Newtown High School’s girls’ swimming and diving team went on the road and dominated in an 88-69 win over Brookfield in the September 10 season-opening meet. The Nighthawks took home first place in every swimming event and exhibitioned the last four races after sealing the team victory in the 200 yard freestyle relay competition. This was Newtown’s first true dual meet in two seasons following last year’s coronavirus-impacted season when teams competed virtually by combining results after swimming at their respective schools.

“We were very excited to start off the season this way. The girls performed very well and we hope it sets the tone for the season,” Coach Becky Osborne said. “We had eight state qualifying swims and 17 South-West Conference qualifying swims, and Ella Hall qualified for SWCs in diving.”

In the home opener, a 99-79 win over New Fairfield on September 14, Brianna Deierlein set new team and pool records in the 100 backstroke with a time of 58.74.

The Brookfield meet was held outdoors, as the bubble has not yet been put up for the season.

“I love that our first meet was at an outdoor pool. It helped the kids feel little more comfortable,” said Osborne, adding that NHS keeps the pool area’s outside doors open and fans blowing to keep air circulating.

Against Brookfield, the Nighthawks began things with the 200 medley relay team of Deierlein, Grace Fischer, Catie Fischer, and Norah Kolb winning in a time of 1:55.80.

Ella Seaver won the 200 free in 2:12.79. Diellza Limani was first in the 200 individual medley race in 2:22.48. Kolb was tops in the 50 free in 26.71.

Hall placed third in the diving competition with a score of 153.35.

Catie Fischer won the 100 butterfly race, clocking in at 1:07.09. Anna Shew claimed first in the 500 free, making her final touch in 5:51.71.

The 200 free relay contingent of Limani, Kolb, Alexa Kwarcinski, and Shayna Millard was first in 1:45.91.

Deierlein won the 100 backstroke race in a time of 59.47. Grace Fisher won the 100 breaststroke event in 1:11.23.

The 400 free relay of Shew, Seaver, Lauren Smiley, and Maura Daly had the fastest time, finishing in 4:16.29.

In the win over New Fairfield, NHS exhibitioned after the 200 free relay, with three events to go. The 200 medley relay team of Deierlein, Catie and Grace Fischer, and Limani was first in 1:58.88.

Kwarcinski won the 200 free in 2:09.13. Deierlein was first in the 200 IM in a time of 2:15.22. Limani took first in the 50 in 26.41. Catie Fischer won the 100 fly in 1:09.46. Kolb was tops in the 100 free in 57.19. Shew had Newtown’s fastest 500 free time, clocking in with a time of 5:52.43 for second place.

The 200 free relay team of Catie Fischer, Kwarcinski, Elise Barricelli, and Limani was first in 1:50.19.

In the 100 back, Deierlein’s record time was more than a dozen seconds better than the next fastest time during the meet. Grace Fischer won the 100 breaststroke in 3:57.39.

The 400 relay of Limani, Shew, Kwarcinski, and Deierlein had the best time, finishing in 3:57.39.

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