Newtown High School's girls' swimming and diving team put forth a good effort in a 94-79 loss to visiting Joel Barlow of Redding on October 2. The Nighthawks were first in diving and had the fastest times in four of the swimming events to go along with several runner-up finishes.

Aliyah Reuther defeated a pair of Barlow divers with her score of 169.1. Sierra Marx won the 100 yard freestyle race in a time of 1:00.20; Emma Sheehan was first in the 500 free in 6:39.28; Ella Murphy won the 100 backstroke event in 1:11.03. The 200 free relay team comprising Murphy, Marx, Reagan Garvin, and Indigo Land edged out Barlow's relay 1:51.85 to 1:51.89 in an ultra-close finish.

"Aliyah showed a ton of grit on the diving board. And our 200 free relay just touched out Barlow for the win. We had several other first-place finishes and best times. Overall we are really proud of how the girls performed," Coach Lisa Irving said.

The 200 medley relay team of Murphy, Jolene Brackett, Marx, and Land was second in 2:09.47. Murphy took second in the 200 free with a time of 2:25.82; Marx was second in the 50 in 27.87; and Land came in second in the 100 breaststroke event in 1:21.29. The meet went to exhibition for the final event and Newtown's 400 relay of Sheehan, Elin Lohmann, Madi Weston, and Brackett had the second-fastest time, clocking in at 4:48.11.

NHS went to New Fairfield on October 6 and prevailed 87-85. Garvin was first in the 200 individual medley race in 2:59.17; Land won the 50 free in 27.75 and took first in the 100 free in 1:00.72. The 200 free relay team of Marx, Reuther, Brackett, and Land was first in 1:58.28. Murphy won the 100 backstroke in 1:09.72 and Brackett won the 100 breaststroke race in 1:28.78. Reuther again was first in diving, with a score of 201.55.

NHS held an 83-75 lead heading into the final event, the 400 free relay. New Fairfield claimed first place, but the Nighthawks locked up the team win with four points by earning second place. The relay team of Garvin, Sheehan, Weston, and Murphy clocked in at 4:31.94.

The 200 medley relay team comprising Murphy, Land, Garvin, and Marx was second in 2:07.07. Sheehan was second in the 200 free with a time of 2:27.54 and Murphy was second in the 100 free in 1:05.24.

"It was a very close meet and it took a whole team effort to pull off this win. We are really proud of how the girls rallied," Irving said.

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