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SPORTS
Sailing team rides unrecognized wave Assistant Creative Director
What sport do you play at Staples?” This is a common question many adults or out-of-towners often ask students, expecting the mainstream response of soccer, lacrosse or the occasional swimming. Yet for a handful of 14 Staples students, their proud response is, “I’m on the sailing team.” The team has existed for over 20 years where they practice out of Cedar Point Yacht Club in Westport and compete in the New England School Sailing Association, which is mostly made up of private schools like Fairfield Prep and Greenwich Academy. With this structure, Staples successfully tied for third place at the
state championships last season. it,” Holoubek-Sebok said. “I love Yet despite the comparable answering their questions, but it amount of practice time and is a little sad to feel like not many team success in regattas, the team people know about our hard feels they have essentially sailed work and accomplishments.” Another captain of the team, under the radar in terms of the acknowledgement by the school Jack Murphy ’22, who also plays and the awareness of the students. Staples varsity basketball in the “Most years, the sailing team winter, feels the sport of sailing is acknowledged twice,” tri-cap- and his team is misunderstood. “I think that most people tain Tori Holoubek-Sebok ’22 said. “When Sue sends out the don’t realize the requirements two emails reminding students of sailing, from the extreme cold to register conditions for the fall to the physiand spring cal exertion,” sports.” Murphy said. In spite His teamof being unmate Tuckaware, the er Peters ’24 student body also feels that appears to be -Tucker Peters ’24 there is merit supportive. and skill in“Everyvolved in the dependent sport. one I have talked to has been wind “When people think of sailsuper positive and curious about the team once they learn about ing, they think of the slow leisure
“The sailing team is very close-knit and we pride ourselves on that.”
boats that sail at Compo,” Peters said. “Yet, sailing is very intense and a psychically demanding sport that requires a lot more strategy compared to others.” Most importantly, just like any other team, the sailors experience a genuine sense of comradery that Peters appreciates. “I think the best part about this team is the people who are on it,” Peters said. “The sailing team is very close-knit, and we pride ourselves on that.” Regardless of their recognition, this buoyant team spirit lies at the center of the students’ experiences which for Holoubek-Sebok, makes even the occasional harsh conditions worth it. “They make going to practice everyday really fun,” Holoubek-Sebok said, “even when it’s freezing cold outside and raining.” freezing cold outside and raining.”
ON THE WATER (from left to right) Jack Murphy ’22, Tucker Peters ’24 and Jared Leonard ’22 of the sailing team participate in a regatta on March 30.
Photos contributed by James Doan ’24
