Greyhounds set records despite loss

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For the Greyhounds last Friday, it wasn’t about the present.  It was about the future.

Despite a 93-74 loss to Torrington, arguably the Naugatuck Valley League’s best girls swim team, the Greyhounds still produced 12 season-best individual times, won three events and left their head coach with a positive outlook.  While Naugy was a heavy underdog going into the meet, head coach Jim McKee said he was pleased with the results.

“Knowing Torrington’s times going into the meet, the outcome was almost predetermined,” McKee admitted.  “Our team needed to do the work that we did, and we swam really well.”

Sarah Konops won the 50 free, and was part of the winning 200 free relay team that included Melissa Kirschbaum, Jocelyn Brantley and Amanda Miller.  Brantley and Miller, along with Elizabeth Walsh and Nicole Javins won the 400 free relay.

Naugy’s winners were only part of the story.  The continued progression of the team may be the headline.

For instance, in the 200 free event, Walsh and Claudia Brennan took fourth and fifth respectively and earned the Greyhounds points.  Diana Silva, Martina Niebrzydowski, Brittany Allen and Rachel Fox all earned best times in the same race.

Other best times for Naugy included: Brantley (100 free), Niebrzydowski (100 breast), Brittany Allen (200 free relay), Emily Krueger (200 IM), Madison Wilson (100 butterfly, 200 medley relay), Angela Boutote (100 butterfly) and Mariah Somohano (200 medley relay).

“Almost everyone swam near best times,” McKee said, also adding, “The girls swam only 12 best times as I worked them hard in the days before the meet.”

The team’s focus turns to upcoming meets.  The Greyhounds are aiming to finish at .500 or better in dual meets for the first time in several years.

“We have two meets this week and the league championships next week so that is where our focus is,” McKee said.  “Our girls have not had a winning dual meet record in a few years, so we would like to change that this week.”

The Greyhounds were scheduled to host St. Paul on Tuesday, and swim in Waterbury against Holy Cross on Friday.  The meet against the Crusaders will be at Kennedy High School at 7 p.m.

“Our final dual meet is Holy Cross, and we haven’t beaten them in a while either,” McKee noted.  “It is all about the last week and the last meet.  We have to do our best in a few days.  I feel like we will.”