High school tennis players from around Fairfield County played in the 10th Annual Autumn Classic to benefit Norwalk Grassroots Tennis & Education (NGTE), a 22-year-old youth development nonprofit, on Oct. 1. NGTE touches the lives of over 500 student-athletes, offering free, year-round tennis instruction, education support and life skills programming to Norwalk youth living in public or subsidized housing.

Among the winners were Wilton High School girls’ varsity team members, Izzy Koziol and Jelena Sypher.

The Autumn Classic, played at the Weston Field Club and Westport’s Longshore Park, was open to all public and private varsity and junior varsity high school students in the area. Over 150 young men and women representing their schools fought hard in competitive, but fun, doubles play.

Allen Levenson, tournament coordinator and member of the NGTE board of directors, thanked the sponsors and players for raising over $20,000 to help continue the NGTE programs that graduate all participants from high school and help most graduates go to college. “Not only do these high school tennis players support NGTE but they give their time as youth tennis coaches and academic tutors that allow us to help so many underserved youth realize their potential in Norwalk,” he said.

Henry Murphy of Wilton High School was a co-chair of the tournament, along with Daniel Stone (Staples High School), Annabel Thrasher (Greenwich Academy), Matt Sydney (Weston High School) and Bobby Neuter (Darien High School).

“The Autumn Classic is a tremendous boost to Norwalk Grassroots Tennis & Education, bringing together generous long-time supporters while continuing to attract first-time donors to our program,” said Betsy McNeil, NGTE’s executive director. “With the enthusiastic and generous support of the community, we can continue to change the lives of Norwalk’s youth for generations to come.”

The lead sponsor was again Darien Rowayton Bank.

Below is a complete list of winners and finalists of each division and the schools they represent:

Girls Varsity Winners:  Izzy Koziol & Jelena Sypher, Wilton High School
Finalists:  Kendall Schrohe & Melanie Leguizamon, Greenwich High School

Girls JV Winners:  Audrey Magnusen & Kate Collier, Darien High School
Finalists:  Aisiah Sena & Annabelle Benjamin, Brien McMahon (Norwalk)

Boys Varsity Winners:  Harris Walker & Matt Roer, The King School
Finalists:  JJ Lee & Jordan Soifer, Westhill High School and New Canaan High School

Boys JV Winners:  Jason Katz & Jamie Lamb, Staples High School (Westport)
Finalists:  Ben Goldstein & Michael Satanovsky, Hopkins