A homecoming for Naugy

0
551

‘Hounds returns to home pool with a foundation to build on

Naugatuck High girls swim captains and seniors Tathiana Serrano, left, and Erica Spino will lead the Greyhounds in the pool this season. –LUKE MARSHALL
Naugatuck High girls swim captains and seniors Tathiana Serrano, left, and Erica Spino will lead the Greyhounds in the pool this season. –LUKE MARSHALL

NAUGATUCK — The Greyhounds are back at home and ready to compete.

Renovations are complete at the Naugatuck High School pool and the girls swim team started training there last week. The team returns numerous experienced swimmers who are looking to build on last year’s third place finish in the NVLs.

Head coach Jim McKee said the team needs to build its depth, but with a solid group of returners, the Greyhounds have a foundation to build on. The returners give McKee options and ways to work in less experienced swimmers.

All-NVL swimmer Cara Rotatori, who boasted a top-10 finish in the backstroke, can be versatile. McKee said she can “swim virtually anything” and will give the ‘Hounds flexibility.

Tatthiana Serrano and Erica Spino will be go-to swimmers in the sprint and butterfly events.

“They’re both good leaders and hard workers at the top of the lineup,” McKee said of Serrano and Spino.

McKee said to expect Jessica Wilton, Brianna Couch, Meghan Lauer and Amanda Rinaldi to contribute in the sprint events. Couch will also be involved in the backstroke and relays, while Lauer also can swim the 500.

“She’ll be swimming four times a meet,” McKee said of Lauer.

Brianna Searles, Alexandra Silva and Faith Tuscano will also be in the mix and can swim a variety of events. Searles will be involved in the medley relay, butterfly and distance events, while Silva can compete in the IM and breaststroke.

Addison Best will be a four-event swimmer for the ‘Hounds after specializing in the 100 and 200 free last season. Erin Brown, Ashley Daymonde and Olivia Filanowski will also be a factor in the freestyle events.

Newcomers Stephanie Almeida, Jaimee Trumbly and Elizabeth Tuscano will also be working their way into the lineup.

The ‘Hounds got a better idea of where they stand early in the season at the NVL Indicational meet at Kennedy on Friday. The team opens the season at Kennedy on Sept. 12. Naugy’s home opener will be on Sept. 19 against Watertown.

“So far everything has been positive,” McKee said. “The pool is perfect. I’m excited, but we need to put in the days of practice, get in shape and start going faster.”