Among those honored tonight at the Sportsmen of Westport’s 44th Dinner of Champions in Norwalk were four players who formed the backfield of the 1964 Staples football team, among the best of all-time. Fomer Coach Paul Lane (l) led tributes to (l-r) John Bolger, Bill During, William Leavitt, and Jack Forehand. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

The Sportsmen of Westport tonight honored John M. Bieling, Jr., better known as “Junior,” with the William A. Krause Humanitarian Award, named for the group’s late president. Presenting him with the award at a banquet at Norwalk’s Continental Manor were state Sen. Robert Duff (l) and his wife Tracy, Krause’s daughter. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

It was a disappointing season for the Staples varsity baseball team, but it ended Friday on a high note as the Wreckers trounced Darien 9-4 at Darien. Tri-captains (l-r) Dan Rueven, Art Phillips, and Kevin McCarthy led the team this year. The final game saw Phillips going 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBI, and Reuven with two doubles and two RBI. Also contributing to the win was D.J. Stefkovich with a double, triple, and two RBI. The Wreckers finished 7-13 overall and 6-12 in FCIAC play. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Pam Moss for WestportNow.com

The Westport Soccer Association and Staples High School boys’ soccer program are teaming up for the second annual tailgate and game at Giants Stadium. 

The event is set for Saturday, June 18, prior to the MetroStars-Columbus Crew game. An added attraction this year is the chance to see Crew star Kyle Martino, a Westport native and former Staples player.

All WSA and Staples players, parents, friends and soccer fans are invited, according to an announcement.

The fun begins at 5 p.m., with a tailgate in the Meadowlands parking lot. Food and drinks are provided. WSA players will get a chance to meet members of the Staples boys’ soccer teams.

Staples Girls JV Softball Coach Ejay Clark gets the cold water treatment from left fielder Lindsay Wolson,15, after the Lady Wreckers completed a perfect 17-0 season today with an at home 16-0 victory over Darien. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Sophomore Liz Johnston, 15, pitched a one-hit game in today’s 16-0 Staples Girls JV softball victory over Darien, completing an undefeated season. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Members of the Staples Girls JV softball team pose for a team photo following today’s 16-0 victory over Darien, capping a perfect 17-0 season. Shown are, front row (l-r): Brittney Weinsoff (sophomore), Aly Campbell (freshman), Charlotte Green (sophomore), Leah Garzone (freshman);middle row (l-r): Liz Bomes (sophomore), Paige Rudzin (freshman), Arianna Grand (sophomore), Stacy Crain (sophomore), Michelle Lobello (sophomore); back row (l-r): Coach Ejay Clark (sixth grade science teacher at Bedford Middle), Jen Bottone (sophomore), Liz Johnston (sophomore), Anna Wiggin (freshman), Emily Abramson (sophomore), and Lindsey Wolson (freshman). (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Chris “Mad Dog” Russo: Sportsmen guest of honor. Contributed photoChris “Mad Dog” Russo of WFAN’s “Mike & Mad Dog” show is scheduled to be guest of honor at the 2005 Sportsmen of Westport National Honoree annual banquet Tuesday, May 24 at Norwalk’s Continental Manor.

Now in its 44th year, the Sportsmen Awards annually grant five $1,000 scholarships to Staples High School graduates who have excelled academically and athletically.

“It is a very special event because we honor these graduates, as well as former sports players in the Town of Westport that have excelled exceedingly well,” said Peter D’Amico, Sportsmen co-president.

For example, several years ago the Sportsmen honored 83-year-old Art Reale, “who received every letter in sports at when he was at Staples High School,” D’Amico said.

The Staples coed water polo team Thursday scored its first victory ever. After close losses to Loomis, Choate and Greenwich, the Wreckers defeated Hopkins 12-8. Brandon Arias scored seven goals, Brandon Barone three, and Gar Waterman and Libby DeFeo one each. The photo shows DeFeo scoring her goal. Contributing to the victory were Bryan Stenson who made many great saves in the shallow end and Ricky White who made several in the deep end. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Westport’s Robert LaPenta faces double-digit odds for his horse in today’s $2 million Kentucky Derby, the second year in a row he’s had an entry in the nation’s most famous horse race.

The 59-year-old LaPenta will be sending out longshot Andromeda’s Hero. A year ago his entry was The Cliff’s Edge who had credentials so impeccable that he was designated the morning-line favorite for the first leg of the Triple Crown.

But a torrential downpour hours before the 2004 race did the horse in. The Cliff’s Edge lost both of his front shoes on the muddy track and could do no better than finish a distant fifth.

LaPenta, who recently retired as president and CFO of L-3 Communications and now heads L-1, an investment partnership based in Stamford, told The Advocate of Stamford that last year, the pressure was enormous.

“But this year we’re going with a completely different perspective,” he said. “We’re just looking for a respectable effort and we’ll see what it gets us. It’s going to be a lot more fun for us.”