Staples Finds Positives in 102-84 Loss to Wilton

By Eliot Schickler

Sep. 25 – Sometimes teams can find moral victories in defeat. Just ask the Staples High girls swimming team after it dropped to 0-2 Wednesday in its 102-84 home loss to a deep Wilton (3-0) squad.

“I figured we’d get 75 points going in and it feels like a victory,” said Staples coach Mike Laux. “The girls swam great and had a lot of dropped times and personal bests.”

Lady Wreckers senior captain Helene Neuhaus gave them a chance to win by reigning supreme in her events and anchoring a relay team to victory. Neuhaus, who is renowned for her backstroke, didn’t swim it and instead, captured the 50-meter freestyle with a time of 27.88 seconds.

The 100-meter freestyle is her second event and she wasn’t switched from it, delivering Staples a victory (1:00.90) in it.

Senior captain Charlotte Katter was third in the 50 free (29.22) and junior Stephanie Nussbaum was fourth in the 100 free (1:08.82)

Working against the Lady Wreckers was Wilton’s depth. Although Staples won seven out of 12 events, it had zero one-two finishes. Conversely the Lady Warriors went one-two-three in diving and one-two in the butterfly.

“We won our share of the races but Wilton was just too deep,” said Laux.

Also working against the Lady Wreckers is that they barely fell short in the 200-meter medley relay, 2:09.09-2:09.61 despite Neuhaus leading off the backstroke leg with a 30.9 split and giving Staples a body length lead. However, the lady Warriors’ next three legs overtook the Lady Wreckers even though freshman Sarah Cooperman (breaststroke), junior Molly Loftus (butterfly) and Katter (freestyle) all swam well. Senior captain Natalie LeBlanc, freshman Anita Vorah, sophomore Gabby Wimer and senior captain Cat Friel led the 200-medley B-relay team (2:16.47) to third place.

Neuhaus did anchor the 400-meter medley team to victory (4:16.99). Katter, Wimer and Loftus preceded Neuhaus. Junior Margot Bruce, Friel, Nussbaum and LeBlanc led the 400-free B-relay team to third place (4:26.49).

Loftus won two events, first by taking the 200-meter freestyle (2:16.31). Bruce was third in the 200-free (2:22.94).

“We wanted to win this meet and went out and tried out best,” said Loftus. “I knew the Wilton girls were fast and I tried to hold on.”

Distance swimming is Loftus’ forte as she captured the 400-meter freestyle (4:40.25) as well. Bruce (5:00.45) and Cooperman (5:00.45) were four-five in the 400-free.

“My teammates cheered me on and the other girls in the 400 and were feeding off each others’ energy,” said Loftus.

Wimer won the 100-meter butterfly (1:10.87). Junior Caitlin Wiederecht took fourth in the 100-fly (1:20.67).

“I guess my walls and my streamlines helped me in that race,” said Wimer.

LeBlanc triumphed in the 100-meter backstroke (1:10.61). Freshman Alex Teixeira (1:16.71) and Wiederecht (1:24.98) were four-five in the 100 back.

“I knew I had to win to help the team and I worked on my technique,” said LeBlanc.

In Le Blanc’s other individual event, she led Staples in the 200-meter individual medley (2:33.31) by taking second. Nussbaum was fifth in the 200-IM (2:49.75). Junior Schaefer Andrews and senior diving captain Megan Kratsky were four-five in diving. Katter, Wimer, Nussbaum and Friel carried the 200-meter freestyle relay team to second place (2:00.19). Cooperman (1:25.79) and Vorah (1:28.56) were three-five in the 100-meter breaststroke.

“I think we did extremely well today,” said LeBlanc. “We came a lot closer to Wilton than we thought we would. We gave it our all and everyone was psyched for the meet. We improved a lot from last week.”

Reprinted from The Westport News

Staples Falls Short in Season Opener

By Eliot Schickler

Sep. 23 – Despite a stellar performance from senior captain Helene Neuhaus, the Staples High girls swimming team fell short in its opener. Staples lost 97-89 at Trumbull High last Thursday despite Neuhaus winning her two individual events and one relay. She almost gave the Lady Wreckers a victory in another relay but had too much ground to make up in it.

“It was a great and [it helped that] it came down to the final relay,” said Staples coach Mike Laux. “I didn’t expect to win the relay and we were behind the whole time.”

Senior captain Charlotte Katter led off the 400-yard freestyle relay for the Lady Wreckers with a 57 split. Katter was followed by senior captain Natalie LeBlanc and junior Molly Loftus. Trumbull had a 4-second lead when Neuhaus jumped into the pool.

Neuhaus had a 53.95 split and almost pulled it out, but in the end, the Eagle won the relay, 3:46.32-3:46.45 and held on to win the meet.

“I always knew the race isn’t over until you finish,” said Neuhaus. “You are able to do anything if you want to.”

Despite falling short, through no fault of her own, the heroine wasn’t upset by the result.

