Darien Times Sports Preview Fall 2012

Brennan Branca returns as Darien top scorer.

SPORTS PREVIEWDARIEN HIGH SCHOOL FALL 2012

THE DARIEN TIMES, THURSDAY, SEPT. 13, 2012 D

By Steven BuonoTimes Sports Editor

Only losing about eight players to gradua-tion, and all of two football games last year, the Wave returns a mercurial contender in campaign 2012.

“Obviously we’ve got a lot of experience,” said Darien coach Rob Trifone. “Having been there before, often it’s those teams, that in tight or close situations are able to come through. The mental part of the game changes.”

Likely candidates for coming through, if the Wave is to break through for a title shot in November: seniors, gazelle-like leading rusher Peter Gesualdi, and a steady-as-a-tightrope-walker quarterback in Henry Baldwin.

Gesualdi, leading DHS with 96 points last season, scored nine touchdowns on 410 yards running and seven TDs in the air, receiving for 455 yards.

Baldwin threw 129 completes in 228 attempts for 1,884 yards, averaging 188.4 per

game and firing a Wave record 27 touchdowns as Darien went 8-2, losing to Staples in a snow storm and New Canaan in the holiday finale, in 2011.

But the Wave will need to crush those creeping mercurial inclinations, should they appear, to go long this fall.

And it’s happened already.“Hillhouse High school from New Haven

came down here,” said Trifone. “Now, they are supposed to be very good again — just about every year they are in the state final.

“And I told my kids: here comes a perennial power, let’s see how you do.”

They did not do so well, not at first.“First half of the scrimmage it was 14-0

Hillhouse,” said Trifone. “And we were slop-ping around, not being real physical.”

Then Darien went from slop around to turnaround.

“I had a few choice words — OK, words

of encouragement — during half-time of the scrimmage” he said. “And we finished out 14-14 and (Hillhouse) gained seven yards in the second half, totally.”

The combustibles are there.This season will be about setting them

alight.“There’s so much that goes into team chem-

istry,” said Trifone. “And attitude and experi-ence. And in a physical sport, there’s a little more emphasis on that chemistry and attitude and stuff like that.”

The sooner that chemistry produces a con-sistent spark, the better Trifone will like it, and the better the chances for something explosive happening for the Wave.

“I said, I don’t mind motivating young men, I’ve been doing it my whole career,” said Trifone. “But, this is a veteran group. Do you need me, to step in, and get you motivated to play a perennial state power? Or, can you moti-vate yourself for the challenge?”

The answer was in the asking.“It was a very good lesson. They were two

totally different teams from the first half to the second half. You wouldn’t know either of them.

“You play like the second half, I think we can play with anyone.”

Darien has eight back from last year on defense and the same number on offense.

OffenseJunior Alex Gunn is at center, while at guard

there’ll be experienced senior Ben Sickinger.At tackle is an experienced dynamo in

Matt D’Andrea, junior Tommy Gasparino is at guard and Nick Kunze up from JV at tackle as well.

“People are going to know who Matt D’Andrea (6-1, 278) is, and Nick (Kunze), for what it’s worth, is 6-2, 270,” said Trifone.

The entire backfield returns with QB Baldwin, Gesualdi and another ace in Ian Vanderhorn — 208 yards on 31 tries rushing in ’11 — as halfbacks.

Christian Bogner, who rushed for 412 yards

‘Every returning starter has the capability of making a big play’Football 2012

GES-MAN — Peter Gesualdi (No. 26) led Darien in scoring with 96 points in 2011. (Darien Times/Steven Buono photo)

See FOOTBALL on page 6D


CAP’N KAT — Captain Kat Huber is a key returning midfielder. (Darien Times/Steven Buono photo)


You might think Darien was through with counting — its blessings, or counting anything at all — after the halt to its half-decade of con-stant additions to FCIAC and state titles, and consecutive games won, last fall.

