Seniors bow out strong, youngsters make mark

While teams winning divisional championships came as no surprise, how they took home state titles introduced a new group of swimmers to the podium.

Greenwich received contributions up and down the lineup to capture the Class LL championship.

“We stayed with the process, leagues, states, the open,” said Greenwich junior Aiden Bucaria, who won LL and Open titles in the 100 breaststroke. “Last year was kind of a mock season for us all. I feel all the hard work we put in showed in the championship meets. It was our depth, every guy giving his best.”

Seniors Justin Jacobs, Michael Dilascia and Matt Hake joined Bucaria in winning states in the 200 medley relay. Sophomores Felix Flakstad and Kegan Clark took gold with senior Ryan Jee and Bucaria in the 400 freestyle relay. Junior Whitaker Grover was diving champion.

“We had two years off as a team and have come together,” said Jee, who took states in the 100 butterfly and will swim at Colgate. “This is an experience like no other. There is nothing better than winning as a team.”

Junior Brendan Conners led North Haven Co-op to a fifth-place finish. Conners was 100 backstroke champ and swam the first leg on the winning 200 freestyle relay team with junior Aiden Cohen, senior Hethon Foster and senior Finn Henry.

“I came in with an open mind,” Conners said before winning the backstroke at the Open. “I got to see friends (from other teams). I had my teammates with me. It was fun.”

Bristol Co-op senior Mikel Palaj won the 50 freestyle in 21 seconds flat. He took the 100-butterfly in 50.29. Ridgefield junior Max Wolfenden (200 IM) and Staples junior Riley Twiss (100 freestyle) captured titles.

CLASS L

New Canaan’s Jack Haley walked the pool deck reconnecting with friends from Zone swims prior to the meet. Then the freshman got serious and led his team to the title.

“I was hoping my times would be good enough,” said Haley, 200 freestyle champ with a time of 1:43.11. He posted a 4:40.01 over 20 laps to tack on the 500 freestyle crown. “My teammates do a great job. We came in as a team and I’m so happy to win the title.”

He added Open titles in each event.

New Canaan senior Rommin Nicholas Adl, a selfproclaimed pickle lover who credits that for his success, was 50 freestyle champion (21.72).

Darien senior Thomas Dupont posted victories in the 100 butterfly and the 100 breaststroke.

“We set a school record in the 200 medley relay,” said Dupont, a senior who recorded personal bests in his two individual victories. “I did compete at states as a freshman, but that was in the 200 IM and the 500 freestyle. These were new events for me, as well as the relays.”

Peter Horan from Newtown took home titles in the 100 freestyle and the 100 backstroke. Both times were personal bests for the junior.

CLASS M

Pomperaug senior K.C. Green won the 100 butterfly in 53 seconds flat and the 100 breaststroke with a time of 57.74 to help the Panthers win its ninth title since the 2010 season.

“We had great leaders and will miss our seniors. I thought our younger kids followed their lead. Today, we put it all together,” Pomperaug coach Fran Pentino said.

Senior captain Timothy Regan finished first in the 100 backstroke (52.21 seconds) and added gold with the 200 medley relay team. Sophomore Logan Keane placed first in the 50 freestyle with a time of 21.82.

Daniel Hand sophomore Elliot Lee took home three gold medals. Lee finished first in the 200 IM (1:49.91), the 100 freestyle (46.03) and the 400 freestyle relay.

Suffield Co-op freshman Cody Lonsberry won the 500-freestyle by seven seconds with a time of 4:40.60. Brookfield junior Jude Boukarroum finished first in the 200 freestyle (1:43.98).

CLASS S

Holy Cross made it two titles in a row behind a group of underclassmen, as coach Mary Racevicius’ squad posted enough second and third place finishes to edge Woodland for the championship.

Junior P.J. Gauthier was Holy Cross’ only gold medal winner. He also took second in the 100 freestyle and was part of the second place 200 medley relay. Sophomore Michael Gauthier was runner-up in the 100 backstroke, the 200 freestyle and the 200 medley relay.

Oxford senior Kevin Domack set the Class S meet record in the 100 butterfly and earned a gold medal in four events. His butterfly time of 50.59 broke Ryan Buys’ (Haddam-Killingworth) record of 50.80 in 2011. Domack was the only swimmer to finish in under a minute to win the 100 breaststroke (58.69 seconds). He also took gold in the 200- and 400-freestyle relays.

Northwest Catholic senior Christopher Villani and junior Samuel Peters were both crowned champions in three events. Both were members of the 200 medley relay championship team along with sophomore Connor Hogan and freshman Andrew Villani.

Christopher Villani won the 100 freestyle with a time of 47.31 and the 50 freestyle with a time of 21.91. Peters claimed first place in 200 freestyle (1:46) and earned gold in the 500 freestyle (4:54.56).