Gill Twins Make Waves on Field Hockey

-By: Darius Majd-

In spite of losing many talented seniors last year, the Blue Wave Varsity Field Hockey team has been dominant thus far thanks in part to the efforts of junior twins Madeleine and Leslie Gill. (Leslie, pictured left) The duo provided all of the scoring in a 4-0 win over Stamford this Wednesday (the Blue Wave’s 11th shutout in 12 games), with Madeleine notching a hat trick. Still, despite the combined success, the two keep each other very grounded, inspiring each other to get better all the time. When asked how it felt to start alongside her sister, Madeleine responded, “Leslie’s degrading comments motivate me to get better.” Leslie responded sarcastically, “Seeing her on the field makes me play worse.” But the competition doesn’t end on the field; the two also consider, among other things, the strength of their appetites to be very important. Madeleine said of the field hockey team, “I’m really in it for the pasta dinners; I set the team record with 15 cookies.” Leslie scoffed at the notion, saying, “I BY FAR hold the team record for cookies at a pasta dinner. At the Heck’s I had two meatball subs, three plates of pasta, four huge oatmeal cookies, eight molasses cookies, and four chocolate cookies.” Not to be outdone, Madeleine said, “That’s nothing compared to the time I downed and entire plate of brownies at the Riegel’s.” Though they may not agree on who can eat more, at least they both speak positively of their experiences on the field so far this year.
Oh, and if you're reading this today (Oct 25) be sure to wish them a happy 17th birthday!

Girls Cross Country Places 6th

Girls finish the race strong as Darien gets 6th in the FCIAC race at Waveny Park in New Canaan on Thursday. (10/22) Junior Amanda Dobler (pictured below right) finished in the top 16 to medal as a member of the first team all FCIAC.

Darien XC Lands a 2nd Place Finish in the FCIAC

-By: Kevin Cassidy-

The Boys Cross Country team traveled to Waveny Park for the FCIAC Championship on Thursday. (10/22) Darien had a great showing placing in second out of 17 teams. Darien only lost to the favorite Danbury by five points. Darien runners senior Jake McCauley (pictured at bottom of story) and junior John Conley finished second and fourth. Other Darien runners, including senior Alex Reynoso and senior Willem Sandberg (pictured with McCauley below), ran well both finishing in the top 25. Willem Sandberg had a 40-second decrease in time from his previous best. Senior Jack Bushell seemed pleased with the team’s performance he went on to explain how “a Danbury runner ran better than expected but we are satisfied with the result”. The Boys Cross Country team has its next meet is States at Wickham Park in East Hartford on October 31st. We wish them the best of luck in finishing their season strong.
Yesterday, the First Team All FCIAC, was announced. Darien Runners senior Jake McCauley, junior John Conley, and senior Alex Reynoso were announced to the team. These runners also helped lead their team to the FCIAC championships. The Darien team also got its FCIAC East Chapionship trophy. We wish these runners best of luck throughout the remainder of their season! (also pictured above sophomore Charlie Baird and senior Brandon Tripodi)

Darien Falls to Danbury, Playoff Chances Dwindle

-By: Mikel Marku-


Darien boys soccer blew the game against Danbury on Thursday at home (10/22) where the boys lost 2-1. The game started off in the Wave's favor, with a goal by junior J.P Walsh off a corner kick. The Wave shut down the Hatters for the first half even without senior starting keeper Robbie Shindler, who didn't play because of a wrist injury. Darien began to lose control as Danbury dominated the ball possession in the second half. In the last 20 minutes Danbury scored two goals to wrap up the victory. Senior Per Bjornstad isn't phased by the setback. "We will beat Trumbull and Stamford, and make States," the quietly confident Bjornstad said. Darien needs to get two wins or a win and a tie to guarantee a spot in States. Come watch the Wave play Trumbull at home on Monday at 4pm. (senior Sean Fahey pictured)

Injury, Illness Hurt Girls Soccer

-By Laura Durham-

Girls’ soccer had a disappointing 3-0 loss against St. Joe’s in Trumbull on Wednesday. (Oct 21) St. Joe’s scored two goals in the first half, and the last in the second half. DHS is missing three players due to injury, and several girls are sick. Senior Meredith Jordan went in early in the game, but came out soon after due to an injury. Senior Alex Budd is also injured, and sophomore Leslie Yuen and senior Rachel Kanigan are ill. Due to absences, Coach John Bradley put in a few JV players. Despite the loss “the girls played well individually just not as a team,” senior Francesca Chiamulera said. Please come out and support the girls when they face-off against Ridgefield at 4pm at home on Friday. (photo supplied by Rachel Kanigan)

Maritime Rowers Rule Regatta

-By Andi Cara-


Maritime Rowing Club had another fantastic weekend of racing at Head of the Charles in Boston. The Norwalk-based club sent three boats to the largest head race in the world the weekend of October 17th. Despite harsh weather conditions (sub 40 degree weather, heavy rain and snow), senior Emily Pik and junior Christine Bragg of Maritime’s varsity eight boat, took home a gold medal after competing with 76 other crews from the United States and Canada. Seniors Michelle Bravo and Chrissy Weigand were members of the varsity 4+ that placed eighth out of 77 competitors. Juniors Andi Cara, Emily Crump and Alex Enzor raced in the same category placing 18th. All three boats did incredibly well on the hardest race course in the world and qualified for next year’s competition. The team has another large regatta this weekend in Philadelphia, Head of the Schuylkill and hopes to continue its winning streak.

Waves Ices Trumbull

-By Christian Nielsen-
In the latest fall league hockey game featuring our own Blue Wave against the Trumbull Eagles, Darien managed to come out on top with a 4-2 victory on Saturday at Terry Conners Ice Rink in Stamford. Early in the game Trumbull came out flying with a goal six minutes into the first period off a breakaway. The remainder of the first showcased some terrific opportunities for the Wave, but the next goal wasn't scored until early on in the second period, when freshman Brendan Hathaway capitalized on a power play to tie the game at one goal apiece.
With new found strength, defender sophomore John Baker scored on another power play towards the end of the second period to put Darien on top 2-1. Unwilling to give up three unanswered goals, Trumbull evened out the game at the beginning of the third period, making the score 2-2. three minutes later, senior Connor Sullivan scored off of a nice pass from junior Richard Gregory, giving the Wave back the lead with the score now at 3-2.
With two minutes remaining the Trumbull goalie was pulled, but to their surprise not soon after sophomore Cameron Murray scored an open net goal to cancel out any chances the Eagles had of winning.