The group stayed near Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. Coming home through Rhode Island, they hit all 6 New England states during their trek.

Highlights included:

• A long, tough hike up Mt. Willard
• Early morning cliff-jumping off Upper Ammonoosuc Falls
• A zip line course with 9 different segments, up to 225 feet above the forest floor, and a 30-foot vertical climb
• Level IV whitewater rafting on the Rapid River in Maine, with drops of 60 feet — followed by an hour-long return to shore in a monsoon that included (briefly) a hailstorm
• Very competitive mini-golf and card games
• Grilling, campfires, and many other shared experiences and adventures.

“This was a spectacular trip,” said Woog. “Everyone was totally into what we were doing — physical and mental challenges, going outside your comfort zone, problem-solving, even shopping for food and cooking meals. It was a total team experience, an amazing amount of fun, and a fantastic way to get ready for the very tough season that’s coming up soon.”

Co-captains Jack Scott and Diego Alanis came up with the destination, and helped with planning. Other team members included Nate Argosh, Patrick Beusse, George Kokkalis, Charlie Leonard, Joe Pravder, Andrew Puchala, Michael Reid, Yousef Shahin, Noah Schwaeber and Connor Weiler.

The 2013 returnees make their way up Mt. Willard in the White Mountains.

Nate Argosh goes cliff jumping:

It was 9 a.m., but that didn’t stop the 203 Wreckers from jumping off cliffs.

Card games in New Hampshire were quite intense.

The Wreckers gather before their zip line adventure. Thanks to the sign, all of Lincoln, New Hampshire knew they were there.

Problem-solving at the grocery store:

Patrick Beusse, Charlie Leonard and Connor Weiler man the grill.

Nate Argosh cooks up his classic broccoli dish.

No team-bonding trip is complete without a campfire and s’mores.

For boys entering grades 10, 11 and 12:  All tryouts at Wakeman B

• Saturday, August 24   7:30-10 a.m. AND 3-5 p.m.
• Sunday, August 25   8-10 a.m. AND 3-5 p.m.
• Monday, August 26  8-10 a.m. AND 3-5 p.m.

“We will take as long as needed to get a good look at everyone,” says head coach Dan Woog.  “And to look good, candidates should be fit and ready.”

All candidates should attend each session, and bring a ball, water and shin guards.  Permission and physical forms HAR-3 and C must be completed, handed in to the nurses’ office and approved before the 1st tryout — no one can take the field without acceptance of these forms.  Click here to download the forms.

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For boys entering Grade 9:  All tryouts at Wakeman B

• Saturday, August 24   12-2 p.m.
• Sunday, August 25  12-2 p.m.
• Monday, August 26:    12-2 p.m.

Coach Chris O’Dell will take as long as needed to get a good look at everyone.  No decisions will be made until at least the 1st 3 sessions.

All candidates should attend each session, and bring a ball, water and shin guards.  Permission and physical forms HAR-3 and C must be completed, handed in to the nurses’ office and approved before the 1st tryout — no one can take the field without acceptance of these forms.  Click here to download the forms.

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Questions?  Call head coach Dan Woog (203-227-1755), or email dwoog@optonline.net. 

Andrew Puchala, Foster Goldberg and Andreas Bru at 2012 tryouts. They’re a year older, more experienced, tougher and smarter. (Photo by Carl McNair)

The Wreckers will play 8 home matches — including always-tough Ridgefield, Norwalk and Trumbull — and 8 away. Key road contests include New Canaan, Wilton, Greenwich, Darien and Westhill.

The Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference season kicks off on Tuesday, September 10, with a 4 p.m. home encounter against Danbury. Two days later, the blue-and-whites travel to New Canaan for a 7 p.m. match.

There are 3 Saturday clashes: September 21 (at St. Joseph, 4 p.m.); September 28 (home vs. Brien McMahon, 11 a.m.) and October 12 (Columbus Day weekend, at Greenwich, 11 a.m.).

A tough 4-games-in-12-days mid-season stretch includes Norwalk, Trumbull, Greenwich and Darien.

The regular season ends with back-to-back matches at home against Fairfield Ludlowe (home, Monday, October 21) and at Westhill (Tuesday, October 22).

For the 3rd year in a row, Staples will not play Stamford and Bassick. The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) allows only 16 regular season games. There are 19 teams in the FCIAC.

Before the regular schedule begins, the Wreckers have 5 preseason events. Four days after tryouts begin (Wednesday, August 28, 4 p.m.), they face state LL finalist Fairfield Prep, away. Two days later (Friday, August 30, 4 p.m.) they host Wethersfield.

On Tuesday, September 3 Staples heads to Newtown (4 p.m.). Three days later Choate comes to Westport (5:15 p.m.). The next morning, the Wreckers play in the traditional 4-team Wethersfield jamboree.

