Wreckers Splash Rams for First Time Since 2001
January 12, 2012 by Editor ·
By Eliot Schickler
Turn back the clock to the winter of 2001.
It was the beginning of President George W. Bush’s first term, the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun were known as the Orlando Miracle, the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats and NFL’s Houston Texans haven’t come into existence yet and neither has the DVD.
The year, 2001, was the last time the Staples boys swimming team defeated New Canaan — until Wednesday. Staples broke its 10-year losing streak to last year’s Class L runnerup and 2010 Class L champion with a 98-88 victory at New Canaan.
“This is one of the most exciting meets I’ve witnessed,” Wreckers coach Jeff Schare said. “The guys on the team said it was the most exciting meet they have witnessed. It’s one of the meets we focused on and were ready to go. We put in a solid lineup and had more depth than them. We were able to outpoint them in events.”
Although Staples didn’t win the 200-yard medley relay, it took second and third to keep it close. Senior Matt Wisher, senior captain Joss Abel, freshman Danny Williams, and junior Matt Wetmore took second with a time of 1:49.76, and freshman Max Wimer, sophomore Chris Mombello, junior Marcus Russi, senior captain David Katter took third (1:52.59).
Junior Nathaniel Boley boosted the Wreckers by winning the 200-yard freestyle (1:49.76), edging Rams senior Ian Robert (1:50.03).
“I knew going into the meet that it would be close and we’d have to squeeze out points wherever we could,” Boley said. “I knew the New Canaan swimmer I raced against and knew it would be a tough race. I’m lucky to pull it out.”
Sophomores Jonathan Blansfield (1:52.59) and Justin Krakoff (1:58.23) took third and fifth in the 200-free.
Williams (2:09.56) and Abel (2:11.06) were two-three in the 200-yard individual medley to mitigate a Ram victory and keep Staples in the lead. Although the Wreckers didn’t take first in the 50-yard freestyle, they still outscored New Canaan because Bacon (24.2), Katter (24.5) and Wetmore (25.0) placed two-three-four.
The Rams dominated diving to take a 40-38 lead. Juniors Tanner Blank and Andrew Cohen were three-four in diving for Staples. New Canaan increased its lead in the 100-yard butterfly, 9-7. Wisher (59.34), Russi (1:00.40) and Wetmore (1:02.08) were two-four-five in the 100-fly. In the 100-yard freestyle, the Rams took first again but their lead remained at four because Boley (50.52), Bacon (52.21) and Mombello were two-three-five.
Blansfield came from behind to win in the 500-yard freestyle (4:56.35).
“I was feeling down because he was a body length ahead of me, but when I looked up after I breathed, I saw my teammates cheer for me and it definitely pushed me,” Blansfield said. “It gave me a lot of motivation.”
Williams (5:08.12) and Krakoff (5:26.61) were four-five in the 500-free.
The Rams won the 200-yard freestyle relay but Staples took second and third. Boley, Wetmore, Bacon and Krakoff took second (1:35.07) while Russi, sophomore Tyler Crowder, Katter and Blansfield took third (1:39.64) in the 200-free relay.
In the 100-yard backstroke, the tide turned with Wisher winning it. Wimer (1:03.71) and sophomore Michael Deluca (1:04.04) were three-four in the 100-back and the Wreckers led, 79-77. New Canaan took first in the 100-yard breaststroke but Staples increased its lead to 88-84 because Abel (1:06.71), Mombello (1:07.87) and freshman North Woods (1:09.87) were two-three-four.
In order to win the meet, the Wreckers needed to take second and third in the 400-yard freestyle relay. They clinched the meet with Blansfield, Bacon, Williams and Boley winning the event (3:26.89).
Rams senior ace Austin Wolff led off for the hosts and gave his team a slight edge. When Boley jumped in, the race was tied. In the end, he edged his counterpart and New Canaan’s team (3:26.94) fell .05 short.
Krakoff, Russi, Abel and Wisher took third in the 400-free relay (3:40.15).
“The win was a huge confidence booster for the team and we felt we could do it,” Schare said.
Reprinted from the Westport News
Wreckers Encouraged in Loss to Vaunted Darien
January 10, 2012 by Editor ·
By Justine Seligson
Despite losing 108-78 at home to Darien Friday, the Staples boys swimming team didn’t leave the meet feeling discouraged.
Darien raised its record to 3-0. Staples dropped to 2-2.
“No doubt this has been a tough week, swimming against the reining State Open Champions, Greenwich, and State Open runner-up Darien,” Wreckers coach, Jeff Schare said.
Staples was fortunate though to have one of its best swimmers back, junior Nathanial Boley who was absent in the loss at Greenwich last Wednesday. But the Wreckers were weakened by the illnesses of Boley and another top swimmer, sophomore Jonathan Blansfield. Even in defeat, Staples did achieve some outstanding times.
Boley overcame his illness and triumphed in the100-meter backstroke with a time of 1:01.32,. and swam the second fastest time in school history.
“I’ve been pretty sick this week and didn’t think I was going to be able to swim,” Boley said. “I knew the team needed everyone here so I decided to give it my best shot and see what I could do. I’m happy with my swim considering I’m not feeling well.”
Current assistant coach Frisk Driscoll is the record-holder in the 100-back.
Senior caption Joss Abel ruled the 100-meter breaststroke (1:12.94), which is the ninth fastest time in Staples history.
“I am very proud of my accomplishment of not only winning but also setting a pool record,” Abel said. “I have been training hard for it and have wanted to get on board for a while so I am happy that my hard work paid off.”
The Wreckers swept the 100-back with sophomore Christopher Mombello (1:14.65) taking second and freshman North Woods (1:16.08) placing third.
