What a Difference a Week Makes

Just one week after Darien was dealt a tough loss by Staples, the FCIAC football landscape has shifted again. In Week 5, Wilton stunned the league with a dominant 41-7 win over the very same Staples team that beat Darien 31-6. The Wilton Warriors are now sitting at 5-0, and very much in the conversation at the top of the conference. Meanwhile, Darien bounced back in a big way, blanking Bridgeport Central 44-0 on Saturday to improve to 4-1. It was a statement win and a much-needed confidence boost as the season hits its midpoint.

Elsewhere in the league, New Canaan continues to roll, improving to 5-0 with a convincing win over Danbury (2-3) 43-10, and Greenwich stayed perfect as well, cruising past Trumbull 44-7. That leaves New Canaan, Greenwich, and Wilton as the top three unbeaten teams heading into a critical stretch of the season.

Boys Golf: Darien Keeps the Streak Alive

On the greens, Darien boys golf remains undefeated at 14-0, edging out Fairfield Prep 156-157 at Woodway Country Club on October 8. The Wave continue to find ways to win, with consistent performances up and down the lineup.

Cross Country: Runners Peak Ahead of FCIAC Championship

Darien’s cross-country teams are getting into form ahead of the FCIAC Championship this Wednesday.

• The boys team (10-5) finished second at a recent meet hosted by Westhill High School. Staples dominated, sweeping the top five spots for a perfect score of 15, but Darien showed depth with a strong overall team finish.

• The girls team (11-4) also claimed second place, led by a standout performance from Jasmine Su, who took third place in the 4K with a personal best time of 16:27. Staples again took the team win, with their top runner finishing in 15:50.

The 42 Wickham Park XC Invitational was run Saturday, Oct 11. Over 50 regional high schools participated. Team Darien boys came in a very respectable 5th place in the Boys Varsity Large category, with Darien's Andrew Sharron finishing in a time of 16:34 fast enough for a 6th place finish. 

Darien Shark Attack Victim Plans Marathon Run

Ali Truwit is a gifted athlete who grew up in Darien, swimming for both the Wee Burn and Tokeneke clubs before heading off to Yale to swim Division I. In great shape with all her training, she ran, with her mom, in a Mothers day marathon. But in 2023, while vacationing in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Ali’s life changed dramatically when she survived a shark attack, resulting in the loss of her foot and part of her leg. 

Undeterred, Ali refused to let the injury define her. In 2024, she made a stunning comeback at the Paralympic Games in Paris, winning two silver medals in the 100M backstroke and 400M freestyle, breaking American records in both events with times of 1:08.59 and 4:31.39, respectively. Additionally, with a running blade, a lot of work and incredible support, Ali is planning to run in the 2025 NYC Marathon. 

Truwit's nonprofit, Stronger Than You Think, supports women and girls with limb loss by funding prosthetics, promoting water safety to prevent drownings, and empowering Paralympic athletes with resources to compete.