Cardinals led by Lynch
Wins 2 individual events, relay to keep Greenwich unbeaten
NEW CANAAN — In the recent decade, the Greenwich High School girls swimming program has seen other FCIAC schools come to the forefront in this sport.
But the Cardinals captured the 2017 FCIAC Girls Swim Championship. And they seem poised to double down on the feat.
Greenwich improved to 8-0 this season Friday by posting a 110-74 triumph over New Canaan High at the New Canaan YMCA pool.
“The postseason is still a few weeks away. We’re still in the thick of training,” Greenwich coach Lorrie Hokayem said. “Mid-season meets are tough. But our girls put forth some solid races. They did a nice job despite fatigue (three meets plus hard practices in nine day stretch).”
DEPTH AND STARS EQUAL VICTORY
Greenwich was able to break things open in two events Friday.
Seniors Allison Brea and Kortney Knudsen along with sophomore Julia Lucey swept the grueling 500 freestyle for 13 points.
And the GHS divers, under the tutelage of coach Sergey Meshcherskiy, went 1-2-4 in the event. Seniors Maddie Muldoon (265.20 points) and Annabelle Pollack (261.20) took first and second with junior Reggie Frias (254.40) in fourth place.
“The divers always give us a nice boost,” Hokayem said. “They are always so key and so solid. They are a big part of our success.”
The Cardinals star of the afternoon was sophomore Meghan Lynch.
Lynch swam a leg on GHS’ victorious, meetopening 200 medley relay quartet. She then captured the next event, the 200 free in 1:54.53.
Lynch capped her performance with a win in the 100 breaststroke. She then swam anchor in the 400 free relay even though GHS swam the event as an exhibition.
“New Canaan swam well. They are always a good foe,” Hokayem said. “I saw a lot of good things. We are looking sharper. The lineup is slowly coming together.”
GOOD TEST RUN FOR NEW CANAAN
New Canaan (4-3) will benefit down the road after facing rival Darien (95.585.5 loss) and Greenwich in a three-day span.
“This week was an opportunity to work through a span which mirrors the format of the FCIAC Swim Championship (trials, day off, finals in three-day span),” said New Canaan swim coach Kat Munson. “I’m happy with the way we came out of this test run.”
Nicole Vanderlee (50 free, 100 free) was a double winner while Alex Pastushan captured the 100 backstroke for the Rams.
“Our girls swam faster than they did against Darien. They really stepped up when tired,” Munson said. “I’m still looking at girls in new events. There’s a lot of versatility in our group.”