Darien High School Fall 2010

Sports
Preview

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Page 2D
GRAHAM SCRAM — Darien’s top rusher, senior captain Graham Maybell (No. 22) on the attack in last year’s Turkey Bowl at Dunning Field. (Darien Times/Steven Buono photo)
Wave ‘punches in’ looking for knockout year
By Steven Buono
Times Sports Editor
In guessing where the Blue
Wave is headed going into the
football season this fall, it’s
best to begin with the tale.
“Well, I think the best way to
encapsulate it, is that it’s a tale
of two seasons,” said Darien
High coach Rob Trifone. “In
that, last year we had three and
a half returning starters.”
The blue and white went
7-3 under those green field
conditions.
“This year, we have some-
where around 16 of 22 posi-
tions returning,” said Trifone.
“It’s a good foundation for
people who have been there
and done that.”
Been there, done that. But
don’t do this.
“As a coach of 32 years, that
can also be your Achilles heel,
because they kind of sit back
on their laurels,” Trifone said.
“And say, ‘well, teams are just
going to lay down for us.’
“So I have warned them.”
The warning comes with
dukes up?
“We use the term ‘punch-
in,’” Trifone said. “They have
to punch-in every day, it’s like
you are on the clock 9-5.
“You come to the field, you
punch-in — now you’re work-
ing.
“Our karma is to outwork
our opponent, and once they
buy into that I think we’re
rolling.”
Opening game, 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 16 at home vs.
Fairfield Warde, should come
with a special warning, bells,
whistles and a few fireworks
attached.
Last year, it was losing to
Warde, away, in game one that
haunted DHS all season.
“The good news is, that
Football
game last year will help
you this year,” Trifone said.
“Because, they’ve been there.
They realize they went into
that game not only totally
inexperienced, but (over-con-
fident) because we had beat
Masuk (preseason).”
Masuk was defending state
champion and still rated high.
“It was the worst thing
we ever did,” Trifone added.
“Our kids, I think, looked past
Warde.”
DHS is focused on the fore-
ground this time around.
“I can tell you right now,”
said Trifone. “They are not
going to look past Warde this
time.
“That’s the only game we’re
worried about right now.”
What should worry oppo-
nents?
“In terms of strengths, you
know, I’ve got to start with the
offensive line,” said Trifone
of what has become a trade-
mark for his teams, dating
back to his long run leading
Brien McMahon. “Because
unlike last year with an inex-
perienced, somewhat young
group, we return four start-
ers.”
At center is the only guy
who did not play last season,
Jack Newton (senior) — who
is not overage, just only the
second DHS athlete to come
along with the same name in
the last decade.
The previous Jack Newton
(DHS Class of 2002) being on
the scene big time the last time
Darien downed its rival in a
Turkey Bowl game in 2001.
“And he’s a big senior, 6-
2, 230,” said Trifone of Jack
Newton 2.0, who is larger than
his namesake. “A very capable
kid. He’s the new kid on the
block.”
Out from center Darien’s
guards are returning starters,
captain Charlie Kunze (senior,
6-2, 235) and Justin Coley
(senior, 6-3, 225).
Tackles each played last
year. They are Mason Barron
(senior, 6-3, 215) and James
Shanley (senior, 6-2, 240).
“Usually we’re 205, if not
195 (pounds),” Trifone said.
“So, that’s what I’m saying.
We knew that coming in. Not
only is there decent size there,
you don’t hear any 285s or
315s. But, they’re athletic.
“There’s a big difference in
having a 230-pound kid that
can’t move.”
At tight end Darien’s shift-
ed Tucker Morehouse (senior)
who played at guard some last
season. He’s 6-2, 205 and fast
as Lent.
“Which is what we like
in our guards,” Trifone said.
“Since we had two capable
guards, we moved him to tight
end.”
At quarterback, what Trifone
likes about senior Chris Allam
— a transfer from Berkshire
School who was at DHS pre-
viously — is his arm strength
and speed.
His ability to flow within
the particular DHS system is
still to be fine-tuned, but is
expected to become just that
with a little more time.
In the QB mix continue to
be both trusted rookies too in
junior Patrick McDonald and
sophomore Henry Baldwin.
“Those are all important
facets,” said Trifone. “The
average citizen sits out there
and says: ‘Oh, look at that
kid throw!’ It’s like the base-
ball player who can’t field, or
can’t steal a base. There’s a
