Matched up with always-tough Weston, the visiting Newtown High School boys’ swimming and diving team held its own with a first-place dive and nine second-place swimming events in a 91-87 loss on January 13.

“Happy with how our guys swam against a very good, deep Weston team,” Newtown Coach Ryan Eberts said.

Diver Cameron Ache was first with a score of 119.25, and Trenton Story was runner-up with a score of 117.25.

Newtown’s 200 yard medley relay team of Elias Kolb, Finn Clancy, Kyle Albrecht, and Warren Ache placed second in 1:46.98, just behind Weston’s winning relay with a time of 1:45.56.

Alex Gadbut took second in the 200 free in 1:52. Albrecht was second in the 200 individual medley race in 2:18.29. Warren Ache placed second in the 50 free in 23.50. Albrecht came in second in the 100 butterfly in 57.82. Clancy earned second in the 100 free in a time of 52.96. Gadbut was second in the 500, clocking in at 5:07.90.

“Kyle Albrecht had a great 100 fly. His hard work in practice continues to pay off and he puts it all into his races. Alex Gadbut is the pillar of our distance swimming. He is a really hard worker and he is always looking to improve and help the team which is so nice to work with,” the coach added.

Newtown’s second-place 200 free relay team, less than a second behind the winning time, finished in 1:37.19 and consisted of swimmers Warren Ache, Albrecht, Clancy, and Gadbut.

Kolb was Newtown’s fastest in the 100 backstroke, placing third in 1:03.66, just behind Weston’s second-place time of 1:03.44, and a second off the winning time. Sam Irving was second in the 100 breaststroke race, making his final touch in 1:10.97.

Newtown’s fastest 400 relay, consisting of Kolb, Connor Kelly, Irving, and Gadbut, took third in 3:54.17.

The Nighthawks are seeing progress among the lesser-experienced varsity contributors, which bodes well for future meets.

“Very proud of how the guys like Elias Kolb, Sam Irving, Jack Pettit, and Beau Clancy are progressing. All of them swam great races at Weston with best times this year, some with best-ever times,” Eberts said.

Pettit raced in the 200 and 500, and was part of a 400 relay. Beau Clancy competed in a pair of relays as well as the backstroke and 200 IM.

Weston sealed the team win and exhibitioned the final two races, but the Hawks hung close, sticking to within seven points after six events and 11 points after seven.

“Overall, I’m proud that so many of our swimmers rose to the occasion and had some good races against a Weston team that will likely contend for a state championship in their class,” Eberts said.

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