The Staples High School girls swim team tonight raced to a third place in the state LL finals at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven.  Staples had six swimmers make All States by placing in the top three in individual events or the top two in relays. Pictured (back row, l-r) Esme Hunter (100 Back – 2nd, 200 IM – 3rd, 400 Free Relay 4th, 200 Free Relay 8th); Mackenzie Healy (50 Free – 6th, 100 Free – 8th, 200 Medley Relay – 2nd, 400 Free Relay – 4th); Marissa Healy (100 Fly – 2nd, 100 Back – 3rd, 200 Medley Relay – 2nd, 400 Free Relay – 4th); Willow Woods (200 IM – 2nd, 100 Breast – 2nd, 200 Medley Relay – 2nd, 400 Free Relay – 4th) (front row) Michelle Kennedy (200 Free – 10th, 500 Free – 3rd, 200 Free Relay – 8th), and Mia Fraas (200 Medley Relay – 2nd, 100 Fly – 10th, 100 Back – 12th). (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Staples High School field hockey players celebrate tonight after edging Enfield 2-1 in the Class L semifinals at Watertown High School. Freshman Kyle Kirby scored twice, including the game-winning goal with 9:50 left in the second half. Goalkeeper Bridget Mulloy, a sophomore, had three saves. It is the first time since 1976 the Wreckers have been in a state championship game. It will be held Saturday against Darien in Wethersfield. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

For the third time in seven years, Staples and Farmington battled in a state LL (extra large schools) tournament thriller today ay Tunxis Mead Park in Farmington. The 21st-ranked Wreckers owned much of the possession, and took large portions of the game to the fourth-ranked Indians. But a second yellow card foul with 11 minutes to play left Staples a man down. Three minutes later the upstaters scored on a corner kick, and held on for a 1-0 victory. Head coach Dan Woog praised goalkeeper Ziggy Hallgarten, and the entire Wrecker squad. “Soccer is a cruel game,” he said. “Our guys executed their game plan. They fought like warriors. They did everything they needed to, but they did not get the result. I feel badly for them – but I am intensely proud of their efforts, as players and men.” In the photo above, Jannis Dietze helps control central midfield. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Armelle Daniels for WestportNow.com

The Staples High School boys cross country team today won the New England High School Championships at Ponaganset High School in North Scituate, R.I. The team was lead by senior co-captain Zak Ahmad, who finished third overall in a time 15:31 over the 5K course. Other top Staples finishers were junior Ben Seiple in 17th, junior Will Landowne in 27th, junior Sunil Green in 29th, and junior Christian Meyers 39th. The team’s 72 score easily beat second place La Salle Academy of Rhode Island (155) and Danbury (158). The team had previously won the FCIAC, Class LL and state open titles. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Senior Andrew Speed gains ground tonight against Darien, but the Wrecker efforts fell short as the Blue Wave shut out Staples 27-0 at Staples. The loss was the third straight for the Wreckers, now 5-4 on the season. Staples wraps up the season on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 24 at Greenwich at 10 a.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Shelley Burger Sports photo

The Staples Field Hockey team today beat Wilton 3-1 in the quarterfinals at home to advance to the state semi-finals next week—the first Class L semi-final for the team since 1994.  Staples defense was fierce and held Wilton to only one goal. Staples goals were scored by Sophie Smith, Abby Najarian, and Meghan Johnson. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Josh Berman’s power header ninth minute power header, and Anton Mahr’s long strike 20 minutes later, staked the Staples boys soccer team to a 2-0 victory at New Milford today. The victory earns the Wreckers a LL (extra large schools) state tournament berth on Saturday. They will play Farmington away. The Westporters’ win -– their second straight upset in the tourney -– included excellent pressuring offense, strong midfield play and stellar defense by Berman, Sam Kantor, Teddy Lawrence and Chris Martenson. Goalkeeper Ziggy Hallgarten recorded his 11th shutout of the season. Pictured is striker Thomas Nealon slicing through a pair of Green Wave defenders. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Armelle Daniels for WestportNow.com

Six members of the Saugatuck Rowing Club girls team today signed National Letters of Intent to row competitively in college in the NCAA.  Four of the girls are Staples High School students.  Pictured (l-r) are Sophie Pendrill, Scarsdale, University of Texas at Austin; Katelyn DeAgro, Westport/Staples, Robert Morris University; Imogen Ratcliffe, Westport/Staples, U.C. Berkeley; Charlotte Powers, Fairfield, University of Michigan; Kate Johnson, Westport/Staples, University of Notre Dame; Grace McGinley, Westport/Staples, Stanford University; and Saugatuck Rowing Club Junior Girls Head Coach Gordon Getsinger. The Saugatuck Rowing Club girls team has won back-to-back national championships and last month three-peated as victors in the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The celebration in the photo above was short-lived. Stephen Rowland’s (6) goal was ruled offside. But the Staples boys soccer team was already up 1-0, thanks to Thomas Nealon’s penalty kick. And the Wreckers got stronger as the game went on, earning a 1-0 win at South Windsor in today’s opening round LL (extra large schools) state tournament match. It was an upset based on seedings, as Staples was ranked No. 21 (7-3-6 record) and the Bobcats were ranked No. 12 (11-5-0). The blue-and-whites now set their eyes on another higher-ranked foe: New Milford (ranked No. 5, 11-2-2). That match is Thursday at New Milford. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Armelle Daniels for WestportNow.com