Lady Wreckers Surge to Take 7th at Opens

By Eliot Schickler

Nov. 27 - Determination is sometimes the best fuel to propel a team to succeed. Going into the State Open championships last Saturday, the Staples girls swimming team was projected to finish in 11th place. Staples’ goal since the beginning of the season was to finish in the top 10 at Opens and it was resolved to do so in spite of its seed. This fortitude ignited the Lady Wreckers, which helped them score 253.5 points — 100 more points than they were projected to score and take seventh place, beating out Wilton, Pomperaug, Weston and Mercy, who were seeded to score more points than them.

“We finally had a meet where the girls put it all together,” said Staples coach Mike Laux. “We had a goal of finishing in the top 10 at Open and prove we’re one of the 10 best teams in Connecticut. I’m really pleased.”

Lady Wreckers senior captain Natalie LeBlanc said, “We were definitely very excited and a lot bit shocked. Our goal was to be in the top 10 and 10th was the best we [thought we] could do, but to finish seventh was amazing. Laux was really proud of us and we were really proud of each other. Especially with a small team [seven swimmers and one diver], we performed really well.”

Senior captain Helene Neuhaus had the best day individually for Staples and began it by finishing tied for fourth with Amity freshman Dana Grindall in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 24.40 seconds.

“I was ecstatic with it,” said Neuhaus. “All the practice in it paid off. I never did the 50-free [before this year] and it’s rewarding to do well in it.”

Neuhaus grabbed sixth place in the 100-yard freestyle (52.61).

“I’m happy with my time,” said Neuhaus. “I should have taken it out faster. Even though it wasn’t my best time, it was still a solid swim.”

LeBlanc improved from the Nov. 18 Class LL (1:01.11) meet in placing 10th in the 100-yard backstroke (1:00.58).

“I knew we were close in the meet and I wanted us to do well and it was about getting the best time possible,” said LeBlanc.

In her other individual event, the 200-yard individual medley, LeBlanc improved in it from Class LL (2:16.77) as well, taking 13th overall (2:14.25).

“I was happy with it,” said LeBlanc. “I worked on my technique and finished strong. I recovered from being sick. I knew I had to move up a few spots and I tried to move up as many spaces as I could.”

Junior Molly Loftus also swam in two individual events for the Lady Wreckers and her best performance came in the 500-yard freestyle where she grabbed seventh place (5:09.27), improving her Class LL time (5:11.09).

“At that point, we were in a tie with a few other teams and I tried to finish as high as possible and move up in the rankings,” said Loftus. “There was team spirit and a lot of cheering, which helped me out and the team was supportive.”

Loftus was 20th in the 200-yard freestyle (1:59.54).

“It was not one of my better races but I got it together by the end of the meet,” said Loftus.

The 400-yard freestyle relay team of senior captain Charlotte Katter, Neuhaus, LeBlanc and Loftus was seeded going in. However, this hungry quartet had amazing swims and finished fifth (3:40.23), beating its Class LL time (3:42:29) and almost eclipsed the school record. Loftus had a 54.2 split, which was 1.5 seconds faster than her previous best time of the year and was instrumental in the team’s ascension.

“It was my last relay with the girls,” said Loftus. “I tried to leave it all in the pool and finish the season strong.”

Neuhaus said, “The 400-free relay was my cherry on top. Molly had a 54.2 and I’m proud of her and my other teammates.”

LeBlanc said, “For the seniors, it was the last relay for the team and we tried to end as best as we could.”

Katter, Neuhaus, sophomore Gabby Wimer and senior captain Cat Friel carried the 200-yard freestyle relay team (1:41.50) to sixth place, edging its Class LL time (1:42.09).

“Everyone was pumped up and did well in the relay,” said Neuhaus.

LeBlanc, freshman Sarah Cooperman, Loftus and Wimer led the 200-yard medley relay to 14th place (1:56.00).

“Relays are always exciting and everyone wants to swim their fastest in them because it’s not just you,” said LeBlanc.

By placing seventh, Staples beat eighth-place Wilton (205) for the first time all year. Wilton beat the Lady Wreckers in a dual meet and at FCIACs.

“We couldn’t ask for a better end of the season,” said Laux. “We finished as high as we could and our relays did well.”

Reprinted from The Westport News

Neuhaus Grabs Two 2nds, Carries Staples to 5th

By Eliot Schickler

Nov. 20 – Having someone like senior captain Helene Neuhaus in the lineup would bolster any swimming team. Just ask her Staples teammates and they will tell you the same thing. Neuhaus took second place in both of her individual events and in the two relays she swum in, Staples took third and fourth in helping the team reaching its goal of finishing fifth at the Class LL championship meet on Wednesday with 360 points at Southern Connecticut State University.

