Making a splash: Water polo standout is part of Olympic development program
Pictured is the Staples co-op squad members and coaches. Photos from Christina Di Carlo Ferrari By Andy Hutchison WESTPORT – Westport is home to water polo enthusiasts, including Staples High sophomore standout Virginia Ferrari and her Staples co-op club teammates and captains Stella Savone and Olivia Kulga, also of Westport. The rest of the lineup […]
Pictured is the Staples co-op squad members and coaches. Photos from Christina Di Carlo Ferrari
By Andy Hutchison
WESTPORT – Westport is home to water polo enthusiasts, including Staples High sophomore standout Virginia Ferrari and her Staples co-op club teammates and captains Stella Savone and Olivia Kulga, also of Westport. The rest of the lineup comprises student-athletes from surrounding/ nearby communities.
Water polo continues in the school club offseason for Ferrari. She is in her fourth year playing club water polo and in her second as part of the Olympic Development Program (ODP) North East zone team.
The ODP is a training program designed to identify and develop athletes for the U.S. National Teams. It serves as the primary pathway for athletes that want to represent the country in water polo, meaning Ferrari has aspirations to advance in her career.
The country is divided into 13 regions and the athletes compete to be selected for a spot in the team of their zone. The program starts at the beginning of the fall season with ODP Zone camps, followed by regional championships and, potentially, national championships.
“I enjoy playing with the development team very much. Playing with them gives me the opportunity to learn new plays and challenge myself even more. Also playing with different people every year is very exciting and fun,” Ferrari said.
Whether she is on the pool representing the Staples co-op club squad or competing for ODP Ferrari enjoys water polo because “it is a team sport and even if it is very tiring and I need to sacrifice the time with my friends and most of my weekends, I really enjoy spending my time in the water,” she said.
Ferrari is a utility player. In practice she asks the coaches to help her master different positions so the coaches and the team can rely on her ability to perform across the pool. “For this, I practice to my very best everywhere and try to be prepared when I have a game,” she said.
Sophomore Virginia Ferrari, left, and junior Olivia Kuliga are two Westport representatives on the Staples co-op club team. Photo by Christina Di Carlo Ferrari
“I love playing on the Staples Water polo co-op team, because first, I’m very proud to represent Staples and second, because it is an opportunity to make new friendships with kids from other schools in the area. But mostly because of the team spirit. Ever since I have joined the Staples team, the electricity and enthusiasm that the team brings to every game or practice is amazing,” Ferrari said.
Global experience to bring back to the local team
Ferrari was part of the Staples swim team her freshman year but unfortunately, due to an injury could not join the team at the beginning of her sophomore year. Ferrari plans to be part of the swim team again in the fall of 2025.
During the Staples offseason Ferrari practices water polo at Greenwich Aquatics which is the most competitive level you can play water polo in the state, she said. “I travel a lot with them also because most of the tournaments are in California.”
During the last spring break Ferrari also played in Italy with a team from Sicily. “It was an incredible experience for me because in addition to learning different plays, I also met amazing players that made me feel immediately part of the team and I’m looking forward to the next opportunity to play with them,” she said.
Ferrari said she would like to convince others to join the Staples club water polo team because even it requires a lot of effort and stamina, it is a lot of fun. The more experienced players combine efforts with coaches to help the newer player develop.
“Together with the Staples coaches we have taught kids from all different grades how to learn to play the sport just by taking it step by step but definitely you need to have a strong background in swimming,” Ferrari said.
The Staples co-op is led by coaches Danillo Sierra and Kade Ramirez. Sierra notes that the sport has grown tremendously in Westport and the area.
“Water polo has taken a turn in the last three years at Staples High School and Fairfield County. Since 2004 when water polo started as a club program at Staples it has been a challenge increasing the popularity and level of the sport. Two seasons ago, things changed when Staples opened the door to athletes from other schools that wanted to take part in their program and train, play, and travel against other schools — mostly private and club teams — all over the county and New England region,” Sierra said.