But it is not.There are just too many new and returning

blessings for Wave field hockey to ignore.“I think the theme this year is just, strength

in numbers,” said Darien coach Mo Minicus, who loses four starters in this her 13th year. “We have a lot of depth. A lot of solid play-ers.”

It showed immediately in preseason.“We played Rye High and I rotated every-

body,” Minicus said. “Everybody played.”Big numbers and solid in skill is DHS 2012,

back as a contender to pick up where it left off in 2010.

“I think it’s a combination — success

breeds success,” said Minicus.Captains are offensive midfielder Kat Huber

and Lexi Perticone, a forward.“And they are both looking great,” said

Minicus.Hollis Perticone is at midfield, and a poten-

tial potent scoring catalyst.“She sets the ball up really well,” said

Minicus. “She’s got excellent hand-eye coor-dination.”

Rising sophomore Erica Osherow, up from jv, looks strong with skills sharpening — she could be on corners lots this season, giving Darien a 1-2 punch with Huber.

Seniors include forward Sam Wright, Maggie Wells at midfield, forward Paxton Voigt back from knee injury her sophomore off-season, Lydia Ruhlin, Mara Donoghue, for-mer forward Cammie Lattimer at defense.

Junior Jackie Brokaw has impressed as well in preseason, Sloane Bessey returns as a solid

midfielder.Claire Culliton and Libby Feingold return

for depth at forward.Kyla Johns is a sophomore expected to play

and Mollie Riegel should surprise many an attacker approaching the Wave net this fall.

In goal, there’s experience with junior Danica Hornick.

And then there is the high charge in the depth provided in bulk by Hornick, Osherow, Johns, Brokaw, Bessey, plus Kelsey Bumgardner, Allie Parsley, Katie Shanahan, Cassidy Stauffer and Eliza Wisinski — all good people ready to step in.

Go-to defensemen include Brokaw, Riegel, Lattimer.

Go-to goal-scorers?Said Minicus: “We have so much depth

at forward.. But I would say, Lexi, Hollis, Erica...”

There will be more.And Darien has a, go-go midfielder, in fire-

ball Huber.The Wave was 19-2 last year after graduat-

ing 13 and returning only one.That winning 19 was a disappointment is

a testament to just how tremendous a run the program’s had.

“It really was a successful season,” said Minicus. “Just given our history — it was unfortunate that (people) thought it was a dis-appointing season.”

The Wave lost to Staples 1-0 in the FCIAC semis in 2011, and fell to Wilton in overtime at semis in states.

“We have the talent, we just need to get the chemistry,” said Minicus. “That takes time.”

Time, between the end to the massive championship trophy harvest last fall, and now, gives everyone a fresh start.

“And I think the girls are excited too,” added Minicus. “In a way, the way last year’s season ended, these girls come into the season with a sense of relief.

“There’s no pressure keeping up the titles, or the game-winning streak.”

A fresh start means needed fresh air.“These girls can breathe a little bit.”

Strength in numbers: ‘These girls can breathe a little bit’Field Hockey 2012

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HIGH BALL — Emily Stein (No. 9, right) is up for a steal in 2011 action. (Darien Times/Steven Buono photo)

Gilbert, Hamill, Budd set tone for deep Blue WaveBy Steven BuonoTimes Sports Editor

Darien girls’ soccer largely roars on junior jets. But not entirely.

“We return a junior class, where, a lot of the girls have been good soccer players,” said sec-ond-year coach Leigh Parsons. “A lot of play-ers who have been involved in the program.”

And with several strong seniors who have been on the team all along, the Wave has some options.

“We have a good team coming back, so it looks good,” Parsons said.

Darien loses fine players to graduation in Marieke Bravo, Leslie Yuen, India Tibbets and Katie Dee.

“But we’ve had a few freshmen come in who look really good,” added Parsons. “We have a lot of girls stepping up, so it’s looking positive.”