“I’m not disappointed because I swam my best time and I put everything into it,” said Neuhaus. “I’m glad I swam hard and gave the girl a run for her money.”

If Staples won the 400-free relay and took third in it, it would have finished in a 93-93 tie. The Lady Wreckers’ B-relay of juniors Stephanie Nussbaum and Margot Bruce, freshman Sarah Cooperman and senior captain Cat Friel did what it needed to do and took third place.

Neuhaus’ first victory came in the 100-yard freestyle (54.09). Friel and Nussbaum were four-five in the 100-free.

“I was really motivated because I knew Trumbull’s lead swimmer was around my time and I knew it would be a good race,” said Neuhaus. “I was hoping to do amazing things in it.”

Her second victory came in the 100-yard backstroke (1:00.92). LeBlanc and freshman Alexis Texeira were two-four in the 100-back.

“I was really pumped and motivated after winning the 100-free and I went in with the mindset that I could accomplish anything,” said Neuhaus.

Staples and Neuhaus opened the meet by winning the 200-yard medley relay (1:55.80) with the latter leading off in the backstroke leg. Cooperman (breaststroke), Loftus (butterfly) and Katter (freestyle) followed. LeBlanc, freshman Anita Vohra, sophomore Gabby Wimer and Friel led the B-team to third place.

Loftus carried the Lady Wreckers by dominating distance events, starting with a victory in the 200-yard freestyle (2:00.24). Bruce and Nussbaum were three-five in the 200-free.

“I knew the girl I swam against and I tried to go fast to get the lead and then hold onto it,” said Loftus.

Loftus won the 500-yard freestyle (5:15.68) and Bruce was third. “I just tried to build into it and start the season with a good time,” said Loftus.

In the other events, Staples put up a fight but Trumbull won them. LeBlanc and Cooperman were three-five in the 200-yard individual medley. Wimer led the way in the 50-yard freestyle by taking second. Katter (third) and senior captain Liz Rubel (fifth) followed.

Junior Schaefer Andrews and senior diving captain Megan Kratky took second and fourth respectively in diving. Wimer and junior Caitlin Wiederecht took third and fourth, respectively in the 100-yard butterfly. Cooperman (third) led the way for the Lady Wreckers in the 100-yard breaststroke and classmate Patricia Maragos was fifth.

Katter, Wimer, Nussbaum and Friel powered the 200-yard freestyle A-relay team to second place and Rubel, juniors Joanna Wexler, Maddie Mafilios and Bruce carried the B-team to third place.

“We knew it was going to be a tough meet going in and we tried to have best times,” said Katter. “It was a great meet.”

Rubel said, “Everyone swam well and we had some best times. We have to work on breaststroke.”

Staples hopes to build on its performance in the season-opener.

“I thought it was a good effort on our part but we have to step it up,” said Friel.

LeBlanc said, “We knew it would be a tough meet going in and we knew we had to give it our all. Both teams put up a fight and it was an exciting meet. I’m proud of everyone and I know with more hard training, we’ll improve.”

Reprinted from The Westport News

Lady Wreckers Hope to Surprise Foes

By Eliot Schickler

Sep. 16 - Sliding under the radar could be a good thing for most teams. The Staples High girls swimming team hopes to do it for the second straight year. Last year, Staples didn’t expect to do as well as 2007 because it lost ace performer Molly Hennessy, who is a sophomore for the Northwestern University women’s swimming team, but the Lady Wreckers defied expectations in compiling a 9-3 dual meet record, a third place finish in the Class LL championships and a sixth place performance at the State Open championships.

Despite the team’s recent success, Staples coach Mike Laux is hoping for a 5-5 season because it lost its top breaststrokers.

“It would be a miracle if we do as well as last year,” said Laux. “We have too many holes to fill.”

The Lady Wreckers miss breaststrokers Savitri Horrigan, Stephanie O’Kelly and Julie Vallgren, the first two who graduated and Valgren, an exchange student who returned to Denmark. They also miss junior Louise Fonteyne, a distance freestyler who is in Germany this year and will return next year. Staples will also miss backstroker Michelle Smoler, who graduated.

Working in the team’s favor is the return of many top swimmers, starting with junior distance freestyler Molly Loftus, who was the Block S Team MVP last year. Senior captain Helene Neuhaus, who is the defending FCIAC and Class LL 100-yard backstroke champion is also back.

“I don’t feel any pressure,” said Neuhaus. “Our coaches and the other girls motivate us to swim fast.”

Leadership is a team strength and the Lady Wreckers are bolstered by the return of senior captains Natalie LeBlanc (backstroke and distance freestyle), Cat Friel (distance freestyle), Charlotte Katter (sprint freestyle) and Liz Rubel (sprint freestyle) and classmate Camila Reinhardt (breaststroke).

The captains are more optimistic than their coach.

“When we lost Molly Hennessy, everyone thought we’d suffer, but we had as good of a season last year [as we did in 2007],” said LeBlanc. “There’s a lot of hope this year.”