The level of play and popularity has increased leading to the formation of the Northeast Water Polo Club, a local program that has been targeting and helping young athletes to learn more about water polo and helping their transition to high school and college, Sierra said.
“Our main goal is to keep growing and make sure all athletes can have an easy transition from middle to high school and create more opportunities for scholarships so they can play water polo at a collegiate level,” Sierra added.
Ferrari certainly has enjoyed her water polo playing experience and is hopeful of continuing at the next level.
“One thing I’m sure about is that I would like to go to a college that has a high level of water polo but that also has very good academics. It won’t be easy since there are not many colleges with women’s teams but I will definitely work hard to achieve this goal,” she said.
Many water polo student-athletes from the Staples program have gone on to play the sport at schools including Connecticut College, the University of Connecticut, Fordham, Boston College, Brown University and the University of Southern California.
“We would like to invite more young athletes to join our water polo program so we can share with them the passion we feel from the sport,” Sierra said.
Andy Hutchison has been covering school sports — including Staples athletics — as well as news and feature stories in Fairfield County, since the 1990s.
Saint Lucia’s U-21 Beach Volleyball Stars Set for World Championship Qualifiers in Punta Cana
Photo via MYS A formidable quartet of young beach volleyball athletes is flying the Saint Lucian flag high this week as they head to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, to compete in the NORCECA Under-21 Beach Volleyball World Championship Qualifiers from July 3 to 7, 2025. Representing the island are two elite teams: […]
A formidable quartet of young beach volleyball athletes is flying the Saint Lucian flag high this week as they head to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, to compete in the NORCECA Under-21 Beach Volleyball World Championship Qualifiers from July 3 to 7, 2025.
Representing the island are two elite teams:
Men’s Team: Rio Victor and Peter Emmanuel
Women’s Team: Ericka Gaspard and Clio Phillip
Head Coach: Terry Verdant
These athletes have earned their place on the sand through exceptional performances at recent regional tournaments.
In June, Gaspard and Phillip captured the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Under-21 Beach Championship title in commanding fashion. They overcame Antigua and Barbuda’s duo, Jaya Carr and Jassania Joseph, in a thrilling two-set final, winning 21-11, 23-21. Their performance was marked by precision, poise, and impressive court chemistry, earning them the admiration of the Caribbean volleyball community.
On the men’s side, Victor and Emmanuel showcased fierce determination and athleticism. The pair secured silver medals after a competitive showdown against Dominica’s Bill Frederick and Mervin Mingo in the ECVA final. Though they fell in straight sets (21-17, 21-15), the Saint Lucian duo demonstrated strength and skill that signal great potential on the international circuit.
As they prepare to face off against some of the region’s best, the Saint Lucian delegation carries not just hopes for qualification—but also the pride of a nation rallying behind their rising stars.
2025 All-County Girls’ Outdoor Track & Field | Sports
Girls’ Co-Athletes of the Year Leanna Rogers & Haille Dry, North East, Seniors Both Rogers and Dry captured their first-ever state titles as members of the Indians and won multiple championship meets in their respective disciplines throughout the spring. Rogers captured her Class 2A title in the 1,600-meter run (5:09.76) and added a third-place finish […]
Both Rogers and Dry captured their first-ever state titles as members of the Indians and won multiple championship meets in their respective disciplines throughout the spring. Rogers captured her Class 2A title in the 1,600-meter run (5:09.76) and added a third-place finish at states in the 3,200-meter run (11:26.91). Rogers added five wins at championship meets in the distance events, including a distance sweep at the Conowingo Division Championships and wins in the 800 and 1,600 meters at the Class 2A East Region Championships. Rogers added two second-place finishes in the 1,600 and 3,200 at the UCBAC Championships. Dry won her Class 2A state title in discus (126′ 10′). She added six first-place finishes in shot put and discus at the 2A East Region Championships, UCBAC Championships and Conowingo Division Championships.
Girls’ Coach of the Year
Jill McKay, Rising Sun
Led Rising Sun to team victories at the Conowingo Division Championships, a third-place result at the UCBAC Championships and a second-place finish at the Class 2A East Region Championships. Saw four individuals qualify for nine events at the Class 2A State Championships, along with two relay teams.
