Just Swim the Meet

By Eliot Schickler

The Staples girls swimming team’s home meet against Wilton last Friday should not have been postponed.

Officially, Wilton asked to postpone the meet because its new swimsuits, which were supposed to be delivered three days before the meet, had not arrived. Some people at Staples, however, wonder whether the real reason was that Wilton was going to be missing two swimmers — including its best performer, KC Moss, who had a college interview.

Wilton coach Todd Stevens knew a month in advance that Moss wasn’t going to be available for the meet, but he said her absence had no bearing in his decision to seek the postponement — to which Staples Athletic Director Marty Lisevick agreed.

“The fact that KC Moss was out of town had nothing to do with our rescheduling the meet,” Stevens said. “We’re a swimming team and do not rely on one swimmer to lead us to victory. She’s a valuable part of our program, and we would like to have her at all of our meets. We missed a week of practice [because of Tropical Storm Irene's aftermath] and we had to reschedule our season-opener we had against Fairfield Ludlowe.”

Still, some Staples swimmers said the meet should have gone on.

“I’m disappointed it was cancelled,” Lady Wrecker captain Caroline Valerio said. “If it was because of the swimsuits, it shouldn’t make a difference because they could swim in their practice suits and it wouldn’t make a difference.”

In fairness to Wilton, the whole uniform thing wasn’t its fault. In fact, the national swimming bureaucracy and the CIAC deserve more blame and if anything, the Lady Warriors are the victims of their uniform gaffe. It all started when Wilton ordered its 2011 swimming suits in August, which contained two logos, the name of the school and its nickname. The national high school swimming federation reinterpreted the rules this summer, stating that a team is allowed to have only one logo and name in the same place on its swimming suit.

Wilton found out at the FCIAC swimming coaches meeting in August — shortly after it received its new uniforms — that two logos were unacceptable. After shelling out money for the suits, Wilton appealed the ruling to the CIAC and lost, thus it had to order new suits with one logo on it.

“They should have given us more warning on the rules change,” Staples coach Mike Laux said. “It wasn’t a good thing to reinterpret the rule at the last minute.”

After ordering new swimming suits which conformed with the new regulations and were first supposed to arrive Sept. 15 and when they didn’t arrive, Sept. 20 became the new due date. When they didn’t arrive , Wilton found out that UPS lost the package, thus it decided to postpone Friday’s meet.

“It [the swim suits] doesn’t make a difference how fast you go,” Laux said. “It’s a matter of team pride. It’s a swimming team and the [Wilton] coaches are sensitive to their needs. I understand where they are coming from, and I don’t fault them.”

The national federation definitely messed up on two fronts. If they are to reinterpret a rule and change it, they need to give much more notice before implementation. Because of time needed to implement the change, the new rule shouldn’t have taken effect until the fall of 2012. In order to have it take effect this fall, they should have changed the rule last December.

“Rules are rules but it was a sudden change because no one was clear on it,” Lady Wreckers captain Michelle Mastrianni said. “There should have been a grace period.”

Staples captain Gabby Wimer said, “I don’t understand why the rule was changed. For the past couple of years, Staples had more than one logo and it doesn’t make a difference. I feel bad for Wilton because they ordered suits before the rule change and they had to reorder the suits.”

Moreover, what difference does it make if a team wears one, two or even five logos on its swimming suits. As long as the logos are in good taste and don’t peddle a commercial product, it’s a non-issue.

However, the suits shouldn’t have made a difference.

The 2011 Lady Warriors aren’t the first team to have a mishap with the order of swim suits, and theoretically, they still could have faced Staples wearing their practice suits or personal suits. They did that Sept. 19 in a convincing victory over Fairfield Warde.

“Everyone on our team wanted to swim against Wilton,” Laux said. “Many years [earlier in the millennium], we didn’t have our suits for the first meet or first few meets. If we didn’t have our suits [ready], we’d wear our own suits. We did it in the past and we would have swam the meet if it was us.”

