Greyhounds lean on deep roster to swim past Hawks
NAUGATUCK — Naugy’s biggest asset might be its depth.
The Greyhounds put it on display last Friday night in a 99-69 win over Woodland.
Brian Goggin (200 free), Martin Lippai (200 IM), Nicholas Ryan (100 butterfly), Michael Cocchiola (100 free) and Evan Bombery (500 free) all won individual swimming events for the Greyhounds, while Eric Cruz won the diving event.
But, it was second, third and fourth places where Naugy excelled.
Competing in their second meet in three days, Naugatuck took the top two spots in each of the first three events. In the fourth event, the Greyhounds grabbed second, third and fourth to seize control of the meet.
“We have four competitive swimmers in every event,” Naugatuck head coach Jim McKee said.
Aidan Music won two events for the Hawks. Music won the 100 free and the 100 back, while Patrick Conway won the 100 breaststroke for Woodland.
Omari Solomon, Evan Vaz, Ryan and Bombery won the 200 medley relay in 1:55.20 to begin the evening for the Greyhounds. Peter Morrissey, Alexio Valente, Nicholas Fox and Robert Spino took second for Naugy.
Naugy’s Michael Lauer finished behind Goggin in the 200 free with Woodland’s Julie Hinckley taking third. In the 200 IM, Lippai outlasted Fox with teammate Colby Storm taking third.
Naugy led 35-9 after three events.
Woodland’s James Jensen won the Hawks’ first event, the 50 free. The ‘Hounds took the next three spots with Cocchiola, Bombery, and Vaz taking second, third and fourth respectively.
“Woodland always has very good swimmers, but we had more depth,” McKee said.
Naugatuck put the only two divers on the board with Cruz taking first and Graden Beasley finishing second.
In the next event, the 100 butterfly, Naugy took the top three spots with Ryan, Fox and Spino finishing one, two and three.
Naugy’s early season showing could be a harbinger for its end-of-the-season potential. There is strength in numbers.
“If you want to win meets and championships, you have to have a lot of kids,” McKee said.
The Hawks and ‘Hounds won’t return to the pool until after the new year.
