Newtown High School’s boys’ swimming and diving team defeated visiting Oxford 94-77 on January 17. The Nighthawks sealed the team win after the 200 yard freestyle relay race and the meet went into exhibition for the final three events. Newtown had the best time (score in the case of diving) in all but one event, taking second place in eight of the 12 competitions as well.

“Very happy with how the guys swam tonight. They rose to the occasion — very good focus and effort in their swims,” Coach Ryan Eberts said.

Newtown’s coach gave a shout-out to some of his swimmers, including Oliver Clancy whom he said provided leadership in the pool, and Sam Irving who is doing great in his events.

Clancy kicked off the 200 yard medley relay, which took first in a time of 1:52.19. Clancy joined forces with Leo Van Staten, Johnny Barzetti, and anchor Warren Ache.

Clancy won the 500 freestyle race, making his final touch in 5:28.24 and was part of the 400 free relay which, also comprising Ache, Finn Clancy, and Alex Gadbut, claimed the event’s fastest time with a 3:51.43. Oliver Clancy took second in the 100 backstroke race in 1:04.43 just behind event winner Gadbut who finished in 1:04.40.

Irving, Duncan Kolb, Kyle Albrecht, and Elias Kolb took third in the 200 medley relay with a time of 2:01.00. Irving was second in the 500 free in a time of 5:56.37. Irving was part of the second-place 400 free relay which included Albrecht, Brady Wennerholm, and anchor Duncan Kolb in a time of 4:07.15.

Kyle Albrecht is “making big strides, making big gains — work ethic and attitude are excellent,” Eberts said.

In the Oxford meet Albrecht was part of the third-place 200 medley relay, took third in the 50 free in a time of 26.27, was second in the 100 free in 58.88, and was on the second-place 400 free relay contingent.

Sprint freestyler Ryan Lombard is putting in great effort in practices and is looking better each meet,” the coach said. Lombard competed in the 200 medley relay and 200 free relay events.

Utility swimmer Van Straten continues to use his speed to help the Nighthawks in a variety of events, Eberts noted. In addition to his efforts in the 200 medley relay win, Van Straten took second in the 100 butterfly race, finishing in 59.64, just behind Oxford’s first-place time of 59.52. He won the 100 breaststroke race in 1:10.83, and helped the 200 free relay group capture first in 1:40.48. The relay included Elias Kolb, Finn Clancy, and Barzetti.

Gadbut won the 200 freestyle race in 1:59.56; Finn Clancy was second in the 200 in 2:04.50.

Barzetti claimed first in the 200 individual medley race in 2:18.14 and Duncan Kolb took third in the 200 IM with a time of 2:31.08.

In the diving competition Trenton Story took first with a score of 127.45 and Ache was second with a 108.15.

Finn Clancy won the 100 free in 55.84. The 200 free relay consisting of Gadbut, Connor Kelly, Wennerholm, and Story was third in 1:50.13. Kelly finished third in the 100 backstroke race in 1:19.37. Duncan Kolb placed third in the 100 breaststroke race in 1:14.88.

The Nighthawks have an extended break between meets; the next one is not until Tuesday, January 28, when the Hawks visit New Fairfield at 4 pm.

“We’re looking forward to some intense but fun practices, honing fundamentals, and getting guys locked into their events,” Eberts said.

Newtown will use the last month of the campaign to gear up for the South-West Conference Championships and State Championships.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.