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Sports

Darien Scores and Standings, Sept. 2

Patch's daily digest of Darien sports

UPDATES

• Field Hockey: The Fairfield County Sports Commission today announced its 2011 Sports Persons of the Year in each of the 15 communities the Commission serves.

The local sports honorees will be recognized at the annual Sports Night awards dinner, Monday, Oct. 17 at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich at 6 p.m.

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In each of the 15 communities, a committee headed by a local town representative of the Commission, selected a Sports Person of the Year. Each winner was deemed to have had the most positive impact in their sports community from Aug. 2010-Aug. 2011.

The winner from Darien is Blue Wave field hockey coach Mo Minicus, who is the national field hockey coach of the Year.

Find out what's happening in Darienwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Last fall, she guided the Blue Wave to their fourth consecutive state championship. Darien will take a 76-game unbeaten streak into the 2011 season.

During Darien's current state championship run, Minicus has guided the Blue Wave to a 83-3-1 record.

The Fairfield County Sports Commission is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that is the one-stop resource for the area sports community with a mission of promoting fitness and personal development through sports. The commission, with the exception of the executive director, is an all-volunteer group that gives financial support and its resources back to its communities, primarily focused on the 110,000 school age youngsters it can reach with its fitness awareness education programs.

For more information on tickets and sponsorship opportunities for Sports Night, visit www.fairfieldcountysports.com or call 203-251-8481

• Boys Cross Country: The Darien boys cross country team is gearing up for what is expected to be a standout 2011 season. A strong squad and experienced coaching staff have the Blue Wave positioned for success this fall.

The team spent the summer training, led by senior co-captains Charlie Baird, Michael Coe, Eli Converse and Michael Johnston. As a result, the runners are ready to take on FCIAC  and state rivals.

“This upcoming season looks extremely promising," Coe said, "I’m probably more excited for it than any previous season. Our team looks strong, we’ve been training hard, and we mean business.”

Returning as DHS head coach for the ninth year is Tyson Kaczmarek, a seasoned cross country and track coach who also teaches language arts. Kaczmarek, who coached the 2009 cross country team to the Connecticut state class MM title, also has high hopes for the season.

“We are excited to start the season. We should be right in the mix in the FCIAC and Class L meets," Kaczmarek said.

Additions to the coaching staff are assistants and DHS cross country alumni Kevin Knapp and Pat Jackson.

Knapp, a 2009 DHS graduate, is a junior at Southern Connecticut State University. Jackson, also a DHS graduate, holds both the DHS indoor and outdoor one mile records.

The team’s opening meet is Sept. 13 at Trumbull, and supporters are encouraged to attend and cheer on the team.

 • Yachting: The 77th annual Stamford Yacht Club Vineyard race gets under way on Friday.

More than 90 boats from Fairfield and Westchester Counties will participate in the 238-mile race, which takes sailors to Buzzards Bay in Cape Cod and back to the Stamford Yacht Club.

After Irene hit, there was some concern that the race might have to be cancelled. However, the SYC received minimal damage, allowing the race to begin on time.

First contested in 1932, the Vineyard Race takes place annually on Labor Day weekend.

The fastest time to complete the course was set by Blue Yankee in 2007. Skippered by Bob and Farley Towse of Stamford, it covered the course in 20 hours, 20 minutes and 15 seconds.

If you see anything in our scores, standings, or schedules that requires updating, please email sports editor Bob Birge at bob.birge@hotmail.com

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