Willows Swim Team Collects Honors

The Willows swim team concluded their 2011 season with a busy week.  On Tuesday, Aug. 2 and Wednesday, Aug. 3, the Willows sent 26 swimmers with qualifying times to Frog Hollow Swim Club in South Amboy.  

A total of 712 swimmers from 28 clubs vied to earn the top 6 spots in the preliminary round, thus making it into the finals later Wednesday evening.  The Willows had 7 swimmers earn individual medals as well as 4 relay teams.    

One of the relays, the 13/18 year old boys 200 meter free relay, Jeffrey Wu, Justin Atkinson, Ryan Finch and Andrew Kudwitt earned a gold medal.

The next day, the Willows swim team honored their accomplishments with an end of season banquet at the Willows Swim Club.  During the season 10 records were broken and 2 records were established. 

The record breakers earned plaques for their achievements.  In addition, the coach’s awarded trophies in 3 categories, high point, most improved and a coaches award.  Lastly, the team also honored 3 outgoing seniors, Gessica Charniga, Andrew Kudwitt and Rebecca Patten.

Here are the medal winners in the Conference championships (in meters):

Girls:

Emily Charniga – 5^th, 15/18 100 breast, 1:21.46; 3^rd, 13/18 200 medley relay, 2:16.74.

Gessica Charniga – 3^rd, 15/18 50 free, 29.38; 4^th, 15/18 100 free, 1:04.27; 6^th, 15/18 100 breast, 1:24.47; 3^rd, 13/18 200 medley relay, 2:16.74.

Nina Mendes – 4^th, 9/10 50 fly, 42.33.

Christina Napoli – 3^rd, 13/18 200 medley relay, 2:16.74.

Amanda Stankiewicz – 3^rd, 13/18 200 medley relay, 2:16.74.

Boys:

Justin Atkinson – 2^nd, 13/14 100 back, 1:09.10; 3^rd, 13/18 200 medley relay, 2:03.20; 1^st, 13/18 200 free relay, 1:48.65.

Daniel Badawy – 2^nd, 8/u 25 fly, 19.49.

Ryan Finch – 3^rd, 13/18 200 medley relay, 2:03.20; 1^st, 13/18 200 free relay, 1:48.65.

Hunter Hazard – 6^th, 10/u 100 free, 1:26.28; 6^th, 9/10 50 breast, 47.90; 3^rd, 9/12 200 free relay, 2:20.95.

Brian Hochman – 3^rd, 9/12 200 free relay, 2:20.95.

Andrew Kudwitt – 3^rd, 13/18 200 medley relay, 2:03.20; 1^st, 13/18 200 free relay, 1:48.65.

Chris Swierczek – 3^rd, 9/12 200 free relay, 2:20.95.

Jeffrey Wu – 3^rd, 13/18 200 medley relay, 2.03.20; 1^st, 13/18 200 free relay, 1:48.65.

Michael Wu – 4^th, 11/12 100 free, 1:06.92; 5^th, 11/12 50 breast, 39.01; 5^th, 11/12 100 IM, 1:18.50; 3^rd, 9/12 200 free relay, 2:20.95.

2011 Record Breakers (in meters):

Girls:

Emily Charniga- 13/18 200 free relay; 13/18 200 medley relay.

Gessica Charniga- 13/18 50 free; 13/18 200 free relay; 13/18 200 medley relay.

Cassie Cipriano– 13/18 200 free relay; 13/18 200 medley relay.

Christina Napoli – 13/18 200 free relay.

Amanda Stankiewicz – 13/18 200 medley relay.

Boys:

Justin Atkinson – 13/14 100 back; 13/18 200 free relay, 13/18 200 medley relay.

Ryan Finch- 13/18 200 free relay; 13/18 200 medley relay.

Hunter Hazard – 9/12 200 free relay.

Brian Hochman – 9/12 200 free relay.

Harrison Kudwitt- 13/14 100 fly; 13/14 100 breast; 13/18 200 free relay; 13/18 200 medley relay.

Andrew Kudwitt – 15/18 100 free; 13/18 50 free; 13/18 200 free relay; 13/18 medley relay.

Chris Swierczek – 9/12 200 free relay.

Michael Wu – 11/12 50 breast; 9/12 200 free relay.

High Point award:

Girls:

Nicole Mnych (8 &u), Nina Mendes(9/10), Justina Toma (11/12), Christina Napoli (13/14), Gessica Charniga (15/18).

Boys:

Daniel Badawy (8/u), Hunter Hazard (9/10), Michael Wu (11/12), Harrison Kudwitt(13/14), Andrew Kudwitt (15/18).

Most Improved award:

Girls:

Caitlin Hochman (8/u), Katrina Leeming (9/10), Kristina Schwarz (11/12), Rachel Szachara (13/14), Kristen Lally(15/18).

Boys:

Dayan Safi (8/u), Jordan Woller (9/10), Michael Napoli, Joseph Caputo (11/12), Branden Phillips (13/14), Kevin Atkinsoni (15/18).

Coaches award:

Girls:

Isabella Dussias (8/u), Kallen Mitchell (9/10), Michaela Sanders (11/12), Cassie Cipriano (13/14), Sarah Stankiewicz (15/18).

Boys:

Jared Sandberg (8/u), Brian Hochman (9/10), Chris Swierczek (11/12), Justin Atkinson (13/14), McDermott (15/18).