Emma Magazu and Jack Petersen were standouts in three sports at Newtown High School — both on the soccer fields and basketball courts, with Magazu making her mark in lacrosse and Petersen on the baseball diamond.

For their efforts and accolades on and off the field, not only this past year but during their high school careers, Magazu and Petersen have been selected from a pool of many deserving candidates as The Newtown Bee’s Newtown High School Athletes of the Year.

Although they stood out in games and helped their teams to victories and playoff runs, there is much more to the Newtown High athletic careers of these student-athletes, each of whom served as captains of their squads in all three seasons this past school year.

“The athletic part isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. It’s their leadership, character, and how they really exemplify the meaning of being a captain. They push their teammates, they act like assistant coaches to their coaches. They went above and beyond,” Newtown High Athletic Director Matt Memoli said.

Magazu was injured early on in the soccer season and remained sidelined through the team’s run to the South-West Conference North Division championship game, but was on the bench to support her teammates every step of the way.

“She just could not have been a better leader, for someone who was not playing,” said Marc Kenney, coach of Newtown High School’s girls’ soccer team.

Magazu says its the camaraderie that she enjoys most about playing sports.

“Being with your team is probably the best part of sports. You make so many new friends and contacts. Whether it’s a win or loss, we’re always there for each other,” Magazu said.

Among Magazu’s best memories were the soccer team’s preseason trips to Portsmouth, R.I. and lacrosse practices with other teams; for example, the lacrosse team practiced with Cheshire and Wilton this past spring.

Magazu won a trio of South-West Conference championships during her high school career, helping the basketball team win one title and the soccer team claim two pinnacle game victories.

“Emma is the true definition of a warrior. She will do anything necessary to help the team win. She can always be counted on,” said Jeremy O’Connell, coach of the NHS girls’ basketball team. “I have had an absolute pleasure coaching Emma. She is the type of student-athlete that coaches dream of. Saying that I am going to miss her is a complete understatement.”

Petersen had an interesting role as captain during the basketball campaign. The three-year starter was a captain his junior year, and then he was the lone senior in this past season’s lineup.

Tim Tallcouch, Petersen’s basketball coach and a teacher at NHS, said Petersen was a great role model in the classroom, as well as in practice and games, showing the younger players what it took to succeed. “The kids really take to him,” Tallcouch said.

“We’re going to miss him; I’m personally going to miss him. He was an extension of me on the court. I obviously trust him. It’s a big loss, but I’m happy he’s going to continue his career at the University of Connecticut,” Tallcouch said.

Among Petersen’s best memories include his sophomore year of baseball when the team went 18-2 and reached the state playoff quarterfinals. “That was just an amazing team to be a part of. I learned a lot on and off the field from my teammates,” he said.

Another fond memory was from this past fall, when Petersen and the soccer team went on to win a conference championship.

Magazu earned All SWC honors for basketball her junior and senior seasons, and took home All Conference lacrosse accolades her sophomore and senior years; don’t forget, spring athletes missed out on sports altogether in 2020 due to the coronavirus. Magazu earned SWC All Academic Team honors and USA/Connecticut High School Coaches Association (CHSCA) All American and CHSCA All State Academic recognition.

Petersen earned All SWC accolades for basketball his sophomore through senior years, and earned All State recognition this past season. Petersen also received All State Academic accolades for soccer and baseball his sophomore year, soccer and basketball his junior year, and basketball again his senior slate.

Both Magazu and Petersen were selected as Newtown’s Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Scholar Athlete awards winners.

Tallcouch points out that the success of these athletes can show students they do not necessarily have to focus on one sport to excel at it, and he recommends they play as many sports as they can during their only high school opportunity.

That said, playing three sports does not preclude the grind of offseason specialized training for athletes, said Kenney, adding that athletes such as Magazu and Petersen take on quite a lot to excel in their athletic activities.

“That’s a hard thing to juggle, not just multiple sports in a year but multiple sports in a season,” Kenney added.

Accustomed to playing three sports, these standouts will now have to keep their focus on just one as they take their games to the next level. Magazu is going to play lacrosse at the University of New Hampshire, and Petersen will play baseball at the University of Connecticut, joining his brother Todd on the baseball diamond for the first time since that memorable run to the state quarters with the Newtown Nighthawks.

“I’m super excited to play at UNH and further my education,” Magazu said.

“I’m just really excited, especially because my brother’s there and I know how much fun he has,” Petersen said.

“I think it’s obviously good to move on, but the past four years have been awesome. I’m going to miss playing soccer and basketball for sure,” said Petersen, adding that the overall high school experience, coaches, and classmates will also be missed.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison may be reached at andyh@thebee.com.