lot of facets to being a quar-
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terback.”
In the backfield is the Wave’s
flaming rocket of a leading
returning rusher in senior cap-
tain Graham Maybell.
Last season he rushed 400
yards on 68 hauls, caught six
passes for 59 yards and led
DHS with seven intercep-
tions. Maybell is top returning
scorer with 42 points, seven
touchdowns.
“And then you’ve got a mix
of a lot of very talented kids,
like senior Jake Weil (captain),
Sean Fahey (senior) — very
good up from the jv last year
playing fullback,” Trifone
said. “You’ve got captain Will
Weinstock (senior), who plays
in that slot, catches a lot of
balls, runs the ball.”
A sophomore, Peter Gesualdi
could break out this season to
begin a solid career.
“We have, finally — knock
on wood — enough depth that
I can take the whole backfield
out and put another set in,”
said Trifone. “And although
they may not be as good as
the first one, the drop off isn’t
dramatic.
“And now I can rest my
number ones.”
But not the “1.1’s” too —
they will see plenty of work.
“I told the kids, here’s the
new terminology,” Trifone
said. “Most football coaches
talk about ‘ones’ (starters) and
‘twos,’ you know. I told them:
I want ones, and ‘1.1’s.’
“The kid I put in there won’t
be as good as the starter — I
don’t have (another) run-
ning back as good as Graham
Maybell — but he better be
pretty darned close.”
Clay Barker (junior, 6-3,
180) is at split end and has
reliable hands.
And with him, Scotty Waters
(junior), who played corner, is
BLUE WAVE
203-202-2669
www.darien.wbu.com
THE DARIEN TIMES, THURSDAY, SEPT. 16, 2010
playing both ways this sea-
son.
Sophomore Matt Forelli at
6-2, 200 also has sticky, sure
hands according to Trifone.
And junior Ryan Barthold is
6-3, rangy and ready to go.
“Nice to have depth,” added
Trifone.
Depth, despite several loss-
es to good players opting to go
year-round with lacrosse.
Defense is where DHS
returns the most with about
nine experienced people back.
Across the front is
Morehouse at end, Shanley at
end and Kunze at tackle.
New is Zack Sherwood
(senior), with talent, and at 6-
feet, 205 fast and strong.
“He would have started or
played last year but was hurt
with a ham string,” Trifone
said. “And then you’ve got
Marc Simonelli, another big
strong 235-pound senior.”
Playing plenty last year is
Curry Harmon (junior, 210)
back and even better.
Captain Peter McDonough
(senior) is a starting corner.
Linebackers: Weil, Sam
Gesualdi (senior), Brandon
Coley (senior, Justin’s twin
brother) and Jarrett Gatling
(senior).
“We are substituting with
very little drop-off,” said
Trifone of early scrimmaging.
“Because we have that one
and 1.1 philosophy.
“Now our ones can come
off, get a rinse, feel their legs
again, and then get back in.”
Darien’s schedule gets tricky
Trifone says vs. St. Joseph,
a defending state champ and
intact. And vs. rising Trinity.
“They’ll have the best team
that they’ve had probably in
a decade,” said Trifone of
another team in the Crusaders
that returns everyone. “At
Mon thru Fri 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Sono Field House I saw them
in some of the winter leagues,
and I thought, my God...”
Darien’s out of area visitor
Red Lion Christian Academy
of Delaware won’t be pushed
aside either, 8-2 last season
and again, returning everyone,
including a ninth grade QB
with a verbal commitment to
USC.
“As I tell my kids, these
guys aren’t stupid,” Trifone
said. “They aren’t driving up
95 three hours to play you
because they think they’re
going to lose.”
And last year, the freshman
team going undefeated. Does
that figure in?
“Of course,” said Trifone.
“You know, that’s part of our
depth in numbers. And three
or four of those kids are play-
ing varsity, and several others
will sneak their ways on to
special teams as the year goes
on.”
Darien should have a reli-
able first-year foot in Chris
Smith (junior), moving over
from soccer.
“He’s got a great leg and
the right attitude,” Trifone said
of his kicker. “And we have
C.J. Raia (sophomore) who is,
almost, as good. In some ways
they are equal.”
Of immediate concern
Opening day is here.
Darien clashes with visit-
ing Fairfield today. Going into
game one, since the close of
preseason is there anything
new going on with the Wave?
“The good news is, that
nothing has changed, the team
is on schedule,” said Trifone.
“And they are doing what we
expected them to do, we’ve
See NEXT! on page 3D
THE DARIEN TIMES, THURSDAY, SEPT. 16, 2010 Page 3D