“It’s a very tough preseason — but that’s the way to get ready for the always brutal FCIAC,” says head coach Dan Woog.

“Some of our guys are battle-tested. They know what it’s like to go through the fall schedule — how intense and amazing it is. There’s no room for error.

“Other guys will find out for the first time. That’s what playing Staples soccer is all about.”

Woog has been impressed so far with the summer playing and training regimen.

“They know they have to be ready long before tryouts begin,” he notes. “Once we get started, there’s no letup for nearly 3 months. We look forward to continuing Staples soccer’s great 55-year tradition.”

(Click here for the varsity schedule; click here for the JV schedule, and click here for the freshman schedule.)

It won’t be long before crowds again pack The Hill.

Kyle Martino

The former US national team midfielder (and Gatorade National Player of the Year for Staples) will be part of the pre- and post-match shows, broadcast from NBC’s state-of-the-art broadcast center in Stamford.

In the 1st 3 weeks — beginning Saturday, August 17 (7 a.m., Liverpool-Stoke City) –NBC Sports Group will televise 17 Premier League matches. All Premier League games will be livestreamed on NBC Sports Live Extra. An interactive game finder at www.NBCSports.com will enable fans to find those games on TV, online and on mobile devices.

Two other local connections: Mike Carey ’01 will work on the production end of the show, while lead analyst Arlo White is a Westport resident.

Matt Stone (Photo/Matthew Vinci for the Hour)

Now Rob’s son Matt is poised to make history of his own. He’s the catcher for the state champion Westport Little League team that plays Vermont for the New England championship tomorrow (Saturday, August 10, 7 p.m.). The winner represents New England at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania next weekend.

Yesterday, ESPN — whose headquarters is in Bristol, Connecticut, the town where the New England championships are held — showed the top 10 plays of the previous game. Matt Stone was prominently featured.

Howard Udell

A quiet but avid supporter of his son Andy Udell’s Staples, WSA Warriors and Lehigh University teams, Howard was born in Brooklyn. He graduated from Hunter College and NYU School of Law.

In 1979, after 15 years in private practice, he assumed the role of general counsel to the pharmaceutical company now known as Purdue Pharma, where he remained for 30 years.

Trusted and wise as a counselor and friend, he was known for his character, integrity, sagacity and sense of humor. He served on the board of Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University for over 25 years.

In 2009, Howard co-founded the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, which provides free legal services to hundreds of veterans each year. At the time of his death he served on its board, and regularly counseled veterans. Donations can be made to CVLC in his name.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Judith; his sons Andrew and Jeffrey, and their wives Sheryl and Lucy, and his grandchildren Nina, Max, Adam, Micaela, Alec and Daniela.

The family will be sitting shiva at 24 Old Hill Road today (Tuesday, August 6), from 2-5 p.m., and from 7 p.m. on (with a minyan at 7:30 p.m.), and Friday, August 9, from 2-5 p.m.

Starting at the usual spot (the intersection of Soundview Drive and Compo Road South/Hillspoint Road, do the following warm-up:

• Walking lunges on Soundview, from Compo Road to the intersection of Fairfield Avenue
• 15 push ups with your feet up on the wall, hands on the ground
• 10 wall hops — with 2 feet,  anding in a nice squat on the wall.

Now comes the best of WOW’s 2013:

• 2 Bluewater Hill sprints
• 2 Burnham Hill sprints
• 2 Compo Hill sprints ladders (6 sprints)
• 2 Jetty to cannons sprints

for a grand total of 12 sprints

Jog down Compo Rd toward the Minuteman Statue. Take your 1st right onto Bluewater Hill South, then bear left onto Bluewater Hill.

Continue on Bluewater Hill until you reach mailbox #5 on your left.

Starting at mailbox #5,  sprint all out until you reach mailbox #15 on your left.  Recovery walk down the hill to mailbox #12. Slowly jog the rest of the way back to the bottom.

Repeat once, for a total of 2 all-out sprints up Bluewater Hill.

Next,  jog down to Hillspoint Road past Elvira’s, until you reach Burnham Hill.

Walk up Burnham Hill until you reach mailbox #2.

Starting in a position seated on the ground, sprint from mailbox #2 up Burnham Hill until you reach mailbox #20. Recovery walk down the hill until you reach the fire hydrant on the left side of the street. Repeat once, for a total of 2 Burnham Hill sprints.

After sprinting up Burnham Hill twice, turn right on Sherwood Drive and jog over to Compo Hill Road.

Perform a “sprint ladder” on Compo Hill as follows:

Walk from Elvira’s up Compo Hill to the 1st telephone pole on your left, at #5 Compo Hill. Sprint from the 1st telephone pole until you pass the 2nd telephone pole (at the intersection of Sherwood Drive).

