Hawks swim past ‘Hounds

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NAUGATUCK — The Woodland swim team showed its overall depth and experience in a 90-78 victory against Naugatuck last Friday.

The Hawks captured first and second place in five of the first eight events to race out to a 90-35 lead.

Woodland was led by Dia Gawronski and Brooke Pope, who were double winners for the Hawks (6-1). Gawronski won the 100 fly (1:02.55) and the 50 freestyle (26.15). Pope won the 200 IM (2:34.54) and the 100 freestyle (59.47). They both also swam in the first-place 200 medley relay along with Kyla Drewry and Jordan Williams.

“We still have some work to do over the next couple of weeks,” Woodland head coach Mike Magas said. “Seymour is tough on everyone, and hopefully we will improve by the time the NVLs come around and we can give them a run at it.”

Naugatuck (3-2-1) was a bit shorthanded with Molly Kennelly and Julianna Scully out with injuries.

“We were not at full strength with two of our best swimmers out,” Naugatuck head coach Jim McKee said. “Kennelly got a concussion at a lifeguard class and Scully, who broke her collarbone last year, breaks her ankle and is done for the season. But even if we had them Woodland has a lot more depth and experience than we do. But we would have at least competed with them.”

Naugatuck showed its strength in diving with Katie Brown winning the event with a score of 185.70, and Brin Battisti taking third with a score of 162.90. Woodland’s Madison Hoxie finished second with a score of 172.12.

Hawks finished first and second in the 200 freestyle with Casey Brooks winning the event in 2:22.26 and Morgan Swift taking second (2:24.90). Alexandra Rojcov had two second places in the 200 IM and the 100 freestyle.

Woodland also had a one-and-two finish in the 500 freestyle. Emily Beyer won (6:32.80) and Casey Brooks finished second (6:33.32). The Hawks swam exhibitions after the 500 freestyle.

“We do have a strong group of experienced seniors,” Magas said. “We also have a lot of younger girls contributing. We have 21 combined freshman and sophomores. These younger girls are gaining a lot of experience from the seniors, who are showing them how to practice and how to compete in these meets.”

Naugatuck’s Katelyn Fortney took home two-second place finishes in the 50 freestyle (27.47) and 100 fly. Abrianna Hasipi took third in the 200 freestyle and the 500 freestyle.

“We do have some younger girls stepping up and filling in roles, especially Abbey Shugdinis,” McKee said. “I’m pleased with the drops in times the girls are doing. We need to be realistic. We weren’t coming in here to win this meet. If you tell them that and the other team wins by whatever the score they won’t believe you the next time around. We are trying to be realistic and continue to focus on dropping our times and doing the best that we can with what we have.”

Woodland was scheduled to face Holy Cross on Tuesday, while Naugatuck was set to host Watertown. The results of the meets weren’t reported as of this post.

Woodland will host Wilby-Kaynor Tech on Friday. Naugatuck will finish the week at Seymour on Friday.