Staples Soccer Supports ABC House

For the 4th year in a row, the Staples soccer team donated an item to the A Better Chance of Westport “Dream Event” auction:  themselves.

Whoever won the team arranges any kind of event — a party, soccer clinic, whatever.  This year the team went for $400 — a record — helped along by a soccer ball signed by the state championship team.

“We are proud to support ABC,” said head coach Dan Woog.  “This is a tremendous program, which helps not only the young men in it, but the entire town.  We look forward to arranging a great event with whoever ‘won’ us.”

(NOTE:  A few auction items remain.  They are available until 11 p.m. on Thursday, April 1.  For ifnormation, click here.)

The 2009 Staples varsity, and WSA U-9 and U-10 players gather together -- the happy result of last year's ABC House auction.

Aaron Liu Named To Norwalk Hour All-Area Hockey Team

Aaron Liu

The sophomore ice hockey forward “might not have gotten the postseason accolades of his teammates,” the Hour said.

However, his 18 goals and 29 assists gave the Staples-Weston co-op squad “one of the best one-two offensive punches in the entire state.”

Those statistics also earned him selection as 1 of only 6 players on the Hour All-Area ice hockey squad.

Last fall, Aaron was a key defender on coach Ross McGibney’s junior varsity squad.

Staples Soccer Players Serve As Mentors

For the 2nd year, Staples varsity  and middle school soccer players enjoyed a special March mentorship program.

The Wreckers designed special afternoon sessions at Wakeman with 6 to 8 WSA and premier players, based on their specialties and interests — 1-v-1 attacking, for example, or shooting or crossing.  At the end of each session they spent some time talking with the younger players about Staples, soccer, and life in general.

Feedback was extremely positive.  One parent described how his son spent an hour after the session working out on his own.  Others appreciated the opportunity for youngsters to hear informally — but honestly — about life after middle school.

Frankie Bergonzi, Dylan Evans, Sean Gallagher, Greg Gudis, James Hickok, Jake Malowitz, Mikey Scott and Alex Tonsberg ran sessions.  Tim Foisie was the WSA coordinator.

Thanks to all — and to the 30-plus future Staples players who participated!

Jake Malowitz and Alex Tonsberg ran this mentor session for middle school players.

Kris Hrisovulos ’00 Named Staples Boys Tennis Coach

Kris Hrisovulos ’00 — a former soccer and tennis star at Staples — is the latest former Wrecker to join his alma mater’s coaching staff.  He’ll head up the boys tennis team this spring, succeeding social studies coach Brian Scott who resigned for health reasons.

Kris Hrisovulos '00

Kris has been a full-time coach at Stamford Indoor Tennis, after serving at Norwalk Fitness Club as assistant director and junior coordinator.  He played in college at Niagara University, and graduated with a BA in business and sports management.

At Staples Kris was a 3-team state doubles champion.

“First year is going to be tough,” Kris told Inklings.  “But if (the players) can trust me, I think it will be good.  Also, being around kids before and being around a championship environment in Staples will definitely make the 1st year easier.”

The Staples athletic department includes a number of graduates who have returned to their alma mater to coach.  In addition to boys soccer head coach Dan Woog, junior varsity coach Ross McGibney and Chris O’Dell, the list includes:

• Bruce Betts (boys volleyball)
• Karen DeFelice (girls basketball assistant)
• Mac DeVito (football assistant)
• Laddie Lawrence (boys cross country, boys indoor track, boys outdoor track)
• Kevin Lippert (wrestling)
• Paul McNulty (lacrosse)
• Tom Owen (girls skiing, boys golf)
• Dale Wehmhoff (boys ice hockey assistant)

Jack Hennessy 3-Peats As Dodgeball Champ

They said it couldn’t be done.

But they don’t know Jack Hennessy.

3-time, and undefeated, dodgeball champion Jack Hennessy.

The  captain of the state champion soccer team, state-level indoor track star and captain of the FCIAC-defending baseball team added another notch to his impressive athletic belt yesterday:  He became the only person in the 3-year history of the Staples dodgeball tournament to 3-peat on the winning team.

Hennessy’s team — called simply “The Athletes” — took the top prize in the event, a fundraiser for Staples Tuition Grants and the class committees.

Impressively, Hennessy’s 3 championship trophies came with 3 entirely different teams.

Other Staples soccer players competed too, including Jason Bennett and Justin Hawrysh (on the team The Darkest Hour), Steven Denowitz (Free Ballers), Mikey Fitzgerald (Team Indie), Terence Gibbons (Jersey Shore), AJ Green (Each Hit Counts), Greg Gudis, Frank Bergonzi and Luke Yeager (Rabbi Felman), Max Hoberman and Taylor McNair (Snookular Warfare), Michael McCarthy (The Gentle Monstars Men) and Alan Reiter (W.H.D.S).

For a full report on this spectacular event, click here.

Wreckers Help Clean Compo

Faced with tons of sand in the Compo Beach pavilion and showers, Westport Parks and Rec director Stuart McCarthy ’79 P’10 put out the call for high school volunteers.

Soccer players Frankie Bergonzi, Connor Walsh, Ryan Armour, AJ Green, Stephan Patterson and Alex Lochoff were among those who heeded the call.

Along with members of the football team, and the SLOBS (Service League of Boys) club, they shoveled and hauled wheelbarrows — earning free food and drink, and the thanks of all beach-goers.

Stephan Patterson (left) and Ryan Armour were among the Staples boys soccer players shoveling out the pavilion today.

Frankie Bergonzi Named Westport News ‘Athlete Of The Week’

The junior defender was cited for his basketball play.  Frankie had 18 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in Staples’ 101-71 loss to Windsor in the 1st round of the state LL tournament.

“He led the Wreckers to the playoffs by deftly running the offense,” the Westport News said.

Frankie leads a strong group of returnees next year — including soccer teammate Luke Yeager.

On deck for Frankie:  the baseball season.

Karen Schur P’01, Andy Udell ’88 Share Storm Damage

How bad was last weekend’s storm?

Jordan Schur ’01 now lives in New York — but his parents, Alan and Karen, still live on South Maple Avenue.  Here’s what the high winds and torrential rains did to their home:

Andy Udell ’88 moved back to Westport a few years ago.  Here’s what his neighborhood — Ellery Lane, off Prospect Road — looks like:

Sean Gallagher Helps Set School Relay Record

The junior defender was part of a 4×400 team that roared to a 3:25.34 mark at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships at the Armory in New York.

The quartet — also including juniors Raphael Ray and Jack Roche, and sophomore Jon Heil — placed 14th overall.  Competitors came from across the country.

Congratulations to Staples’ fastest 4×400 team ever!

From left: Raphael Ray, Jack Roche, Sean Gallagher, Jon Heil.

Staples Soccer Players Available To Help With Storm Cleanup

Members of the Staples High School boys soccer team are available to help homeowners with cleanup — 1st come 1st served, $15/hour.  Contact dwoog@optonline.net.