Sure, victories are enjoyable. But for Newtown High School’s boys’ swim team, just getting in a meet is a win in itself. The Nighthawks made it a win-win by defeating visiting New Fairfield 82-71 in a twice-rescheduled clash of South-West Conference foes, on January 27.

“It’s just a breath of fresh air for these guys to swim in a meet and race,” said Newtown Coach Adam Fielding, who took advantage of New Fairfield’s slim roster by tapping his depth and giving some of his team members who might not otherwise compete some opportunities to race as well as trying out team members in less familiar events.

Newtown had its January 25 meet with Brookfield postponed because of coronavirus protocol, so the makeup matchup with New Fairfield gave the Hawks some competition during the week. The New Fairfield meet was postponed twice due to coronavirus protocol, once for each squad.

The Nighthawks exhibitioned some events well before the meet was officially won, but with Newtown clearly on its way to victory, rather than building a commanding lead.

“It was more important for me to get some of these guys races today,” Fielding said. “It was just good for them to go out and swim an event and have a time ... This will be huge for their confidence going forward.”

Newtown’s 200 yard medley relay team of Brody Goudy, Andrew Arena, Max Luci-Bernard, and Connor Kwarcinski came in first in a time of 1:54.89.

Kris Luci-Bernard won the 200 freestyle race in 2:06.24 and Arena placed second in 2:11.21. Max Luci-Bernard won the 200 individual medley in 2:22.24 and James Guerrieri was second in 2:26.92. Daniel Naulaguari was first in the 50 free in 26.36 and Hayden Bobowick placed second in 27.76.

Newtown exhibitioned the next couple of events. Peter Horan raced in the 100 butterfly and had the fastest time, finishing in 56.59. In the 100 free, Naulaguari had the best time with a 57.25.

Gabe Petertonjes won the 500, making his final touch in 5:39.10 and Goudy was second in 6:34.29.

The 200 free relay of Horan, John Barzetti, Brayden Hazard, and Deagan Granville was first in 1:46.66. Arena was second in the 100 backstroke in a time of 1:08.81. Grant Carson was second in the 100 breaststroke race in 1:12.19.

NHS exhibitioned the 400 free relay and the best time was pulled in by Max Luci-Bernard, Arena, Barzetti, and Petertonjes in 3:54.09.

Newtown got back to competition with a regularly-scheduled meet against visiting Joel Barlow of Redding-Bethel on February 1, and came out on top 85-81. Newtown sealed the team victory after the 200 free relay and exhibitioned the final three events. Fielding used this as another mix and match meet to some degree.

The 200 medley relay of Horan, Matt Irving, Petertonjes, and Kwarcinski was first in 1:47.21.

In the 200 free, Max Luci-Bernard placed second in 1:58.35. Kwarcinski won the 200 IM in 2:12.07. Horan took first in the 50 free, sprinting to the end in 22.20. Naulaguari was second in the 100 butterfly with a time of 1:03.13. Irving was first in the 100 free in 53.38, and Arena came in second in the event, clocking in at 58.16. Kwarcinski won the 500 in 5:31.58 and Max Luci-Bernard was runner-up in a time of 5:38.35.

The 200 free relay of Kris Luci-Bernard, Irving, Naulaguari, and Max Luci-Bernard won in 1:40.74.

Horan won the backstroke race in 53.16. Carson had the second-fastest time in the breaststroke event in 1:13.79.

The fastest finishers in the 400 relay were Max Luci-Bernard, Kwarcinski, Horan, and Petertonjes, with a time of 3:38.13.

Newtown is slated to host Masuk of Monroe on Tuesday, February 8, at 4 pm, then make up the meet with visiting Brookfield two days later, Thursday, February 10, also at 4 o’clock.

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