More than 700 swimmers representing 12 teams competed today in the annual Maura Marden Freestyle Frenzy at the Westport Weston Family Y’s Strittmatter Family Aquatics Center. According to Ellen Johnston, Family Y director of competition swimming, the swim meet was comprised of boys and girls from 9 years old and older, each competing in one of 24 freestyle events ranging from 50 to 500 yards.  She said all participants are affiliated with a club program in Connecticut or Long Island. Referring to the large number of attendees today she said, “It’s the most people we’ve had here so far in our new facility for any event and that includes the recent gala. The next big test is the pentathlon event in January, which will draw even a large crowd.” The meet continues on Sunday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Sophomore Ethan Burger scores one of his two touchdowns tonight as Staples crushed Bridgeport Central 45-12. Senior Owen Burke also had two touchdowns. It was the last home game for seniors and the win pulled the Wreckers above the .500 mark on the season with a record of 5-4. Next up Norwalk High School on Friday at 7 p.m. at Norwalk. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Chris Greer for WestportNow.com

The Staples boys soccer team (pictured above, just prior to the opening whistle) fell 2-0 to Darien today in the quarterfinals of the state Class LL (extra large schools) tournament. The Wreckers had won eight of their final 10 games, but a pair of second half goals by the hosts sank their state championship hopes. Staples -– which reached the semifinals of the FCIAC tournament -– returns 19 players next year, while replacing only five starters. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Kim Lake for WestportNow.com

Staples Girls Soccer members celebrate today at the end of a very muddy 110 minutes of play at home after beating Wilton 1-0 in the second round of the Class LL state tournament. Sophomore standout Lydia Shaw scored the only goal in the first of two overtime periods. Staples advances to the quarterfinals where it will play Glastonbury (No. 1) on Saturday in Glastonbury. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Stacy Jagerson Fowle for WestportNow.com

Down 3-1 with just 15 minutes to play, the Staples boys soccer team today roared back with an astonishing three goals to defeat No. 3 West Haven 4-3 at West Haven to move into the quarterfinals of the state Class LL championship The surge came on scores by Gabe Pensak, Nate Argosh and Josh Berman. The game-winner, off a long throw by Pensak, came with only 1:24 to play. The 19th-seeded Wreckers move on to the state quarterfinals for the second year in a row. The Wreckers (including Michael Reid, Nate Argosh and Gabe Pensak, shown here) play at No. 11 Darien on Friday. Game time is 2 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Kim Lake for WestportNow.com

The Staples Girls Soccer team shut out Manchester 4-0 at home today to advance into Thursday’s second round of the Class LL tournament. Sophomore Wrecker Ivy Prince (above) scored the first goal, while Lauren Garcia, Lydia Shaw and Charlotte Rossi added the remaining three tallies. The victory sends No. 8 Staples into Thursday’s second round against No. 9 Wilton. The game will be played at home at 2 p.m. and the team is encouraging fans to come cheer them on. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Carlos Garcia for WestportNow.com

The Staples Boys Soccer team shut out East Hartford 3-0 at East Hartford today to advance into Wednesday’s second round of the Class LL tournament. Wrecker Josh Berman scored two goals –- both headers, and both off long throws from Gabe Pensak -– while Nate Argosh added another in the tourney opening round. The Wreckers’s win over higher-rated East Hartford was accomplished with excellent defense from Michael Reid, Patrick Beusse, Kenji Goto, Jack Zeldes, Berman and Pensak, plus fine goalkeeping from Noah Schwaeber. The victory vaults No. 19 Staples into Wednesday’s second round, against No. 3 West Haven (tentative time, 2 p.m.in West Haven). The photo shows striker Daniel Perez Elorza as the match winds down. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Kim Lake for WestportNow.com