Naugy opens with a splash

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Naugatuck’s Nick Ryan swims the 100 butterfly Dec. 22 versus Kennedy in Waterbury. Ryan won the event in 1:05.54, and the Greyhounds won the meet, 80-68. –KEN MORSE
Naugatuck’s Nick Ryan swims the 100 butterfly Dec. 22 versus Kennedy in Waterbury. Ryan won the event in 1:05.54, and the Greyhounds won the meet, 80-68. –KEN MORSE

WATERBURY — After three weeks of racing against the clock the Naugatuck boys swim team finally got the chance to line up against some competition last week. The result was a convincing 80-68 victory Dec. 22 over Kennedy.

Naugatuck showed the determination of a team looking to get back in the hunt in the NVL by taking first and second place in the first four events. What made it even more impressive was the first and second place finishes in three of the individual events were captured by six different swimmers.

“I’m sure they were happy to see some actual competition in the next lane,” Naugatuck head coach Jim McKee said. “We are basically two weeks into the season and if you compare it to where we were last year at this time, I think we are a lot faster.”

Naugatuck got it going in the 200 medley relay with the foursome of Omari Solomon, Nick Fox, Nick Ryan and Colby Storm racing to victory in 1:54.53. Right behind them was the squad of Peter Morrissey, Martin Lippai, Robert Spino and Evan Bombery taking second in 2.00.77.

The speed of the Greyhounds throughout the lineup was evident in the 200 freestyle with Brian Goggin taking first in 2:04.29 and Matt Goggin taking second in 2:20.05. Ben Rossi finished fourth in 2:27.32, and Naugatuck was out to a commanding lead.

Morrissey swam to victory in the 200 IM in 2:23.01 with Solomon finishing second in 2:36.13. Lucas Pimentel came in fourth.

The Greyhounds kept up the blistering pace as Eric Cruz swam to first in the 50 freestyle in 25.58 and Graden Beasley took second in 26.65. Cameron Litwinka finished fourth with Elliot Dupont in fifth place as Naugatuck headed into the diving portion of the meet holding a dominating 54-14 advantage.

“We have a lot of depth more than we’ve had the past few years,” McKee said. “We have a lot of new guys with skills and they should contribute.”

After the Greyhounds took the top three spots in the 100 butterfly, they swam exhibition the rest of the way. Ryan swam to victory in the butterfly in 1:05.54 followed by Spino (1:06.61) and Storm (1:07.69).

“Today was just about getting baseline times to see where we stand,” McKee said following the meet. “Everyone is virtually further along than they were last year.”

It was a fun time at the Naugatuck pool Saturday as the Greyhounds welcomed back alumni for some friendly competition. The Alumni stacked their lineup with former greats to challenge this year’s team.

Art Dessureau, Scott Sill, Dan Cocchicio, Barbara Martin, Will Wright, Matt San Angelo and Isabela Moody were some of the former Greyhounds that were reunited to show they still have their game.

After a friendly 200 medley relay competition it was game on when Wright out touched Bombery at the wall in an exciting finish. The Naugy team showed who’s boss by taking first, second and third in the 200 IM and the 100 butterfly.

Chris Dessureau and Adam Wakely took first and second in the 50 freestyle. Wakely and Sill finished first and second in the 100 freestyle as the Alumni tried to show a little Garnet and Grey pride.

Moody showed she still has what it takes as the former 2012 NVL diving champion easily took first place in the diving event with a score of 183.45.

The Greyhounds got back to business Tuesday versus Glastonbury. The meet was originally scheduled for a scrimmage before the season. But, McKee said, “We didn’t want it to be a scrimmage so we moved the date back to include it in the regular season.”

The Greyhounds gave Glastonbury, one of the best teams in the state, a run before falling, 94-81. Solomon (100 backstroke) and Fox (100 breaststroke) won individual events for Naugy. Storm, Goggin, Spino and Bombery swam to first in the 200 and 400 free relays.

Naugatuck (1-1) will be back in the pool Jan. 8 when the Greyhounds visit Crosby.