Water Polo Slideshow Now Online

The 2011 Slideshow – which was shown at the team banquet – is now online. Click below to view it. Click here to go to the team’s Vimeo video site, where you can watch and download the slideshow.

Don’t forget: the photos used in the slideshow — plus hundreds more — can be viewed on the team’s SmugMug photo gallery, where you can download copies and order prints. SmugMug also sells photo items, which are great holiday gifts. (And no, neither I nor the team get a cut of the sale.)

See you next year.

- Ronald Wimer

 

Vote for Staples Alumna Swimmer Liz Fry

Elizabeth Fry

Westport resident and record-shattering open water swimmer Elizabeth Fry has been nominated for the 2011 World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year.

The nomination recognizes Fry, 52, for “her dynamic spirit in helping others realize their open water dreams while she realizes her own potential in some of the most difficult swims in the world,” according to the sponsor of the World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA) awards, Open Water Source. In particular, the nomination recognizes Fry for the two “double crossings” she swam in 2011.

Last June, she set the double crossing record and became the only person to complete the unprecedented 35-mile Ederle Swim, swimming from Manhattan Island to New Jersey, and back. Her time of 11 hours, 5 minutes set the standard for both men and women, young and old. She then became the oldest person to complete the 42-mile double crossing of the English Channel in 24 hours, 39 minutes, with her return journey faster than the outgoing swim from England to France. This was her third attempt to complete the two-way crossing of the iconic Channel, having previously accomplished five successful one-way crossings. She wrapped up her 2011 season with a 13 hour, 25 minute, 25-mile crossing from Vermont, U.S.A. to Québec, Canada.

In addition, Fry has served as the long-standing director of the 25K Swim Across the Sound, one of the nation’s largest open water swimming events, which has raised millions of dollars for the St. Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation.

Fry trains with the Westport Swim Club, a Connecticut Masters team, which is coached by Staples Girls Swim coach Michael Laux. She began her swimming career in Long Beach, New York and attended Camp Akomak, a swim camp in Canada. As a teen in Westport, she swam for the Westport Weston Family Y Water Rats and Staples High School swim teams. Fry attended college at the University of Connecticut, where she was awarded the John Squires Award for the most improved swimmer as a freshman while earning a degree in Chemistry, and earned graduate degrees at Fordham University.

About the WOWSA Award

According to Open Water Source, the WOWSA award is meant to honor not necessarily the best athlete, but the individual who best embodies the spirit of open water swimming; possesses the sense of adventure, tenacity and perseverance for which open water swimmers are known; and has most positively influenced the world of open water swimming in 2011. This year’s award nominees include twelve women from nine countries. Awards also are given for Man of the Year and Performance of the Year.

Voting takes place online at Open Water Swimming from November 1 to December 31. The winner will be announced and honored on January 1 at the Global Open Water Swimming Conference.

For more information on Elizabeth Fry, visit here.

Click to cast your vote.

LAST, LAST PASTA DINNER

Pasta Dinner

 We have one more pasta dinner to go:

 This Friday, November 11^th at the Siegel home, 13 Burnham Hill Road.

 Many thanks to the Siegel family for hosting!

WEEK of NOVEMBER 7th

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8 — No school (Staff Development Day) but practice as usual, 5:30 to 7pm.  NOTE: If we can get pool time earlier, we will try to start earlier if possible.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9  –  Last home games vs. Brunswick, varsity and jv,  5:30 pm warm up.  Please be there a bit earlier to set up the pool. 

 SENIOR DAY to follow the games.

 There is also a concession stand on Wednesday.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12  – Last away game, varsity vs. Hudson Valley,  8 am warm up.  Bus to be announced.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBE 13 – BANQUET, 5:30 pm, Red Barn Restaurant, 5:30 pm, 292 Wilton Road, Westport.

 

END OF THE SEASON

HOPKINS TOURNAMENT, NOVEMBER 5 — REVISED SCHEDULE

The Hopkins tournament has changed because Canterbury and Wilbraham & Munson are no longer able to play this Saturday.  This is due to the snow storm last weekend.  W & M is apparently closed until Monday.

 As a result, there will be three teams and it will be a round robin format:

Game #1 3:00pm  Hopkins v Eaglebrook

Game #2 4:10pm  Staples v Eaglebrook

Game #3 5:20pm  Hopkins v Staples

Each game will be played with 6 minute periods. 

The first team listed will be the home team.

 Bus time to be announced.