Coming back are nearly 15 players, many with experience including seven seniors.

“I think the biggest thing is, I think we are going to have some depth,” Parsons said.

Captains include seniors Vanessa Budd, Parker Hamill and Kristy Gilbert, who should be a force.

“They have really set the tone for where we want to be this year,” Parsons said. “It’s a positive start so far. We’ve looked good in our preseason, but it’s a slow progress.”

Gilbert is at left midfield, but she might end up anywhere, as with the rest.

“That’s the thing about these captains, they can play in different positions,” Parsons said. “We’re fortunate.”

Budd will line up on the right and Hamill has been playing in the back so far, shoring up the defense with Yuen no longer there.

“Parker’s looked very good at the back so far in preseason,” Parsons said.

Darien will need to be both cohesive and consistent with the considerable talent it has, if

it is to make a go of being a contender.Said Parsons: “I think any team we play

against, it’s just, if all of the girls are on the same page with one common goal, contribut-ing in one way or another to the team, then we could have a very good season.”

Junior Phoebe Taylor returns to the net with a season of experience.

And a freshman, Kate Fiore is coming up behind her.

“She looks like she is going to be one for the future,” Parsons said.

Junior Dillon Schoen should shine on offense as she did in 2011, when she often scored big goals.

“She’s had a strong preseason, so she is looking good,” Parsons said. “We are lucky where we have a few good forwards. Dillon is going to be an important player for us.”

Versatile Julia Black and Emily Stein in midfield? Big seasons are expected from them too.

Physical junior defenseman Ellie Bennett should create a storm of opposition to upset

opposite forwards in the backfield.The constant refrain is that only crosscur-

rents will flatten the Wave.“If we all click and keep pushing each other,

we can have a very good season,” Parsons repeated. “It’s exciting.”

Among the freshmen making the team, Daphne Budd, Erin Karczewski, Katie Cronin.

Darien finished fourth in the FCIAC in 2011 and 16th in the state tournament going 9-4-3 regular season.

“We had a good year, but each year we can build upon, a little bit more,” Parsons said.

Rockin’ the rosterOn the roster at the start: Vanessa Budd,

Elizabeth Forelle, Gilbert, Karoline Glad, Hamill, Caity Lowden, Caylee Waters, Bennett, Kellyn Berrigan, Black, Haley Close, Kelly Karczewski, Schuyler Platt, Morgan Sawitsky, Schoen, Alexa Sheldon, Stein, Taylor, Lisa Travaglini, Kendra Fitzpatrick, Elizabeth Fucigna, Daniela Dunn, Daphne Budd, Cronin, Erin Karczewski.

Girls Soccer 2012

From left, Kristy Gilbert, coach Leigh Parsons and Vanessa Budd look to spark up a winning season for DHS. (Darien Times/Steven Buono photos)



“Practice has gone really well,” said Wave boys cross country coach Tyson Kaczmarek, who heads into his 10th year in charge. “We are excited for the season particularly FCIACs and states. I know we can run well when it matters most.”

Over the course of a decade Kaczmarek has gone 137-15, seeing the team rise to the challenge most often when it did matter the most. Last season the Wave was second in its division, second at the FCIAC Championship meet, and won Class L. Darien was sixth at the open and 10th in New England.

The Blue Wave lost four of its top seven runners but return a deep team.

The one concern is experience.Top returning runners: Kaczmarek’s take

— Captain Marshall Huffman: the junior

returns with a year of track experience under his belt and will be a dangerous runner.

— Captain Brian Davey: the junior has really stepped up as a leader and is expected to make a big impact.

— Captain Peter Kreuch: injuries are finally gone from last year and the junior has looked great at practice.

— Captain Andrew Xiong: the senior will add depth and is a talented runner.

— Captain Sean Lee: also adding depth to an already deep team the senior has looked good in practice.

— Alex Ostberg: the sophomore came into the season in great shape and should be one of the top runners in the FCIAC.