Stevens agreed to face Warde because it was a home meet where there was no diving and said he had no time to postpone the meet (originally, the suits were suppose to arrive right before the weekend leading up to the meet).

“When we went on the road, we wanted to look like a team,” Stevens said.

He also said that Staples is a much better team than Warde.

Moreover, the field — eh, water — was leveled because the Lady Wreckers were missing their top swimmer, sophomore Verity Abel, who was sick. Staples also missed Abel last Wednesday in a 102-83 loss to Norwalk and might have edged the Lady Bears if its ace was in the lineup.

Despite missing Abel, the Lady Wreckers didn’t try to postpone their meet with Norwalk. The Lady Warriors should have followed their example and make due with what they had.

“Wilton already had a meet and they could have still worn their [personal or practice] suits,” Wimer said.

Reprinted from the Westport News

Ridgefield Meet

We have no practice on Thursday, so our last practice before Ridgefield is tomorrow.
Please be on time and ready to go.

Norwalk Splashes Abel-less Lady Wreckers

By Eliot Schickler

Missing your top swimmer — especially someone of Verity Abel’s caliber, makes a huge difference.

The Staples girls swimming team found out the hard way Wednesday in a 102-83 home loss to the Norwalk-Brien McMahon co-op team (1-0) to drop to 1-1.

The sophomore Abel was out because she was sick. She saw the doctor and was told not to swim for two days.

“It [losing to Norwalk] was not upsetting at all,” Staples coach Mike Laux said. “We were missing our best swimmer.”

Norwalk won 10 out of 12 events. If Abel was in the lineup and based on her normal times, she would have won the 200-meter and 400-meter freestyle and anchor the Lady Wreckers to victory in the 200-meter medley and 400-meter freestyle relays.

“If Verity was there, the meet would have been a lot closer,” Laux said.

Sophomore Gabby LeBlanc won the 100-meter breaststroke for Staples with a time of 1:23.76).

“It was the whole team motivating me,” LeBlanc said. “We didn’t do as well as we did in the past and we tried to get as many firsts, seconds and thirds as possible.”

Anita Vohra (1:27.76) and freshman Jessi Taets (1:28.44) placed second and fourth, respectively in 100-breaststroke.

Senior Michelle Mastrianni delivered the Lady Wreckers’ other win by 148.05 in diving. Sophomore Anna Violette (133.2) and freshman Olivia Crosby (116.4) took second and fourth in diving.

Staples started the meet by placing two-three in the 200-medley relay. Freshmen Stacy Kaneko, Taets and Jordan Santarella and senior Gabby Wimer (2:12) took second and junior Alexis Teixeira, LeBlanc, senior Caroline Valerio and junior Rebecca Raab (2:14) were third.

Abel’s absence was felt in distance freestyles. Instead of scoring high in them, the Lady Wreckers were outpointed in them with junior Sarah Cooperman being their top swimmer. Cooperman was second in the 400-free (4:57.12) and third in the 200-free (2:21.28).

Despite not grabbing first in the 200-meter individual medley, Staples won the event 9-7. LeBlanc (2:42.77) led the Lady Wreckers by taking second and Santarella (2:45.53) and junior Patricia Maragos (2:50.76) were three-four.

Wimer swam hard in sprinting events but took second in the 50-meter freestyle (29.10) and 100-meter freestyle (1:03.84) as she was topped by Lady Bears sophomore Lauren Czulewicz.

“She got off to a fast start and I wasn’t able to catch her in the end,” Wimer said.

Taets took third in the 50-free (30.21), and Kaneko was fourth in the100-free (1:07.36).

Valerio was second in the 100-meter backstroke (1:16.08) and third in the 100-meter butterfly (1:15.55). Kaneko took third in the 100-back (1:16.53), and Santarella (1:16.02) was fourth in the 100-fly. Taets, Raab, sophomore Jocelyn Krim and Cooperman led the 200-freestyle relay (2:03.58) to second place and LeBlanc, Santarella, Cooperman and Kaneko powered the 400-free relay (4:20.82) to second.

