Newtown High School’s girls’ swimming and diving team defeated host New Fairfield 98-85 on October 17; the Nighthawks had several first- and second-place finishes in the win. They visited Brookfield in the regular-season finale on October 21 and lost 100-83, but recorded some impressive times and earned many individual and relay race victories.

In the New Fairfield meet, the 200 yard medley relay team of Sierra Marx, Maddie Marcisz, Zoe Petertonjes, and Indigo Land was first in a time of 2:04.95. Marx won the 200 freestyle race in 2:10.46 and Emma Sheehan was runner-up in the event with a time of 2:25.21. Marcisz won the 200 individual medley race in 2:23.19 and Ella Murphy took second in 2:49.09. Newtown had yet another one-two finish in the 50 free event as Petertonjes sprinted to the win in 26.17 and was followed by Land in 27.53.

Aliyah Reuther won the diving competition, beating out a strong field of New Fairfield divers with a score of 194.325, and qualifying for the State Championships in the process.

In the 100 butterfly, Petertonjes was first in 1:03.19 and Marcisz second in 1:06.15. Marx won the 100 free in 1:00.84. Sheehan took second in the 500 free, making her final touch in 6:31.18. The 200 medley relay team of Marcisz, Land, Marx, and Petertonjes came in first in 1:50.70. In the 100 backstroke, Land was first in 1:21.23, and Jolene Brackett second in 1:31.16.

Newtown sealed the team win heading into the final event, the 400 free relay, and was paced in that race by the second-place relay contingent of Sheehan, Ella Viau, Reagan Garvin, and Murphy with a time of 4:38.54.

In the Brookfield meet, the 200 medley relay team of Marx, Marcisz, Petertonjes, and Land placed second in 1:59.85. Petertonjes won the 200 free in 2:02.91. Marcisz took first in the 200 IM with a time of 2:20.20. Land was first in the 50 in 26.90.

Reuther was second in the diving competition with a score of 183.40.

Petertonjes won the 100 butterfly race in 1:00.69. Marx was first in the 100 free in 57.59. The 200 free relay of Land, Garvin, Marcisz, and Petertonjes, was first in 1:48.77. Marx placed second in the backstroke event in 1:08.55. Marcisz was runner-up in the breaststroke race in 1:15.14. The meet went to exhibition for the 400 relay and the team of Marx, Viau, Sheehan, and Murphy recorded the second-fastest time with a 4:22.64.

“The girls posted some great times in their last meet — once again Zoe and Maddie really proved themselves as leaders in the pool. We are looking forward to SWCs and States,” said Coach Lisa Irving, whose team has a little time off to prepare for the South-West Conference and State Championships. The SWC diving competition is at Pomperaug of Southbury, Wednesday, October 29 at 5:30 pm, and the swimming events are Saturday, November 1 at Masuk High starting at 10 am.

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