— Colten Appleby: very talented junior who should make a major difference on the team.

— Alex Rayhill: the junior had an excel-

lent summer of running that has him in the top seven mix.

— Ben Olsen: the junior is ready for a breakout season after one year of running.

— Arthur Cassidy: the sophomore has looked great in practice and can make a big impact for the team.

— Timmy Grozier: a very talented sopho-more looking to be injury free this year.

— Jack Sparkman: the junior has also looked good in practice and will add depth.

Top newcomers include: juniors Mickey Conroy, James Farrington, sophomores Aidan Loh, Brendan Triano, Carter Scott, and fresh-men Jack Murry and Jack Consolini.

“As a whole, we are inexperienced,” Kaczmarek added. “The guys will be in tough positions all year and will have to step up for us to be a competitive team.”

The team is led by Ostberg, after running 4:35 in the 1600 and 9:41 in the 3200 last year.

“He is primed for a monster XC season,” Kaczmarek said. “Alex is running well. He has all the tools to be a very, very good runner.”

The host of juniors make up the team’s core.

“After three strong months of summer train-ing, I feel confident that we will perform as well as last year,” said Davey.

Kreuch added: “We will face many strong teams at both the FCIAC and state levels. The competition will be tough but we are confident in our team’s ability.”

“We have a solid group of young athletes,” said the decade-long coach. “I like how they are developing as a team.”

“While we lost four outstanding seniors to graduation, our expectations for this year are very high,” said Lee. “A lot of the younger runners have improved dramatically over the past year, and I can’t wait to see the results of their hard work.”

Boys Cross Country 2012

Kaczmarek’s 10th year looks to be as winning as the restNEW CAPTAINS CREW — 2012 Blue Wave boys cross country captains are (from left) Marshall Huffman, Peter Kreuch, Brian Davey, Andrew Xiong and Sean Lee.

STATE CHAMPS — Darien, off to the races in 2011 (abov), has seen many run off to new college horizons in 2012.


CHASING THE GRAIL ON THE TRAIL — Darien High girls cross country captains (from left) Ellen Bauer, Sarah Colon, Grace Loh and Katie Farren lead the Wave.

Wave will chase Ridgefield, but the rest are likely to chase the WaveBy Steven BuonoTimes Sports Editor

Wave senior captains are Grace Loh, Sarah Colon, Ellen Bauer, Katie Farren.

All four have run girls cross country and track since their freshman year.

“Our major strength is the experience the four senior captains have brought to the pro-gram,” said Darien coach Steve Norris. “They compete year round and are entering the fall season with improved winter and spring track times.

“The younger girls have followed their example by embracing the sport for two or three seasons.”

Darien went 15-2, losing to Wilton and

Greenwich last season.The Wave was fifth at FCIACs behind

Ridgefield, Greenwich, Wilton and Weshtill.At states the Wave was fourth in Class L

behind Wilton, Pomperaug, E O Smith.Darien loses to graduation: McKinley

Stauffer who was the team’s fourth runner and Second Team All-FCIAC last year, Meredith Ott who was sixth runner, and Class of ’11 captains Emma Davis and Katie Donovan.

Loh finished fourth at last year’s FCIAC championships and improved on that last spring, running a 5:07 1600m.

“Colon was our second runner with a best 3200m track time of 11:57,” said Norris.

“Bauer was our third runner and second team all FCIAC, Farren was our fifth runner with a best 3200 time of 12:38.”

Sophie Long was Darien’s eighth runner last season.

“Claire Walker returns with greatly improved spring track times,” Norris said in wrapping up the seniors’ prospects.

Junior Alex Ford also enters her third cross country season with improved spring track times, he said.

Johnston unleashes her speedSophomores include Anne Johnston who

had Darien’s best track 3200m performance with a time of 11:26, and Elisabeth Lowe, with a second in the 1600m with a time of 5:22.

