By Kim J. Harmon

T

he Newtown High School girls’ swim team has been in a perpetual state of flux ever since coach Joanne Johnson left three years ago – but for the first time things really seem to be looking up for the Nighthawks.

That’s because of their new coach – Mary Atkinson – and because of the heavy influx of promising talent.

“We’re excited,” said co-captain Margaret Ashey, “because we have a lot of young people on the team. We have just seven upperclassmen and 28 sophomores and freshmen. Lots of them have experience, too, swimming with the (Newtown) Torpedoes.”

Ashey – along with co-captains Genna McCann and Nikki Singer – will provide the leadership on the team. Heather Rebb is the only other senior and Jeanmarie Morlath, Elizabeth Portnoy and Melissa Rushefski are the only juniors.

All of those swimmers have experience – gaining that experience while struggling through a tough, 4-8 season in 2000. But they are stronger for it and will look to a huge group of underclassmen for lots of support.

And that’s where coach Atkinson’s impact would be felt the most, perhaps. As the leading coach in the Newtown Torpedoes age group swim program, she has worked with many of the swimmers now under her tutelage. It is said that familiarity breeds contempt, but in this case it breeds a smooth transition into a new season.

“I think it has been pretty smooth,” said Ashey. “Mrs Atkinson knows a lot about the younger swimmers. She is very positive and very encouraging.”

A large sophomore class – many of whom saw time in the pool last season – includes Kelly Bailey, Diana Bowen, Lynn Cupero, Chrissy Glander, Kate Hoolehan, Kristi Johnston, Katie McCann, Jamie Minalgo, Kaitlin Murphy, Margaret Randall, Megan Tredennick, Meghan O’Day, Floren Schertzer, and Alexa Vacaro.

And then there are the freshmen – Jackie Gutbrod, Lauren Kotwicki, Caitlin Malloy, Jessica Remitz, Emily Tomasiewicz, Dana Wark, Sarah Hemingway, Liz O’Connell, Amy Robinson, and Jessica Yakush. Names like those are familiar ones to followers of the Torpedoes, who have always been strong in the Yankee Swim League.

“We really think we’re back on the upswing,” said Ashey. “We’ve set a lot of personal goals and we’re looking towards the SWCs and states. We have a lot of hope this year.”

One more thing that gives the Nighthawks hope is promising diving team, which lost two quality divers in Tracey Samuels and Ally Leuzzi. Newcomers Britta Cedergen, Kim Mayers, and Tierney Carey could give the ‘Hawks an all-important advantage in the middle of their meets. Mayers – a transfer from Michigan – and Cedergen are both gymnasts and Carey has been taking diving lessons at Yale.

 “I’m hoping that we start getting better at each meet,” said McCann, “and that lots of girls get into the SWCs.”

It’s promising, all right.

Schedule

 

Sept. 14        at Law 4 pm

          New Fairfield

Sept. 20        New Milford   6 pm

          Bunnell

Sept. 25        Stratford       4 pm

Oct. 2 at Pomperaug 4 pm

Oct. 5 at Joel Barlow 4 pm

          Foran

Oct. 12         at Hall 4 pm

Oct. 16         Brookfield      7 pm

Oct. 18         at Seymour    6 pm

Oct. 23         at Weston     4 pm

Oct. 25         Masuk 7 pm

The South-West Conference championship meet will be held Saturday, November 3, at Foran. The CIAC championship meet will begin on Saturday, November 10.