Cheshire (875) won the 21-team field and was followed by Greenwich (788.5), Glastonbury (480.5) and Trumbull (449).

“I’m really proud of all of us,” said Neuhaus. “We brought it together. We fed off each other’s energies and cheered for each other.”

The Lady Wreckers beat out Amity (320) for sixth place but after the 100-yard butterfly, they were tied for fifth. Staples established distance from Amity in the 200-yard freestyle relay, which finished third behind senior captain Charlotte Katter, Neuhaus, sophomore Gabby Wimer and senior captain Cat Friel with a time of 1:42.09. The Lady Wreckers had momentum after that race.

“We changed the order in the relay and it made a difference,” said Staples coach Mike Laux.

During trials, Neuhaus led off and Katter was second but Laux noticed something that made the latter perfect for the leadoff leg and her start was instrumental.

“Everyone had their best times and swam amazing,” said Katter. “We were so pumped and excited going into it and I think that helped a lot. I had a good start, made good turns, kept my head up and kicked.”

Friel brought it home as the anchor.

“Everyone was pumped and it was easy to get up for it,” said Friel. “We were excited and it made it easy.”

Neuhaus took second in the 50-yard freestyle (24.59). Wimer took 12th (26.15) and Katter was 17th (26.04). Although Katter, who won her heat, had a faster time than Wimer, she settled for 17th because she was in the first heat and Wimer was in the middle heat. Neuhaus was in the last heat — the championship heat.

“I had to get up and go,” said Neuhaus. “You have to be more motivated because you are sick.”

In the 100-yard freestyle, Neuhaus grabbed second (52.98) and Katter (56.46) won her heat in placing 17th.

“I tried really hard and I knew I had to hold my speed and hope for the best,” said Neuhaus.

Katter, Neuhaus, senior captain Natalie LeBlanc and junior Molly Loftus carried the 400-yard freestyle relay team (3:42.29) to fourth place. LeBlanc performed admirably despite being sick.

“I knew I had to give it my all because it just wasn’t about me but three other girls and I didn’t want to let them down,” said LeBlanc. “I was feeling better at the end of the meet and we want to make State Open because it’s our last time together as a relay.”

LeBlanc took fourth place in the 100-yard backstroke (1:01.11) and 13th in the 200-yard individual medley (2:16.77).

“I didn’t feel well and I knew it was one of my last chances to swim a good time and make State Open, so I found it in me to swim fast and give all the energy I have,” said LeBlanc.

Freshman Sarah Cooperman also swum the 200-IM (2:21.95) and finished 22nd. Cooperman’s best performance came in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:12.80) where she took 17th.

“It was really exciting,” said Cooperman on her first-ever state meet. “I had the whole team cheering for me, which helped me out a lot. I didn’t have good times lately and to have one today is refreshing.”

Loftus took fifth in the 500-yard freestyle (5:11.09) and 10th in the 200-yard freestyle (1:58.13).

“I was really motivated in the 500-free,” said Loftus. “I didn’t do well all season and it was my chance for redemption.”

Junior Schaefer Andrews (345.8) led the divers and took sixth. Senior diving captain Megan Kratky (269.15) and sophomore Michelle Mastrianni (244.10) were 16th and 23rd, respectively, in diving. Wimer was 23rd in the 100-fly (1:03.83). LeBlanc, Cooperman, Loftus and Wimer carried the 200-yard medley relay team (1:55.82) to eighth place.

“I’m very to finish fifth,” said Laux. “The girls swam well. I was worried after trials but we swam better today.”

Katter said, “We’re definitely happy to finish fifth because Laux told us it would be a fight with Amity. We trained hard and we were determined to get it.”

LeBlanc said, “It feels great because we set a bunch of goals at championship season and finishing in the top five was one of them.”

Reprinted from The Westport News

State Open’s

The bus for the meet this Saturday will be at 8:45 AM.

We have 7 girls swimming, and one diving. Diving is Friday night at Hamden High…Go Schaefer!!!
Warm up for swimming is 10 AM till 11:55 AM and the meet starts at noon. Swimmers Helene, Molly and Natalie have qualified for 2 events each plus 2 relays, and Gabby, Charlotte, Sarah and Cat have qualified for relays. We have someone representing STAPLES in 10 of the 12 events!!!. Come support your team!!!
Bring food and drink…

Congrats to Divers!!!

We have won our first medal in States and are currently in Third place behind Greenwich and Chesire thanks to our divers: Schaefer Andrews 6th, Megan Kratky 17th and Michlle Mastrianni 24th. In addition, Schaefer has qualified for State Opens!!! Way to go girls…
Coach Laux

Practice times this final week

Practice this week will be from 3 to 5 PM.
Please plan your schedules accordingly, organize your homework ahead of time, eat healthy and get to bed early.
Coach Laux

States!

