SWC Girls Championship Swimming action held on Saturday November 9, 2019 at Masuk High School in Monroe, CT.
Gregory Vasil / For Hearst Connecticut Media
MONROE — The 400-yard freestyle relay marked the conclusion of the SWC Girls Swimming Championships, but Weston still made one final, big splash on Saturday.
Joining hands, the members of the Weston squad jumped into Masuk’s pool in unison, celebrating yet another memorable SWC championship meet.
Coached by Brandon Barone, who made a victory leap into the pool, shortly after his squad did so, Weston won its fifth straight SWC title, amassing 609 team points, before a jam-packed crowd at Masuk High School.
The Trojans posted first-place finishes in seven of the 11 events on Saturday and also won the diving competition, which took place earlier this week.
“We always go into the season and say that SWC is our goal, states is our goal,” Barone said. “This is the first step and the work our team has put in is paying off.”
Pomperaug placed second in the team standings with 357 points, followed by Newtown (350 points), Brookfield (263), Immaculate/Bethel (256) and Masuk (240.5).
Weston junior Bella Gary, who had first-place finishes in two individual events and was on two winning relays, was the Swimmer of the Meet.
“It feels so amazing to win the championship again,” Gary said. “As a freshman and sophomore I had a chance to look up to our seniors at this meet, now it’s come full circle. As a whole, our team puts so much work in all our practices, so this is really special.”
Sarah Falder of New Milford wins the SWC title in the 200 freestyle in 1:57.21 in a close finish #ctswim pic.twitter.com/o568yo1WIy
— Greenwich Time Spts (@GreenwichSports) November 9, 2019
The championship meet began with Weston’s quartet of senior Sarah Franco, junior Nicole Linell, Gary and senior Kate Linell combining for a winning time of 1:50.93 and giving their team 44 points right from the start.
“Everybody in that relay trained really hard,” Franco said. “We all motivate each other to do better. Even though a lot of seniors left last season, to win again with incoming freshmen and new swimmers is a great feeling.”
Pomperaug (Eleanor Labriola, Carolyn Yang, Emily Strickland, Yianna Anastasiadou) was the runner-up in the 200 medley relay (1:54.10).
SWC Championships: Weston wins 200 medley relay #ctswim pic.twitter.com/Cy56vZjFVQ
— Greenwich Time Spts (@GreenwichSports) November 9, 2019
In the 200-yard freestyle, New Milford sophomore Sarah Falder took top honors in 1:57.21. A blink of an eye behind her was Masuk junior Liz Stoelzel (1:57.50) and Weston sophomore Ally Bradley (1:57.67).
“I saw Liz was in first and saw her go out in 26 and I was like, wow, that’s crazy, it’s so fast,” Falder said. “Then I caught up to her and when it got to the last 25, I was like, I have to win. I didn’t expect my time to be that fast. When I looked at the board, I was surprised. I dropped two seconds from my personal-best time.”
Newtown’s Martha Seaver, a senior, and Shayna Millard, a junior, placed fourth and fifth, respectively in the 200 freestyle.
Bella Gary of Weston won the SWC title in the 200 IM in 2:07.57 #ctswim pic.twitter.com/ht9Wp9QVpa
— Greenwich Time Spts (@GreenwichSports) November 9, 2019
“We had a lot of great swims, most of our swimmers had personal-record times,” Newtown coach Rebecca Osborne said. “They swam the best they have this season and did a great job. We knew our top swimmers would do well, but our mid-range swimmers really stepped up and were doing well, so it’s nice to see the whole team improve.”
Gary touched the wall first for the Trojans in the 200 individual medley (2:07.57), defending her 2018 title in the event. Teammate Sarah Franco was second in 2:11.17 and Brookfield’s Katie Sharkey finished third (2:15.93).
“Bella had some incredible swims today,” Barone said. “She went out there and showed how strong a swimmer she is.”