Emma Bare, Rising Sun, Sophomore
Finished second in the 200-meter dash at the Conowingo Division Championships. Added top 10 finishes in the 200 and 400 dashes at the Class 2A East Region Championships. Served as a member of Rising Sun’s 4×200 relay team that won a Conowingo Division title. Ended the spring with the county-best time of 27.07 in the 200 dash.
Sarah Beck, Bohemia Manor, Sophomore
Improved throughout the spring in the pole vault. Secured a second-place finish in the pole vault at the Class 1A East Region Championships (7′ 3″). A Class 1A State Qualifier in pole vault.
Aria Besong, North East, Sophomore
Placed third in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes at the Conowingo Division Championships. Added a pair of sixth-place finishes in the 100 and 200 at the Class 2A East Region Championships. Finished the spring with a county-best time in the 100 of 13.12.
Katie Callaghan, Rising Sun, Senior
A true do-it-all athlete for the Tigers. Won six individual events, including the 400-meter dash (1:02.65), 100 hurdles (16.59), 300 hurdles (48.72), pole vault (8′ 0″), long jump (15′ 8 1/2″) and triple jump (34′ 7″) at the Conowingo Division Championships. Was the Class 2A East Region runner-up in triple jump and the 300 hurdles, along with a third-place result in the 100 hurdles. Finished in the top five of the 100 hurdles and triple jump at the Class 2A State Championships. Added top three finishes in the triple jump, 100 hurdles and 400 dash at the UCBAC Championships. A 2A State Qualifier in the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and triple jump.
Isabella Chavis, Rising Sun, Senior
Finished the spring with a county-best height of 5′ 0″ in the high jump. Won a Conowingo Division title in the high jump (4′ 8″). Finished as the Class 2A East Region runner-up in the high jump. A Class 2A State Qualifier in the high jump.
Madi Cleary, Rising Sun, Senior
Placed second in the long jump, triple jump and 100-meter hurdles at the Conowingo Division Championships. Finished as the Class 2A East Region runner-up in the long jump, along with fourth-place finishes in the triple jump and 300-meter hurdles. Served as a member of Rising Sun’s 4×400-meter relay team that won a Conowingo Division title. A Class 2A State Qualifier in the long jump, triple jump and 300 hurdles.
Jillian Gallano, Perryville, Senior
Finished as the Conowingo Division runner-up in the shot put. Placed third at the Class 1A East Region Championships. Finished sixth overall at the Class 1A State Championships. A 1A State Qualifier in shot put.
Mikayla Horst, Rising Sun, Sophomore
Placed second in the 1,600-meter run and 800-meter run at the Conowingo Division Championships. Added top 10 finishes in all three distance events at the UCBAC Championships. Served as a member of Rising Sun’s 4×800-meter relay team that won a Conowingo Division title. A Class 2A State Qualifier in the 1,600 and 3,200.
Adelyn Huber, Rising Sun, Freshman
Won the 200-meter dash at the Conowingo Division Championships (27.56) and added a second-place result in the 100-meter dash. Served as a member of Rising Sun’s 4×200 relay team that won a Conowingo Division title.
Ayva Jacobs, Perryville, Sophomore
Won the 100-meter dash at the Conowingo Division Championships (13.30). Added a pair of fifth-place finishes in the 100 and 200 at the Class 1A East Region Championships. Served as a member of Perryville’s 4×100-meter relay team that won the Conowingo Division Championships, placed third at the UCBAC Championships, placed second at the Class 1A East Region Championships and qualified for the Class 1A State Championships.
Skylar Pizzulli, Bohemia Manor, Senior
A dynamic distance runner for the Eagles. Won a Class 1A East Region title in the 3,200 meters (12:09.92). Placed third in the 3,200 at the Class 1A State Championships. Added a second-place finish in the 3,200 at the Conowingo Division Championships and a fifth-place result at the UCBAC Championships. Finished as the region runner-up in the 1,600-meter run. Served as a member of Bo’s 4×800-meter relay team that won a Class 1A East Region title. A 1A State Qualifier in the 1,600 and 3,200.
