Ludlowe (and Warde) Graduation 2022

Tuesday night was high school graduation night for the two Fairfield Public Schools. 

Unlike the last two years when the ceremonies were at the beach on separate nights, this year, the ceremonies were back at school on the same night. 

That means I couldn't go to one. With no disrespect intended, and this is a great senior class at both schools, the decision was pretty obvious. 

I was at Ludlowe's graduation at Taft Field at the high school. 

This senior class is probably my favorite, if not, right up there. Sure, there are people in each class I am close with, but as a whole, I feel like this is a group of kids I have really gotten to know. Obviously, some people better than others.  

It's the basketball and baseball seniors, but also so many others. The Nest leaders, seniors on other teams, and even students who are not on sports teams. Yes, I do realize there is more than just sports.

If I start naming names, I will leave someone out, and I don't want to do that. Even getting pictures for a social media post was tough, because I know I left certain people out that I shouldn't have. 

Yeah, on the athletic playing surface was this the greatest class, no. But there was definite success and more importantly, these are all terrific young men and women. 

I feel like we've been saying this since the start of the pandemic with the Class of 2020, but this class has been through so much. From digital learning, to being unable to have of certain events, to the losses of classmates, teachers, friends and family members, and so much more. 

The names Jake Panus and Kevin Kuczo were on the minds of so many last night, and both were honored in various ways. Jake and Kevin were a part of the Class of 2022 who we lost at way too young an age. 

Plaque in Jake's memory outside the school near the turf field. There were flowers with the plaque last night. 

Jake was honored by his friends, Zack Hathaway, Emma Aurillo and Christian Smith. 

Zack, Emma and Christian addressing the crowd. 

Kevin's father, Jim, who has spoken to so many groups about mental health and living life, was a speaker at Warde's graduation. I watched the recording, he did a tremendous job. I love how Jim talked about community and this town. 

The ceremony at Ludlowe was done well, from the speeches of the class president, class treasurer, senior laureate, the salutatorian, the valedictorian, and others to the opening procession, the calling of the names, and the tossing of the caps. Even through some rain drops, it could have been much worse. 

I'm sure Warde's was done well also. And from what I was on the recording, it was. 

This group was a really special group. Excited to see what they will all do in the future. Best of luck to everyone. 

More on Warde baseball and other high school sports notes

This weekend ends the high school spring sports season, and with that, the high school sports year. 

I wrote yesterday about Warde's state championship win. What I wrote turned into more of a game story (no surprise), than my thoughts/reflection. 

I'm going to write some more about Warde baseball. I'm also going to write about other related items. 

I always get yelled at for being too much of a “Ludlowe guy,” even though I work in the Athletic Department in both schools. The last couple days I've been getting yelled at for supporting Warde/Warde baseball. I can’t win. I'm sure I will get complaints for writing this. 

It's honestly a weird relationship for me because of my love for not only Ludlowe, but specifically Ludlowe baseball. That being said, I love baseball in this town and this is a great Warde group. If it couldn't be us, I'm happy it is them. 

For whatever reason, this years Warde team seems to be one I have gotten to know better than others. Specifically, John Heitzman, Zach Broderick, Roman DiGiacomo and Jack Andrews, as well as others. 

There are additional guys who I've known previously from other aspects including having them as campers with Fairfield Parks & Rec camp or Legion baseball. 

Warde baseball had one of the best seasons you can have, winning both the FCIAC (league) and state championship. They finish with a 25-3 overall record. 

Fairfield Warde becomes just the 5th team in FCIAC history (51 tries) to win the FCIAC tournament AND the state tournament in same season #ctbase

— Pete Paguaga (@PetePaguaga) June 11, 2022

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So many teams dealt with off-the-field adversity this spring and really all year, including multiple teams in Fairfield. If we are being honest, the last few years have seen way too much tragedy locally. 

Part of sports is bonding together in the wake of tragedy and not that we want to see these tragedies happen at all, but there is something special to see how these teams and students bond together. These are not my stories to tell so that is why I am generalizing. Some of these stories have been made public, others have been more private. 

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Shout out to all the fans at games this year, especially the student fans. It was an interesting year, especially in the winter, as there was a back-and-forth sequence of who was allowed at games or not. It was never empty gyms, but at some points only parents were allowed, then at other points it was only a percentage of capacity allowed and then at other points it was full capacity. It was also different per town, so parents, student fans and everyone else, had to be aware of what each school/town was doing at that point. 