Get pumped for states at Yale!

Lady Wreckers Finish in the Top Six at FCIACs

By Eliot Schickler

Nov. 13 – Going into Saturday’s FCIAC championships, the Staples girls swimming team hoped to finish in the top six. Although Staples had a chance of finishing fifth, leading by a point going into the final event, the Lady Wreckers ended up settling for sixth with 188 points at Greenwich High, falling short to fifth-place Trumbull (189).

“We wanted to finish fifth and we lost by a point but we accomplished our goal of finishing in the top six of FCIACs,” said Staples coach Mike Laux.

Darien (374) won, host Greenwich (366) took second, New Canaan (333) placed third and Wilton (246) was fourth in the 13-team meet.

Lady Wrecker freshman Sarah Cooperman finished 10th in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:13.7 to move Staples into fifth place. In order for the Lady Wreckers to stay in fifth, their 400-yard freestyle relay team of senior captains Charlotte Katter and Natalie LeBlanc, junior Molly Loftus and senior captain Helene Neuhaus needed to beat the Trumbull Eagles in this event.

Although Staples dropped almost five seconds from its seed time in the event, going from 3:48 in trials to 3:43.68 in finals, so did Trumbull, who went from 3:46 to 3:41.22, therefore, the Eagles took fourth in the 400-free and the Lady Wreckers settled for fifth as both teams flip-flopped in the standings.

“I think we definitely did well. Our goal was to finish in the top six and we accomplished it,” said LeBlanc. “Everyone swam well in a tough meet and I look forward to bigger things.”

Neuhaus won the team’s only event, taking the 100-yard freestyle (52.98).

“I was so motivated because the FCIACs is a pretty big meet and everyone was pumped up,” said Neuhaus. “It was easy to get up and go.”

Two events before the 100-free, Neuhaus, sophomore Gabby Wimer, Katter and Loftus carried the 200-yard freestyle relay team (1:41.76). Following the 200-free relay was the 100-yard backstroke where Neuhaus led Staples by taking second (59.73).

“I was tired because I just got out of the pool after swimming the 200-free relay and I’ve been nursing a shoulder injury,” said Neuhaus. “[Considering everything], I’m not disappointed at all and I think it’s an accomplishment.”

LeBlanc was close behind in the 100-back (1:00.73) and grabbed fourth place.

“I was definitely happy with it and I’m happy to have a good time and move up places because the team needed it,” said LeBlanc.

What LeBlanc did in the 200-yard individual medley is even bigger as she dropped three seconds from trials to swim a 2:14 and finish ninth.

“I was really happy because it was my best time by a tiny bit,” said LeBlanc. “I didn’t swim my best at trials and I knew I had to redeem myself. I’m happy to finish ninth and get as many points for the team as possible.”

Loftus took third in the 200-yard freestyle (1:58.77) and 500-yard freestyle (5:14.48). The 200-yard medley relay team (1:59.5) of LeBlanc, Cooperman, Wimer and junior Stephanie Nussbaum took ninth. Katter (26.22) and Wimer (26.85) finished 10th and 16th, respectively in the 50-yard freestyle. Wimer was 15th in the 100-yard butterfly (1:04.4) and junior Schaefer Andrews (280) was 14th in diving.

“We are very happy because States and State Open are coming up and they are big meets,” said Neuhaus.

Staples will compete at the Class LL championships next Wednesday at Southern Connecticut State University.

“Our goal is to finish fifth at States and 10th at State Open,” said Laux.

LeBlanc said, “I think we’ll do well because more people qualified for States. We’ll hope for the best.

Reprinted from The Westport News

Practice Time Change

Practice this week Nov 9 – Nov 13 will be 3 to 4:45 PM
Good Job at FCIAC…Better Job at States
Coach Laux

Wreckers’ Neuhaus wins 100

By Steve Geoghegan

Nov. 7 – Staples High girls swimmer Helene Neuhaus nearly pulled off an impressive double.

The standout senior won the 100 freestyle at the FCIAC Swimming Championships in Greenwich and placed second in the 100 backstroke, an event in which she was seeded No. 1. Fatigue may have played a part in her runner-up finish but it’s still a great accomplishment nonetheless.

She stepped up and helped lead the Wreckers to a sixth-place finish, one point out of fifth, at the annual event that had more than its share of remarkable moments Saturday at Greenwich High.

“I’m really happy because I only started swimming freestyle this season,” Neuhaus said. “The fact that I could win the 100 freestyle was a cherry on top for my season.”

Darien knocked off Greenwich for the team title, ending the Cardinals run of 11 straight FCIAC crowns. The Blue Wave won their first league title with 374 points with Greenwich placing second with 366 points and New Canaan taking third with 333 points.

