Greenwich, New Canaan expected to battle for State Open boys swimming title

The high school boys swimming season concludes Thursday with the CIAC State Open Championships. Here’s a look at the much-anticipated final competition of the season.

WHERE: Robert Kiphuth Memorial Exhibition Pool at Yale University.

WHEN: Thursday, 7 p.m.

Watch Live: NFHS Network (subscription required)

DEFENDING CHAMPION

Greenwich has won the State Open title the past six seasons. The Cardinals finished with a total of 487.5 team points last season, while Fairfield Prep was the runner-up in a close finish with 457 points. Staples (408) placed third in the team standings.

OUTLOOK

Based on seeding in each event and the number of swimmers that will represent each squad in Thursday’s State Open, New Canaan and Greenwich are expected to be the top contenders for the State Open team title.

Behind standout performances from their divers at Tuesday’s Open diving finals, the Rams enter Thursday’s swim championships with a team-leading 94 points. Greenwich totaled 17 diving points, so New Canaan has the advantage heading into Thursday’s meet.

“It looks like it is going to be a battle between Greenwich and New Canaan for the State Open title,” Greenwich coach Terry Lowe said. “We need contributions and help from everyone in each event. In order to gain a lot of points, we need some people to move up in the ranks in their respective events.”

Winning the relay events gives squads 60 points and a significant boost in the team standings.

“The relays are obviously, going to be crucial,” Lowe said. “We’re the top seed in the 200 freestyle relay and New Canaan is the top seed in the 400 freestyle relay, so both teams are going to look to get the top spot in each event. We know it’s going to take a perfect meet for us to win the title. Our team is really looking forward to the challenge.”

WATCH OUT FOR

Ridgefield sophomore Connor Hunt is seeded first in two events (200 freestyle, 500 freestyle).

TOP SIX SEEDS IN EACH EVENT

200-yard medley relay — 1. Greenwich 1:35.11; 2. Fairfield Prep 1:36.75; 3. Xavier 1:36.78; 4. Ridgefield, 1:37.10; 5. Glastonbury, 1:37.17; 6. Cheshire, 1:38.04. Last year’s winner — Fairfield Prep, 1:31.56.

200-yard freestyle — 1. Connor Hunt, jr., Ridgefield, 1:41.02; 2. McAllister Milne, sr., Glastonbury, 1:41.71; 3. John McNab, sr., Staples, 1:42.26; 4. Spencer Erickson, sr., Darien, 1:42.41; 5. Alex Beauchene, so., Northwestern, 1:42.69; 6. Connor Martin, jr., Darien, 1:42.41. Last year’s winner — Kieran Smith, Ridgefield (2018 graduate), 1:34.89.

200-yard individual medley — 1. Stephan Todorovic, sr., Greenwich, 1:51.08; 2. Billy Regan, sr., Pomperaug, 1:51.66; 3. Richard Nolan, jr., Fairfield Prep, 1:53.04; 4. Thomas Lewis, jr., Greenwich, 1:53.54; 5. Michael Baldini, sr. Northwest Catholic, 1:53.58; 6. Joseph Cannata, sr. Cheshire, 1:54.71.  Last year’s winner — Andrew Bornstein, Ridgefield (2018 graduate), 1:52.00

50-yard freestyle — 1. Jack Crocamo, jr., Seymour, 21.52; 2. Michael Kotlyar, sr., New Canaan, 21.55; 3. John Marcolina, sr. Fitch co-op, 21.58; 4. William Bryant, Ridgefield, 21.64; 5. Sam Mason, sr. Holy Cross, 21.68; 6. Thomas Foster, jr., Brookfield, 21.74. Last year’s winner — Oliver Rus, Fairfield Prep (2018 graduate), 20.53

100-yard butterfly — 1. Patrick Colwell, jr., New Canaan, 50.16; 2. Ben Feldman, jr. Westhill/Stamford, 50.23; 3. Connor Martin, jr., Darien, 50.66; 4. Colin MacKellar, sr., Pomperaug, 51.26; 5. John Tucker, sr., Holy Cross, 51.75; 6. Kevin Tierney, sr. Glastonbury, 51.88. Last year’s winner — Feldman, 50.08.

100-yard freestyle — 1. Charlie Clark, jr., Greenwich, 46.57; 2. John McNab, sr., Staples, 46.91; 3. Billy Regan, sr., Pomperaug, 46.99; 4. Jack Crocamo, jr., Seymour, 47.12; 5. John Marcolina, sr., Fitch co-op, 47.58; 6. Alex Beauchene, so., North Western, 47.61. Last year’s winner — Tyler Branscombe, South Windsor, 45.50.

500-yard freestyle — 1. Connor Hunt, so., Ridgefield, 4:33.15; 2. Stephan Todorovic, sr., Greenwich, 4:36.98; 3. Andrew Mitchill, so., Xavier, 4:38.26; 4. McAllister Milne, sr., Glastonbury, 4:40.03; 5. Jake Ritz, sr., New Canaan, 4:40.21; 6. Aidan Henry, jr., Branford/Guilford, 4:40.45. Last year’s winner — Kieran Smith, Ridgefield, 4:18.83.

200-yard freestyle relay  — 1. New Canaan, 1:26.15; 2. Greenwich; 3. Ridgefield, 1:28.30; 4. Cheshire, 1:28.38; 5. Newtown, 1:28.44; 6. Conard, 1:28.65.  Last year’s winner — Fairfield Prep, 1:24.49.

100 backstroke — 1. Colin MacKellar, sr., Pomperaug, 51.17; 2. Gianfranco Pozzolini, so., New Canaan, 51.53; 3. Sam Hanke, jr., Cheshire, 51.80; 4. Christopher Weber, sr., Granby Memorial, 52.56; 5. Kevin Tierney, sr. Glastonbury, 52.57; 6. Austin Twiss, sr., Staples, 52.59. Last year’s winner  — Liam Colleran, Fairfield Prep, 50.90

100-yard breaststroke — 1. Ben Feldman, jr., Westhill/Stamford, 57.09; 2. Michael Kotlyar, sr., New Canaan, 57.21; 3. Thomas Lewis, jr., Greenwich, 57.88; 4. Michael Baldini, sr., Northwest Catholic, 57.99; 5. Joseph Cannata, sr., Cheshire, 58.47; 6. Joseph Zellner, so., Sheehan, 58.55. Last year’s winner — Oliver Rus, Fairfield Prep (2018 graduate), 55.18

400-yard freestyle relay — 1. Greenwich, 3:09.35; 2. New Canaan, 3:10.57; 3. Darien, 3:12.82; 4. Holy Cross, 3:13.45; 5. Ridgefield, 3:13.60; 6. Haddam-Killingworth, 3:13.75. Last year’s winner — Greenwich, 3:09.60