Lane changes abound

By Steven Buono
Times Sports Editor
A hole was blown in the
bottom of Darien’s dual cham-
pionship ship of 2010. A time
bomb did the deed.
“You can’t replace, not so
much the talent, but the expe-
rience, maturity — all of what
I had last year,” said Darien
coach Marj Trifone, with the
explosive time arriving for
graduation last spring of 12
in all, so many who made it
happen with the Wave’s first
FCIAC title, along with the
gold at states in Nov. of ’09.
“Not yet, anyway.”
On the upside for the pro-
grams’ legacy, what has
depleted DHS has boosted
several colleges in the pool.
Class of 2010’s Sam Berizzi
is making Loyola University
make waves in Maryland,
Katie Orem is doing the same
at the University of Penn.,
Katie Rohn at Dartmouth and
diver, Alex Leinroth is off
the board at the University of
Virginia.
Plus, for one, and going
back another year, Brooke
Lacey (DHS 2009) is winning
accolades in her early career at
Gettysburg.
Back at home, Wave 2010
has 13 freshmen, and one new
sophomore.
“I replaced the amount,”
said Trifone. “Just not the
Girls Swimming and Diving
power.”
Lindsay Tyler is going to be
one go-to girl.
“She’s strong, very good,”
said Trifone of the versatile
senior who could end up in
just about any event. “I don’t
know where she is going to
be yet, but she can swim any-
thing, basically.”
The 200 IM, the 200 free,
500 free, 100 back... Yes,
Tyler’s versatile, she can do
them all.
Captains are Tyler, returning
sprinter Catherine Treesh (100,
50), diver Adrianna Baker and
Amy Sanborn.
“Catherine Treesh is obvi-
ously very experienced, and
she is going to be fine in the
sprint events,” said Trifone.
“Our diving is still strong,
because we have the Ashcraft
sisters (senior Lexi and sopho-
more Caroline) and Adrianna,
there’s Katie Witschi and then
we have two freshmen that
came in that are pretty good.”
Caroline Kearney returns
and younger sister, freshman
Elizabeth has arrived. Both
Trifone says are looking good
in the breaststroke.
Cammie Kirby will be in
the breaststroke once more,
Rebecca Liu will swim the
100 fly, sophomore Caroline
Orem the back and IM, Olivia
Leunis the 100 breaststroke
and 100 fly, 200 IM.
Freshman Francesca
Milewski is set to go in
sprints.
“But you know, I don’t
know what it is going to be
like,” Trifone said. “Because
of all these new freshmen. I
think we’ll start out slow, and
we’ll see how we go as we get
some time.”
Greenwich will return to
dominance, Wilton and New
Canaan will be very competi-
tive against each other, Trifone
says.
But how about the Wave?
“Not the same team as last
year, but very spirited and
fun,” Trifone added. “We’ll
see.”
This team could supply
some surprises as it creeps up
into the Cardinals’ wake.
“Who knows,” said Trifone.
“I have never graduated so
much — at least so much tal-
ent — at once.”
Darien was 8-1 in dual
meets last season losing to
Greenwich before taking them
for the FCIAC title, then win-
ning Class M.
This year Darien moves
up to Class L, as does New
Canaan.
“But, all the freshmen that
came in have a lot of talent,”
Trifone said. “They just aren’t
as strong yet.” DIVE IN — Adrianna Baker captains the Wave girls swimming team from the powerful
DHS divers’ side of the blue pool equation. (Darien Times/Steven Buono photo)

Dobler, Smith, Keane and Vossler out in front

By Steven Buono
Times Sports Editor
The Darien girls cross country team is
looking to jump ahead of the pack.
“We are a much stronger team than last
year,” said Darien veteran coach Steve
Norris. “Our best two runners return,
Megan Keane and Amanda Dobler. Five
of our backup runners have substantially
improved their track times.”
Fresh legs are in the line-up.
“We will get help from newcomers,”
Norris said. “We have more than 10 girls
who are capable of scoring and most of the
girls have done the summer training.”
Girls Cross Country
Last year Darien won 11 meets, came in
sixth at the FCIAC championships and was
eighth at the Class MM state title meet.
Graduation losses are significant
with three season runners Kelly Brophy
and Hannah Lyons, now competing for
Hamilton College, moving on.
This year’s senior captains are Dobler,
Keane, Sarah Smith and Tricia Vossler. All
are four-year cross country runners.
“Dobler was our first runner last year,
she finished 11th in last year’s league
championship,” Norris said.
And Keane?
“Keane was our best distance runner
on the track last year,” he added. “Her
credentials include First Team All-FCIAC
track status. Both Dobler and Keane have
a wide range of effectiveness evidenced by
the fact that they were our best 400-meter
runners in track.”
Plus, Smith and Vossler have scored for
the past three seasons — both are four year
vets with 50 races behind them.
“They look to be at the top of their
form,” Norris said.
He says that other impact runners include
junior Meredith Ott who was a varsity
level runner last year, sophomores Katie
Farren, Ellen Bauer, Grace Loh and Sarah
Colon, all running varsity last year.
“All four have made significant progress
in their track seasons following last year’s
cross country,” Norris said.
Newcomers expected to make their stake
are converted sprinter Emma Davis and
converted field hockey player McKinley
Stauffer.
In the FCIAC Norris says that Wilton
and Ridgefield are the teams to chase,
while other competition will come from
Danbury and Staples.
Darien moves up to Class L this fall.
“We hope to be among the top three
teams,” Norris said.