Colbie Rondone, Perryville, Junior
A technically sound athlete in the field events and hurdles. Finished as the Class 1A East Region runner-up in the 300-meter hurdles. Added a second-place finish in the 300 hurdles and a third-place finish in the 100-meter hurdles at the Conowingo Division Championships. Finished second in the pole vault at the Conowingo Division Championships. Served as a member of Perryville’s 4×100-meter relay team that won the Conowingo Division Championships, placed third at the UCBAC Championships, placed second at the Class 1A East Region Championships and qualified for the Class 1A State Championships. A 1A State Qualifier in the 100 and 300 hurdles.
Kylie Schoff, Bohemia Manor, Freshman
Finished as the Class 1A East Region runner-up in the triple jump. Added a third-place finish in the long jump and a fourth-place result in the triple jump at the Conowingo Division Championships. Finished in the top 10 of the long jump and triple jump at the UCBAC Championships. A Class 1A State Qualifier in triple jump.
Maya Stoneking, Elkton, Senior
Finished the season as the runner-up in the high jump at the Conowingo Division Championships. Added top 10 finishes in the high jump at the UCBAC Championships and the Class 2A East Region Championships.
Ocean View High student to study at top-ranked STEM college, Santa Ana launches AI Compass to guide classroom use, and more – OCDE Newsroom
Zack Wojtaszek, a senior at Ocean View High School, participates in a signing day event on May 16. He was one of seven student-athletes from Ocean View to officially commit to collegiate athletics. (Photo courtesy of the Huntington Beach Union High School District) Zack Wojtaszek, a recent graduate of Ocean View High School, is headed […]
Zack Wojtaszek, a senior at Ocean View High School, participates in a signing day event on May 16. He was one of seven student-athletes from Ocean View to officially commit to collegiate athletics. (Photo courtesy of the Huntington Beach Union High School District)
Zack Wojtaszek, a recent graduate of Ocean View High School, is headed to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Indiana, the nation’s top-ranked undergraduate engineering school, where he plans to study mechanical engineering and compete in both football and track and field.
Wojtaszek credits the Huntington Beach Union High School District campus’ engineering pathway and academic environment as key factors in preparing him for the next step.
“Engineering is a big thing in my family, so I just wanted to follow those roots,” he shared with Adam Kunin, a reporting intern for OC Sports Zone.
Graduating with a 4.2 GPA, Wojtaszek followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, both engineers. His decision to attend Rose-Hulman, ranked No. 1 in undergraduate engineering by U.S. News & World Report for 26 consecutive years, was also influenced by strong connections with the college’s coaching staff.
According to his coach, Wojtaszek was on the field for every offensive play during all 10 games of his senior football season. He also competed in shot put and discus for the track and field team, setting personal bests at the Empire League prelims and finals.
“Zack found a great way to balance himself between academics and athletics,” said Daniel Hernandez, Ocean View High School football coach. “He was a leader who showed by example.”
Wojtaszek is one of four Ocean View football seniors who will continue playing at the collegiate level.
Here are the other stories we’ve been following this week:
A new analysis from the Center on Reinventing Public Education highlights how early adopter districts like Santa Ana Unified are using artificial intelligence to advance equity goals, support student learning and prepare historically underserved students for an AI-driven future.
The National Safe Schools Conference, formerly the Safe Schools Conference, will bring together more than 500 educators, law enforcement officials and community leaders from over 20 states July 9-11 to exchange strategies for creating safer, more supportive school environments.
In response to ongoing federal immigration raids, students, staff and volunteers in Garden Grove Unified are organizing grassroots food drives to support families afraid to leave their homes.
About 1 in 3 California K-12 students began school without fluency in English, and two Orange County districts — Santa Ana and Garden Grove — rank among the top 10 in the state for total English learner enrollment, according to 2024-25 data.