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Congrats to everyone who won championships this weekend and all school year in all sports. Job well done by everyone and best of luck to all the graduating seniors.

On to summer sports and then the next school year will be here before we know it.  

Warde Baseball Captures State Title

Warde Baseball is the 2022 CIAC Class LL State Champions. 

The Mustangs defeated Southington 7-5 on Saturday afternoon at Palmer Field in Middletown to claim the title. Tremendous season for the Mustangs, capturing both the FCIAC and State title. 

It's the third state title in Fairfield baseball history. The first for the current Fairfield Warde High School. Andrew Warde won the title in 1981 and Fairfield High School (when there was one high school in town) won the title in 2002. 

Warde got on the board in the bottom of the first on a Griffin Polley two-out suicide-squeeze bunt to score Roman DiGiacomo. 

Southington tied it with a suicide-squeeze bunt of their own when Jaden Maia laid one down in the third inning. 

Warde took the lead right back in the bottom half of the third. A ground out and error led to one run to make it 2-1. Later in the inning with the Mustangs up 3-1, Jack Andrews hit a sacrifice fly to right to plate another run and make it 4-1 Warde after three. 

Warde added another in the fifth to go up 5-1. 

In the sixth, John Heitzman and Zach Broderick each had RBI singles to extend the Mustang lead to 7-1. 

Broderick, in his final high school start, was great on the mound once again. He came out with Warde holding a 7-1 lead and two on base and one out in the seventh. 

As has been well documented by the local media, Broderick's father, Mike, was a part of the 1981 Warde championship team. Also on that team was John Swaim, whose son Carson is on the Mustangs squad this year. 

Paddy Galvin came on for the Mustangs, and ran into trouble, but ultimately was able get through the inning and leave the tying run at the plate. 

Final: Warde 7 Southington 5. Mustangs are Class LL State Champions! #ctbase @WardeBaseball @WardeAthletics @FWHSMustangs pic.twitter.com/69wy3aC9pG

— Shawn Sailer (@ShawnSailer) June 11, 2022

Congrats to all the Mustang coaches and players on the championship and on an overall incredible season. 

Mustang players run over to celebrate with their fans

Warde celebrates with "The Stampede"

Long Saturday

Ludlowe/Staples lacrosse action

Saturday was, well what the title says, a long day. In no way am I complaining. In fact, it was a fun day. Obviously, a lot of it was local sports. 

It started out at Kiwanis where Legion was practicing. I am going to be doing communications (writing, social media etc) again for them this summer, so I figured I'd go down there and watch some of the practice. I also had a couple of housekeeping items to get things organized to take care of. 

Me being me, I stayed longer than originally planned. Then it was off to Warde for their state quarterfinal baseball game where Dave Schulz asked me to work the game with helping sell tickets. 

While some people don't like it, I feel the online ticketing is much easier. We have the QR code for those who didn't purchase tickets ahead of time, and it's much easier than dealing with cash, tickets, etc. Just have to make sure you have a smart phone and some sort of WI-FI/cell service. Online tickets should be the future. 

Warde defeated Glastonbury 5-3 behind a strong outing on the mound and a home run from Zach Broderick. The Mustangs will play on Tuesday vs Trumbull at 3:30pm in the state semifinals at Municipal Stadium in Waterbury. 

I thought that would be it for my sports day, but I was convinced to go to the Ludlowe/Staples boys lacrosse state semifinal.  

So when the game ended, I headed to Westport. Well first, it was home to change from Warde to Ludlowe gear. Yes, I normally have so many different clothes in my car for situations like this. However, I initially hadn't planned to go to lacrosse. Plus, I had just cleaned out my car with the end of the Ludlowe baseball season. 

So after changing, I then headed to Staples, getting their in the second quarter. Ludlowe battled, but Staples came away with the 14-4 victory, ending the Falcons season. Proud of that lacrosse group, who dealt with a lot of off-the-field adversity this season, yet continued to come together for one another and also came away with a successful season. 

That would end the sports day but another event would be the nightcap of a long day. A fun event with friends and stories. 

I love days like today. 

Oh and it was hot and sunny out there. I used sunscreen and at the very least got color, if not burnt. That part...not so fun.