Westport’s Oscar Edelman Grabs Gold in Israel during The 2022 Maccabiah
Westporter Oscar Edelman brought home gold for the United States with his basketball skills and pride in his heritage at the 2022 Maccabi Games in Israel. Edelman and Maccabi USA won the final basketball game against Israel during the international sporting event that brought 10,000 athletes and high ranking leaders, such as President Joe Biden and Israel alternate Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, together for competition and celebration. The games celebrate Jewish heritage and tradition, something Edelman has enjoyed both on the courts in Israel and here at Westport’s Greens Farms Academy. GFA’s John Nash spoke with Edelman last year after learning that he’d been selected for the team, with Edelman telling him “I’m usually the only Jewish kid when I play and now I’m playing with kids wearing yarmulkes, which was really cool.” Edelman comes from a family of Jewish athletes, including his mother - who was also invited to the Maccabi games - his grandfather who was a tennis player, and great grandfather who also excelled in basketball, according to GFA. Edelman was back home today and was celebrated by the local & State community leadership for his gold medal and hard work. Contributed photo.
Westport’s 11U Heads to States, Continuing Success as a Team
Westport’s 11U Baseball Team won their sectionals this past weekend, continuing their success from last season into this year as they head to Newington this weekend for the State Championships. The team of boys is familiar with the progression - they conquered the State Championships last year. Contributed photo with players Dylan Burdeshaw, Miles Delorier, Henry Ellis, Justin Goldshore, Wyatt Johnson, Christopher Lambert, Chase Landgraf, Jack McGrath, Luke Moneyhon, Torrey Rossetter, Toby Slavin, Grant Theisinger and Nolan Walters, manager Justin Walters, Coaches Marc Theisinger and Jon Ellis.
Lucky Duck: Westporter Wins 2022 Great Duck Race, $5,000 Prize, with Duck #410
Janet Mittleman, a Westporter for 32 years, was this year’s Lucky Duck as her rubber ducky won the Westport Rotary’s Great Duck Race today on Jesup Green. Mittleman and her five year old grandson James Gladstein were all smiles as they came to claim their prize from First Selectwoman Jen Tooker and members of the Westport Rotary clubs after their duck, #410, made its way the fastest down the manmade river - with water supplied by Westport firefighters. Thousands of ducks took the plunge today from the bucket of an AJ Penna frontloader, with every duck randomly assigned a number that corresponded to a donor’s ticket. All money collected from the duck race goes back into the community as the funding supports numerous non-profit organizations and local events through the Westport Rotaries. WestportLocal.com photo
Runners (floaters?) up for this year’s race included:
Nick Battaglino
Anna Brady
Rob Graham
Alexnder Strompen
Tracey Cauley
Wen Hsu
Rady Johnson
Jason Wolgast
Silvia Durno
Finding Peace aboard Jammin II
Crew from Jammin II found their peace while sailing during Wednesday night’s regatta between Cockenoe Island and Sherwood Island. WestportLocal.com photo
All Smiles aboard Iris during Wednesday Night Sailing Tradition
Even the youngest crew members could be seen as all smiles as waves pounded the boats off of Compo Beach this evening while the race was underway. WestportLocal.com photo
Hanging Out, Saving Fuel
Crew members aboard sailing yachts Sawtooth and COHO hang from the lifelines as moderate breeze and chop carry them through this tonight’s regatta, now the most fuel efficient way to travel in Westport. WestportLocal.com photo
Registration Open for 43rd Annual Point-to-Point Swim
WestportLocal.com archive photoWestport Weston YMCA CEO Anjali McCormick:
The Westport Weston Family YMCA’s Point-to-Point Compo Beach Charity Open Water Swim, one of Westport’s longest running sporting events, will take place on Saturday, July 10 from 7AM-11AM. The 43rd annual charity swim covers a 1 mile distance and kicks off near the Compo Beach cannons.
All proceeds go to the Y’s aquatics programs to improve aquatics safety in the community, including swim lessons that teach children and adults essential lifesaving water safety skills that build confidence in and around water and help to minimize the risk of drowning.
The charity open water swim draws numerous local swimmers, as well as competitors from New York, New Jersey, Upper New England and across Connecticut, and is separated into four heats based on ability. Advanced swimmers have the first heat at 8:00AM, intermediate swimmers take the second heat at 8:05AM, beginners start at 8:10AM with the fourth and final special needs heat starting at 8:15AM with My Team Triumph.