“In FCIAC dual meets there are a few teams such as Staples, Westhill, and Warde which

have the potential to take a couple of top places against us,” Norris said. “However, we should ultimately prevail with our depth.”

Darien starts on a rough track.“Our toughest meet will be our first, against

Ridgefield at Ridgefield,” said Norris. “They are defending state open champions and have sustained no graduation losses.”

Ridgefield is last year’s league champion and the favorite closer to home too.

“Darien is the only school with a shot to unseat them,” said Norris.

At the Class L meet strong teams are Pomperaug of Southbury, Wilton and E O Smith.

“We are preseason favorites,” Norris added.

Girls Cross Country 2012

on 88 carries last season, is at fullback. Bet on it being a big year for Bogner.

“Where we start to lack experience, but have some talented kids, is out at wide receiver,” Trifone said. “We graduated a lot of our tall trees, so at wide out right now we have senior Jackson Whiting, who has done very well.”

On the other side there is Kyle Gifford, a junior, and Graham Lesko, a senior, both battling for the job.

At tight end is a 6-3, 210-pound senior in Jack Bennett, who played as an underclass-man, left the game, bulked up, and is a welcome addition this year.

Senior C.J. Rai is back as kicker, and expected to be equal to the task of taking over from high scoring Chris Smith (Class of 2012). Daly Hebert will be called on as well.

Will Lochtefeld (6-1, 240), second in sacks for DHS last season, returns.

“And they can move too,” Trifone said of Lochtefeld and D’Andrea.

Nose guard, up from JV, and joining them is Chris Hammernick.

Behind them, linebacker Andrew Malley, who started every game last year and Matt Brown (6-2, 205) who is look-ing to do that this season.

The entire secondary returns.

Brian Weigand is at one corner, Whiting at another. Gesualdi and Vanderhorn, last year at safety, are there again.

“Once more, four guys that have been there, done that,” said Trifone. “That gives you the experience.”

Wave captains are Baldwin, Gesualdi, Vanderhorn, D’Andrea and Malley.

New to the lineup junior Myles Ridder at outside line-backer, corner John Reed, who did play some last year and had a couple of interceptions as a sophomore on varsity, and senior Theo Frelinghuysen, who played when he was younger, left the game, and like Bennett, came back big-ger and stronger.

“And he is doing a nice job,” said Trifone. “He helped our depth and is definitely going to get varsity snaps.”

Back-up quarterback is Silas Wyper.

“Every returning starter has the capability of making a big play,” said Trifone, not relying totally on Gesualdi, Baldwin and change. “That’s what a veteran team gives you too.”

A pretty accuratesurvey of the league

Darien’s schedule is prom-ising. Promising just what, though, is not an easy guess.

“Here’s the reality,” said Trifone, with, apparently, one and only one gigantic ice-berg in the offing in top-rated Staples before Turkey Bowl. “Here’s a pretty accurate sur-vey of the league.

“Staples probably returns the best team that Marce Petroccio has every had.”

Are all the Wreckers back from the All Hallows Eve-eve whiteout wipe out game at Westport, where Darien lost 42-23, ruining its postseason shot last year?

“Every one of them,” said Trifone. “Marce and I kind of kid one another. Because he knew that I had a lot coming back. But ironically, he’s got more.

“And everyone knows that,

it’s not a secret. Marce has the best team, or equal to the best team, he’s ever had.”

Staples visits the Wave in week seven, Oct. 27.

Darien opens up at Ludlowe 7 p.m. on Sept. 14, then has it’s home opener vs. Warde 1:30 p.m. Sept. 22, followed by games vs. St. Joseph, Danbury, Trumbull, Wilton.

“And New Canaan’s New Canaan — I don’t care what they say,” said Trifone. “We just did a (five year) study to determine who has the high-est winning percentage (in the FCIAC) and guess who was No. 1?”

