Staples Gymnasts Score Big At The CIAC Winter Open Championships
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
The 2023 CIAC Winter Open Gymnastics Championship meet took place on Saturday at New Milford high school and was yet another achievement for Staples Gymnastics which has just finished it's most successful season ever.
Only 40 of Connecticut's best gymnasts qualified in their skill for this prestigious event from the state's top 24 school gymnastics programs, eight of which are in Staples’ division.
The stellar performance on Saturday came on the heels of the girl's 3rd place finish in the FCIAC Championships last month where standout Mia Guster finished first in vault with a 9.6 score, preventing Fairfield Ward's Emma Johnson from sweeping that championship. Guster also finished 2nd on floor exercise and Sarah Arango finished fifth on uneven bars. Both Guster and Arango were both selected first team All FCIAC this season. Staples also scored big in the CIAC state tournament, finishing second.
Leading the way for Staples at the CIAC Championships on Saturday repeating her FCIAC victory was Mia Guster who's first place finish in vault with a 9.5 score became the first Staples gymnast to win vault at the Winter Championships. Mia also grabbed 2nd place in floor exercise in the large school division posting a 9.25 score.
Also doing well was Sofia Alarcon-Frias who placed fifth on balance beam and sixth in the all round. Sarah Arango placed fourth on bars. Mia Cochran, Hannah Bitsky, Victoria Fidalgo were second team. Phoebe Miller was honorable mention.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
UPDATE: Norwalk Man Dies from Injuries Suffered in Riverside Avenue Accident
WestportLocal.com contributed photo. Westport Police Department UpdateOn Saturday, March 4, 2023, at approximately 11:30PM, officers responded to the area of 575 Riverside Avenue on a report of a motor vehicle accident with serious injuries. The initial report was that the nature of the accident was vehicle versus pedestrian.
Emergency responders located and rendered aid to a male victim that had been struck by a southbound vehicle. The victim sustained life threatening injuries and was ultimately transported to Norwalk Hospital for further treatment.
Members of the Westport Police Department’s Accident Investigation Team, along with the Accident Investigation Team of the Fairfield Police Department, responded to the scene to conduct the investigation into the incident. This necessitated a temporary closure of Riverside Avenue in both directions of travel and has since been re-opened to traffic.
The operator of the vehicle remained at the scene to speak with responding officers and is fully cooperating.
The accident remains under investigation by the Westport Accident Investigation Team.
UPDATE
The victim in this incident has been identified as Matthew Balga, age 54, of Norwalk, CT.
Unfortunately, Mr. Balga did not survive his injuries and was pronounced deceased at Norwalk Hospital shortly after arrival. The Westport Police Department along with the Westport Community extends our thoughts and prayers to the Balga family during this difficult time.
The crash remains under investigation by the Westport Police Accident Investigation Team with assistance by the Fairfield Accident Team and Westport Detective Bureau.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Northwest wind 8 to 13 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Tomorrow
Sunny, with a high near 51. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. Northwest wind around 11 mph.
Tomorrow Night
A chance of rain and snow after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Westport Police: One Critically Injured in Riverside Avenue Pedestrian Strike
WestportLocal.com contributed photo. Westport Police DepartmentOn Saturday, March 4, 2023, at approximately 11:30PM, officers responded to the area of 575 Riverside Avenue on a report of a motor vehicle accident with serious injuries. The initial report was that the nature of the accident was vehicle versus pedestrian.
Emergency responders located and rendered aid to a male victim that had been struck by a southbound vehicle. The victim sustained life threatening injuries and was ultimately transported to Norwalk Hospital for further treatment.
Members of the Westport Police Department’s Accident Investigation Team, along with the Accident Investigation Team of the Fairfield Police Department, responded to the scene to conduct the investigation into the incident. This necessitated a temporary closure of Riverside Avenue in both directions of travel and has since been re-opened to traffic.
The operator of the vehicle remained at the scene to speak with responding officers and is fully cooperating.
The accident remains under investigation by the Westport Accident Investigation Team.