Katter said, “I think we can do just as well as last year. If we put our heads together with Laux and [assistant coach] Jeff [Doornweerd] coaching us, we’ll have a good season.”

Rubel added, “We’re working on getting a breaststroker and have some good new people. We have a lot of people who can swim and the team looks great.”

Staples has a strong junior class complementing Loftus, starting with Caitlin Wiederecht (butterfly and backstroke). Wiederecht has the genes, as her brother Chris, demonstrated. Chris Wiederecht was the swimmer for the boys team the past four years and is swimming for The University of Wisconsin.

If she emulates her brother, the Lady Wreckers will be in good shape. Other juniors who are expected to contribute include Stephanie Nusbaum (freestyle), Sarah Hyman (breast stroke and sprint freestyle) and Margot Bruce (distance freestyle and butterfly).

Gabby Wimer (butterfly and sprint freestyle) is the top sophomore and leads a formidable class. Nicole Brouillet (sprint freestyle) and Chiara Pucci (sprint freestyle) are the other sophomores who are expected to contribute.

The Lady Wreckers have a talented freshman class. Sarah Cooperman, Alexis Texeira, Phoebe Corde and Patricia Maragos are the top freshmen and are expected to contribute.

“We are going to suffer some losses but the new freshmen have potential,” said LeBlanc. “Everyone wants to do well and if we all get our heads into it, we’ll have another successful season.”

Neuhaus said, “We have a lot of great swimmers and we can make progress because we have new swimmers coming up.”

Although Staples has potential, success won’t come easy for the team.

“There are holes in the team that have to be filled and we’ll work hard to fill them,” said Laux.

And Laux, who has been recognized for his coaching prowess by the state and Connecticut Post, will work hard in finding ways to fill these gaps, which he’s been good at.

“I got to give him credit because he’s an amazing coach,” said Friel. “I’m a firm believer in what he says, that you are as good as you want to be. Everyone generates positive energy, especially the older girls, which has helped us in the past.”

Katter said, “We have enough great swimmers across the board and we’ll get stronger as the year goes on.”

Good karma could factor into the team’s success. “We have one of the nicest teams, which will help us work hard for each other and it will help us in the long run,” said Rubel. “It makes it more like a team than an individual sport.”

Having a strong resolve will also help.

“The Staples girls swim team is known not to back down,” said Friel. “It’s exciting and we’ll wait and see what will happen.”

Complementing the swimmers is a strong diving component of the team, which will help the Lady Wreckers win the points in meets. Senior diving captain Megan Kratky gives this group experience and has worked hard in fine tuning her craft in it during the offseason.

Junior Schaefer Andrews was a dominant diver last year and Bruce will also dive. Sophomore Michelle Mastriani and freshman Lizzie Cope are also expected to contribute.

“The team looks great this year and we should have a great season,” said Kratky. “We’re very excited. Everyone was working hard in the offseason. We will continue to work hard during the season and we hope to score some points.”

Reprinted from The Westport News

Thanks Captains

Thanks to Cat , Lizzie and Natalie for helping out at the Kiwanis Triathlon this past Sunday, and to Maddie and Emily who both competed and helped. Coach Laux

Trumbull Meet Changed to THURSDAY!

The date for this week’s Varsity AWAY meet against Trumbull has changed to THURSDAY at 4:00pm. The meet was orignally on the CIAC calendar for Thursday, then it was corrected to Wednesday, and now it has been changed back to Thursday due to an problem with officails being available to cover the meet. The team PASTA DINNER schedule for tomorrow, TUESDAY will remain on Tuesday at 6:00pm. Check the calendar for a map and directions to the LeBlanc’s house.

BATHING SUITS ARE IN and were handed out at the meet today. If your daughter did not get her suit today please contact Debi Rubel. If you daughter needs to order a suit we can place a second order if we have at least 6 orders so call Debi if you need to order a suit.

Kiwanis Triathlon 09/13/09

Hi Girls
I forgot to announce this morning that I need you to come and help at the Kiwanis triathlon, tomorrow, Sunday at Compo Beach.. Be there by 7 AM and look for me at the area and I will give you a job. You will be finished by 10 AM and get good community service marks. Freshmen, ask the upperclassmen how much fun this is. I hope abou 10 – 15 of you can make it. Thanks Coach Laux

Sept. 11 Varsity Practice at Family Y

The Girls Varsity Team will practice at the Westport Weston Family Y on Friday, September 11. Practice will begin at 3:15 pm as usual.

Labor Day Practice

Swim Practice Monday, Labor Day is 9 am till 11 am.
Tell you friends.
Coach Laux

Trumbull Meet Correction

The Trumbull meet was incorrectly listed on the CIAC web site. The correct date is WEDNESDAY  September 16.  2:15 Early Dismissal,   2:30 Bus, 3:30 Warm Up;   4:00 Start

PARENT MEETING

Parent Meeting on Saturday, September 12 from 9:30 until 10:30 in the Staples cafeteria.  (Swim practice ends at 10:30.) Please bring your checkbook and your calendar.

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