Hawks swim to fifth at NVLs

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WATERBURY — Chrissy Leeper broke a long-standing school record and helped Woodland finish fifth at the Naugatuck Valley League girls swimming championships last weekend at Kennedy High in Waterbury.

Leeper shattered Woodland’s best-ever time in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 1 minute, 3.02 seconds, which was good for third in the race. The senior’s finish headlined a positive night for the Hawks.

“About 90 percent of our times were best times for our swimmers,” Woodland coach Mike Magas said. “It was real exciting for us.”

Watertown won the NVL championship for the second year in a row. Naugatuck was second, Sacred Heart third and Torrington fourth.

Sydney Corneau, another senior, took fourth in the 50 free and fifth in the 100 free. Corneau and Leeper completed their NVL careers on a high note, according to their coach.

Corneau and Leeper, along with Jesse Erickson, were the team captains.

“As good as swimmers as they are, they’re better people,” Magas said. “The captains took on a lot of responsibility with our younger swimmers and were leaders in and out of the pool. I’m real proud of them.”

Magas said he was also impressed with several other seniors, such as Sarah Parker, Emily Trumbley and Whitney Stow. Parker posted a lifetime-best 1:23.31 in the 100 breaststroke, while Trumbley competed in the 200 IM and 100 backstroke, and Stow swam in the 500 free.

Other swimmers also performed well for the Hawks, including junior Brianna Christiano (200 IM and 100 butterfly) and sophomore Emma Sardinskas (200 and 500 free).

Freshmen also provided personal best times, including Chloe Ariola (50, 100 and 400 free), Sarah Bryden (100 back), Sara Fowler (100 free and 100 back) and Erin Mascoli (100 butterfly). Mascoli beat her best time by six seconds.

Woodland also gained a pair of top-six finishers in the diving competition. Kim Thrasher was fifth with 240.30 points while Liz Martin was sixth with 230.90 points.

“I never expected the freshmen to do all the times that they did,” Magas said. “They will definitely help us to remain in the hunt next year.”

Magas said he expected as many as 15 Woodland swimmers to participate in the Class S meet on Nov. 13 at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven.