After last year’s tough season with an overall record of 2-18, the boys are hoping to have a more successful season this year. “This year we want to be more competitive and hopefully make states,” senior captain Matt Swift said. “We haven’t done that in a few years so it would be nice to get to the playoffs.” With a new coach, Mike Evans, and new players, the team has an optimistic view of the upcoming season. “The new coach has a lot of intensity which is different than last year and I think it will be better for us,” Matt Swift explained. Along with Matt, coach Evans also has confidence, especially in the upper class members of the team, “I have full confidence in this year’s seniors. I wouldn’t want anyone else to be in their place right now. They and the juniors are very talented,” coach Evans said. The boys lost their first game against Harding.
The girls had an evenly balanced season last year with an overall record of 10-11. Last year, the team fell short of making the Fairfield County Interscholastic Conference (FCIAC) playoffs, but hope to this year. Unfortunately this task will be harder for the team after losing two of its best senior players from last year, Ellie Wright and Sarah Mannelly. “We have four seniors this year and each one has so many different strengths. When they come together on the court we are really a competitive team,” coach Kim Palmer said. “I think our strengths really come from our seniors and their strong leadership. Through their leadership they’ll be able to guide the other players to a great season.” The girls lost their first game on Dec. 5 against Greenwich, but still hope for a winning season.
Cheerleading
The girls recently finished up their season cheering for the football team and are now transitioning to cheering for basketball team and competing in their own competitions. Last year, the team came out with a bang, winning their first competition and hope to do the same this year. However, after losing the former seniors Caitlin Dwyer, Nicole Giusti and Emily Lambdin, the team has a challenge ahead of them. “We’re in the rebuilding process, I would say,” senior captain Bess Howard said. “Although we lost a lot of key players our goals are to just work through that and get to where we were last year.” Senior captain Emily Luciano believes that success will come from resilience, “One of our team’s biggest strengths is rolling with the punches”. After a successful season last year, placing seventh at FCIACs, the girls have big shoes to fill. “I think one of our goals is to make top 5 at FCIACs again, we’ve done it in the past few years, so its probably our biggest goal,” Emily said.
Gymnastics
Despite having unsuccessful seasons in the past, the gymnastics team is set to change this year. “With our new gymnasts we will hopefully be beating some of the FCIAC teams this year,” coach Anne Tomaselli said. With the addition of new freshmen, the team is much stronger than last year. “Our team definitely has better talent this year because we have two new freshmen on the team who have a lot of gymnastics experience,” senior captain Ashley Kong said. Overall, the team is set to have a stronger season than in the past. “We have a lot of dedication and go-get-itness on our team that will certainly lead to a successful season,” senior captain Victoria Gerardi said. The girls are set to compete in their first meet against Fairfield Ludlowe, Fairfield Warde and Westhill on Jan. 2.
With an overall record of 12-7-1 last year, they boys are hoping to be just as, if not more successful this year. “Our goals this year are to win the FCIAC and state championships. We have a lot of talent this year and I think that this may be the year we pull it off,” senior captain Chris Koennecke said. Coach Bo Hickey notes the potential of the newer additions to the team, “We’ve had some scrimmages and I’ve been playing some younger kids and I’m really surprised at what I’ve seen on the ice. We have a lot of depth in defense and overall the team has great speed”. The boys’ lost their first game against Notre Dame-West Haven.
After a disappointing loss in the state championship game last year, the team finished with an overall record of 19-1 and has a positive outlook this year. “We have the best forward in the state, Olivia Hompe, and we have the best defensmen in the state, Madzie Carroll,” coach Richard Bulan said.“I think having those two along with Corbett Ripley, who really had a big breakout year last season, are really going to make our team great.” The team’s main goal is to make it to both the FCIAC Competition and the State Competition as they did last year. The girls won their first game against Trumbull on Dec. 10.
Boys’ Indoor Track
The boys have been off to a good start with new coach Bill Martin who has big goals for this season. “I think our main goal is to win our division. We would also like to get as many people qualified for the FCIACs as possible,” Coach Martin said. This year’s team is set for a successful season with widespread talent in all events. “In the FCIACs it’s really important to have a team capable of competing across the board. We have legitimate entries in all of the events so that’s certainly our strenght. While the new coach is hopeful he definitely faces challenges, “I don’t know all of the kids on the team yet and what their strengths are. I know a lot of the middle-distance and distance boys from cross country and I’m hopeful for a good season,” Coach Martin said. They boys’ first meet is Dec. 22 against Wilton, Darien, Danbury and Brien McMahon.
Girls’ Indoor Track
The girls indoor track team is looking forward to a successful season. “I think that our team is just as strong if not better than last year because everyone on the team really has that drive and works very hard,” senior captain Molly Joyce said. The team lost one of the best runners and state champ, Stephanie Benko, from last year but plans to do just as well without her. “We have a lot of young kids who I think will improve and be as good if not better than last year,” coach Art Brown said. Overall, the team is set on a track for success thanks to their coaches. “Coach Fallon ran in college. Coach Cohen threw in college and Coach Brown has been coaching track for forever. I think it’s great because we just have a lot of experience guiding the team to a great season,” Molly said. The girls’ first meet is Dec. 22 against Wilton, Darien, Danbury and Brien McMachon.
Squash
Squash is a new varsity sport this year and they are looking for their first season to be a successful one. “Our goal for the upcoming season is to do well in a higher division than last year at Nationals. We can accomplish this goal because we have a bunch of great new players this year,” junior captain Henry Greer said. This new sport is quickly gaining popularity as many underclassmen joined this year. “Our top three or four players are all sophomores and can only get better as time goes on,” Henry said. Overall the team is excited for a great season. “This is the best team we have ever had and I am really excited to see how we do at nationals and in the rest of the season!” Henry said.
Boys’ Swimming and Diving
After losing many key seniors from last year, the boys have a challenging season ahead of them. “The seniors were a tough class to lose, there were All-Americans in there, there were big relay swimmers in there. They were a very key part to the success that we’ve had,” coach David Fine said. While they lost some of their main swimmers, the team still has a positive outlook. Their primary in goal is to be one of the top teams in the state and they believe they can achieve it. “We have a lot of younger talent and a good freshman class that came in. It’s a younger group, a less experienced group than we’ve ever had in the past, but I think they are going to come together like a true team and be able to win,” coach Fine said. The boys’ first meet is Dec. 20 against Staples.
With a team composed of mostly freshmen and sophomores, the boys have a tough season ahead of them. “Since most of these guys haven’t wrestled before we’re going to have to get them up to speed and teach them as quickly as possible,” coach Paul Gallo said. Fortunately, the team has several senior leaders to guide the younger boys in their improvement. “We have some seniors and juniors who have experience and are good wrestlers. Their leadership has to be our strength. They help the younger wrestlers and serve as good role models for them.” Overall, if the younger boys can improve quickly, the wrestling team will have a successful season. Their first meet is Dec. 19 against Bridgeport Central.
