Naugy shows plenty of promise

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Naugatuck’s Evan Bombery competes in the 500 freestyle Jan. 16 versus Oxford in Naugatuck. Naugatuck won the meet, 91-74. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Naugatuck’s Evan Bombery competes in the 500 freestyle Jan. 16 versus Oxford in Naugatuck. Naugatuck won the meet, 91-74. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

NAUGATUCK — Don’t count out Naugy.

That was the major takeaway for Greyhounds head coach Jim McKee following a loss to Holy Cross on Tuesday afternoon. While some may see the 112.5-73.5 final result as a major indicator, Naugy’s times are rapidly improving and there’s still plenty of swimming left in the season.

“You can’t always use the score to determine how well you swam,” McKee said. “We were quite competitive.”

Tuesday’s meet was a prime example.

The ‘Hounds had numerous best times and were touched out in several races. While Holy Cross was faster and won a majority of the races, Naugy has come a long way from the start of the season.

“We swam great,” McKee said following the meet on Tuesday. “It was our best meet in about year.”

Naugatuck’s Omari Solomon swims the 100 freestyle against Oxford. Naugatuck won the meet, 91-74.  –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Naugatuck’s Omari Solomon swims the 100 freestyle against Oxford. Naugatuck won the meet, 91-74. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

Evan Bombery took the 500 free, an event where Naugy outscored Holy Cross. Brian Goggin, who shaved off time in several events, dropped nearly 6 seconds in the 500 to place third. Mike Lauer also cut about 6 seconds off his best time to take fourth.

Naugy’s progress was evident in the first event. The 200 medley relay team of Omari Solomon, Nick Fox, Colby Storm and Mike Cocchiola dropped 4 seconds of its best time to take second. Naugy’s other relay team of Peter Morrissey, Evan Vaz, Robert Spino and Graden Beasley dropped 3 seconds and placed fourth.

In the second event, Bombery’s 1:54.94 in the 200 free was a 6-second drop, but he was touched out by Matt Corona’s time of 1:54.27.

In the 200 IM, Naugy took third, fourth and fifth. Martin Lippai shaved off about 2 seconds off his best to take third, Morrissey was fourth in 2:23.08, while Alexio Valente cut 6 seconds off his best time to take fifth.

McKee said he was impressed by his team’s “variety” of best times. For example, Fox, Vaz and Valente took second, third and fourth in the 100 breaststroke to outscore Holy Cross in the event.

Naugatuck’s Robert Spino competes in the 100 butterfly Jan. 16 versus Oxford in Naugatuck. Naugatuck won the meet, 91-74. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Naugatuck’s Robert Spino competes in the 100 butterfly Jan. 16 versus Oxford in Naugatuck. Naugatuck won the meet, 91-74. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

While Naugatuck fell to Holy Cross, the Greyhounds topped Wilby, 88-68, on Tuesday to go along with recent wins in meets over Seymour and Oxford. Against Seymour, Naugy had 43 best times and followed up with 55 more against Oxford.

Despite the loss Tuesday, Naugy showed more improvement can be gained. The ‘Hounds also found out what they need to do to compete for an NVL title.

“I think you learn more after losing a meet than you do after winning one,” McKee said. “It’s all about the league championship (at the end of the season).”

Naugy’s next meet will be Friday with versus out-of-conference foes Pomperaug and Conard of West Hartford. Naugy gets back to NVL action on Tuesday at home against Watertown at 6 p.m.