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WESTPORT, Conn. Staples senior captain Kyle Bacon does not recall much from the Wreckers meets against New Canaan in his first three years in high school. But he will remember the last one for a long time perhaps forever.
Bacon and the Wreckers defeated New Canaan for the first time since 2001 last week, 98-88. Bacon was part of the 400-freestyle relay with Jonathan Blansfield, Nathaniel Boley and Danny Williams that clinched the victory.
I dont remember the losses to New Canaan specifically, but for the most part they werent even close, Bacon said. We got a little bit closer last year. They were so good, I never thought a win against New Canaan was possible.
Staples won just two individual events, a victory in the 500 free by Blansfield and in the 100 backstroke by Matt Wisher. Staples needed to go 2-3 in the 400-free relay to win the meet. And it did even better than that, finishing first and third.
Im almost always on the 400 relay, and most meets you know by then whos going to win, Bacon said. This meet was neck-and-neck. We knew we needed to get second and third. It was neat seeing all the guys on deck pulling for each other. It really gave us a boost.
This years Staples team is the strongest in his four years with the squad, Bacon said. The Wreckers have a talented group of underclassmen. Blansfield, a sophomore, had what Bacon believes to be the turning point of the meet against New Canaan with a come-from-behind win in the 500 freestyle. That got the whole team excited, he said. That showed us what we could do.
I dont know if Im surprised by what the underclassmen have done, coach Jeffrey Schare said. Theyve certainly boosted our success. Whats really helped them is our seniors. We only have four of them, but they are good leaders. Theyve let the younger swimmers know what it takes to be successful in this league. Bacon, Wisher, Joss Abel and David Katter are the Staples seniors.
Staples beat Trumbull and Danbury in December then lost to Darien and Greenwich in a three-day span. The victory over New Canaan lifted the Wreckers spirits. With most of its toughest challenges out of the way, they could go unbeaten in their last six meets of the season.
Sometimes you get kids coming up from club teams and they have the strength and they have the times, but high school swimming is different, Bacon said. You dont always know what to expect. But this is the strongest team weve ever had. We have the talent and the mental strength to push ahead. Its been a special season.
Staples 98, New Canaan 88
Meet results
200 Medley Relay1 (NC) Brian Bodick, Ned Thunem, Austin Wolff, Jacob Geyfman 1:46.032 (S) Mathew Wisher, Joss Abel, Daniel Williams, Mathew Wetmore 1:49.763 (S) Max Wimer, Chris Mombello, Marcus Russi, David Katter 1:52.59200 Freestyle1 (S) Nathaniel Boley 1:49.762 (NC) Ian Robert 1:50.033 (S) Jonathan Blansfield 1:52.594 (NC) Steven Skaperdas 1:54.695 (S) Justin Krakoff 1:58.23200 IM1 (NC) John Santoro 2:03.272 (S) Daniel Williams 2:09.563 (S) Joss Abel 2:11.06 4 (NC)Ned Thunem 2:!3.825 (S) North Woods 2:14.750 Freestyle1 (NC) Austin Wolff 23.612(S) Kyle Bacon 24.203 (S) David Katter 24.504 (S) Mathew Wetmore 25.005 (NC) Jacob Geyfan 25.08Diving 1(NC) Bobby Ross2 (NC) Billy Christopher3 (S) Tanner Blank4 (S) Andrew Cohen5 (NC) Kate Ray100 Butterfly1 (NC) Austin Wolff 54.372 (S) Mathew Wisher 59.343 (NC) Stefan Pla 59.664 (S) Marcus Russi 1:00.405 (S) Mathew Wetmore 1:02.08\100 Freestyle1 (NC) Ian Robert 49.402 (S) Nathaniel Boley 50.523 (S) Kyle Bacon 52.214 (NC) Brian Bodick 54.525 (S) Chris Mombell500 Freestyle1 (S) Jonathan Blansfield 4:56.352 (NC) John Santoro 4:57.343 (NC) Steven Skaperdas 5:04.764 (S) Daniel Williams 5:08.125 (S) Justin Krakoff 5:26.61200 Free Relay1 (NC) Austin Wolff, Ned Thunem, Steven Skaperdas, Ian Robert 1:34.072 (S) Nathaniel Boley, Mathew Wetmore, Kyle Bacon, Justin Krakoff 1:35.073 (S) Marcus Russi, Tyler Crowder, David Katter, Jonathan Blansfield 1:39.64100 Backstroke1 (S) Mathew Wisher 58.722 (NC) Brian Bodick 1:00.303 (S) Max Wimer 1:03.714 (S) Michael Deluca 1:04.045 (NC) Jack Robey 1:11.60100 Breastroke1 (NC) Ned Thunem 1:05.222 (S) Joss Abel 1:06.713 (S) Chris Mombeelo 1:07.874 (S) North Woods 1:09.875 (NC) Jack Alexander 1:12.32400 Freestyle Relay1 (S) Jonathan Blansfield, Kyle Bacon, Daniel Williams, Nathaniel Boley 3:26.892 (NC) Ian Robert, Steven Skaperdas, Stepfan Pla, John Santoro 3:26.943 (S) Justin Krakoff, Marcus Russi, Joss Abel, Matt Wisher 3:40.15Click here to follow Daily Voice Westport and receive free news updates.