Although Norwalk won 10 event, Staples would have finished in a tie if it went one-two in the 400-relay.

“I have no complaints, the girls swam well all the way through, and it was close to the end,” Laux said.

Laux’ charges were also pleased.

“It was difficult, but considering our best swimmer wasn’t here, we did well,” LeBlanc said.

Wimer said, “It was disappointing but everyone did their best and I’m proud of the girls. It was a shock not to have her [Abel] and we weren’t prepared for it. We changed the lineup around and put up a good fight.”

Even in defeat, the Lady Wreckers showed improvement.

“It was tough but it was a good meet,” Wimer said. “A lot of girls swam better times than we did at East Lyme. Looking at it from a time standpoint, we’re proud of everyone.”

Reprinted from the Westport News

Restaurant Card Fundraiser

This evening, swim team members received three restaurant.com cards to sell to family and friends for $10 each. These card, which save money at over 400 local restaurants, have no expiration date and are valid at eateries throughout the United States.

Go to restaurant.com for details. You can also click to download a flyer to hand out. If you sell all three restaurant cards, please bring Laux the money and ask for more cards. We have lots to sell.

- Michelle, Caroline & Gabby

First Home Meet & JV Meet

On Wednesday (9/21) the Staples Girls Swimming & Diving Varsity Team will have its first home meet of the season. We’re swimming against Brien McMahon-Norwalk, starting at 4:00 pm. It’s going to be an exciting meet, so we urge our fans to come out to watch.

At the same time, the Junior Varsity Team is swimming in their first meet of the season. They are competing against Greenwich at Greenwich High School. The bus leaves for Greenwich at 3:30 and should return around 8:00. The team might stop for dinner, so swimmers should bring money. And don’t forget your Buddy Bag.

Both varsity and junior varsity swimmers should dress up for meet day. The theme is bear and hunters. If you can’t dress up like a hunter, you can wear a nice dress.

- The captains

Lady Wrecker Swimmers Lap East Lyme

By Eliot Schickler

The Staples girls swimming team opened the season with a 100-81 win at East Lyme Friday.

“It was a fantastic meet because East Lyme is a balanced team and we swam in an eight-lane pool where we were able to use four kids in every event,” Staples coach Mike Laux said. “We had extra heats in four events and I was able to learn more about my team. I’m happy with what I learned.”

Lady Wreckers senior Gabby Wimer said, “It was a great way to start the season and with [the pool being] eight lanes, we were able to see a lot of trends for the team.”

Staples won 11 out of 12 events and showed it is a force to be reckoned with. Wimer was the top sprinter with wins in the 50-yard freestyle (26.37) and 100-yard freestyle (58.16).

“Having all my teammates cheering for me [made a difference],” Wimer said. “We were all pumped up and it helped me swim fast.”

Freshman Jessi Taets and junior Rebecca Raab were second and third, respectively in the 50-free and freshman Stacy Kaneko was third in the 100-free.

While Wimer ruled the sprints, sophomore Verity Abel continued off of last year’s Team MVP pace and ruled distance events. Abel won the 200-yard freestyle (1:59.45) and 500-yard freestyle (5:19.89).

“I started training three weeks ago and I was in shape for it,” Abel said. “It was our first meet and I was excited, which motivated me. The new freshmen helped as well.”

On how she became savvy in long races, Abel said, “I’ve built my endurance through years of training and my stamina is very good. I rest up and stay hydrated.”

Junior Sarah Cooperman was third in the 200-free and 500-free.

Senior Caroline Valerio and sophomore Gabby LeBlanc also won two meets each for the Lady Wreckers. Valerio won the 100-yard butterfly (1:05.69) and 100-yard backstroke (1:08.30), and LeBlanc was victorious in the 200-yard individual medley (2:25.29) and 100-yard breaststroke (1:17.13).