Los Angeles Unified stands to lose more than $110 million for English learners, after-school programs and teacher support after the Trump administration withheld federal education funds, prompting district leaders to warn of impacts on vulnerable student populations and call for immediate release of the money.
The Trump administration has frozen $811 million in federal grant funding for California schools, affecting programs that support English learners, migrant education, teacher training, and after-school and summer programs, prompting districts to reassess budgets and consider action.
California identified more than 230,000 homeless students in 2024-25, a 9.3 percent increase from the previous year, with advocates attributing the rise to improved identification efforts while warning that upcoming federal funding cuts could threaten essential support services.
This is the part where we encourage you to keep up with local education news stories by bookmarking the OCDE Newsroom, subscribing for emailed updates and following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Sierra Leone Kicks Off the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign in Africa
On 16th June, the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastic Campaign and the King’s Baton Relay arrived in Africa, making their first stop in Sierra Leone. The impact of plastic pollution in Sierra Leone is stark: only around 5.5% of the 130,000 tonnes of plastic waste produced annually is properly recycled. Recently, a net installed by Engineers […]
On 16th June, the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastic Campaign and the King’s Baton Relay arrived in Africa, making their first stop in Sierra Leone. The impact of plastic pollution in Sierra Leone is stark: only around 5.5% of the 130,000 tonnes of plastic waste produced annually is properly recycled. Recently, a net installed by Engineers Without Borders, intended to prevent natural debris from flowing from a river into the sea, collapsed under the sheer weight of discarded plastic items it inadvertently caught. As a result of the issue’s visibility, the country has fostered a strong culture of volunteering for community clean-ups, alongside an admirable understanding among businesses, government institutions, and civil society groups that urgent action is needed. This ingrained experience of grassroots activity led to a highly successful leg of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign.
Aberdeen Beach in Freetown was the site of the primary clean-up, lasting three hours. An impressive 441 volunteers from the Commonwealth Games Association of Sierra Leone, the National Tourist Board, National Sports Associations, Salone Beach Volleyball, Freetown City Council, and the Africell Impact Foundation removed a staggering 40,000 pieces of plastic, preventing them from entering Commonwealth waters. A second clean-up took place the following day at Chelmingo Lorry Park, where powerful speeches highlighted the detrimental impact of plastic pollution on water quality, national health, and its negative effects on farmers’ yields and food availability. Finally, a clean-up took place at the Bankasoka Hydro site, a critical power source for Port Loko City and surrounding communities.
The Africell Impact Foundation proved a vital partner in the programme, hosting an event at the Africell Sports Zone focused on raising awareness about plastic pollution. Kippy Debs, Director of the Foundation, delivered a powerful speech, stating: “Sierra Leone is at a crossroads – one that determines the health of our beaches, oceans, and future generations… plastic waste has become an insidious threat, suffocating marine life, polluting our shores, and eroding the natural beauty we are so proud of.” Debs emphasised that the nation’s beaches are not merely recreational spaces, but critical ecosystems supporting biodiversity, local livelihoods, and tourism. With millions of tonnes of plastic entering oceans globally each year, she declared that the focus must shift from mere awareness to action.
A Nomoli figure, whose likeness is incorporated into the baton design.
The Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign is travelling to every Commonwealth Country and Overseas Territory as an integral part of the King’s Baton Relay. Each country hosts sporting and cultural activities alongside a beach clean-up during its week of action. Sierra Leone excelled in promoting its rich culture during its time in the spotlight. A baton parade swept through Freetown on the 16th, attended by 200 athletes and 80 dignitaries. On the 17th, another procession in the Village of Mamoi led by the Village Headman celebrated some of Sierra Leone’s traditions and peoples, such as the Nomoli figure, representing ancestral guardianship, and the iconic Sowei mask, which symbolises feminine beauty, transformation, and wisdom, unique in Africa for being worn exclusively by women.
The Royal Commonwealth Society’s Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign will prevent one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waterways.
The campaign will combine education and local action to encourage people to reduce their plastic waste, highlight alternatives, and reduce pollution across the Commonwealth.