Reis, DeCarlo captain Next!: Mustangs need utmost

Mailhot coached crew attention in opening day clash
By Steven Buono “Their two tackles are 265 and
Times Sports Editor Continued from page 2D 290,” said Trifone. “They’ve got
a guard who is 265.”
It’s Ally Reis and fellow senior Michelle DeCarlo had a good, solid preseason.” Darien will be mostly on the
pepping it up for the Blue Wave cheerleaders as co- Trifone remains hopeful for a lookout on the other side of the
captains in 2010. good start against what is no lon- ball, though.
Cheerleading
And with enthu- ger any sort of slouch, or lame “The two kids that scare you
siastic new coach nag, in the new Mustangs. the most are — they’ve got a
Lauren Mailhot to “And we are going into running back Alex Delaney,”
lead the way, there should be plenty of pep to go Thursday with very, guard- Trifone warned. “Five-nine, 190.
around. ed, optimism,” said Trifone. So he is a little, fire plug kind of
Mailhot, 26, is a one-time college cheerleader and “Becuase we had a great pre- a kid.”
prior to that hit the glee circuit for Stamford High. season last year, and we went But he doesn’t stay stuck at
“Oh yeah — I’m so excited — I’m here to stay,” into Warde optimistic. And need- the curb.
says Mailhot of the post she found this summer. “I less to say... “Very fast, very shifty,”
really want to build the program.” “The good news is that most Trifone said. “I mean you look
Mailhot takes over from A.J. Dixon who coached of (our) guys that played in it last at him and he looks like Emmitt
the girls last season. year are back and they remember Smith.”
A third-year teacher at Royle School, Mailhot is a it well. You would hope that He rushed 271 yards last
graduate of Central Conn. State University. plays into your favor.” season while Warde went 5-5-
Mailhot has been assistant cheerleading coach at Both teams are wary of one 0 overall last year and 4-5-0
Westhill for the past three years. another. FCIAC, winning only twice on
“I want to bring it out, really into the commu- “They scouted us, we’ve the road.
nity, so that they see that cheerleading is a sport,” scouted them, in the last scrim- “You know what, if I had him
Mailhot said. “During the winter season we will be mage,” Trifone said. “And, I’ll on my team I’d give him the ball
competing very heavily, along with cheering on the tell you what: they are very, very every time,” said Trifone. “Here
basketball team. good.” is how I am going to describe it
“So there is a lot that will be going on.” The Mustangs have size, that to the kids — he is Maybell, in
Seniors include Emily Ackers, Emily might be the most they’ve got Drew Davis’ body.”
Wigglesworth, juniors are Hannah Carmody, Jordan going for them, but it’s not all Davis was a 200-pound nose
Irizarry, Claire Linegar, Cameron Luttrell, sopho- they’ve got in the plus column. guard last season for DHS who
mores Michaela Brady, Kelsey Edgar, Emily Greene, First of all, they’ve got a coach could bench press for real.
Izzy Lee, Kelly Manhart, Michaela Schneidermeyer, in former New Canaan assistant “He runs around people, you
Andrea Tishman and freshmen on board are Kayla Tony Catapano that has helped know, through them, and then
Breden, Kelly Brustman, Meredith Crafford, Julia to give the Fairfielders a signifi- past them,” Trifone said.
CHEERY YEAR — Darien cheerleading captain Ally Reis Rae Hodenfield, Katie O’Neal, Julia Westerman. cant lift. So how do you stop the guy
applies the smile. (Darien Times/Steven Buono photo) Then there is the beef.
See CHEER on page 7D See GANG-UP on page 7D

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Page 4D THE DARIEN TIMES, THURSDAY, SEPT. 16, 2010

ROAD SIGN — From left, seniors Matt Gentile, John Conley, kneeling, and David Watson captain the Blue Wave boys cross country team. (Darien Times/Steven Buono photo)

Depth lost, but season prospects wide open on the road

By Steven Buono
Times Sports Editor
How do things shape up
for the team that was first in
its division, runner-up at the
FCIAC championship meet
and won Class MM at states
in 2009?
“We aren’t as deep as last
year, but neither is the FCIAC,”
said Tyson Kaczmarek now
in his eighth season at DHS.
“Compared to other teams, we
Boys Cross Country
are in better shape. As always,
we want to take it one race at
a time. The guys want to have
a great year.
“They trained hard all sum-
mer, I can’t wait!
Kaczmarek is 104-14 as
coach.
Last year Darien went 16-1
was first in the FCIAC East
and ninth at the state open.
“Last year is last year,”
Kaczmarek said. “We have to
focus on this year’s teams and
this year’s competition. I think
we are in the mix in Class L
and the FCIAC. Time will tell.
I know we will work hard.”
Back as captain is John
Conley, an experienced runner
a senior.
“Conley is the team’s lead-
er,” said his coach. “His con-
sistent performance makes
him one of the top runners in
the state.”
Junior Charlie Baird was
sensational as a sophomore
and is set up for a big cross
country season Kaczmarek
thinks.
Senior captain David
Watson is known for his dedi-
cation and comes through in
big races.
Matt Gentile, another senior
captain, had an excellent sum-
mer of training and will see
large gains from last year
according to Kaczmarek.
“Michael Johnston (junior) is
one of the most improved run-
ners on the team,” Kaczmarek
said. “Experienced, (he) will
produce big results.”
Junior Michael Coe has
stepped up during outdoor
track and is expected to be
ready for a breakout season.
Eli Converse, Jr. is a tal-
ented runner, says Kaczmarek,
providing extra depth.
A sophomore, Ryan
Mahoney is new to cross
country.
He ran 5:02 1600 as fresh-
men and Kaczmarek expects
he will contribute immedi-
ately.
Top newcomers also
include: sophomores Andrew
Xiong, Sean Lee and freshmen
Brian Davey and Marshall
Huffman.
The Wave says good-bye to
See BOGIE BACK on page 5D

Runners past and present

Wave front runners (from left) sophomore Katie Farren, captain Megan Keane, Hannah Lyons (Class of 2010), captain Amanda Dobler, Kelly Brophy (Class of 2010) and captain Sarah
Smith break from the line in 2009 action. Girls CC is previewed on page 3D. (Darien Times/Scott Mullin photo)

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THE DARIEN TIMES, THURSDAY, SEPT. 16, 2010 Page 5D

BRANCA BACK AT YA — Brennan Branca (right) takes to the air vs. Staples in Darien’s best effort last season against the perennial power in the league.
(Darien Times/Steven Buono photo)

