Aaron Johnson
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Past articles by Aaron:
Softball: Warde knocks off Staples 11-2
WESTPORT - Olivia Vadas struck out 10 in a dominant effort for Fairfield Warde as the Mustangs defeated Staples 11-2 on Friday afternoon. "We don't like to underestimate anyone," Vadas said. "We mostly talk about everyone on our team going out and doing their jobs. And I think we did that today. Our defense had to be strong because this team can hit when given the opportunity and we just tried… → Read More
Farewell Westport / Aaron Johnson
When I first received this position, I was overjoyed. It had been my dream for a long time to be a professional sports writer. For this kid from Stratford, this last year has been as amazing and entertaining as I had always hoped sports reporting would be. The student-athletes were fun, they were always happy for an interview, or a phone call. When I look back over the time I spent in Westport -… → Read More
Boys Lacrosse: Staples wins sixth straight game 18-2 over Norwalk
WESTPORT - Staples boys lacrosse continued its scorching hot start to the season with its sixth straight win Thursday evening, an 18-2 victory over Norwalk. "It's really awesome," senior goalie Matt Garber said. "Last year, we got off to a slow start, lost some close games, this year it feels like we're rolling into our big games coming up soon." Garber, who kept the Bears offense at bay for the… → Read More
Boys Lacrosse: Staples begins the season red-hot
WESTPORT - As the raucous music blasted through the doors of the boys locker room behind Staples Stadium, a great deal of cheering and yelling could also be heard just outside. An all-too-familiar sound that the Staples boys lacrosse team has become accustomed to since starting the season undefeated. Wreckers coach Paul McNulty said an opening-game scare helped to set his team on this path. "We… → Read More
FCIAC/SCC Challenge: Staples comes from behind to beat Xavier 5-3
WESTPORT - Well, that didn't take long. The defending Class LL state champion Staples Wreckers got its season started with a bang as a walk-off three-run home run from Drew Rogers propelled the team over visiting Xavier 5-3 on Saturday afternoon. "How'd you like that heart attack," Staples coach Jack McFarland said with a smile after the game. "We take this FCIAC/SCC thing seriously, I told the… → Read More
We get it, enough with the snow / Aaron Johnson
During a phone call with my mother on Monday afternoon, she talked about how nice the weather was getting in Charlotte, N.C. It was in the upper 70s, a bit cloudy, but spring was definitely in the air down south. All I could think about, as I looked out my window to yet another winter wonderland of snow and wind, was 'I thought it was supposed to be spring.' It's annoying to say the least, as a… → Read More
Girls Lacrosse: Staples uses big first half to knock off McMahon 17-2
WESTPORT - Staples' girls lacrosse team got its season off on the right foot with a dominant 17-2 win over McMahon at home on Thursday afternoon. "I think they played as a true team," Staples coach Nicole Gerosa said. "I think we had really balanced scoring. Everyone is really trying from freshmen to seniors. They're going through all the plays, they're working through off the plays, they're… → Read More
Boys Lacrosse: Staples win big in home opener 15-2
WESTPORT - After waiting one day for its home opener, thanks to mother nature, the Staples boys lacrosse team started out hot, scoring 11 goals in the first two quarters in a 15-2 win over Brien McMahon on a windy, chilly Wednesday afternoon. "We played great defense against Bronxville (10-8 Staples win) in the first three quarters," Staples coach Paul McNulty said. "And they won the fourth. So… → Read More
Wreckers baseball ready to defend title
WESTPORT - When the dust cleared at the end of the gantlet that was the Class LL baseball tournament last season, the Staples Wreckers stood upon the ashes as champions. After falling in the title game two years prior, the Wreckers ended Amity's streak of four straight LL titles and took home the nutmeg-shaped trophy. But that was last season. Staples enters the 2018 campaign with seven of the… → Read More
Wreckers baseball ready to defend title
WESTPORT - When the dust cleared at the end of the gantlet that was the Class LL baseball tournament last season, the Staples Wreckers stood upon the ashes as champions. After falling in the title game two years prior, the Wreckers ended Amity's streak of four straight LL titles and took home the nutmeg-shaped trophy. But that was last season. Staples enters the 2018 campaign with seven of the… → Read More
