Living Schools Heds http://www.westport-news.com/schools/collectionRss/Living-Schools-Heds-5271.php <![CDATA[ McMahon routs Newington in state lacrosse qualifier ]]> http://www.westport-news.com/sports/article/McMahon-routs-Newington-in-state-lacrosse-4548923.php article4548923
With the breakneck pace of the spring season, there is little time to regroup following a string of defeats or time to integrate new starters returning from injury. For the Brien McMahon boys lacrosse team, failing to qualify for the FCIAC tournament on what has been an up-and-down season was described by head coach Michael Epstein as "a blessing in disguise." Drew D'Antonio scored his 200th point as the Senators erupted for a 12-goal first quarter to advance to the first round of the Class L state tournament with an 18-5 win over visiting Newington on Saturday afternoon. Twelve players in all scored goals for the Senators, who showed outstanding balance with no one player scoring more than twice. D'Antonio was All-American honoree as a junior, but nagging injuries has hurt his 2013 campaign. The Trojans prevailed in their regular season matchup 9-3 and the Senators will have to be at their best to meet the winner of the Southington/Hall matchup in the final eight.
]]> Sat, 25 May 2013 22:10:52 UT <![CDATA[ Greenwich Crew sending four boats to youth nationals ]]> http://www.westport-news.com/sports/article/Greenwich-Crew-sending-four-boats-to-youth-4548912.php article4548912
Qualifying a boat for youth nationals has always been the top goal for Greenwich Crew, and, after sending two a year ago, doing so in 2013 was completely expected. For the first time in the program's history, four boats will be sent to the national competition, held on June 7-9 in Oak Ridge, Tenn. with the eye on improving from last year's accomplishments. Greenwich Crew accomplished that feat in four events: women's 1x, women's 4x, women's lightweight 4+ and men's lightweight 4+. Last season, Greenwich Crew sent the women's lightweight 8+ and women's 1x to nationals, placing eighth and 13th, respectively. According to girls coach Marko Serafimovski, Curtis is a top prospect that could finish in the A finals (top six) at nationals. Greenwich Crew currently consists of about 200 rowers participating in both competitive and recreational programs.
]]> Sat, 25 May 2013 22:02:24 UT <![CDATA[ Saturday's Advocate High School Roundup ]]> http://www.westport-news.com/sports/article/Saturday-s-Advocate-High-School-Roundup-4548846.php article4548846
Saturday's Advocate High School Roundup BOYS LACROSSE At Worcester (Mass) Academy Alex Haendler 2 goals, 1 assist; Jack Book 2g, 2a; Anthony Deluca 1g, 1a; Angus Bass 1g, 2a; Nick Della Jacono 1g, 2a; Nolan Murray 1g, 1a; Jack Wheeler 1a. Game played in rainstorm and 40 degree temperatures. State Tournament Scholastic Schedule FCIAC Championship at Ballpark at Harbor Yard State Tournament Boys golf State Tournament, 1st round No. 13 Newtown at No. 4 Greenwich, 5 State Tournament State Tournament State Tournament State Tournament
]]> Sat, 25 May 2013 21:21:53 UT <![CDATA[ Thibault, Bailey, Howlett, Roones set for best at state track meets ]]> http://www.westport-news.com/sports/article/Thibault-Bailey-Howlett-Roones-set-for-best-at-4548844.php article4548844
Despite the accumulation of aches and pains from the winter indoor track and spring outdoor track seasons, now is a time for athletes to shine and see where they rank in the state of Connecticut. Billy Thibault, a senior at Westhill High School, tied the FCIAC Championship meet record while winning the pole vault by clearing 15-feet-0. Clearing 15 feet has been a season-long goal, said Thibault, who was fifth in the pole vault at both the Class LL and State Open championships during indoor winter season. Thibault, who will attend the University of Rhode Island in the fall and is looking to walk-on to the track team as a pole vaulter, has only worked at the pole vault with Westhill assistant coach Neal Perry for two years. Thibault is seeded second in the Class LL pole vault and is seeded fourth in the high jump. FCIAC javelin champion Ellie Gravitte of Ridgefield (state record, 152-feet-7) and Roones are the top two seeds in the Class LL javelin.
]]> Sat, 25 May 2013 21:18:52 UT <![CDATA[ Barlow routs New Fairfield to capture SWC Division I boys lacrosse crown ]]> http://www.westport-news.com/highschool/article/Barlow-routs-New-Fairfield-to-capture-SWC-4547877.php article4547877

At the end of a rain-soaked, windswept SWC Division I boys lacrosse final at Brookfield High Friday, the spoils awaiting the victors sat on the scorer's table, shielded from the elements by clear plastic bags. Joining the usual assortment of medals and plaques was Barlow High's golden Buddha statue, awarded every game to the Falcon who commits the team's worst blunder, that too fitted, comically, with its own protective bag. Unlike the teams' last meeting, back on April 10, in which the Falcons' lead was so severe that running time was employed to bring about a swifter, more merciful end, this was a slog, the driving rain of the first half giving way to bitter cold in the second. Though the result was much the same: too much firepower from the Falcons, coupled with a stingy defense led by the tourney's MVP, Conn Curry. Since succumbing to underdog Weston in last year's title game, the Falcons (17-1, 9-0 SWC), who went on to cruise to the Class S state title, were on a mission to right that wrong. After losing to Barlow 16-3 in that April meeting to fall to 0-3, the Rebels had been one of the conference's hottest teams, reeling off 10 straight wins to end the season at 12-4. [...] a barrage of early offense from Rooney, who registered a game-high four goals, Luke Maroun (two goals, one assist) and Max Cammarota (three assists) demoralized a Rebels team that struggled to create chances from the start.

