By Samantha Russell

WESTPORT — Despite a chill in the Sunday morning air, more than 100 people pushed ahead with a brisk activity that raised their body temperatures — and also raised money for a good cause.

The setting was the 15th annual “Push Against Cancer” organized at Staples High School by the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, established for children with serious illnesses by the late actor and longtime Westport resident Paul Newman.

The push-ups marathon was “all about just bringing joy,” said James Murphy, event co-organizer, adding there was no better place “than to do it right here in Westport.”

About 120 people registered for the fundraising competition.

Players from the Staples boys and girls soccer teams and the field hockey team were among those who signed up for the event, which also attracted “tons of volunteers,” according to Murphy.

And the girls soccer team, joined by Westport Soccer Association members, pushed their way to the top of the competitive field, raising $21,877 with support from 63 members — the most money raised by a team and the largest number of teammates who turned out for the event, according to the event website.

The top individual fundraiser was Julianna Martire, who raised $2,495, while Charlotte Hoke was the top individual recruiter of donors with 19.

The Staples field hockey team raised $2,540 and the boys soccer team, with Westport Soccer Association members, collected $1,770 in donations.

Nearly $74,000 was the total amount raised by the event.

Freshman soccer players Rikki Frankel, Ashley Borner and Danielle Pleiter were excited to be joining the competition for the first time with teammates who included senior Ella Zhu and sophomores Neave Mulvey and Alexis Krenzer.

Representing the field hockey team again this year were two pairs of sisters, Leah and Emma Larit and Teya and Tyla Ozgen.

First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker provided a little motivation before the competition began, saying, “I am so proud of this community and how we come out” every year to support the camp’s children, she said. Then, she shouted, “Alright, let’s do some push-ups!”

Murphy set a timer for the 45-minute-long competition and participants started grinding out push-ups, the physical embodiment of what he called, “Community supporting community.”

Samantha Russell is a Westport Journal intern.