Rams, is the correct answer.

Staples was two, and three?

“The good old Blue Wave,” said Trifone.

He won’t call them sleep-ers, because, basically, if you snooze against them, you lose.

“They’re far from being sleepers — these are teams that are going to surprise peo-ple,” said Trifone. “Surprise people, either, upsetting major teams, potentially including ourselves, and or just (have)

great records that you don’t normally see.”

One is St. Joe’s.“Last year they were a year

away,” he added. “That’s why they are kind of under the radar. So that’s game three for us. They’ve got speed, they’re big, they’re going to be very good.”

Darien’s felled foe from its FCIAC title year of 2010 is back up off the mat.

“You are going to hear Trumbull roaring again,” he said. “Trumbull had a rough year last year, and people are kind of counting them out. And I’m telling you right now, don’t. They’re very motivat-ed by their down season last year.”

Trifone adds that none of the not-sleepers are in Staples’ category.

“But, Trumbull is good — Wilton is good,” he said. “Wilton will cause problems for everyone. They return a good wide out and an enor-mous line.

“They have three kids over 300 pounds.

“And again, maybe (it’s) one of those teams that a year ago was 5-5, are 6-4 — or

what ever the heck they were — it gets deceiving.”

And it gets strange.“The last one, and most

people aren’t going to believe this, yet, is Trinity,” said Trifone of the team that tends to be quickly checked in the win column for DHS every year. “Trinity’s running back (Shaquan Howsie) last year hurt his ACL and didn’t play. He started for them as a soph-omore, in the backfield. And as a sophomore was one of the best running backs in the league.

“He’s legit — he’s 215 pounds and you can’t tackle him.”

You can make out a faint echo of Darien’s last cham-pionship year, but the sound won’t rebound in the same way.

“If you compare the 2010 team to the 2012 team I think there are a lot of similarities,” Trifone said. “I think the dif-ference is, in 2010, the league was a little down, and we were up.”

And now?“The league’s not down

this year.”

Continued from page 2D

Football: ‘If you compare the 2010 team to the 2012 team I think there are a lot of similarities’


Sousa, Kosnik captain spikers as newcomers take center stageBy Steven BuonoTimes Sports Editor

Darien girls volleyball comes back strong with two motivated, experienced senior cap-tains in Riley Sousa and Kelly Kosnik.

But the Wave loses five to graduation, most of them with large sneakers to fill, while this

year’s crop sees many hit the floor as first-time regular starters.

Seniors include Kathleen Burke, Lauren Pryor, Brittany Osborn, Taylor Cockerill (5-10) and Callan Clasby.

Juniors are Mckenna Stevenson, Nicole

Schmidt, sophomores Celia Martzolf, Claire Naughton (5-10) and Keli Reyes.

And joining as a freshman is Isabelle Taylor.

Defending league champ Laurie LaRusso coached Darien went 23-1 last season, only losing to Southington 3-1 in the state semis.

Last season Sousa, 5-foot-8, had 177 assists, 95 digs and 53 kills.

Kosnik, the same size as Sousa, made 119 kills, serves 32 aces and had 49 digs. She aver-aged 2.1 kills per game.

Osborn had 67 kills, 47 aces, 86 digs last season.

Darien began the season hosting Trumbull Sept. 12.

The Wave looks likely to keep its FCIAC crown.

LOTS OF LIFE IN RILEY — Captain Riley Sousa takes the floor the top setter, above, while captain Kelly Kosnik is set to serve up a storm below. (Darien Times/Steven Buono photos)

Girls Volleyball 2012


JUMPIN‘ JACK CATCH — Jack Fisher makes the stops for DHS. (Darien Times/Steven Buono photo)

‘A work in progress, but they are coming along quickly’By Steven BuonoTimes Sports Editor

The year 2011 was the Wave’s best, mak-ing it to the FCIAC semis and charging into states.

