With two-time All-Southern Connecticut Conference, All-State, and All-American junior Dana Grindall leading the way, Todd Rainey begins his 6th season as Amity girls swimming coach hoping his team can do as well as it did last year when it finished 9-2, 2nd in the Large School Division of the SCC, and 4th in Class LL. Grindall capped her stellar sophomore season by winning the 100-yard butterfly with a new state record time at the State Open.
Seniors Colby Champagne, Morgan Turner, Rachel and Katherine Holden will serve as co-captains this fall. As a junior, Champagne was a state qualifier in the 100 backstroke. Turner was a state finalist in the 100 butterfly and the 50 freestyle. Rachel Holden will provide depth in the 100, 200, and/or 500 free. The same holds true for her twin sister Katherine in both the 100 breaststroke and various relays.
Rainey also looks to seniors Stephanie Antonellis (100 backstroke, 200 individual medley, 100 backstroke), Anna Lu (200/500 free State Open finalist in 20101), Danielle Frobel (500 free, 100 breaststroke), Nicole Guadognoli (2010 state qualifying diver), Gabby Syrop (2010 state qualifying diver), Carly Young (2010 state qualifying diver), Amanda Craig (2010 state qualifying diver) to provide experience and valuable points throughout the season.
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He also looks to junior Shannon Early (100 backstroke and 200 individual medley) and sophomore Jessica Kochiss (100 butterfly, 200 individual medley) as well as freshmen Maddy Snow (100 backstroke), Lydia Pokludas (100 breaststroke), Dana Chung (50 and 100 free), and Mollee Lasto to contribute to the team’s overall success.
According to Rainey, “Dana is obviously something special—a great talent but I look to all 35 of my girls to provide efforts that will increase our team’s chances for success.”
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He added, “Due to graduation, I think we lost some of the depth we had last year, but I hope and expect our younger girls to step up during the course of the season and fill those current voids.”
Amity looks to be a very well rounded team with exceptional talent and depth in the 200 individual medley, diving, 100 breaststroke, and 100 backstroke. While he has no major concerns as he prepared his team for its season opener on Tuesday, Sept. 12 against West Haven in a 7:30 p.m. SCC meet at the Orange Community Center Pool, he would like to see improvement in the 100 free.
Cheshire (which has not lost a dual meet since 1987) is obviously the overwhelming favorite to repeat as champs of the SCC Large School Division. Rainey sees Branford, Mercy, and his Lady Spartans battling it out for second place. Greenwich looks to be the top team in Class LL, but Glastonbury (which defeated Amity last year), Staples High of Westport, and Amity should all be in the chase.
“We were second last year and hope to do as well and repeat again this year,” Rainey said. “I look for a successful year with many of my girls dropping significant times. In order to accomplish that, the girls have to keep working hard. They like to work and really go at it in the pool. Right now, I’m looking forward to see the results of our first meet.”