Sports and the community effect / Aaron Johnson
There is no surprise that high school sports can mean a lot to a community. The rise and falls of a team can coincide with that of a community and it can even contribute to it in extreme cases. But it has been through speaking with the players, coaches, and people of these communities that shows just how much of an impact it can have. As a kid, I remember getting out of Pop Warner practices on… → Read More
Wreckers proud to make it back to Yale
NEW HAVEN - It wasn't supposed to end like it did for Staples boys hockey. The results didn't go as planned. After being the cream of the crop in Division III for much of the season and boasting some of its top players as well, the Wreckers were poised to capture the state title. But it wasn't meant to be. Staples lost in the Division III state semifinals to eventual champions Eastern CT Eagles.… → Read More
Wreckers all-FCIAC honors
WESTPORT - Junior guard Elle Fair and sophomore forward Arianna Gerig were named to the all-FCIAC first and second teams, respectively last week. Fair, who was the lone representative for Staples on the first team, helped to lead the Wreckers to a second straight berth in the Class LL state tournament. Gerig also performed at a high level this season earning second team honors. Senior Nicole… → Read More
Ready for the spring season / Aaron Johnson
The winter season has come to a close. It was full of ups and downs, but after several months, it is finally time to finish the chapter of winter. Although the jury is still out on when the weather will get the memo. But not unlike many others, I am ready for the sunshine and beautiful atmosphere that comes with the beginning of the spring season. Here in the Nutmeg state, the arrival of spring… → Read More
Wreckers lose heartbreaker in Division III semifinals 8-6
NEW HAVEN - After Staples' star senior Sam New scored his third goal of the game with 2:15 left in the third period to tie the score at six, no one on the Eastern CT Eagles' bench panicked. Not a single player or coach. And it showed out on the ice. Less than 30 seconds later, senior Kevin Close found the back of the net for the second time in the period to give the Eagles the lead for good, as… → Read More
Breaking records on the national stage
NEW YORK - Staples 4xMile team finished fourth at the New Balance Indoor National meet. The quartet of Ben Seiple, Luke Lorenz, Christian Myers, and William Landowne finished in 17.36.05 The Wreckers were fourth out of 18 team competing in the finals. ajohnson@hearstmedia ct.com; Twitter: @aronJohnson_ → Read More
Dragons named to All-FAA andAll-region teams
WESTPORT - Senior guard Henry Holzinger and junior forward Cole Prowitt-Smith were named to the All-FAA first team this week after leading the Greens Farms Academy Dragons to the FAA semifinals. Along with the Holzinger and Prowitt-Smith, Greg Lawrence was named to the All-FAA honorable mentions team and missed the second team by a single vote. Holzinger finished his senior season with a school… → Read More
March Madness is here / Aaron Johnson
For many across the state it has been difficult to watch men's basketball to say the least. To put it nicely, the state of the UConn men's program has left much to be desired. Which is what has ultimately cost former coach Kevin Ollie his job. As a lifelong college basketball watcher, the past several seasons have been trying to watch due to the ineptitude of the Huskies. Thank the heavens for… → Read More
Student sections keep it clean / Aaron Johnson
Being in a student section was always a ton of fun. It made me feel like I was apart of the team. Whether in high school during a big rivalry game, or in college while my school fought for a conference title - I've had fond and lasting memories of being involved in chanting and cheering in a student section. But the issue that some student sections can create, however, is the basis of my soapbox… → Read More
Staples girls basketball program continues to go in the right direction
WESTPORT - WESTPORT - As the final whistle blew, the crowd rose to its feet to applaud what had been a great season. Although the Staples girls basketball team didn't achieve its goal of winning a Class LL state title, it had completed a goal that in the long run, may prove to be more important. Taking a giant leap in the right direction. The Wreckers had made it back to the state tournament for… → Read More