The Day held its inaugural High School Athlete of the Year Awards Banquet on Wednesday night at Port 'N Starboard, recognizing All-Area Players of the Year in 25 sports.

As voted on by the sports staff, Old Lyme High School girls' soccer player Mya Johnson was named The Day's 2018-19 All-Area Girls' Athlete of the Year and New London's Jacob Commander, who excelled in football and wrestling, was honored as the All-Area Boys' Athlete of the Year.

Old Lyme girls' soccer coach Paul Gleason was named The Day's 2018-19 All-Area Coach of the Year for girls' sports and Waterford boys' basketball coach Bill Bassett earned the distinction for boys' sports, with both leading their teams to state championships.

Heather Buck, who was named The Day's Player of the Year three times during her basketball career at Stonington High School before attending UConn, where she was part of three national championships, was the guest speaker.