Fairfield Scores and Standings: June 24

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Fairfield Prep's Connor Byrne and Bill Firisin have named SportsCenter of Connecticut/SCC Scholar Athletes of the Month for May– the final month of the 2010-11 academic year.

Now concluding its fifth year, the SportsCenter of Connecticut/SCC Scholar Athlete of the Month program honored a total of 107 outstanding young men and women during 2010-11, including 15 for May.

Student athletes who are selected must be a varsity letterwinner and have a 3.0/B average while demonstrating leadership qualities such as: being a positive role model; helping teammates overcome adversity; showing a commitment to self-improvement; or putting the needs of the team before themselves.

Sports Center of CT/SCC Scholar Athlete of the Month recipients receive a certificate, commemorative tee-shirt and a SportsCenter of Connecticut activity pass.

A member of the Jesuits’ 2011 SCC champion lacrosse team, Byrne has been an exceptional performer in the classroom.   A National Merit finalist, Connor sports an impressive 4.13 grade point average and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Active in the Prep community, Connor participates in the Debate Club, Young Entrepreneur and Creative Minds Club.

“Connor is an extremely bright young man who excels in the classroom, athletically and in the community," Jesuits lacrosse coach Chrus Smalkais said. "His commitment to Prep’s Jesuit mission and leadership has developed him into a fine young man with a very bright future.”

A member of the Jesuits’ rugby team, Firisin also has been an impressive performer in the classroom.  A National Merit Commended Student, Firisin  sports an exceptional 3.98 grade point average and is a member of the National Honor Society.

A member of the jazz band, he  is a peer tutor and is a senior patrol Leader in the Boy Scouts.

“Bill is dedicated and unselfish and always puts the goals of the team ahead of his personal pursuits," Fairfield Prep rugby coach Frank Decker said. "He is a credit to his team, school and community."

-- Considering there are more than 6,000 Little Leagues through the United States, the odds of any one reaching the promised land in Williamsport are astronomical.

But as Fairfield American showed last year, it is not impossible for a team from Connecticut to get there. The boys from Fairfield became the 17th squad from the state to reach the Little League World Series.

The summer-long process begins anew on Saturday with the start of the District Two tournament. Ten teams, split into two pools, will compete for the right to advance to the state sectionals. Every team will be in action on Saturday as five games are scheduled.

All games in the District Two tournament will be played at Bridgeport's Blackham Field. Participating teams are Fairfield National and American, Trumbull National and American, Stratford, Westport, Easton, Monroe and North End and Park City from Bridgeport.

At the conclusion of pool play, the top two finishers in each division advance to a double elimination playoff.

The section one tournament, to be hosted by Orange of District Four, is set for July 20-27. The two sectional winners clash in a best-of-three series to determine the state champion.

The Connecticut state winner advances to the New England Regionals in Bristol from Aug. 4-14.  The eight regional winners from around the country qualify for the Little World Series, to be played from Aug. 18-28 in  Williamsport.

Also on the line in the coming days with be district titles in the baseball 10, and 11-year-old age brackets  and softball championships in the 10- 11- and 12-year-old divisions.

-- The annual Faxon Stratton road races will take place this weekend at Jennings Beach in Fairfield.

The 5K race is set fo Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and the half marathon starts Sunday morning at 8:30. The field is filled for the half marathon, but there are spots remaining for the 5K, which will be capped at 1,500 runners. This is the 31st year for the half marathon, which is considered one of the top road races in New England.

The primary charity for the Fairfield road races is the The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, Connecticut is a nonprofit, residential summer camp and year-round center serving children and their families coping with cancer and other serious illnesses and conditions.

Through camp programs, year-round outreach to hospitals and clinics, and ongoing services for children, families and caregivers, the camp serves more than 15,000 people annually. All of the camp's services are provided free of charge.

Ethiopia's Bado Worku won last year's half marathon with a time of 1:05.49, finishing two seconds ahead of countryman Worku Beyi. Ethiopians took seven of the first nine spots.

The top local finisher was Ridgefield's Philip Gartland, who was 10th overall.

Danbury's Tucker Schaefer, 19, won the 5K race with a time of 16:27, 19 seconds ahead of Litchfield's Colin Gannon, also 19. Fairfield's Christopher Barrett was third in 16:55.

Those interested in the 5K race can register online at http://www.fairfieldhalf.org/index.html.

American Legion Baseball

THURSDAY'S RESULTS

Fairfield Jr. vs. Westport Jr., 5:30 p.m., at Notre Dame of Fairfield High School

Fairfield Sr. vs. Darien/NC Sr, 5:30 p.m., at Tunxis Hill, Fairfield

FRIDAY'S SCHEDULE

Bridgeport Sr. vs. Fairfield Sr., 5:30 p.m., Seaside 1

SATURDAY'S SCHEDULE

Darien/NC Jr. vs. Fairfield Jr,  1 p.m., at Darien High School

Trumbull Sr. vs. Fairfield Sr., 10 a.m., at Trumbull High School

SUNDAY'S SCHEDULE

Fairfield Jr. vs. Darien/NC Jr., 9 a.m., at Notre Dame of Fairfield High School

Fairfield Sr. vs. Westport Sr., 9 p.m., at Seaside 1

AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL STANDINGS