Freshman Jordan Santarella took second in the 200-IM and 100-fly, Kaneko and junior Alexis Teixeira were two-three in the 100-back and Taets placed second in the 100-breaststroke.

Staples also dominated the relays. Valerio, LeBlanc, Abel and Raab won the 200-yard medley relay (2:00.96) and Teixeira, Taets, Santarella and Kaneko grabbed second in the 200-medley relay. Wimer, Raab, Taets and Cooperman prevailed in the 200-yard freestyle relay and junior Molly Rubidge, freshman Suzanne Hyman, sophomores Grace Meehan and Jocelyn Krim helped the B-team of the 200-free relay team take third. Wimer, Santarella, Cooperman and Abel powered the 400-yard freestyle relay team (3:56.04) to victory.

East Lyme’s only win came in diving where senior Michelle Mastrianni took third (149.85) for Staples.

“I’m proud of the girls,” Wimer said. “They did what they needed to do to swim fast.”

The Lady Wreckers will be tested when then host a vastly improved Norwalk-Brien McMahon co-op team today at 4 p.m. and defending Class M champion Wilton Friday at 4 p.m.

“I see Norwalk as having the top 16 times in USA swimming and they are loaded,” Laux said. “It will be a close meet and I hope we can come out ahead.”

Reprinted from the Westport News

Thank You Car Washers

Thanks to all the swimmers and parents who worked at today’s car wash, we netted nearly $1,500 for the swim team. Great job girls!

Thank you.

Peggy Mevs & Ronald Wimer

Fall 2011 Car Wash Work Assignments

Work Assignments for Fall Car Wash
Sunday, September 18, 2011
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
8 Myrtle Avenue
Westport, CT 06880

 

If you haven’t volunteered, and you can work, please e-mail Ronald Wimer ASAP.

Click to download a sheet of tickets to sell in advance.

Click to download a flyer to hand out or post around town.

 

Car Wash Supervisier
Peggy Mevs

 

Shift 1 (11 AM – 1 PM)

Parent Volunteers
Greenwald
Susan Farewell

Swimmers
Hilary Greenwald
Caroline Valerio
Gabby Wimer
Evie Papstein
Alex Greene
Julia Woods
Grace Meehan
Julia Eisman
Emily Greene
Ameilia Green
Sarah Fox
Greta Bjornson
Sydney Sussman
Justine Seligson
Elisabeth French
Gabbie LeBlanc
Patricia Maragos

 

Shift 2 (12 AM – 2 PM)

Parent Volunteers
Graham Smith

Swimmers
Victoria Smith
Ale Benjamin
Annette French
Sophie Rosen
Sophie Mafilios
Caroline Valerio
Nikhita Shankar
Gabby Wimer
Phoebe Corde
Stacy Kaneko
Claudia Landowne
Malin Hovstadius
Becca Raab
Jessi Taets
Helena Giaume
Julia Turner

 

Shift 3 (1 PM – 3 PM)

Parent Volunteers
Abels
Gemperlein or Krim

Swimmers
Verity Abel
Jordan Santarella
Haleigh Donovan
Susan Farewell
Caroline Valerio
Perrin Judd
Nina Lochoff
Alicia Lourekas
Gabby Wimer
Jessica Fields
Sara Banbury
Charlotte Piekara
Maddy McCartin
Rachel Goldstein

Lady Wreckers Strive to Swim Best Times

By Eliot Schickler

Getting through the FCIAC schedule will be the toughest task for the Staples girls swimming team.

Four of the five best teams in the state (Greenwich, New Canaan, Darien and Wilton) are in the FCIAC (Cheshire is the only non-FCIAC team in the top five) and chances are, Staples could be the best 5-5 or 6-4 team in the state. (Trumbull was the sixth best team last year).

