years.

Bruce Moyers 1982

Bruce Moyers was a two-sport athlete, participating in soccer and hockey. Bruce was selected to All Western Mass soccer in both his junior and senior years. In his junior year, “The Cobra” scored 3 goals in less than 2 minutes against Longmeadow and led the league with 22 goals and 2 assists. During his senior year he played an integral part on the Division I Western Mass Championship Soccer team, scoring 11 goals and 8 assists during the season. Bruce played with the Kick and Run All Stars his senior year throughout the Commonwealth as well as in Holland and Germany. He continued his soccer career at Westfield State University. Bruce is a 20 year, retired, Connecticut Department of Corrections Officer and lives in East Longmeadow with his wife Lisa and their children Steven and Brianna.

Sarah Myksin 2002

Sarah Myksin was a four-year varsity swimmer. She was a first team selection to All-Western Massachusetts for three years. She was an integral part of the 400 freestyle relay that finished first for three consecutive years, and a member of the 200 freestyle relay that finished first for two consecutive years. In her senior year, Sarah competed in the State Swimming Championships where she set her personal best in 100 butterfly and 500 freestyle. As a member of the ‘Fab 4’, she helped the Spartans amass a 47-0 record throughout her four years of high school. In addition to competing for the Spartans, Sarah also swam for the Pioneer Valley Aquatic Club during her high school years, and following graduation, swam for Wesleyan University where she was captain of her collegiate team. Sarah currently lives in Baltimore, Maryland and is an alumni relations and development officer for the Georgetown University Law Center.

Paul Oparowski 1974

Paul Oparowski was a two-sport athlete, competing in Cross Country and Track and Field. He was a four time selection to All Western Mass and was Division I Western Mass two mile run Champion in both indoor and outdoor track his junior and senior years. Paul was captain of the track team his senior year, and was voted MVP. He was instrumental in forming the Cross Country program at ELHS and captained the cross country team his senior year. At graduation he held the cross country course school record. Paul continued his running career at Bates College where he was named to the All-Maine, All-New England, All-NESCAC and All-ICAAA teams. He was chosen All-American twice in cross country and once in outdoor track. When he graduated from Bates, Paul held outdoor track school records in all the distances from two mile to ten thousand meters. Paul participated in the1980 and 1984 Olympic Marathon trials where he set a personal record of 2:18:19. He and his wife Sue live in Grafton, MA where they raised their three children.

Jon Paschetto 1983

Jon Paschetto was a member of the varsity golf team for four years. Serving as team captain he helped the team throughout the year, ultimately winning the 1983 State Championship. He was named team MVP three times and shot a school record of 67 in a competitive school match. Jon earned a golf scholarship and went on to play four years of Division II golf at Rollins College. Upon graduation from college, he played on the competitive mini tour golf for several years. Jon became a PGA teaching professional and studied golf learning techniques as a PGA apprentice under the tutelage of several of golfs brightest instructors such as Paul Bunyan, David Ledbetter, Jim McLean, Jim Flick, Mike Bender, E. Harvey Ward and John Redman. In 2006 he received the Growth of the Game Award from the President of the PGA of America. As a PGA professional, Jon writes articles toward learning and promoting golf. Jon teaches golf in Atlanta, Georgia where he lives with his wife Beth and two boys, Nicholas and Christopher.

Ashley Pelzek 2002

Ashley Pelzek was a four-sport athlete, participating in basketball, volleyball, softball and cross country. A four year varsity basketball player she was selected All Western Mass for three years. Ashley was named to Street and Smiths magazines ‘players to watch’ in 2001 and the 2002 McDonald’s All America Team honorable mention. After breaking through the 1000 point barrier she finished her high school career as the all-time leading scorer with 1492 points and single season record of 498. Ashley was selected All Western Mass in volleyball her senior year. She continued her basketball career at the United States Naval Academy where she was elected captain by her teammates during her senior season. She received her commission from VSNA in 2006 and was transferred to Pensacola, FL for flight school. Lt. Pelzek is now F/A-18 F Super Hornet Weapons Systems Officer and is currently completing training at the Naval Air Station Top Gun Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Course in Fallon Nevada.

Gary Pomeroy 1979

Gary Pomeroy was a two-sport athlete at ELHS in swimming and football. He was selected All Western Mass for four years in swimming. He was part of the 1976 team that won League, Western Mass, States and New England Championships. Gary was All Western Mass Champion his senior year in both the 50 and 100 freestyle. He played football all four years and was All Suburban league his junior and senior years. Gary was also selected to All Western Mass football first team his senior year and served as team captain and Co-MVP. In 1976 he played on the Central Mass Football Championship team, leading the team in receiving yardage and touchdown receptions. Gary went on to play four years of football at the University of Oklahoma and was member of the 1980 Big 8 Championship team. He also played in the Orange, Fiesta, and Holiday Bowls. Gary is the International CIO for Jefferies & Company, maintaining residences in Avon, CT, New York City, and London, England. He and his wife Roxanne have two daughters Catherine and Veronica.