This year, while Darien retains one big reason it did so well, so suddenly last season, in first year coach Jon Bradley, it loses another factor in its 2011 success.

Gone to graduation is the whole of the defense.

Darien loses six starters, and 16 varsity ros-ter players in all.

Eleven players return.“It’s always going to be tough in this league

and our mission is to try and make the state tournament,” said Bradley. “Anything beyond that will be a bonus. That’s our first stop.”

But is there a remedy for the exodus at defense?

“We just work hard and have our defense organized, and they’re a work in progress, but they are coming along quickly,” said Bradley. “I think our defense is going to surprise a few people.

“You just keep plugging away.”And Marcus Iqbal, Graham Helgans,

Jonathan Gill, Nick Vilter, Josh Zavala, Alex Gunya plug the back gap.

“I think the main strength about them is going to be about their character,” said Bradley, not just of the defense, but the entire roster. “And it’s going to be about how quickly they can get together as a team.

“Because we know we don’t have 11 indi-viduals who can beat anyone.”

Up front Darien can offset the losses at the back though, with a potent scoring potential returned in Brennan Branca, Spencer McMullin and Ben Highton.

“We scored a lot of goals last season and the best form of defense is attack,” said Bradley. “So we are going to go at teams and try to score some goals.”

At midfield Darien rotates in the Branca, McMullin, Highton, playing at forward as well, and the Wave has sophomore Henrik Stockinger and Chris Chiamulera. Beyond that, the cement’s still wet.

“At the moment I’m not too sure, we’re just trying to find our feet,” Bradley said. “We’ll get the right players in the right places.”

Darien retains enough to make a go of it, but there is no getting around it being a big turnover year.

“We lost a lot of kids,” Bradley added.

Bradley brings up three freshmen including Andrew Mathew, Jack Kniffin, Bart Dziedzic.

“And we could have up to three of them starting,” said Bradley.

The season is in good hands in goal, with the return of Jack Fisher, excellent in Darien’s run last season.

“Obviously we are looking to him,” said Bradley. “He’s a captain and keeper, so we are looking for leadership from him to help the defense get together.”

McMullin, Branca and Highton, with Fisher, captain the team.

Darien was 14-4-3 last fall finishing up in the state quarterfinals, losing both at states and in FCIACs to the eventual title winning teams in Bunnell and Trumbull respectively.

“If they can gel together as a unit, then nothing will surprise me this season,” Bradley said.

Boys Soccer 2012


BOARD MUCH — Leader of the divers Caroline Ashcraft gathers her thoughts, concentrating between high scoring splashdowns last season. (Darien Times/Steven Buono photo)

Eleven freshmen join Orem, Leunis, Ashcraft, Treesh captained WaveBy Steven BuonoTimes Sports Editor

Darien graduates about 10 swimmers, but still, the team has grown, and from the bottom up.

“I have a very strong freshman class of 11,” said Wave girls swim-dive team veteran coach Marj Trifone. “I only have five seniors on the team.”

They include captains, diver Caroline Ashcraft, and swimmers Olivia Leunis, Caroline Orem and Claire Treesh.

Leunis does breast stroke and IM, Orem swims IM and backstroke, Treesh the back.

Senior Francesca Milewski is sprint free-style.

“I have a junior group of 13,” said Trifone. “And that group is really strong too.”

All resulting in, what?“I think that we are going to have a great

dual meet season,” Trifone said. “We have three big meets, New Canaan, Wilton and Greenwich. And we have all three of them this year — usually you just have two of the three.”

Darien is in Class L come states, always

the event the team prepares for starting with day one.

“We are very deep in events this year,” said Trifone. “We will swim against New Canaan, Wilton, Cheshire. So, we have the hardest divi-sion. In the LL it’s only Greenwich.”

Wilton moved up to L.“Obviously that is going to be an ultra com-

petitive meet,” Trifone said.Who is swimming where?“I do think it’s a tough call with the lineup

this year,” added Trifone. “Because in so many cases there’s a lot of people that are very close in time.”