‘Things are looking very, very promising’ says coach Piperea

By Steven Buono
Times Sports Editor
The Blue Wave boys soc-
cer coach has reason to smile,
with a program that is now all
his own.
“Things are looking very,
very promising,” said Darien
coach Nicolae Piperea, who
has held the post for half a
decade. “It’s the five year
mark and now I can see the
youngsters that were in eighth
grade — U14 that I used to
coach in the DSA program
— are becoming the seniors
and being the leaders of the
team.”
Captains are seniors Rupert
Hansford, JP Walsh, Ben
Boys Soccer
Burke and Alex McGuire.
“I don’t want to sound like
‘me-me,’ I just want to make
sure that the people under-
stand the importance of being
patient and giving the kids
encouragement to play and to
stay involved,” said Piperea.
“And these guys, they did
exactly that.”
Most are now playing soc-
cer year-round.
“If they did other sports,
they took soccer more serious-
ly than in the past,” Piperea
said. “And that bears fruit.”
With leadership, and more.
“The followers, the younger
kids are very talented and also
committed to the program,”
Piperea said.
Darien lost a dozen to grad-
uation while another dozen-
plus return.
Players with significant
experience at varsity number
eight says Piperea.
“That translates into a more
cohesive group,” he added. “A
group that has good playing
relationships and experience,
more confidence, better com-
munication.
“So overall, this is a positive
thing, yeah?”
Darien fields 12 seniors.
Plus there are juniors (10)
and sophomores (four) in the
mix battling for spots on the
first 11.
Piperea will be looking for
scoring power from Hansford,
left and right backs McGuire
and Burke.
“They are outside backs who
can generate some crosses,”
said Piperea. “Then we look at
(junior) Jeffrey Hubbard, he is
very promising. And we have
(senior) Ashwin Basu at for-
ward, (senior) JJ Holmgren.”
But Darien won’t be leaning
to hard on any one of them.
“The great thing about this
team, it is talented across the
board,” Piperea said. “So, we
have players for example in
the sophomore class that are
very strong, with midfielders
Brennan Branca and Patrick
Ryan and a winger, Spencer
McMullin.”
Darien will find leadership
in goal from David Bigelow,
a senior, and senior Graham
Hotchkiss.
“We really look to have a
great defensive unit led by
captain JP Walsh at center
back,” said Piperea.
Last season Darien finished
with four wins. This season is
a different story though, for
more reasons than just the flip
of the calendar year.
“I’m optimistic, because
after the few scrimmages that
we’ve had we (beat) Colby
Cathedral (2-0) and then we
had a very good day in the
Trumbull Jamboree,” said
Piperea. “In four, or five con-
tests, we let in two goals and
we scored 10 goals.”
Darien is out for a fast start
and solid finish. Both seem
likely.
“From this perspective, if
the team will continue like
this, and I am sure it is going
to improve, we will be able
to play at .500,” Piperea said.
“We are targeting a higher
rank, making the playoffs and
wind up playing in the highest
stage.”
Basu and Holmgren have
been hitting the net in pre-
season.
“The way we started gave us
a lot of hope,” said Piperea.

Bogie back: Carnegie Mellon grad, varsity runner returns as assistant coach
Continued from page 4D
an FCIAC runner-up in Jake
McCauley who is off to Tufts
where he will compete for the
Jumbos.
The team returns four out of
last year’s top seven and can
run 8-deep.
“Leading the way are John
Conley and Charlie Baird,”
said Kaczmarek. “Conley was
All-FCIAC in cross country,
indoor and outdoor last year.
He is a steady performer and
his consistency has led to out-
standing performances.
“A natural leader Conley
looks to be one of the top run-
ners in the state and qualify for
New Englands.”
Watson, Johnston and
Gentile are looked to for pro-
viding a solid pack to back up
the top two runners.
“Improved track times
have suggested that all three
should see large gains,” said
Kaczmarek.
Rounding out the top
eight are Michael Coe, Ryan
Mahoney and Eli Converse,
all underclassmen.
“They will be filling spots
vacated by Alex Reynoso, an
All-FCIAC and All-State run-
ner as well as Willem Sandberg,
the team’s number five runner
last year,” Kaczmarek added.
The Wave went 16-1 in “The 2010-11 XC and track He was the Class MM Bogie helped the Blue Wave
each of the last three seasons.
teams will benefit from new Champion in the 110 hurdles to win 10 FCIAC Eastern
In each of those seasons the
assistant coach Chris Bogie and 300 hurdles as well as Division Championships, two
team has won the FCIAC East(DHS Class of 2006),” said second in the state open in Class M titles in indoor track,
and placed second in both the
a very pleased Kaczmarek of the 110 hurdles and the State one Class MM title in outdoor
FCIAC Championship. his former charge who com- Open Champion in the 300 track and a second place finish
After two runner-up finishes
pleted 11 seasons of running hurdles. in the state open in ’06.
in Class MM, Darien claimedfor Darien, and takes over for He earned All-New England He was a 2-time All-FCIAC
the school’s first state champi-
Mike Orr who has enrolled in honors in the 300 hurdles and Selection, 3-time All-State
onship winning the Class MMgraduate school. the 4x400, where he split a Selection and a 2-time All-
title in ’09. As a senior, Bogie was All- 49.5-second 400 leg. New England selection.
This year Darien bumps up
New England in the 55 meter Bogie currently holds four Kaczmarek was Bogie’s
to Class L where the coach hurdles as well as the Class M school records indoors — 45 coach sophomore through
expects to make much hay. champion during the indoor hurdles (6.53), 55 hurdles senior years.
track season. (7.71), 60 hurdles (8.73), and Bogie is a 2010 graduate
Wave record breaker During the outdoor season, Sprint Medley (3:39.57). of Carnegie Mellon where he
Bogie shares the road Bogie lost a total of two 110 He also holds three outdoor ran both indoor and outdoor
hurdle races and one 300 hur- school records — in the 100 track.
One Wave has returned on dle race. (11.0), sprint medley (3:40.92) His positive influence is
the tide. That’s it. and 400 hurdles (58.31). invaluable.

