Newcomers Contribute to Wildcats; Team drops meet 100-82 to New Fairfield

Facing a strong New Fairfield team, the BHS swim team found some strong swimming from several newcomers. Freshmen Olivia Wootton and Julia Morton contributed to the scoring, as well as first time scorers Johnny Esposito, Davidson Abiali and Cara Bernardo. For Bethel to win meets this year, strong depth and taking fifth places are key.    

Morton, competing in her first meet of the year, took third place in the diving competition with 104.5 points, highlighted with a 5 and 5 1/2 scores for her fourth dive. Sophomore Alex Nackid took fourth in the diving with a 103.5.   

BHS top swimmer, Tucker Bjornson, took a pair of second places. In both the 200IM and 100 Back, Bjornson had the tough luck to face off against Ryan Murphy, one of the state's top swimmers. Senior captain Kevin Gallagher continues his strong season with a pair of second places in the 50 free and 100 free with a very fast 57.8. Sophomore James Canfield grabbed a third place in the 100 butterfly and a fifth place in the 200 free. Canfield got a late start in practice as he returned from studying in Europe, but looks stronger each meet.     

Wootton and junior Sarah Whalen continue to be the team's best swimmers with each adding a pair of fourth places. Whalen in the 200 IM and 500 free and Wootton in the 200 free and 100 butterfly. Junior Molly Nichols, who also returned from studying in France and is growing faster each practice, took a strong fourth place in the 100 breaststroke and fifth place in the 200 IM.    

Very important in close meets are the fifth places which means a two point swing in scoring. Collecting fifth places were senior Johnny Esposito in the 50 free and 100 free; sophomore Cara Bernardo in the tough 100 butterfly; juniors Aiden Ford (100 back) and Kenny Darrah (500 free) and senior Davidson Abiali in the 100 breaststroke.   

For the home team New Fairfield, two of the top SWC divers Annie Morrow and Kristen Sheehan took first & second with excellent performances.  

The BHS swimmers will be practicing hard throughout the holiday break. Next up is the Alumni meet on Friday, Dec. 30 at WCSU at 5 p.m. and back to regular meets on Tuesday, Jan. 3 in Stratford for an away meet against Bunnell/Stratford co-op team.