Likely assignments do include Amanda Bieler in the sprint mid-distance free, and the above mentioned senior match-ups.

“My team in general, there are quite a few kids that are very versatile,” Trifone said. “Caroline Orem is very versatile, Courtney Ferreira, a sophomore — very versatile — I think Elizabeth Kearney, Olivia Leunis, Julia Stobbie.

“So I think I have a good group that can kind of go in a lot of different events.”

Freshman Lauren Rutledge looks good in the sprint freestyle, Trifone added, and Maggie Orem should produce points as a freshman as well.

Diving:Ashcraft captains

the plankWith standout Lizzie Fitzpatrick off to

private school Caroline Ashcraft returns as leading diver.

“We have a much smaller squad than any year since I began coaching at DHS, with only five divers,” said Darien coach Shannon Eagan. “However, all five divers train year round, with very (serious) programs and all but one, our freshman Jenny Schrenker, are return-ing and therefore bring experience.”

Returning divers include Molly Klein and Olivia Piazza.

Having been there before is all when casting your fates to the bouncing board.

“The experience is obviously invaluable in terms of containing nerves and maintain-ing composure during big dual meets, like Greenwich and New Canaan, as well as com-peting during the Championship season,” said Eagan.

The Darien swim-dive team should find

plenty of points per usual from off of the board.

“I am looking forward to a successful dual meet season,” Eagan added. “New Canaan will certainly be the toughest competition for the divers as they have three very strong girls.

“I am hoping that point-wise, we can con-tribute positively in each meet in order to help the swimming and diving team achieve all of its goals for the season.”

On the teamThe Wave roster includes seniors Olivia

Leunis, Caroline Ashcraft, Francesca Milewski, Caroline Orem, Claire Treesh, juniors Lia Barsanti, Amanda Bieler, Victoria Chao, Jessica Chen, Natalie Grune, Elizabeth Kearney, Molly Klein, Olivia Piazza, Sam Schrenker, Jessica Selensky, Megan Slaughter, Julia Stobbie, Michelle Wall, sophomores Megan Baird, Maddie Burke, Mackenzie Coughlin, Courtney Ferreira, Maggie Haddad, Maddy Hauben, Emily Nixon, Kyla Pech, Helen Watson, freshmen Belle Stobbie, Morgan Desautelle, Caroline Weeks, Becca Maroney, Lauren Rutledge, Jenny Schrenker, Maggie Orem, Murphy Grady, Paige Cleary, Hannah Vogel, Elizabeth Ferguson.

Girls Swim-Dive 2012

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“I am looking forward to my third year coaching and hoping to continue to grow the cheerleading program here in Darien,” said

coach Lauren Moore on the eve of the new season. “It’s very difficult with no feeder pro-gram in town, but the girls have continued to grow as a team!”

The Wave is led by seniors Ali McGarey, Izzy Lee, Kelly Manhart and Jennifer O’Neill.

Lee, Manhart and McGarey are captains.Juniors include Andrea Tishman, Kayla

Breden, Julia Rae Hodenfield, Julia Westerman, Kelly Brustman, Francesca Cara, Meredith Crafford.

Sophomores are Kristyn Breden, Rose Armstrong, Megan Whittier and Annie Trask.

Six freshman join in with roster additions of Alexis Wagoner, Christen Carnes, Katie Conn, Taylor Conrad, Victoria Pulvirenti and Savannah Chaput.

Moore is assisted by Ashley Lowney.

Cheerleading 2012

Cheerleaders continue to grow as a teamRAISING SPIRITS — Sophomore Kristyn Breden brighten spirits with Wave cheerleaders as summer fades to fall. (Darien Times/Steven Buono photo)

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Darien Times Sports Preview Fall 2012

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Transcript of Darien Times Sports Preview Fall 2012