The NewCanaanite.com Athlete of the Week is sponsored by Baskin-Robbins, Connecticut Sandwich Co., Joe’s Pizza and Mackenzie’s.
Congratulations to Frank Cognetta and Isabel Taben, the NewCanaanite.com Athletes of the Week.
At the start of the season, Frank Cognetta didn’t know exactly when he’d be back on the football field, as a broken foot was expected to have the senior co-captain sidelined until at least mid-October.
Frank Cognetta picks up big yardage. Credit: Terry Dinan
The healing process went better than expected and Cognetta made his much-anticipated debut Homecoming weekend in limited action against Greenwich. One week later Cognetta scored three touchdowns in a 35-14 win at Warde, and this past week he capped off his comeback with a 30 carry, 200-yard performance against St. Joe’s. Cognetta has notched 437 yards on 90 carries with 8 touchdowns, helping the defending FCIAC and Class L state champs to a 7-0 record so far this season.
“It’s always nice to have Frank back,” New Canaan head coach Lou Marinelli said. “He was on track to be one of the all-time leading rushers.”
And although the injury night have cost Cognetta a chance at former Rams great and current defensive coordinator Chris Silvestri’s career rushing mark, he should join New Canaan’s 2,000-yard club Friday night against Wilton – a club that includes Silvestri, Dennis and Len Paglialunga, John Aldrich, Scott Overbeck and BJ Allen.
There might not be a better feel-good sports story than that of Isabel Taben. The senior co-captain was the leading scorer on the Rams field hockey team and led New Canaan on an amazing run in the FCIAC playoffs that culminated in the school’s first conference championship since 2000.
Isabel Taben celebrates a goal agains Darien in the FCIAC final. Credit: Stacy Mettler
Taben scored two goals in the quarterfinals against Warde and two more in the final against archrival Darien. Taben’s goals were the only scores of the game as the Rams took home the trophy with a 2-0 win. Taben was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
Making Taben’s accomplishments that much more impressive was the fact that her father Charlie had suffered a heart attack less than two weeks earlier. Thankfully, Charlie Taben recovered, and was able to make it to the championship game to see Isabel lead the Rams to victory.
“Her strength and her courage are unbelievable,” New Canaan head coach Erin Gildea told NewCanaanite.com. “She’s a great kid–it’s such a great thing to see her succeed.”