Brian Reid 1991

Brian Reid was a two-sport varsity player in hockey and golf. He was hockey’s leading scorer, and team MVP his junior and senior year. Brian was also nominated to both the All Coaches and All Western Mass hockey first team his junior and senior year. He was a nominee for the Bissone Award in 1991. In golf, Brian was the team MVP and maintained the lowest stroke average his junior and senior year. He received the low medalist in the Division II Western Mass team championship, with a 74, his senior year. Brian received the UNICO Scholarship his senior year. He attended Western New England University’s pre-pharmacy program and received a Bachelor of Science in pharmacy from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences. Brian has been employed as a pharmacist for CVS for the last 16 years. He currently resides in Somers, Connecticut with his wife and two children.

Heather Superson 2002

Heather Superson was a four-year varsity swimmer. She was selected to the All Western Mass Swim team all four years. Heather was the Western Mass Champion in the 200 freestyle in 1999, and a three-year All Western Mass Champion in the 400 free style relay. She was also athlete of the week in 1999. She was an instrumental member of her team from 1999-2002 as they went undefeated all four years amassing a record of 47-0-0 in Western Mass competition. Heather continued her swimming career at Mount Holyoke College where she holds 5 individual school records. She was selected to the All Academic All Conference team from 2004 through 2006. Heather lives with her husband Shawn and their son Ryan in Chicopee MA.

Doug Wilk 1982

Doug Wilk was a two-sport athlete. He was a four-year varsity diver and a two-year varsity soccer player. Doug was an integral member of the 1981 Division I Championship soccer team. He was team MVP and an All Western Mass first team selection, leading all soccer scorers with 22 goals and 10 assists. Doug was an All Western Mass diver in his junior and senior years, placing first in the Western Mass Championship during his senior year. Doug continued his soccer career at Union College as a four year varsity player, was selected to the All New York first team and is in the Union College Hall of Fame. Doug, an architect, lives in Harrison N.Y. with his wife Linda and their three children, Kailey, Ryan and Dylan, along with his mother Ms. Adeline Wilk, a former math teacher who worked at ELHS for 23 years from 1963 to 1986.

Nick Zguro 2002

Nick Zguro 2002 was a four-sport athlete, participating in track, basketball, tennis and soccer. As a four-year varsity soccer player, he was selected All-Western Mass and All-State for three consecutive years. He was elected team captain during his senior year. Nick was the leading scorer in Western Mass and was selected as Western Mass Player-of-the-year. Nick was a McDonald’s All-American nominee; runner-up for the Massachusett Gatorade Player of the year; New England Soccer University of Massachusetts-Amherst where he received two degrees, one in Communications and one in Psychology. Nick is currently a sports radio personality for Cumulus Media (WXLM-AM and Q105-FM) covering all of the New England professional teams and is the color commentator for Coast Guard Football. Professionally known as Nick Guiliano, he resides in East Longmeadow, and writes a weekly Red Sox blog for the Day Newspaper website.

Contributor Rossie Giuggio

Rossie Giuggio was born in Highland Falls N.Y. and loved sports all of his life. Rossie and his wife Susan raised their three children, Maria, Rossi and Joseph in East Longmeadow. “Mr. Guge” as he was affectionately called, took an active part in supporting their teams, sometimes as a third base coach, an assistant coach or head coach. Their children were also very active in high school sports where you could find him, selling 50/50 tickets and then working the chains at the football games. Rossie was a major player in the project to put lights at the high school athletic stadium. A huge undertaking by many people in town. To his delight the lighting was completed in September of 2000, it was one of his proudest moments to have been a part of the lighting dedication for all sports programs. Rossie lost his battle with cancer in December of 2011. He lived a full and blessed life and is greatly missed by his family and friends.

Coach Gil Gonsalves

Gil Gonsalves coached girls soccer from 1993-2002 and coached girls and boys swimming from 1992-2011. His soccer teams qualified for Western Mass nine consecutive years, winning four Western Mass and two State Championships. His 2002 team was ranked eighth in the nation. He was named Western Mass Soccer coach of the year four times, and Massachusetts Coach of the year in 2002. Gil’s girls swim teams had four consecutive undefeated seasons and won Western Mass six times. Gil has more than 100 wins in two sports. He is the only coach in Western Mass to have two undefeated Western Mass Championship teams in the same year, girls soccer and girls swimming. Gil retired from the East Longmeadow School system in June of 2012. He resides in Chicopee with his wife Kelly.