For the action component of the campaign, the Royal Commonwealth Society has partnered with Commonwealth Sport to deliver the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign as a core component of The King’s Baton Relay. This newly envisioned King’s Baton Relay will focus on sustainability and environmentalism and was launched by His Majesty The King at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day 2025, beginning a 500-day journey to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July 2026.
Journeying through every Commonwealth nation and territory, this partnership will bring together young people, athletes, conservation groups, and the local community for a week of activities, including a plastic clean-up.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Royal Commonwealth Society.
Tulane Track and Field Announces Hiring of Stephen Sousa as Assistant Coach
The Tulane Green Wave have lured away Stephen Sousa to serve as the track and field team’s assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. He joins the Green Wave after three seasons as an assistant at Jacksonville State. The Green Wave announced the hiring via release. More News: Tulane Football Continues Investing in Facilities With New Premium […]
The Tulane Green Wave have lured away Stephen Sousa to serve as the track and field team’s assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.
He joins the Green Wave after three seasons as an assistant at Jacksonville State. The Green Wave announced the hiring via release.
More News: Tulane Football Continues Investing in Facilities With New Premium Stadium Seating
“We are thrilled to add Coach Sousa to our Green Wave track and field staff,” Tulane track and field coach Adrian Myers said. “Stephen comes to us having always proven himself as a top-flight coach at every stop. The amount of phone calls I received in support of his candidacy for this position was telling of the belief others in the industry have in him.”
Sousa brings both assistant coach and head-coaching experience to the Green Wave. Before he arrived at JSU, he spent time at two Division II track programs.
More News: Former Tulane Star Pitcher Called Up To Triple-A by Baltimore Orioles
At Lenoir-Rhyne, he was an assistant to guided athletes in multis, hurdles, throws, and high jump event groups for nearly three seasons. He was also directed to develop and implement strength and conditioning programs for the throws and multi-event groups.
He helped the Bears to multiple Top 25 team national rankings and guided the heptathlon and pentathlon teams to Top 10 rankings in the nation.
Sousa got his head-coaching experience at Wingate, where he coached the sprints, jumps, hurdles, multis and throws in his one season with the program. He coached a hurdler to a No. 2 ranking in NCAA Division II in the 60-meter hurdles.
More News: Tulane Football Reveals Top Player Ratings for EA College Football Game
He also launched the cross country and track and field programs at William Peace University in 2019, where he coached the athletic department’s first athlete to make the NCAA championships in any sport.
He began his career at Queens University of Charlotte.
Before he coached, he competed at Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he qualified for three NCAA championships and earned two NCAA all-America honors in the decathlon and the heptathlon. He also set the school record in both the heptathlon and the javelin.
He joined a track and field program that just had two athletes selected all-America at the NCAA men’s track and field championships in June.
For more Tulane news, head over to Tulane Green Wave On SI.
Improve your club’s future planning at latest workshop
Volleyball England is running a fully-funded online Future Planning workshop, in conjunction with Buddle. Volleyball England is running a fully-funded online Future Planning workshop, in conjunction with Buddle. It examines the impact of rising costs on clubs, offering insights into how others are adapting and accessing support. The workshop provides a practical approach to […]
Volleyball England is running a fully-funded online Future Planning workshop, in conjunction with Buddle.
Volleyball England is running a fully-funded online Future Planning workshop, in conjunction with Buddle.
It examines the impact of rising costs on clubs, offering insights into how others are adapting and accessing support.
The workshop provides a practical approach to effective planning, helping clubs define their goals and create a clear strategy for growth.
Through reflection and discussion, learners will assess their current position, consider how a business plan approach can support future objectives, and access useful resources to strengthen their strategy.
By the end of this session, you should be able to:
When is the workshop and how do I book?
The workshop will take place on Thursday 24th July 2025 between 6.30pm and 7.30pm (with an optional extra 30 minutes for questions after this).
There are a maximum of 15 spots, which will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Kindly complete the booking form linked here to confirm your attendance.
Delegates must be a minimum of at least 16 years of age, be able to communicate effectively in English and be representing or part of a Volleyball England-affiliated club.
