Sports

Girls’ Swimmers Have Individual And Relay Race Success In Opening Meet

By Andy Hutchison

Published: Sep 12, 2025 6:50 am

MONROE — Newtown High School’s girls’ swimming and diving team got the season started with a visit to South-West Conference opponent Masuk on September 5. The Nighthawks recorded some individual and relay race wins in a 92-81 setback to the Panthers.

Despite the overall outcome there were plenty of positives for the Nighthawks.

“Very happy with several swims for our first meet of the season. Our veterans really stepped up and set a great example,” said Assistant Coach Ryan Eberts, adding that Zoe Petertonjes, Maddie Marcisz, and Sierra Marx all rose to the occasion. “We’re encouraged by swims from our young swimmers.”

Newtown won the first race of the meet as the 200 yard medley relay contingent of Marx, Marcisz, Petertonjes, and Indigo Land recorded a time of 2:00.70, defeating Masuk’s fastest finishers by eight seconds.

Masuk took the top three spots in the 200 freestyle race but Newtown regained some momentum with a one-two finish in the 200 individual medley and first-place outcome in the 50 free. In the IM, Marcisz was the top finisher in 2:28.56 and Ella Murphy earned second in 2:47.54. Petertonjes won the 50 in a time of 25.69; Land was third in the event in 28.41.

Petertonjes won the 100 butterfly race clocking in at 1:01.09, 17 seconds ahead of the closest competitor. Marx won the 100 free in a time of 57.74. Murphy was second in the 500 free, making her final touch in 6:48.27; Emma Sheehan took third in the 500 with a time of 6:50.57.

Newtown’s 200 free relay of Land, Reagan Garvin, Ella Viau, and Marcisz was second in 1:57.18. Marx was second in the 100 backstroke race, finishing in 1:09.18; Marcisz won the 100 breaststroke event in 1:17.88; Land was third in the breaststroke race in 1:23.21. The 400 free relay team of Marx, Murphy, Sheehan, and Petertonjes came in first in 4:10.74. The 200 medley relay comprised of Viau, Jolene Brackett, Ella Murphy, and Reagan Garvin took third in 2:22.65.

In the 200 free Sheehan placed fourth in 2:29.73 and Viau fifth in 2:34.92. In the 200 IM Garvin came in fifth in 3:04.45. In the 100 free Garvin took fifth in 1:10.23. The 200 free relay team of Brackett, Lucia Suarez, Madison Weston, and Sheehan placed fourth in a time of 2:15.16. In the 100 backstroke Giulia Rossi was fourth in 1:38.88 and Brackett came in fifth in 1:34.80.

The Nighthawks got back into their home pool when Weston visited on September 9. NHS lost 109-60. Newtown will host Stratford Tuesday, September 16 at 4 pm.

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

Maddie Marcisz races to first place in the 100 yard breaststroke event during Newtown’s season-opening meet at Masuk High on September 5. —Bee Photos, Hutchison

Zoe Petertonjes races to first place in the 100 butterfly event.

Sierra Marx placed second in the 100 backstroke competition.

Reagan Garvin competes in the 200 free relay race. Newtown’s contingent came in second against Masuk.

Jolene Brackett competes for the Nighthawks.

Giulia Rossi races in the backstroke event.

Emma Sheehan races to third place in the 500.

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Girls’ Swimmers Have Individual And Relay Race Success In Opening Meet

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