Girls Swimmers Lose For First Time This Season

In a battle of undefeated teams, the New Canaan girls swim team overcame a strong Wilton squad,  108-78,  Wednesday afternoon at the New Canaan YMCA pool.

"They're a better team this year and they certainly were today, " said Wilton coach Todd Stevens, whose team dropped to 4-1.  "We're good, but we're not as deep as they are."

The day began with Wilton winning the 200 medley relay (Stephanie Moriarty, KC Moss, Caroline O'Brien and Kristen Moss) in 1:56.15.

The Warriors received six points for the win, but New Canaan (5-0)  took second and third, an example of the Rams' depth creating points.

In the 200 freestyle, New Canaan's Cara Egan finished first in 1:58.02 - more than  four seconds faster than the runner-up.

KC Moss, who swims for the United States Junior Team, won the 200 individual medley to earn six points for the Warriors.

Stevens was pleased with the number of first-place finishes in the meet for his swimmers, but the Warriors didn't have enough top-five performances to secure the meet.

Rams sophomore Maddie Rusch won the 50 free in 25:39 and also took the 500 free in a time of 5:20.25 - more than six seconds ahead of teammate Grace Duncan.

New Canaan also placed one-two in the 100 butterfly. It was the closest race of the day with Allie Skaperdas (1:01.089) out-touching Emma Tobey (1:01.90) by half a fingernail.

Wilton freshman Kristen Moss won the 100 freestyle (55:52) over New Canaan's Cara Egan (55:99).

New Canaan also took the 200 freestyle relay ( Jenna Egan Ali Rusch, Cara Egan and Maddi Rusch), while the Rams' Stephanie Moriarty won the 100 backstroke.

KC Moss was tops in the 100 breaststroke before New Canaan ran away with the 400 freestyle relay, the day's final event. Grace Duncan, Livi Kroll, Cara Egan and Rusch won in a time of 3:48.41.

Warriors co-captain Caroline Winslow wasn't hanging her head after the loss.

"We gave it our best effort and just came up short," she said. " I'm really proud of all of our girls."

New Canaan coach Dave Fine offered succint analysis, saying,  "We swam great." 

Wilton is back in action next Tuesday at Trumbull.