Walk halfway down the hill,  jogging the 2nd half of your trip down the hill.  When you reach the 1st telephone pole, turn around and sprint up Compo Hill until you pass the 3rd telephone pole. Walk half the distance you sprinted,  jogging the rest until you reach the 1st telephone pole.

When you reach the 1st telephone pole,  turn around and sprint up Compo Hill until you pass the 4th telephone pole.

Walk halfway down the hill, then jog to the bottom. You have completed the 1st of 2 “sprint ladders” up Compo Hill.

For quality purposes,  in between sprint ladders,  do a recovery jog/walk on Sherwood Drive for 2 minutes.

Repeat Compo Hill “sprint ladder,” building from a sprint to the 1st telephone pole up to a sprint to the 4th.

Walk down Compo Hill after the 2nd sprint ladder.

Jog now from Elvira’s back to the starting point at the jetty at Compo Road South/Hillspoint Road intersection with Soundview Ave.

Finish with 2 strong sprints, with the first one from the jetty to the cannons. Rest for 3 minutes, then spring back from the cannons to the jetty to finish WOW #7.

Congratulations on finishing the WOW Best of 2013.

A typical Staples soccer player, in the middle of a Workout of the Week.

Start at the traditional WOW spot: the jetty by the intersection of Soundview Avenue, and Compo Road South/Hillspoint Road.

Do 3 burpees (click here for proper form).

Immediately perform a hard run from the jetty to the cannons.

Recovery walk halfway to the lifeguard stand, and back to the cannons (2 minutes)

Do 3 burpees, and immediately perform a hard run from the cannons back to the jetty.

Now that you are well warmed up, it’s time to attack Bluewater Hill.

Jog down Compo Road South, toward the Minuteman statue.  But take your 1st right onto Bluewater Hill South, and then a quick left onto Bluewater Hill.

Continue on Bluewater Hill until you reach mailbox #5 on your left.

Starting at mailbox #5, sprint all out until you reach mailbox #15 on your left.  Recovery walk down the hill to mailbox #12. Slowly jog the rest of the way back to the bottom.

Repeat 2 more times, for a total of 3 all-out sprints up Bluewater Hill.

Now that the toughest part is over,  jog back to Compo beach to finish off the workout.

Walking from the jetty to the 1st lifeguard stand,  perform the following:

5 burpees, followed by a sprint to the 2nd lifeguard stand.

Recovery walk half the distance back to the 1st lifeguard stand, then jog the rest.

4 burpees, followed by a sprint to the 2nd lifeguard stand.

Recovery walk half the distance back to the 1st lifeguard stand,  then jog the rest.

Continue the pattern with 3 burpees, 2 burpees,  1 burpee; finish with no burpees, and 1 final sprint, for a total of 6 sprints from the 1st lifeguard stand to the 2nd lifeguard stand.

Burpees are key to this workout.

Rising sophomores Kenji Goto, Graham Gudis, James Lewis, Noah Schwaeber and Aidan Wisher lost in the quarterfinals to Norwich City Academy. The match — a heartbreaker — went to penalty kicks. Norwich City is favored to win the tournament tomorrow.

Everton bounced back to win 2 more games, securing 5th place with a final record of 4-2.

Staples players on Everton U-15 (from left): Aidan Wisher, James Lewis, Noah Schwaeber, Kenji Goto and Graham Gudis.

Mike Carey ’01

Mike’s primary responsibility will be NBC’s coverage of the English Premier League, which begins airing August 17. He will directly support of NBC’s in-studio talent during pre-game, halftime and post-game shows. On live telecasts, he will fact-check and conduct research.

Mike will also contribute content and analysis for the many shows surrounding NBC’s ambitious coverage of the EPL.

At NBC Sports, Mike will be a colleague of Kyle Martino ’99. Kyle  is the lead analyst for MLS and U.S. soccer, and a Premier League studio analyst.

Also at NBC Sports: Jeff Clachko, vice president, universal sports sales and marketing. Jeff lives in Westport, and is an avid Staples soccer fan.

Staples soccer welcomes Mike back to this area, and hopes he can slip at least a few Staples soccer factoids into upcoming EPL telecasts.

This week, test yourself against their standard. If you are over 13:00, you may want to invest in some endurance work. If you’re under 13:00, good job. You could pass the test at a few of our rival programs.

2 mile test: Minuteman lap, plus another partial lap to the corner of Owenoke Park and Compo Beach Road.

Start at the WOW traditional intersection of Soundview and South Compo/Hillspoint Roads. Run down South Compo. Turn left at the Minuteman statue onto Compo Beach Rd. Follow Compo Beach Road around past the marina and the entrance to Compo Beach. Continue left down Soundview, so that you finish where you started (the intersection of Soundview and South Compo/Hillspoint Roas).

Continue running in the same direction to complete a partial lap. You’ll finish at Owenoke Park Road (on the right, just before the marina), to complete 2 miles.