]]> Sat, 25 May 2013 04:32:22 UT <![CDATA[ Staples returns to top in FCIAC boys volleyball ]]> http://www.westport-news.com/highschool/article/Staples-returns-to-top-in-FCIAC-boys-volleyball-4547838.php article4547838
After a two-year hiatus, Staples boys volleyball returned to a place that it's called home more than anyone else: atop the FCIAC. The team that rolled through the regular season with 16 straight wins -- 14 of them sweeps -- added to its legacy Friday as No. 1 Staples trumped Ridgefield 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-22) in the FCIAC final at Fairfield Ludlowe High School. The Wreckers, who won eight straight conference titles from 2003 to 2010, captured their 11th, giving them seven more than the next closest school (Fairfield). After losing in the final in 2011 and in the semifinals a year ago, Staples (18-1) arrived motivated to reclaim its perch. The Wreckers showed that early against defending champion Ridgefield, controlling the first game with a noticeable advantage at the net. The Wreckers recorded 37 kills in the match, 11 of which were notched by middle hitter Todd Goldstein. Staples outside hitter Jonathan Denowitz recorded six kills and 12 digs and was named the Most Valuable Player. Staples, which handed Ridgefield its lone loss during the regular season (3-0 on May 13) managed to sweep, despite a shaky start to the third game.
]]> Sat, 25 May 2013 04:19:47 UT <![CDATA[ Brophy, Newtown girls win 9th straight SWC crown ]]> http://www.westport-news.com/highschool/article/Brophy-Newtown-girls-win-9th-straight-SWC-crown-4547078.php article4547078
[...] too, are MVP performances stunted by scoreless first halves, apparently. "For me, a lot of the time, when I don't play a big part in our offense, I like to pick it up and help out my team -- and literally just step up and crush it," said Meaghan Brophy, whose four second-half goals ignited a 13-6 runaway victory over Brookfield on a misty Friday afternoon at Bobcats Stadium. With it, the Nighthawks, who tallied an uncharacteristic seven losses in the regular season, have captured their ninth straight, and perhaps sweetest, SWC crown. "After their upset over New Fairfield (in the semifinal round), Brookfield has been playing so well," said Nighthawks coach Maura Fletcher. About four minutes into the period, Brophy scored three goals in under a minute, the last two -- separated by just 10 seconds -- Newtown had led by two prior to Brophy's outburst, matching the halftime deficit.
]]> Sat, 25 May 2013 04:18:53 UT <![CDATA[ Friday's top high school performers ]]> http://www.westport-news.com/highschool/article/Friday-s-top-high-school-performers-4547939.php article4547939
Meaghan Brophy, Newtown lacrosse: Had four goals in a 13-6 win over Brookfield in the SWC Division I championship. Jonathan Denowitz, Staples volleyball: Had six kills, 12 digs to earn MVP honors in 3-0 win over Ridgefield in FCIAC championship match. Liam Rooney, Barlow lacrosse: Had four goals in a 14-6 win over New Fairfield in the SWC Division I championship.
]]> Sat, 25 May 2013 04:07:12 UT <![CDATA[ SCC, SWC to merge hockey leagues next season ]]> http://www.westport-news.com/highschool/article/SCC-SWC-to-merge-hockey-leagues-next-season-4546606.php article4546606
SCC, SWC to merge hockey leagues next season The SCC and SWC hockey leagues will effectively merge into one league beginning in the 2013-14 season, SCC commissioner Al Carbone announced Friday. Each division will consist of round-robin regular season games.The top-two Division I teams will face off in a championship game while Division II and Division III will feature four-team semifinals.
]]> Sat, 25 May 2013 04:05:45 UT <![CDATA[ NVL final between Derby, Wolcott suspended in 6th, to be resumed Saturday ]]> http://www.westport-news.com/highschool/article/NVL-final-between-Derby-Wolcott-suspended-in-4547573.php article4547573
The Derby and Wolcott High School baseball teams will have to wait yet another day to decide the Naugatuck Valley League tournament championship. The final was suspended by rain Friday with Wolcott leading 1-0 and batting with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning at Rotary Field. The game is now slated to be completed today at Waterville Park in Waterbury beginning at 11:30 a.m. A joint decision was made by Derby athletic director Joe Orazietti, Wolcott athletic director Bryan Darcy and tournament directors Steve Baldwin and Jerry Ciarleglio.
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