Becca Rawiszer ’17

Each year, a senior male and female athlete of the year are chosen among the varsity coaches’ nominees. Among the many talented athletes in the Staples community, Ben Casparius ’17, varsity baseball captain, and Colleen Bannon ’17, varsity lacrosse and field hockey captain, were chosen as athletes of the year.
Casparius said he has loved baseball since he was a little kid and it has been a time he’s shared with great people. “Baseball has taught me to strive for something,” Casparius said. “It’s a humbling game that requires endless amounts of work, and it’s something I’ve dreamed of playing at the college and professional level.”
Casparius feels honored to be chosen and recognized for his hard work. He believes that he was chosen due to the success the Staples baseball team has had during his past four years, being a captain in his junior and senior year, and with the improvements in his stats.
“My goals for the rest of the season would be to win an FCIAC and state championship,” Casparius said. “And on the personal side, win Men’s Baseball Gatorade Player Of The Year in the state of Connecticut.” The baseball team has had a successful season so far, having clinched the FCIAC and state playoffs and have the opportunity to be a top three seed leading into the playoffs. Casparius is excited for the rest of the season and to reach his goals.
Along with Casparius, Bannon is equally as honored to be chosen as one of the athletes of the year.
“I think I was chosen for [Athlete of the Year] because of how successful my field hockey and lacrosse seasons have been individually as well as collectively as a team,” Bannon said. She gives all the credit for the success she’s had to her parents, teammates and coaches and is honored to be chosen among so many amazing athletes in her grade.
Bannon’s favorite part about the sports she plays at Staples are her teammates. She explains that her team for both field hockey and lacrosse is comprised of basically the same girls and that they are the most amazing people she has ever met.
“They have made all the hard work, wins, and losses the most amazing of times,” Bannon said. She explained that they always have her back on and off the field. She believes that the team has been doing great so far, being that they had an undefeated regular season and were co-state champions which has never been done before.
“She was chosen because of her standout performances where her effort and dedication to winning was infectious to all around her,” Ian Tapsall, the field hockey coach said. Tapsall explained that with Bannon on the field, they always have a chance of winning.
“Our goal for the rest of the season is to make it as far as we can in the postseason,” Bannon said. “And to really have fun and enjoy the moment since it’s all coming to an end.”