Under 13 minutes: Your fitness is good. If you are well under 13:00, begin focusing on speed and power while maintaining your endurance.

If you are not under 13:00,  continue doing endurance work like this to get ready for the fall.

After your 2-mile run, recovery walk toward the Minuteman statue, reversing the path you have been running. When recovered, jog over to the hill at Longview Road (your first left on Compo Road South as you head back from the Minuteman statue to the starting point).

At Longview Road perform a total of 10 sprints, doing 5 from from mailbox #1 to mailbox #1A, and 5 from mailbox # 1 to the telephone pole on your left. Alternate between these 2 sprints, walking halfway down the hill and jogging the rest to recover.

After the 10 sprints are completed, recovery jog back to the starting point to finish.

Tryouts are approaching. Will you be fit enough to show well?

Lorenz Esposito (Photo by Carl McNair)

The University of Connecticut-bound player — whose soccer resume includes 2 years in the Staples program, as well as 4 years with FC Westchester and 2 years with South Central —  will work on speed, endurance, agility, footwork, trapping, passing, juggling, shooting, weak foot, stregnth, and tactical awareness.

For more information, call 203-505-5309, or email lorenzvesposito@gmail.com.

To view his soccer resume, click here.

The goal is to update the Top of the Hill database. It involves moving data from an Excel spreadsheet to new software (possibly Constant Comment), then building the database further by seeking out missing and incorrect contact details.

Pay is $10 an hour.

If interested, email dwoog@optonline.net.

At the 50th Staples soccer celebration in 2008, alumni from the 1990s got together. It’s time to verify their data again. From left: Zack Randel, David Nayor, Alex Deegan, former coach Jeff Lea, Andrew Clement and Tim Caffrey.

The Workout of the Week can be done as a Staples group (email jscottchicago10@gmail.com), as a smaller group, or — if you are away from Westport — individually, at a similar distance.

WOW #4: Sprint Endurance Workout on Compo Beach and up Compo Hill

Start at the WOW traditional intersection of Soundview Drive and South Compo/Hillspoint Roads (the wall by the beach on Soundview). Begin with 10 hops of each leg, landing on 2 legs on the wall. Follow with 15 pushups (hands on the ground, feet on the wall).

On Compo Beach, walk/jog/sprint between the lifeguard stands. Start at the jetty, end at the cannons.

At the cannon jetty, walk 1/2 the distance from the jetty to the 1st lifeguard stand. At the halfway point, jog to the 1st lifeguard stand. Sprint all out from the 1st lifeguard stand to the 2nd lifeguard stand. Walk 1/2 distance, jog 1/2 distance to lifeguard stand #3, sprinting all out from lifeguard stand #3 to #4. Walk 1/2 distance, jog 1/2 distance toward lifeguard stand #5, sprinting from #5  to the cannons for 3 sprints total from the jetty back to the cannons.

Return the same way you came, completing 3 walk/jog/sprints between lifeguard stands,  starting at  the cannons and ending at the Hillspoint jetty.

Do another round of 10 single-leg hops onto 2 legs landing on the wall, and 15 pushups with hands on the ground and feet on the wall.

Next, jog from the intersection of Soundview and South Compo/Hillspoint Roads  north on Hillspoint, to Elvira’s.

Perform a “sprint ladder” on Compo Hill (the big hill) as follows:

Walk from Elvira’s up Compo Hill to the 1st telephone pole on your left (#5 Compo Hill). Sprint from the 1st telephone pole until you pass the 2nd telephone pole (at the intersection of Sherwood Drive).

Walk halfway down the hill, jogging the 2nd half of your trip down the hill. When you reach the 1st telephone pole, turn around and sprint up Compo Hill until you pass the 3rd telephone pole. Walk 1/2 the distance you sprinted, jogging the rest until you reach the 1st telephone pole.

At the 1st telephone pole, turn around and sprint up Compo Hill until you pass the 4th telephone pole.

Walk halfway down the hill, then jog to the bottom. You have completed the 1st of 2 “sprint ladders” up Compo Hill.

In between sprint ladders, do a recovery jog/walk on Sherwood Drive for 2 minutes.

Repeat Compo Hill “sprint ladder,” building from a sprint to the 1st telephone pole up to a sprint to the 4th.

Walk down Compo Hill after the 2nd sprint ladder.

Run briskly back to the WOW starting point at Soundview.

Repeat 10 single-leg hops and 15 pushups on the wall, followed by 6 walk/jog/sprints between lifeguard stands on Compo Beach.

Your grand sprint total will be 2 x 6 lifeguard stand sprints and 2 x 4 sprints of increasing length up Compo Hill — 20 sprints in all.

Elvira’s: The target at the base of Compo Hill.

All games will be livestreamed. For details, click here.

Goalkeeper James Hickok heads to the U-20 national championship this weekend.