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Page 6D
NOW STOP THAT — Ellie Riegel (No. 5, right) puts a damper on a shot in midfield. Riegel is one of a half-dozen two-way Wave players, who together, can dominate the game.
Triple champs set to trump all once more
By Steven Buono
Times Sports Editor
Darien is still the team
unlikely to be beat. The return-
ing more than able personnel
will see to that.
“Sophie Doering, Sam
Johnston, Ellie Riegel, you
know, we’ve got some phe-
nomenal field players,” said
Mo Minicus, who enters her
11th year on the job having
taken the DHS field hockey
program from one-win sea-
sons to become three-time dual
FCIAC and CIAC champs.
“The girls look good, they’re
fired up. The Gill girls look
great.”
The Wave brings back seven
starters.
“The seniors — Alex Iqbal
— they’re all very strong,”
Minicus said.
That should about do it,
doing in the opposition for
a fourth consecutive tip-top
year. In fact, the only apparent
hurdle going in, is the puzzle
of obstacles that comes with
being spoiled for choice with
lots of promising promoted
players.
“Like any other preseason,
it takes time to figure out what
starting line-up is going to
work,” said Minicus. “And
who are my starting 10.”
Darien’s got three or four
spots to fill, plus one large
patch in net, where the Wave
loses a record-breaking shut-
out queen in Aimee Rich, who
backstopped DHS to its three
straight dual crowns.
Perrin Brown and senior
Claire Dickson are both listed
to see time in net this season.
Dickson was a field player
������������������������������
Field Hockey
but picked up the pads this
season.
“We’re pleasantly sur-
prised, she’s doing great,”
said Minicus. “‘You should
of picked this up a couple of
years ago,’ we told her.”
Dickson is a Wave girls
lacrosse goalie as well.
Darien looks to be set to
start with Brown.
“It’s nice to know we’ve got
choices,” added Minicus.
They’ll have to be a bit sharp
though. Because Darien’s big-
gest switch over is on defense
— a team defense that kept
the shot count quite low last
season.
“We are basically looking for
a new defense,” said Minicus.
“So interestingly enough, we
are trying Sophie Doering as a
center back/sweeper.”
Doering had been a major
offensive force.
“She can play anywhere,
and that’s a key position that
we are looking to fill,” said
Minicus. “And that’s a key
position that we are looking to
fill, with skill and confidence.
“And she’s got incredible
stick skills. So we are giving
her a shot there.”
Minicus admits the Wave
will miss her shot up front,
but says adjustments could be
made if the offense should
find flat feet.
The blown out backside
comes with the departure of
graduates, the excellent Taylor
Wells, Ella Heck and Alex
Bair.
“You know, that’s big,” said
Minicus.
���������
THE DARIEN TIMES, THURSDAY, SEPT. 16, 2010
(Darien Times/Steven Buono photo)
But not too big to over- jv with a ton of energy and Numbers-wise too, is the that they’ve accomplished.
come. go-to attitude. mantle of three and three titles, And we’ve got those titles and
“We’ve got depth,” added “Meg is great, she’ll play maybe amounting to a ledge of nobody can take them away
Minicus. “And we have choic- anywhere,” Minicus said. slate in expectations dropped from us.
es, it’s just a matter of trying “And she’s always ready to down upon their heads? “And they’re forever
to find a line-up that we are play — they all are, they’ve “I hope we can find that there.”
going to stick with and that been working hard.” balance of hard work and fun, So, it’s business as usual at
works for us.” Darien also loses under- because there is that underly- the top shop.
Sounds like a double OT classman Maggie Annecchino, ing pressure out there to keep “You know me, it’s one day
schedule of tasks and a long transferring to Sacred Heart it going,” Minicus said. “But at a time,” Minicus added.
check list for the coaching — someone who looked likely if that’s all we focus on we are “Keeping it simple. They
staff? to have made an impact here going to sort of lose site of the know you can’t take anyone
“I’ve really got to get like her older high scoring sis- purpose of the season.” for granted.”
to work on that one,” said ter Carly several years before A season born of half a And keeping it fun.
Minicus. her. dozen banners, plus one. “Oh, this team has tons of
Backline choices include Johnston, Riegel and Watters “It’s fine, it’s great — but personality,” said Minicus.
Kate Morant, a senior, Galen are captains. what I really believe is that “It’s just a matter of giving
Rohn and sophomore Kat Nineteen are on varsity, these girls, what they have them the time and freedom to
Huber. Darien loses five good ones accomplished is phenome- express themselves and have
Anchoring the midfield, to graduation in Rich, Wells, nal,” Minicus, a multi-award fun, and yet, put the foot down
Alex Iqbal, Courtney Wynne, Bair and Heck twins, Anna winning coach herself, said. and make them focus when
Maddie Gill, all seniors. and Ella. “They have earned everything they need to.”
“And they’re phenomenal,
already,” said Minicus.
Senior Caroline
Kapustynski, Julia Cobb and
Mimi Morgan will help make
the already stacked midfield
that much more solid of a
defensive wall.
Up front, Darien’s got girls
who can score in proven face-
off striker Riegel — making a
recovery from mono — Leslie
Gill on right wing, new soph-
omore Leslie Perticone and
Hollis Perticone, her sister, a
freshman making a fast start.
Plus Sophie Watters and
Johnston can hit the net.
“And Lilly Cassidy is also
looking good at left wing,”
said Minicus. “Truthfully, a lot
of our girls can hit the ball. We
are just trying to fine tune that
stuff too.
“It’s all good, we’re excit-
ed.”
Senior Meg Del Col is play- MO BETTER — Mo Minicus (left) has been coach of the year in the league and state, more
ing forward moving up from than once for the three-time dual champs. (Darien Times/Steven Buono photo)
THE DARIEN TIMES, THURSDAY, SEPT. 16, 2010 Page 7D

