Sports
5 Super Athletes With Ties To Naugatuck
From a brand partner: Meet five standout athletes with ties to the area whose accomplishments have made their mark on the sports world.
Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Naugatuck area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.
Patch is celebrating five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. This list is just a snapshot, with countless other athletes helping shape the rich sports culture in our area.
1. Frank "Spec" Shea (Baseball)
Nicknamed "The Naugatuck Nugget," Frank "Spec" Shea grew up in town before a nine-year MLB career that peaked with a 14-5 rookie season for the 1947 New York Yankees, when he led the league in winning percentage. He won two games and started a third in that year's World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers, helping the Yankees capture the title.
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2. Karyn Iassogna (Softball)
A two-sport athlete at Naugatuck High School, Karyn Iassogna set the school record for career wins by a pitcher, finishing 40-19 with an ERA that dipped as low as 0.40 in a single season. Her postseason numbers were even sharper, including a scoreless CIAC tournament run as a senior despite pitching through injury.
3. Sarah Shea Montini (Volleyball, Basketball & Softball)
Sarah Shea Montini lettered in volleyball, basketball and softball all four years at Naugatuck High School, becoming only the second athlete in decades to earn 12 varsity letters and captain all three sports. She was named NHS Female Athlete of the Year in 1994 before going on to play volleyball and softball at Endicott College.
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4. John Caneira (Baseball)
John Caneira came up through Naugatuck High School's pitching staff before reaching the majors with the California Angels in 1977. He picked up two wins in four decisions that September, including a one-run outing against the powerhouse Chicago White Sox, before a rotator cuff injury cut his career short.
5. Jesse Cyr (Diving)
A three-time CIAC Class L champion, Jesse Cyr capped his Naugatuck High School career by winning the 1991 CIAC State Open title in diving. He continued his success at UConn and later became a decorated collegiate diving coach at Southern Connecticut State University.
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