Lindsey And Anna Run For Preston

Lindsey Chandler and Anna Kallenborn were classmates of Preston Hirten ’07.

Anna Kallenborn and Lindsey Chandler

Preston died suddenly in 2009, on the soccer field at the University of Mary Washington.  Lindsey now attends Washington University in St. Louis; Anna is at the University of Connecticut.

They haven’t forgotten their friend.  Now they’re running a marathon in his memory — and to raise funds for Goals 4 Ghana.  Four months before he died, Preston traveled to Africa, to help with the organization.  Goals 4 Ghana provides soccer equipment and scholarships to children.

On their website, Lindsey and Anna write:

Running a marathon takes much more than physical fitness.  It takes commitment, determination and willpower to complete the rigorous training regimen in the midst of busy college schedules and social lives.

It is often challenging to keep going when you know that you can just push the stop button on the treadmill or start walking on the road.  And, after a tough week of training, it is incredibly tempting to skip that last run and relax on the couch or hang out with friends instead.

At those moments, they write:

Preston comes to mind.  Preston was the epitome of a tenacious hard worker.  His personal drive, competitive spirit and passion were truly inspirational for all of us who had the opportunity to watch him play.

On the field he led by example and helped push his Staples teammates to compete through some of the greatest challenges imaginable.  Our memories of Preston continue to motivate us as we train for the St. Louis Marathon this April 10.

On the day of the race, Preston will be in our minds and hearts as we push ourselves to run the 26.2 miles.

Lindsey and Anna are soliciting pledges for Goals 4 Ghana.  “When we run our race,” they say, “your contributions towards the soccer players in Ghana — along with the remembrance of Preston’s perseverance — will inspire us to keep pushing ourselves until we cross the finish line.”

(To donate to Goals 4 Ghana, via Lindsey and Anna, click here.  To read their blog, click here.  To contact them directly, email lindseyannamarathon@gmail.com)

Preston Hirten (Photo: Kerry Long)

Staples Coaching Staff Attends Symposium

Dan Woog, Kurt Dasbach and Tom Henske enjoyed the 1-1 US-Argentina match last night — and got an inside view of US national team preparations to boot.

Thanks to the Top of the Hill Team, the 3 Staples coaches attended a 2-day US Soccer Symposium at the New Meadowlands Stadium. On Friday they met with national team staff members to hear insights about the upcoming match, then watched the US national team’s hour-long training session.

Yesterday there were discussions about the Argentine preparations, plus words from head coach Bob Bradley and US youth technical director Claudio
Reyna. They watched pre-game warmups from the field. After the US — outmanned — struck opportunistically for the draw, they heard national team assistant coaches Mike Sorber and Jesse Marsh break down the match.

The symposium was a reunion of sorts for Henske, who as a goalkeeper led the University of Virginia to 3 national championships.  In addition to Reyna, he spent time with fellow Cavaliers Jeff Agoos and keeper Tony Meola.

Dan Woog, Tom Henske and Kurt Dasbach, before the US-Argentina match.

Tom Hense and Tony Meola talk about their Virginia days, and their coaching experiences today.

Mikey Scott, Max Hoberman, Kyle Hoberman Earn Winter Honors

Mikey Scott received a Block “S” at the ski team’s recent banquet — and was named that team’s Scholar-Athlete.  He will join representatives from Staples’ 32 other varsity sports at the annual dinner in June.

Max Hoberman and Kyle Hoberman capped their successful indoor track seasons by being named captains of the 2011-12 team.

Congratulations to Mikey, Max and Kyle!

Mikey Scott traded a soccer ball for skis this winter. (Photo by Carl McNair)

Brandon Lamb ’01 Announces Engagement

Brandon Lamb ’01 is engaged to Allison LaMarca.  She’s also a soccer player — from Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland.  Brandon played at a similarly named, but different, school:  the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

They met at a St. Patrick’s Day party, just over 4 years ago.  They now live in Arlington, VA.  Brandon works in IT asset management and logistics for the consulting firm SRA International.  Allison is with the Federal Reserve Board in the Division of Banking Supervision and Regulation.

The wedding will be in 2012, at a site and date to be determined.

Most importantly, Brandon and Allison both still play soccer — including a co-ed league, in which they’re teammates.

Allison LaMarca and Brandon Lamb.

Aaron Liu’s Hockey Team Falls In State Finals

The ice hockey season ended today for Staples.  But for captain Aaron Liu and his teammates, it was a great ride.

Aaron Liu

The Wreckers reached the Division III state finals.  Despite averaging almost 5 goals a game, they were shut out this morning 4-0, at Yale’s Ingalls Rink.  Watertown-Pomperaug goalie Trevor St. Onge had an excellent game, making 31 saves.

This was the 3rd state finals in Staples hockey history.  Their only title came in 1981.

Varsity Players Serve As Mentors

For the 3rd year in a row, Staples varsity  and middle school soccer players enjoyed a special March mentorship program.

The Wreckers designed special afternoon sessions at Wakeman with 6 to 10 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.

Harry Birch, Lorenz Esposito, Dylan Evans, James Hickok, Max Hoberman, Dylan Hoy, Jake Malowitz, Taylor McNair, Will Meinke, Ben Root, Steve Smith and Alex Tonsberg  ran sessions.  Tim Foisie was the WSA coordinator.

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

Alex Tonsberg was one of the inspirational Staples mentors this month.

Sean Gallagher, Walker Marsh Set Indoor Marks

It’s been quite an indoor track season for 3 Staples soccer players.