Tthose were the only two events Staples won, despite many other fantastic times.
Blansfield placed third in the 200-meter freestyle (2:02.99), which is the school’s ninth fastest time. Freshman Daniel Williams took second for the 200-meter individual medley (2:20.56), which is the 10th fastest time for the Wreckers. Williams grabbed second in the 400-meter freestyle (4.26.09), which is the eighth fastest in school history.
Possibly, the final outcome would have been closer if Boley and Blanfield weren’t fighting their illnesses. But the whole team was pleased with its effort against a major rival.
“I’m really proud of the team and what we accomplished on Friday,” Boley said. “I know we didn’t come away with a win but I felt that the team fought through a tough meet. Everyone really pushed the Darien swimmers.”
Reprinted from the Westport News
Revised Early Dismissal: New Canaan Meet Tomorrow 1/11/12
January 10, 2012 by Linda Abel ·
Please note early dismissal has now been brought forward to the earlier time of 1.20pm with the bus departing at 1.30pm.
FCIAC Scholar Athlete Application Online
January 9, 2012 by Coach Schare ·
Swimmers: you’re invited to apply to be an FCIAC Scholar Athlete of the Month. Click to download a PDF with more information and an application.
Early Dismissal: New Canaan Meet 1/11/12
January 9, 2012 by Linda Abel ·
There will be early dismissal at 1.30pm for the away meet at New Canaan on Wednesday 1/11.
Wreckers Leave Greenwich Encouraged
January 6, 2012 by Editor ·
By Ryan Lacey
The Staples boys swimming and diving team couldn’t have faced a more difficult endeavor after the holiday vacation.
Staples had to travel to top-ranked Greenwich, the defending State Open champions.
The holiday break was no roadblock to the mighty Greenwich Cardinals.
Showing few signs of rust, GHS returned to the pool with an emphatic 118-67 victory over Staples Wednesday at Greenwich High School.
After defeating New Canaan 106-80 in their season opener, the Cardinals (2-0) didn’t miss a beat in their first meet in nearly two weeks. The hosts took nine of the 12 events, many of which came in dominating fashion.
Greenwich did have to overcome an early hiccup in the first event. In the 200-yard medley relay, the winning team of Alex Lewis, Klinger, Luca Fikre, and Matt Fraser were disqualifying for an early jump by Fikre.
“It was pretty clear there was early jump there,” Cardinals coach Terry Lowe said. “We had to come back a bit after getting disqualified and we did.”
Although meets are usually dominated by All-State juniors and seniors, a pair of underclassman stole the show. Greenwich freshman Thomas Dillinger and Wreckers sophomore Jonathan Blansfield were extremely competitive in the 200 and 500 freestyle, with Blansfield claiming wins by the narrowest of margins (1:48.06-1:48.15 and 4:48.67-4:49.00).
“Blansfield’s talented. He works his tail off in the pool. He’s been training hard over the vacation to get ready for this meet. Frankly this has been the first time that he’s come out on top. It’s a huge confidence builder and can only carry momentum for him throughout the season,” Wreckers coach Jeff Schare said.
The Cardinals took the top three spots in the 50 and 100 freestyle and the 100 butterfly, expanding their commanding lead each time.
“Typically the sprints are one of our strengths for a lot of reasons. We obviously have a good program and the kids that play polo come up in good shape,” Lowe said. “It takes a little longer to develop the distance guys sometimes.”
For Staples (2-1), the meet was a learning process for a group aiming to challenge the elite of the FCIAC. The Wreckers were without Nathaniel Boley, who the 2010 FCIAC 100 backstroke champion.
“This meet would have been far more competitive if Boley were around,” Lowe said. “Missing an all-state swimmer is always tough.”
Schare had a positive take on the meet for the Wreckers.
“I’m pleased with the racing. We finally got the get up and see some great competition. We want to race fast against fast high schools. We are going to get something out of competing against high caliber opponents,” Wreckers coach Jeff Schare said.
Staples began the season with easy victories over Trumbull and Danbury before the holiday break but came crashing down to earth after going face-to-face with the Cardinals.
“Our first two meets we had this year were against two teams on the opposite end of the spectrum. This just wakes your awareness to the level of competition in the league,” Schare said.
The Wreckers host Darien today and travel to New Canaan Wednesday. Both teams may not be at Greenwich’s level but they are not easy teams either. However, Staples had many positive swims against the Cardinals, and it hopes to build off of it. Senior captain Kyle Bacon posted a 1:53.44 in the 200-free and 52.06 (fourth) in the 100-free. Freshman Danny Williams took second in the 200 individual medley (2:06.05) and third in the 500-free (5:09.57). Senior captain Joss Abel took third in the breaststroke (1:06.25) and fourth in the 200-IM (2:08.93).
In fact, the breastroke seemed to be a strong event for the Wreckers as sophmore Chris Mombello 1:06.28 and freshman North Woods (1:08.05) took fourth and fifth in it, respectively, and also qualified for states.
Overall, Staples had 18 Class LL qualifying marks in the meet. Bacon, Blansfield, Williams, Abel, Matt Wetmore, David Katter, Tanner Blank, Andrew Cohen, Matt Wisher, Marcus Russi, Mombello, and Woods punched in their tickets for the meet.
“We were simply out gunned by the reining State Open Champions but Staples swam fast today,” Schare said. “Based on our individual results, we have a lot to look forward to this season.”
Reprinted from the Westport News
Greenwich Meet: Early Dismissal 1/4/12
January 2, 2012 by Linda Abel ·
There will be early dismissal on Wednesday at 1.45pm with the bus leaving at 2.00pm for Greenwich. Please remember to dress in smart attire – shirt and tie with team jacket.