Wilton led all area teams with a fourth-place finish with 246 points. The Norwalk-McMahon co-op placed eighth with 127 points.

Neuhaus took the 100 free in 52.98, just ahead of Katy Luchansky of St. Joseph, who turned in a time of 53.12.

“This season we’ve really been practicing on our finishes,” Neuhaus said. “I know for a fact that in all our dual meets, my finish has been so crucial. So I just made sure I went into the wall strong.”

The event prior to the 100 backstroke, Neuhaus swam in the 200 freestyle relay, leading Staples to a fourth-place finish with a time of 1:41.76, so she didn’t get much of a break. Trumbull’s Shannon Ahearn came out in front in 59.03 to 59.73 for Neuhaus.

A shoulder injury that has hampered her since mid-season also may have played a part in her runner-up finish.

“I was making sure to focus on my strokes so that I wouldn’t develop more pain with my shoulder,” said Neuhaus, who won’t be swimming the backstroke at states. “I knew it was my last time swimming it so I just wanted to take it out strong.”

It was a gutsy performance by Neuhaus, Staples coach Mike Laux said.

“She had a great 100 freestyle,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that she had to swim the backstroke right after the 200 freestyle relay and was a little tired. That took away from her performance because she would’ve done better if she wasn’t tired.

“But she won’t have to do that again so we won’t have to worry about it,” the coach added with a laugh.

Molly Loftus had a pair of third-place finishes for the Wreckers in the 200 freestyle (1:58.77) and the 500 freestyle (5:14.48). Natalie LeBlanc was fourth in the 100 back (1:00.73) and Staples’ 400 free relay placed fifth (3:43.68).

“Our goal was to finish in the middle of the FCIAC and we did,” said Laux, whose team was nipped by Trumbull (189) for fifth. “We had a chance to beat Trumbull, which we would’ve liked to have done because the dual meet came down to the final relay and today it came down to the final relay. Our relay dropped five seconds but their relay dropped five seconds.

“We had some great swims today and we had swims that were mid-season type of swims but they’ll all get better by next week.”

Norwalk-McMahon had several top-notch individual performances from Stephanie Czulewicz, who placed fourth in the 200 free (1:58.92) and was sixth in the 500 free (5:18.21), Meredith Pramer, who took fifth in the 100 butterfly (1:01.05), and Rachel Smolensky, who wound up sixth in the 100 back (1:01.90). Norwalk-McMahon’s 400 free relay ended up sixth (3:48.24) and its 200 medley relay was seventh (1:57.95).

“I’m definitely happy with what they’ve done,” Norwalk-McMahon coach Rebecca Rubin said. “They’ve all had best times today, for the most part. They went in with really good spirits and the relays did really well. A lot of the girls surprised themselves with how well they did. We’re looking forward to states.”

Wilton, meanwhile, may not have placed its swimmers high but its depth definitely shined through. Leading the Warriors were Caroline Higgins, who took sixth in the 50 free (25.27) and the 100 free (55.21), Megan Lattimer, who was sixth in the 200 IM (2:16.55) and seventh in the 100 breaststroke (1:12.70), Sophie Hornby, who placed fifth in the 200 IM (2:16.55), and Caroline O’Brien, who was sixth in the 100 fly (1:01.20).

Wilton’s 200 free relay placed third (1:41.30), the 200 medley relay took fifth (1:55.23) and its 400 free relay was seventh (3:49.53).

“I thought they swam great,” Wilton coach Todd Stevens said. “The goals are always the same when it comes to championship meets for us — swim fast as you swam at the trials — which they did, place better than where they qualified at trials — which for the most part happened, and to have fun, have an exciting meet and feed off one another.”

The excitement of the meet kept building throughout. Greenwich had the lead most of the way until Darien overcame the Cardinals in the 100 breaststroke, the second to last event.

The Blue Wave, who have finished runner-up to the Cardinals the last five years, took a 342-332 lead after the breaststroke. Greenwich was second in the 400 free relay with a meet-record time of 3:37.08, New Canaan won the event with a time of 3:37.07, and Darien took third (3:38.40).

New Canaan was the last team to win FCIACs in 1997 prior to the run by Greenwich. The Cardinals had won 27 of the last 29 FCIAC championships prior to Darien’s upset.

“I’m so proud of them,” Darien coach Marj Trifone said. “We’re always behind in this meet and for them to really hang in there and give what they had, they did it.”

Reprinted from The Hour

FCIAC FINALS

The bus for FCIAC finals will be at 1:15 PM. Warmup starts at 2:30. We have the same lane and time periods. We need to bring 2 extra stop watches and 3 people to time. The meet starts at 4 PM and will probably end around 6:30 to 7 PM. Bring healthy food and drink with you to the meet so that you do not become dehydrated. GO TO BED EARLY TONIGHT.
Coach Laux

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