Last year, the Lady Wreckers were 4-5 in the regular season, placed sixth at FCIACs, third in the Class LL championships and ninth at State Open. This year, Staples hopes to finish at 5-5 because it added Fairfield Ludlowe to its docket and if it upsets Trumbull (one of the five teams that are somewhat in its range), it can finish 6-4. The aim isn’t wins and losses but to improve times as the season progresses.

“We have a really good group of girls,” Lady Wreckers senior tri-captain Gabby Wimer said. “We’re excited and hope to swim best times and work hard. We’re looking forward to our first meet against Ludlowe [Friday Sept. 16]. We hope to have about the same record as last year with one more win because we swim against the best teams in the FCIAC. We have to take it one meet at a time, stay motivated and spirited and work together as a team.”

Staples will miss five mainstays from last year’s team — all who are swimming in college. Molly Loftus (distance freestyle) is the biggest loss for the Lady Wreckers and is swimming for the University of Tennessee. They will also miss diver Schaefer Andrews, Stephanie Nussbaum, Margot Bruce and Caitlin Wiederecht.

“We lose some key swimmers, Molly, Stephanie, Schaefer, Margot and Caitlin, all who scored in the state meet,” Staples Coach Mike Laux said.

Despite losing five stalwarts, the Lady Wreckers feel good because they return many solid swimmers who scored last year, including sophomore Verity Abel their Team MVP. Abel was dominant in freestyle events and the backstroke, setting the Class LL record in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 57.61 seconds. Abel continues to improve and when she graduates in 2014, she could leave Staples as its best swimmer ever.

“I think we have a good nucleus coming back and the team has a lot of potential,” Laux said. “We have some good kids coming back, plus some talented newcomers.”

Wimer is one of the top returnees and is expected to score in sprint freestyle events while guiding the team in the right direction. Senior tri-captains Caroline Valerio and Michelle Mastrianni also expect to provide strong leadership. Valerio swims the butterfly and backstroke while Mastrianni is a diver. Emily Greene is a senior who is expected to score in distance freestyle events.

“Our team has a lot of potential and we can end up with a pretty good record this year,” Valerio said. “We look decent coming into the season.”

Junior Sarah Cooperman is a strong distance freestyle performer and she’s been the top swimmer in her class since freshman year. Other juniors expected to score points are Anita Vohra (breaststroke and individual medley), Alexis Teixiera (backstroke and IM), Phoebe Corde (butterfly), Patricia Maragos (breaststroke and IM) and Becca Raab (sprint freestyle and backstroke).

Sophomore Gabby LeBlanc (IM and breaststroke) was a state finalist last year and expects to be formidable. Jocelyn Krim (butterfly and sprint freestyle) is an improved sophomore and is expected to contribute.

Freshman Jessi Taets (breaststroke and IM) is expected to make a big splash this year.

The Lady Wreckers hope to be solid in diving. Complementing Mastrianni are sophomore Anna Violette, the gymnastics team’s Block S MVP and newcomer to diving, and freshman Olivia Crosby.

“The other divers are relatively new,” Mastrianni said. “Anna is an amazing gymnast and is learning how to dive. Olivia is also a gymnast and is learning. If they get all their dives, they will do very well. I’m glad we have three girls competing.”

If Staples was in a different conference, it could go 9-1 or even better. But it’s a different story in the FCIAC.

“I’d like to finish 5-5, 6-4 would be great and even better but we’d have to beat a team we’re an underdog to,” Laux said. “I’d like to finish in the top half of FCIAC, top five in Class LL and top 10 in State Open.”

Reprinted from the Westport News

Friday (9/16) Meet Now In East Lyme

Fairfield Ludlowe cancelled our varsity meet on Friday (9/16), which was scheduled to be held at Staples High School. We now are competing against East Lyme in East Lyme at 3:30 pm. The bus will leave Staples at 1:30 pm.

Next Page »