The Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut's Mako swim team won its third consecutive Yankee Cluster swim championship recently with lots of impressive performances … many from Newtown residents.

By KIM HARMON

Published: Mar 16, 2007 12:00 am

The Regional YMCA of Western Connecticutâs Mako swim team won its third consecutive Yankee Cluster swim championship recently with lots of impressive performances â¦ many from Newtown residents.

The three-day championship meet was held at Middletown High School with a field of 13 YMCA teams. The Makos won nine of the 10 age/gender categories up for contention with some of the fastest swimming seen all year.

In the 8 and under age group, the team dominated by winning the girls, the boys and the overall age category and scoring the most total points ever scored in this group.Â For the girls, terrific swims were turned in by Hannah Makris (second in 50 free â 36.25; second in 100 individual medley â 1:32.34; second in 25 butterfly â 19.10), Kiley Banks (seventh in 25 back â 21.79) and Cami Delia (25 breast â 30.91).

The 9/10 year olds also swept, winning the girls, the boys and the overall age category.Â The girls contributed great performances by Hannah Delia (100 free â 1:32.05) and Amanda Walsh (50 butterfly â 54.98).

In the 11/12 year old group the boys dominated. Outstanding swims came from Zach Carfi (seventh in 100 breast â 1:26.16), Tara Dawley (ninth in 200 individual medley â 2:48.80) and Aless Delia (200 free â 2:35.09).

The 13/14 category was powered by the girls with notable racing from Marlene Kroon (seventh in 100 breast â 1:24.67), Katie Fragoso (eighth in 100 breast â 1:25.97), Katie Adams (200 individual medley â 2:55.65), Janis Hubina (100 breast â 1:31.34) and Emma Whitley (50 free â 42.51).

For the boys, big points were earned by Abben Hung (fourth in 100 breast â 1:15.49, fifth in 200 individual medley â 2:25.61, seventh in 100 free â 1:01.01), Conor Donnelly (seventh in 200 individual medley â 2:40.45, eighth in 100 butterfly â 1:16.17, eighth in 100 breast â 1:21.89) and George Delia (seventh in 100 breast â 1:26.49).

For the 15 and over group, the girls dominated with the performances of Jaclyn Van Waalwijk (fifth in 100 free â 58.01, sixth in 50 free â 26.99, sixth in 200 free â 2:09.50), Jen Iassogna (11th in 100 back â 1:14.49), Meaghan Dawley (500 free â 7:08.60), Lizanne Kroon (500 free â 6:10.29, 100 free â 1:02.85).Â

Anthony Fiore, Luke Fiore, Matt Iassogna, Stefan Toi and Hannah Makris also qualified for New Englands.

âThese kids really brought it to the meet,â said head coach Roger Simmons. âThey have trained hard all season and I am really proud of their success as a team.â

NUSAR Officers Elected

Housatonic Valley Waldorf School Planning Annual Harvest Festival November 7-8

Joseph C. Tessitore

Nick 'Pavias' The Way — Three TDs And Defensive Effort Lead Football Team Past Brookfield

The Way We Were

Yes, elections have consequences — Democrats lost. Now it’s time to deal with it instead of trying to turn every local race into a national political drama. Dragging “Project 2025” into a Newtown election is a stretch that borders on absurd. Our local government isn’t deciding national policy — it’s fixing roads, managing budgets, and keeping taxes reasonable. If you think Washington politics are running Town Hall, you haven’t been paying attention. Jeff Capeci and the local Republican team are focused on what actually matters here at home: fiscal responsibility, public safety, and smart development. That’s the kind of leadership Newtown needs — not scare tactics and conspiracy-laced talking points pulled from cable news.

Elections Have Consequences XVII

I’m not sure the author of that letter was actually at the debate, because she seems to have missed the portion near the end when Bruce Walczak couldn’t explain (remember?) how the town pays for its roads. That moment was uncomfortable to watch — and it underscored exactly why experience in town government matters. Jeff Capeci didn’t rely on “pat answers”; he relied on facts. His understanding of how Newtown operates — how projects are funded and how to actually get things done — comes from years of hands-on service, not theory or guesswork. And let’s be honest: it’s not a bad thing that Jeff Capeci was “practiced.” I want someone who prepares for a debate, who does their homework, and who takes the role of First Selectman seriously enough to be ready. Winging it might sound authentic, but it’s not leadership. At several points, Bruce struggled to follow along. He had to have a question repeated because he couldn’t hear, and at yet another point Jeff had to ask for clarification because no one could understand what Bruce was saying. It was clear he wasn’t answering the questions that were actually asked. It was shockingly reminiscent of a recent debate on the national stage.

After The Debate, I’m With Bruce

... he’s “not a politician.” That may sound appealing, but it’s a little disingenuous — Bruce has been trying to become one for the better part of twenty years. He’s run for local office multiple times, often under different party banners. That’s not the résumé of an outsider; that’s the record of someone who has been seeking political office for decades. Newtown voters deserve honesty. You can’t say you’re “not a politician” while campaigning for office year after year. Leadership isn’t about slogans — it’s about results, collaboration, and credibility.

It’s Time for Bold Change in Newtown

Open Letter to Dave Ackert. Mr. Ackert, you are a very angry and mean-spirited person who, in my recent memory, has never done anything but complain and has never shown anything but a one-dimensional uncompromising way of thinking. Want to change Newtown in a way you feel would be better? Then why don’t you RUN FOR OFFICE and stop hiding behind your ranting posts and letters and stop thinking that world revolves around you. Hating Trump (or Trump derangement Syndrome) HAS NOTHING to do with Newtown! Zero! I have talked with Democrats and “Never Trumpers” while out campaigning and knocking on doors that think critically and feel the same way. The Democrats have raised the taxes in Newtown to an unsustainable level and plan on making Newtown even more unaffordable in the future if they retain the majority. If you are not happy with how low (sarcastic) your taxes are? Vote for the Democrats. They will be more than happy to remedy that situation. They just passed a generational tax increase that if you read between the lines, essentially means if you don’t agree with the way they are stealing the innocence and charm out of Newtown, then leave. They have shown no regard to all the people that are struggling to pay their current taxes or rely upon the food pantry to put food on their table. At least the Republicans here in Newtown are dealing with real local issues and quite honestly have shown more common sense in the way the taxpayer’s money is spent. I think some of your arguments are valid, but I would like to see you use the intelligence God gave you in a more constructive way than just criticize. I am serious about you running for office. It would force you to see the big picture and maybe wield your influence in a more productive way.

Open Letter to Newtown’s Voting Majority

I appreciate your optimism about keeping national politics out of local government — we all want leaders who put Newtown first. But calling Paul a “centrist” just doesn’t match what we’ve seen. If you look at his comments online or watch the recent debate, Paul was the first to go negative and came across more like a national political candidate than a neighbor. That’s not the tone of someone trying to bring people together. Now, Paul is another story entirely. He’s honest, articulate, and clearly knows what he’s doing. Frankly, I think local Democrats would have been better off putting him at the top of their ticket.

I’m With Bruce And Paul

<< Oct 2025 >>
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
28	29	30	1	2	3	4
5	6	7	8	9	10	11
12	13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30	31	1

Log In

The Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut's Mako swim team won its third consecutive Yankee Cluster swim championship recently with lots of impressive performances … many from Newtown residents.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply