The leaves are beginning to change, pumpkin season is officially back and, just like that, high school sports have returned to the fields, courts and pools. As the 2026 fall season gets underway, we take a closer look at Conard’s fall sports and the players, teams and storylines to watch as the Red Wolves look to make their mark this season.
Football:
Conard football enters the 2026 season looking to rebound from a 3-7 record in 2025. The Red Wolves return several key players, including junior running back and 2025 CCC All-Conference selection Holden Smith.
The Red Wolves will also look to replace several players from last year’s team, including quarterback Brady Cersosimo, linebacker Owen Holmes, wide receiver and defensive back Justin Nanyakkara, offensive lineman Brayden Sohn and two-way lineman Taurean Cauley.
Conard will close the regular season with its annual rivalry game against Hall for the Mayor’s Cup at McKee Stadium on Nov. 21 at 1 p.m.
Boys Soccer:
Conard enters the 2026 season looking to return to the postseason after finishing 2025 outside the playoffs. The Red Wolves will look to build on the program’s previous success as they work to establish themselves as a playoff contender.
Cameron Robinson returns for Conard, while Arinze Oteka and Melu Oteka also return as contributors. The Red Wolves will look to their returning players to provide experience as the team works to compete throughout the 2026 season.
Girls Soccer:
Conard enters the 2026 season looking to build on a 5-9-2 regular-season record from 2025. The Red Wolves return 2025 All-CCC selection Paige Sweeney, along with returning contributors Caitlin Walsh and Jackie Capone.
With members of last year’s senior class moving on, Conard will look to its returning players and new contributors to take on larger roles during the 2026 campaign.
Sweeney gives the Red Wolves an experienced presence as Conard looks to improve on last season’s record and compete throughout the 2026 season.
Field Hockey:
Conard enters the 2026 season looking to build on an 8-3-2 record and a strong run in the 2025 Class L state tournament. The No. 9-seeded Red Wolves defeated No. 8 Hamden, 2-1, in the opening round before advancing to the quarterfinals, where they fell to top-seeded Staples.
The Red Wolves return several key players, including 2025 All-CCC selection Gigi Smith. Conard will look to its returning contributors to build on last season’s postseason experience while taking on larger roles in the new campaign.
Girls Swimming:
Conard returns to the pool looking to build on a strong 2025 postseason, highlighted by a third-place finish at the Class LL Championships. The Red Wolves return several swimmers who competed at last year’s championship meet, including sophomore Laura Haverly.
Haverly placed eighth in both the 50- and 100-yard freestyle at the Class LL meet and helped Conard to third-place finishes in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays. Celia Filotto, Elise Harhay, Ciara Frewen, Emilie O’Sullivan and Lucy Archambault also return after competing at last year’s Class LL Championships.
The Red Wolves will again face Glastonbury, Farmington, Newington, and Hall during the regular season. Conard’s rivalry with Hall is scheduled for Oct. 28 at the Cornerstone Aquatics Center, followed by a postseason meet at Southington on Nov. 3.
Girls Volleyball:
Conard enters the 2026 season looking to build on a 12-9 record and a postseason appearance in 2025. The Red Wolves advanced to the CCC Tournament last season before falling 3-0 to Glastonbury.
Conard also reached the CIAC Class LL state tournament, where the Red Wolves’ season ended with a 3-0 loss to Staples.
The Red Wolves will look to a new group of players to build on last year’s postseason experience and compete throughout the 2026 season.
The Season Ahead
Now, the wait is over. Conard’s fall teams are ready to take the field, court and pool with postseason aspirations and plenty of questions to answer along the way. As the Red Wolves begin writing the next chapter of their 2026 season, WHCI will be there to follow the action from start to finish. All Conard home games covered by WHCI can be streamed live for free on the WHCI YouTube channel, with select games also airing live on Comcast Channel 5 in the West Hartford market.
Written by Zach Lawrence, Anthony Altimirano & David Petrella
