Newtown High School's girls' swimming and diving team is striving to be among the best squads in the South-West Conference championships this fall.The Bee.

"I would love to see a top-three finish at SWCs this year," said Newtown High Coach Becky Osborne, quick to point out that a lot depends on how others do.

All Osborne asks of her swimmers is that they make the most of what is in their control.

"I would love to see them swim up to their potential. We have some really strong leadership in and out of the pool - not just the captains, but the entire senior class," Newtown's coach said. "They're really great role models for the young swimmers. Hopefully that will carry us and everybody else will follow suit."

Senior captains are Kelly Garcia, Mary Hufziger, and Julia DiMartino. Hufziger, an All State selection and State Open qualifier, is a freestyle swimmer and backstroker. DiMartino swims the 100 yard butterfly and freestyle events, and Garcia is a freestyle competitor.

Other key returnees are seniors Amanda Berry (fly and free), Melissa Nowak (backstroke), and Kira Kelly, Laura Carson, Katherine Donnelly, and Rose Wheway (all freestyle); and juniors Maddie Carter and Olivia Renkert (utility swimmers who provide depth in numerous events), Emma Riebe (free and individual medley), Grace Bertsche (free and breaststroke), and Lianna Perazzo (free).

Diving is traditionally a strength for Newtown, and this year appears to be promising once again, Diving Coach Melissa Carroll believes. Returnees are Kiera Sughrue, who was fourth in the conference championships a year ago, along with Hannah Weatherby, and Kylie Giroux; and newcomers Abby Watson, Georgia Filter, and Lenie Urbina.

The season gets underway on Friday, September 8, when the Hawks visit Bunnell of Stratford at 7 pm.

Read the complete article in the September 8 print edition of