This year the WWFY is partnering with My Team Triumph a national non-profit athletic ride-along organization created for children, teens, adults and veterans with disabilities who would otherwise not be able to experience endurance events such as open water swims, road races, or triathalons. The group has more than 30 Captains and 200+ volunteers. Captains or special needs athletes are paired with able-bodied angel volunteers who use specialized racing equipment such as a raft to pull their Captain during the race. Special needs athletes who would like to participate must register in advance with My Team Triumph.
Check-in and day-of registration opens at 7AM. Early registration can be done online at westporty.org/43rd and is $50. In person day-of registrations costs $60 and can be done at Compo Beach starting at 7AM. The top three men’s and women’s finishers will win awards. Registered swimmers get an official Point-to-Point swim cap and t-shirt.
The Westport Weston Family YMCA is an inclusive non-profit organization that builds wholeness and wellness in spirit, mind, and body. Our cause is to strengthen the community by developing and nurturing youth, motivating healthy living, and fostering social responsibility. We offer financial assistance for membership and programs and welcome all regardless of needs, challenges, or goals.
Saugatuck Rowers Take Home National Awards at Youth National Championship
Press Release: (L-R): Coach Greg Harvie, Rosie Lundberg, Victoria Bazarko, Claudia Chadwick, Alexandra Cowan, Maia Freeman, Leighton Davis, Mia Kirkorsky, Phoebe Bryan and Charlotte Seymour. This past week in Sarasota, Florida, Westport’s own Saugatuck Rowing Club competed at the USRowing annual Youth National Championship. Continuing a long tradition of gold medals on the women’s team, the U17 4+, comprised of (Above: L-R) Maddie Speller, Anna Cuesta, Hannah Makmale, Ella Hecker, and Madeline Casano, defended their national title. The category was also won by the Saugatuck women last year.
Additionally, the U17 8+: (L to R) Coach Greg Harvie, Rosie Lundberg, Victoria Bazarko, Claudia Chadwick, Alexandra Cowan, Maia Freeman, Leighton Davis, Mia Kirkorsky, Phoebe Bryan and Charlotte Seymour took bronze in their category. Also on the women’s team, the first and second varsity eights took seventh and eighth in the nation respectively.
The women's U16 8+ came twelfth. The girls are coached by Mike O’Hara and his staff: Greg Harvie, Amra Sabovic, and Casey Fuller. Head Coach O’Hara said of the team, “We're extremely proud of how our teams battled all season. They performed so well in Sarasota and really solidified a foundation on the type of team we will be in the near future. It's an exciting time at Saugatuck for sure. Our Junior Team are outstanding kids. It's a privilege to know and coach them all.”
(L-R): Felipe Artia, Jesse Herman, Jack Kiely, George Bentley, Adam Pushner, Victor DiPasquale, Finn Kiely, George Karasconyi, and Gavin MarshallThe SRC men’s team also had a historically exceptional season. Coached by Dave Grossman and Alex Vogt, the first varsity eight, (pictured L to R) Felipe Artia, Jesse Herman, Jack Kiely, George Bentley, Adam Pushner, Victor DiPasquale, Finn Kiely, George Karasconyi, and Gavin Marshall, took sixth in the country; the best they have done in recent years. The men’s 2V8+ got seventh in the country.
Other boats that competed on the men’s team include the U16 8+ (Pictured L to R: Campbell Cohen, Tommy Wright, Davis Evans, Finn Nestor, Ryan Seeliger, Tristan Andreski, Westley Dick, Dexter Chadwick, and Owen Bernheim) which took sixth, the U17 4+, seventh, and the U17 4x, seventeenth.
U16 8+ (L-R): Campbell Cohen, Tommy Wright, Davis Evans, Finn Nestor, Ryan Seeliger, Tristan Andreski, Westley Dick, Dexter Chadwick, and Owen Bernheim. Overall, this has been a great season for these hardworking young athletes, and Westport is excited to see what great things they will accomplish in the future.
Wednesday Night Traffic off of Cockenoe Island
With light winds slowing things down, tonight’s sailing regatta was the scene of quite the traffic backup as dozens of local and visiting yachts raced to get around the E marker near Cockenoe Reef. The Wednesday night regatta tradition includes Cedar Point Yacht Club, Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club, and other local clubs with their vessels all joining in on the friendly after-work competition on the Sound. WestportLocal.com photo