Olivia Herbert of Immaculate/Bethel won the 100 butterfly at SWC finals in 58.57 #ctswim pic.twitter.com/9LYZJQEopu
— Greenwich Time Spts (@GreenwichSports) November 9, 2019
Stoelzel of Masuk showcased her sprinting skills, taking the 50-yard freestyle title with a time of 24.35. Right behind her were Weston sophomore Katie Franco and Masuk freshman Eva Helmke, who tied for second (24.79).
“I’ve been training for this meet all season,” said Stoelzel, who broke a Masuk record in the 50 freestyle. “Our coaches have pushed us to do our best. The 50 freestyle is a harder race, but the energy on the deck and from the team was great.”
Indeed, you can’t waste a second in the 50 freestyle.
“For me, I try not to breathe as much, because that usually slows down my stroke,” Stoelzel said.
Katie Franco of Weston wins the 100 freestyle at the SWC finals #ctswim pic.twitter.com/RyWbofvSlt
— Greenwich Time Spts (@GreenwichSports) November 9, 2019
Danae O’Dean of Joel Barlow was fourth in the 50 freestyle (25.09), followed by Newtown’s Caroline Mahoney (25.25).
Olivia Herbert, an Immaculate/Bethel freshman, was the 100-yard butterfly champion (58.57).
“I was just trying to get out really fast,” Herbert said. “I knew they were going to go out really fast, so I just tried to stay with them. It’s a best time for me, so I was really happy. This is my first high school season and it’s been a lot of fun.”
Brookefield senior Anna Weinstein was second in the 100 butterfly (58.84).
Bella Geary of Weston wins a close 500 race at SWC finals. Weston comfortably ahead in team standings #ctswim pic.twitter.com/O2BX0XNnUn
— Greenwich Time Spts (@GreenwichSports) November 9, 2019
“I couldn’t be more happy with how our team did,” Brookfield coach Jason Paige said. “When we started off the season, we had a lot of challenges. We lost a big senior class last year, but this team did a lot of skill work and improved their conditioning and they did a great job today. The improvement they made from the beginning of the year is wonderful to watch.”
Bradley had her second third-place finish in the 100 butterfly (1:00.10).
“Off the block, I felt like I was diving through the air until I dove in,” Bradley said. “When you are in a competitive atmosphere like this it helps you do better — the people around you push you to do better.”
Katie Franco gave the Trojans a first-place finish in the 100 freestyle (54.09), while Labriola of Pomperaug (54.82) and O’Deane of Barlow (55.99) were second and third, respectively.
“I’m really happy with my time in the 100,” Franco said. “Everyone on our team showed up and really pushed each other each race. There was a lot of team spirit.”
In a close finish in which both swimmers were even for a while, Gary won the 500 freestyle in 5:09.35. Falder placed second with a time of 5:11.21.
“That was my best race in the 500,” Gary said. “I was so happy go finish below 5:10.”
Said Falder: “I was a little mad she beat me, she had better walls, but I still had a best time. I’m looking forward to states, it should be exciting.”
Masuk’s Eva Helmke, Zoe Helmke, Makenna Nicholas and Stoelzel captured top honors in the 200 yard freestyle relay (1:41.35) — a school record. Weston was an extremely close second (1:41.74).
“I feel like a proud father,” Masuk coach Mark McKee said. “Our team had a lot of best times and four school records were set (200 freestyle, 50 freestyle, 200 freestyle relay, 400 freestyle relay). It’s been a while since Masuk has had an individual winner at the SWC finals.”
Sarah Franco posted a winning time of 1:00.51 in the 100 backstroke and Newtown’s Shayna Millard of Newtown was the runner-up (1:01.80). Also for Weston, junior Nicole Linell won the 100 breaststroke (1:06.68) and her sister Kate, a senior, placed second (1:07.32). Herbert took third (1:07.54). Weston put the finishing touch on the triumph by taking first in the 400 freestyle relay (3:40.07), followed by Masuk (3:44.63).
TROJANS GO FOR ANOTHER TITLE
Weston has also won the Class S meet championship six straight seasons.
“Hopefully, we can win states again, then go to the State Open and make a big impact,” Sarah Franco said.
