Delayed start worth the wait

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BEACON FALLS — The Woodland boys swim team got the season off on the right foot, albeit a little later than expected.

The Hawks opened the season with a 56-31 road win over Crosby Dec. 30 at a meet that was pushed back a week. Woodland head coach Tom Currier said the extra time definitely helped the Hawks (1-0) prepare for their first meet. He added, though, that is felt good to get the competitive juices flowing again.

“It was nice to compete, that’s what it’s all about,” Currier said.

Woodland was impressive last week. The Hawks took first place in every event versus a Crosby program that is looking to grow its numbers.

Senior James Jensen led the way by posting qualifying times for states in the 50 free and 100 free.

Currier added that seniors Donovan White and Jordan Baer along with junior Julie Hinckley all started the year faster than ever.

The three Hawks each took home first in individual events. White won the 100 breaststroke in 1:14.76. Hinckley took first in the 500 free in 5:51.79, and Baer won the 100 butterfly in 108.66.

Currier also noted that freshmen Greg Aldrich, Zack Arision, Jeff Varessio had a good start to their high school careers.

Aldrich won the 200 IM in 2:34.78, while Arision finished first in the 200 free with a time of 2:16.81. Varessio took home second in the 50 free in 29.08, just behind the winning time of 28.32 posted by his teammate Zach Bellavance.

“It was a good start to the year, but the schedule gets a lot harder from here,” Currier said.

The Hawks are entering the meat of the schedule with multiple meets each week the rest of this month. Woodland got a three-meet homestand started against Torrington on Wednesday, after press time.

Moving forward, Currier said the Hawks need to work on getting faster. His Hawks have a good endurance base in place to take the rigors of a tough schedule, he added.

“Now we have to make sure they are mentally and physically ready to work,” Currier said.

Seymour is up next for Woodland on Friday before the Hawks host Northwestern Jan. 12.