Avon’s Sam Johnson finished second in the 100 yard breast stroke in the Falcons’ win over Wethersfield and swam on Avon’s winning 200 yard IM relay. (Photo courtesy Bob Emery)
NEW BRITAIN – The Wethersfield High boys swimming team is no stranger to success. They have won multiple CCC divisional championships including last year’s CCC North White Division title.
Avon knew if they wanted an opportunity as winning their first league championship in the Central Connecticut Conference they would have to get past the Eagles.
The Falcons used a team effort to outlast Wethersfield, 97-89, to take command of the race for the CCC North White Division championship. Avon (9-2, 3-0 CCC North White) has two remaining meets left in the division against E.O. Smith/Tolland on Tuesday (February 14) and a meet against Hartford Public on Tuesday, February 21.
It was a nip and tuck event from the beginning. Wethersfield led by just four points, 72-68, with three events remaining. But Avon’s depth paid off.
Avon took three of the top four spots in the 100-yard backstroke with Kyle Emery winning by four seconds over Wethersfield’s Kyle Holden with a winning time of 57.60. Emily Boswell (1:05.75) and Megan Boswell (1:05.78) took third and fourth place to help Avon take a 79-77 lead.
In the 100 breast stroke, Avon took three of the top five spots to hold on to their two-point lead, 87-85. Wethersfield’s Caleb Skowronek won the race in 1:06.75 with Avon’s Sam Johnson just 0.59 of a second off the pace. Alec Traktovenko was third while Jared Culbertson took fifth.
In the final event, the 400 freestyle relay, the Falcons pulled away for the victory. The team of Max Jaremko, Adam Zapatka, Justin Arroyo and Emery won in 3:29.43 seconds, more than four seconds ahead of the second place Wethersfield team. Just as important was the two points earned by the Avon team of Chris Chute, Kelly Zhou, Traktovenko and Zaire Griffin, who finished third in 3:43.82.
Avon took third in the 200 freestyle relay and the 200 individual medley relay, earning a crucial four points. Sarah Preleski and Annie Hayes finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 500 freestyle, earning another three points for the Falcons.
Avon earned four points with fifth place finishes in four events. The points added up for the Falcons.
Avon’s Sarah Preleski finished fourth in the 500 freestyle helping the Falcons pick up key points in Avon’s victory over Wethersfield. (Photo courtesy Bob Emery)
The Falcons won the 200 yard medley relay (Emery, Johnson, Arroyo, Andre Richard) in 1:46.98 and finished a close second in the 200-yard freestyle relay (Jared Culbertson, Zaire Griffin, Max Jaremko, Andre Richard), finishing 0.01 of a second behind Wethersfield in 1:36.43.
Individual winners for Avon included Richard in the 50 freestyle (23.66), Max Jaremko in the 100 butterfly (56.94), Zapatka in the 500 free (5:09.08) and Emery in the 100 back in 57.60. Zapatka won by over 15 seconds in the 500 freestyle.
Zapatka (200 free), Jaremko (200 IM), Griffin (50 free), Brendan Downey (diving), Emery (100 free) and Johnson (100 beast) each finished second for Avon in individual events.
The girls on the Avon squad will compete on Saturday, February 25, in the Splash Classic at Plainville High, the unofficial state championship meet for girls that compete in the winter during the boys swimming season. The Falcons will be seeking their 11th consecutive Classic crown.
The CCC North White swimming championships will at Wethersfield on Friday, March 3, at 5 p.m. The Falcons won their post-season event a year ago.
Avon 97, Wethersfield 89
At New Britain
200-yard medley relay: Avon (Kyle Emery, Sam Johnson, Justin Arroyo, Andre Richard) 1:46.98, 2. Wethersfield 1:50.11, Avon (Megan Boswell, Alex Traktovenko, Emily Foley, Jared Culbertson) 1:57.73
200 freestyle: Blake Fulton (W) 1:50.74, Adam Zapatka (A) 1:55.18, Shane Bresnahan (W) 1:57.25
200 IM: Holden Hoon (W) 2:09.04, Max Jaremko (A) 2:09.45, Matthew Iallonardo (W) 2:11.50
50 free: Andre Richard (A) 23.66, Zaire Griffin (A) 23.80, Austin Bovino (W) 24.33
Diving: Jared Kauffman (W) 222.70, Brendan Downey (A) 194.55, Ryan McOmber (W) 171.85
100 fly: Max Jaremko (A) 56.94, Austin Bovino (W) 57.01, Matthew Iallondaro (W) 59.15
100 free: Blake Fulton (W) 50.34, Kyle Emery (A) 50.94, Caleb Skowronek (W) 52.72
500 free: Adam Zapatka (A) 5:09.08, Shane Bresnahan (W) 5:26.31, Patrick McGuane (W) 5:33.34
200 free relay: Wethersfield (Hoon, Blaidsell, Bovino, Fulton) 1:36.42, Avon (Jared Culbertson, Griffin, Jaremko, Richard) 1:36.43, Avon (Johnson, Alex Traktovenko, Chris Chute, Zapatka) 1:41.25
100 back: Kyle Emery (A) 57.60, 2. Holden Hoon (W) 1:01.93, Emily Boswell (A) 1:05.75
100 breast: Caleb Skowronek (W) 1:6.05, Sam Johnson (A) 1:07.54, Alex Traktovensko (A) 1:12.49400 free relay: Avon (Jaremko, Zaptaka, Arroyo, Emery) 3:29.43, Wethersfield 3:32.97, Avon (Chute, Kelly Zhou, Traktovenko, Griffin) 3:43.82
Records: Avon 9-2, 3-0 CCC North White; Wethersfield 3-4, 2-1 CCC North White
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