The Staples High School soccer and football teams get more publicity. More fans too.
But the Wrecker field hockey team is doing something on Saturday that those other squads are not this fall: playing for a state championship.
The 2016 Staples field hockey team.
Quietly — but steadily, and with great talent and poise — coach Ian Tapsall’s girls have rolled to a phenomenal record. They’re undefeated (18-0-2-1) in regulation play. They’re confident, strong, tough, fit. And very, very good.
They put it all on the line against Darien on Saturday (10 a.m.) at Wethersfield High School. Sure, it’s a long way to go for 2 teams in near-neighboring towns.
But it will be worth it.
This is the Wreckers’ 1st field hockey state final since 1974. Back then, the coach was the legendary Jinny Parker.
Staples plays its home matches at Virginia Parker Field. And these girls know their history.
Before every game they look up, wave thank you and pay tribute to Parker — the founder of their program.
The Staples team waves to their founder, Jinny Parker.
On Saturday — against the Darien Blue Wave — Jinny Parker may well be “waving” back.
Jinny Parker, during the 1974 season.