NOT PEAR SHAPED — Alex Pear’s (No. 10) on the ball with Marieke Bravo (No. 14) and Georgie Highton (No. 15) right behind her at New Canaan in 2009.
(Darien Times/Steven Buono photo)

Highton leads, opportunities follow

By Steven Buono
Times Sports Editor
Opportunities are on tap.
Darien girls soccer loses 14
players to graduation, mak-
ing the captaining of Georgie
Highton and Ellie Bullitt all
the more vital.
“We are going to be a young
team,” said Darien coach Jon
Bradley. “So some of the
young kids are really going to
have to step up and perform.”
Plus, six players went down
with injury in preseason camp,
including starters.
“We are going to need
Georgie to step up — we are
looking for a target of her
scoring around 20 goals this
season,” said Bradley of the
college-recruited league star.
Highton will have strong
support in doing so from Alex
Pear, Vanessa Budd, Kristy
Gilbert, Phoebe Wong.
Youth is on Darien’s side
with five freshmen, includ-
ing a new goalie, in Dillon
Schoen, Emily Stein, Ellie
Bennett and Julia Black.
“We are looking for them to
definitely get minutes,” said
Bradley. “How much depends
on how well they play.”
In goal, things look a bit
Girls Soccer
unsettled with returning senior
Charlotte Phillips and fresh-
man Phoebe Taylor to compete
for work under the eaves.
Taylor comes out of the
Eastern Soccer Club, playing
Premier, and is also in the
Conn. Olympic Development
program.
A starter last season, Ann
Fucigna, graduated.
Four-year varsity player
Phillips is rangy, has handled
the load in goal before and is
experienced in the playoffs.
“Charlotte’s obviously got a
lot of experience, she’s been up
there, she is tall, athletic,” said
Bradley, in his sixth year as
Wave coach. “And Phoebe is
playing at the highest level in
Conn. She’s fearless, strong.
“And I think it’s going to be
a good competition to see who
is going to get that shot for
themselves.”
Defenders: Olivia Wolak,
new junior Katie Dee transfer-
ring to DHS in the off season,
Blair Pelley, India Tibbetts.
In the middle, there’s
Marieke Bravo, Leslie Yuen,
Budd, Gilbert, Sara Shaker
and Parker Hammill.
Attack: Highton, Schoen,
Wong, Amy Biggart.
“We have a lot of speed,
we’re athletic,” said Bradley.
“But we’re lacking in experi-
ence.”
Returning starters are lim-
ited to Highton, Phillips, Yuen
and Bravo and Pear.
Darien won its first scrim-
mage 4-2 over Lauralton Hall.
“In this league it is going
to be all about how young
players can learn on the job,”
added Bradley. “And how
quickly they can step up. The
best players will have a chance
to shine, regardless of their
age.”
It’s a work in progress,
but progress this new group
should do, in excess of .500
and make states.
“We just need to be a little
bit more defensive and a little
bit more smart,” Bradley said.
“But we have plenty of time to
figure it out.”
Darien was blown to bits
by the injury bug last season,
going 8-7-1 overall and being
ousted by higher seed Warde
3-1 in double OT in the first
round of the Class L playoffs
at states. Highton scored the
lone goal, Phillips was in net.
Darien opens up on the road
at Westhill, 4:30 on Sept. 15. TEENAGE KICKS — Leslie Yuen makes the play in the ’09 playoffs.
(Darien Times/Steven Buono photo)

Cheer: New fall look on show
Continued from page 3D
Mailhot’s hopped into gear
with a head start.
“In June we had tryouts and
I took 20 girls, there’s quite a
few freshmen,” Mailhot said.
“The girls are awesome, they
are really out there to learn as
much as they can from me.”
And she’s got a lot to teach
them.
“The program I really feel
needs to be built,” she added.
“And not just kind of the old
style ‘pom-poms and polyes-
ter skirt.’
“It’s really an athletic
sport.”
Gang-up: Mass tackling could shut off Warde’s shutdown guy
Continued from page 3D
who likely, if stopped, pulls the reins up
on the ’stangs?
“The only way to bottle up a back like
that, is to gang-tackle,” said Trifone. “If
you try to take him 1-on-1, or if you have
schemes, you know, and end up with 1-
on-1, you’re in trouble.”
Will Halliday is the opposing QB.
The 6-foot, 190 senior has a strong
arm.
“And he can run too,” Trifone said.
“So, you know, you are watching the
tape and saying to yourself, you’ve got
your hands full.”
He did not have big numbers running
last season.
“The coaching staff that took over that
program, he’s doing a heck of a job,”
said Trifone. “But not only are they
doing a heck of a job with X’s and 0’s,
and the execution. But, they are attract-
ing more and more kids.
“One of the things is that Warde strug-
gled over the years. It’s a big school.”
Not any more. Players are flocking.
“They are out in the hallways recruit-
ing and they should be,” Trifone said.