Sean Gallagher in action.

In Boston recently, Sean  Gallagher helped the 4×400 team to the New England championship (3:25.46).

At the same meet the 4×800 relay set a school record — topping their own mark — while finishing 3rd in 7:59.83.  Sophomore Walker Marsh ran the 1st leg.  It was the 1st sub-8-minute performance in Staples history.

Earlier — at the state open in New Haven — both the 4×400 team (3:27.76) and 4×800 relay (8:06:56) finished 1st.

In that meet Gallagher joined former soccer player George Birch on the medley relay team.  Their 3:41.14 time earned them a bronze.

The Wreckers capped their spectacular season last weekend at the New Balance Indoor Championships, held in the New York City Armory.  In a field with 500 high school teams from all 50 states and Canada, 3 Staples relay squads surpassed their seedings.

Gallagher’s 4×400 placed 16th in 3:24.96 — the 2nd fastest time in school history.

Marsh’s 4×800 took 20th in 8:02.46– also the 2nd fastest time ever at Staples.

Gallagher also ran in the 4×200 relay.  That foursome finished 32nd, in 1:32.96 — the 3rd fastest time for a Staples squad.

“That was the best high school meet I’ve ever seen,” said veteran coach Laddie Lawrence of the national championship.  “Every time I turned around, someone broke a record.”

Walker Marsh earlier this year.

Trevor Lamb ’04 Signs With Sinobal

For decades, Staples soccer players have joined professional and semi-pro teams around the world.

Trevor Lamb ’04 is charting new territory, though.  He’s the 1st to sign with a Chinese club.

Trevor — who has been living and teaching in Asia for 2 years — has just joined Sinobal, a very ambitious semipro team in Hangzhou.  He’ll play with the 1st team in a few amateur and semipro leagues in that city, and the greater Yangtze River delta region.

One of the leagues is part of a new program of Vision China — a city-centric nationwide league being developed in cooperation with the Asian Football Confederation.

On Trevor’s 1st day on the job he served as Sinobal’s international representative at a meeting with various clubs, the Hangzhou government, the Chinese Football Association and the AFC.

Trevor’s responsibilities go far beyond the field.  A primary reason they hired him was his background in youth coaching (including 2 very successful years with Staples’ junior varsity).  Sinobal has been given the task of managing Hangzhou’s youth development campaign, as part of the CFA’s “44 Cities” project to improve youth soccer in China.

Trevor already has visited several grade schools with other Sinobal coaches.  He’s promoting the sport and the club, meeting with principals and helping organize tournaments and activities.  One major project:  initiating an English-football training summer youth program this summer.

Trevor will also help organize the Nations Cup international tournament in Hangzhou; aid the parent company Sinobal with exhibition shows for developing technologies in China, and assist in developing curriculum for youth soccer coaches and players nationwide.

“Initially I was happy to get involved with the club as a player,” Trevor says.  “But the new opportunities to coach and contribute to big projects in the development of the sport and club make the position even more promising.

“The sport has a long way to go, even compared to the US, so any kind of involvement will hopefully make a big difference.”

Trevor looks forward to playing and keeping fit too — in preparation for his Watermelon Cup participation back in Westport this summer.

Devin Smiley ’93 Runs Triathlons For Marines

Devin Smiley ’93 checked in from San Diego.  The US Naval Academy graduate writes:

Throughout the years many of you have supported my various fundraising efforts, for which I am incredibly thankful.  Of course, there is something about this particular cause that I feel deeply committed and indebted to.

In the past year I’ve noticed a painfully sobering trend that has had a profound effect on me.  At Camp Pendleton I couldn’t help but notice the young wounded Marines and amputees walking around.  The fact that they can walk is something amazing to be thankful for.

But this number has steadily grown to the point that I couldn’t watch another Marine cross the street while I simply sat in my car humbled.  I feel I need to do more.  These Marines need resources to better transition into their new reality.  I owe them at least that.

Devin Smiley

That’s why I’ve joined the community of athletes to raise awareness and funds for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.  They provide immediate support for injured and critically ill service members in a variety of ways, including service member and family support, specialized and adaptive equipment, housing, transportation, education and career transition assistance, and therapeutic arts.

I’ll run in more than 6 triathlons and races in 2011 to raise at least $5000 for the Fund.  I’ve already raised almost $700, and I’m hoping to shatter my goal before the end of the year.

In order to do that, I need your assistance. You can help by donating, by reposting and spreading the word through Facebook and Twitter, as well sending this along to more family and friends via email.

Please follow this link to check out my fundraising site and to donate:
http://www.active.com/donate/SFFCOMMATHL2011/devinsmiley

If you’d like to learn more about the Semper Fi Fund, their website is:
http://semperfifund.org/

Thanks in advance for your help and support.

Photos, Film Needed For “Staples Soccer Experience” Video

Before Sam Bender graduates , he’s taken on one final project:  a “Staples Soccer Experience” video.

We hope to capture over 50 years of Staples soccer excitement, drama, talent — and the enthusiasm of our great fans — in a short film.

But we need your help.

Please send still news clippings, photos, videos — even 8-mm films — so we can include as many years as possible.

The best formats are jpegs for photos.

.mov files are best for videos — though Sam can convert many other formats, if needed.

DVDs can be sent online (dwoog@optonline.net), or by snail mail to:  Dan Woog c/o Staples High School, 70 North Ave., Westport, CT 06880.  Big video files can be sent and shared through websites like www.dropbox.com.

Questions?  Email dwoog@optonline.net.