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Page 8D THE DARIEN TIMES, THURSDAY, SEPT. 16, 2010

SENIORITY SISTERS — Wave volleyball is captained by Mackenzie Begley (left), helped by classmates, hitter Emma Getsinger (middle) and libero, defensive specialist Bella Cararra
(right) in going for the program’s 10th straight pair of titles in the league and state. (Darien Times/Steven Buono photo)

Begley sets calm note at the eye of the storm

By Steven Buono
Times Sports Editor
One captain.
It’s not such a usual circumstance
for the best girls volleyball program
in CT history.
So, does the weight of dual league
and state titles, last season with DHS
not dropping a set — it’s team record
of 536-79 since 1982 — plus, the run
of years and years on end running
through the last decade of champi-
onship seasons, push down might-
ily upon sole captain Mackenzie
Begley’s head?
Those, 15 state trophies, 19 FCIAC,
and the fact that DHS goes for some-
thing special in making it 10 straight
titles in the league and state this fall
— does any of that feel, the least bit,
like a small universe camping out up
on her shoulders?
“...a little bit,” said Begley, not
sounding in the least like it did, add-
ing “but I’m handling it.”
And she seems quite likely to
be one uniquely capable to do just
Girls Volleyball
that, with the support of a strong
team around her, front and back, and
with the team philosophy of course
remaining that no single stick will
break when all are bound as one.
Not that Begley is anything as
brittle as a stick.
Her strength — besides the tacti-
cal acumen of being an outstanding
setter — seems to lie in her laid
back demeanor. Begley’s as calm
and unfussed, as any before her at
the post.
Some might have found a stress pit
in digging in for the 2010 season.
“We lost a lot of seniors and
juniors, not a lot of girls came
back,” said Begley, joined by fellow
seniors in big hitter Emma Getsinger
and enthusiastic, able libero Bella
Carrara. “It’s a really young group of
girls, but a good group of girls. They
are all really working hard, putting a
lot of effort in everything they do.”
Darien loses the whole set of
major players in 2009 captains Colby
Billhardt, Sarah Gorski and Corinne
Sommi, all Class of ’10.
And two experienced juniors are
not any longer with the team.
If Begley is Darien’s sole com-
mander — besides veteran coach
Laurie LaRusso — then the Wave’s
three seniors are Darien’s sole return-
ing, experienced crop.
Still, Begley’s serene as a glassy
lake, which should propel the Wave
and its young squad into the winners
circle once more.
It’s not the cocky bring-it-on kind
of placid either. It’s closer to an
angelic confidence. She knows she
can fly, and lift, lead the rest of the
team up along with her for the ride.
“I love it,” said Begley, whose big
sister Stephanie captained the squad
some years back. “I love the girls
that I am playing with, they’re just a
good group of girls.
“I am really enjoying myself.”
Begley indeed eats pressure, in
what some might call stressful situ-
ations on the court, and digests it
without so much as a hiccup.
Because never mind being captain,
she’s right smack at the center of it
all on the tiles too, as the balls blast
around her, and from the court chaos,
she sets up cohesive points on the
board.
“It puts pressure on me, but it’s
good pressure, the kind that I enjoy,”
the state’s leading setter and FCIAC
title game MVP last season, said. “It
makes me work harder, knowing that
I have to be in every single play.”
The sticks stick together, no matter
who plays what role on the floor.
“I’ve been turning to my team-
mates a lot for a lot of help,” she
said. “It’s kind of, the more we put
in, the more we know we are going
to get out of what we do.”
What do they do?
Getsinger hits, hard, while she and
Cararra have proved flexible at vari-
ous spots.
“But Bella is really helping us out
defensively,” said Begley. “With the
passing and stuff.”
Along with Getsinger, junior
Charlett Stevenson is a big hitter
too.
Junior Katie Stueber and Kelly
Kosnik, a sophomore, have been
playing middle, and Riley Sousa is
hitting right side.
“We have been working on our hit-
ting, trying to improve it, but I think
we are going to be a defensive team
this year,” Begley said. “Last year
we were more of a hitting team, just
because we had a lot of taller girls.
“This year we lost some height,
so we are hoping to gain it defen-
sively.”
Cararra digs deep
That’s every girl on deck with
defense, but Cararra digs it the most.
“It’s a lot of young girls,” added
Begley. “We may not have a lot of
experience, but, their kind of dedica-
tion and hard work is — it’s really
fun and exciting to get into the gym
with them every day.
“Because you know they are going
to work as hard as they can. They are
very open to changes, open to help.
They just want to learn.”
Like LaRusso says: sticks in a
bundle are (still) unbreakable.

All team schedules are online at darienps.org/darienathletics/

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