Makos Swimmers Make A Splash At Championships

After capturing first place in three different boys’ divisions, the Western Connecticut YMCA Makos Swim Team, based in Brookfield, captured second place in the overall standings at this year’s New England YMCA Swimming Championships held at Harvard University’s Blodgett Pool March 25-27. The team includes several standout swimmers from Newtown.

The Western Connecticut team, with 1,741 points, was runner-up to the YMCA of Northshore, which scored 1,897, among ten New England teams.

Newtown’s Hannah Makris, competing in the 11-12 year old girls’ group, was first overall in two events, finishing in 55.17 in the 100-yard freestyle and 25.82 in the 50 free — both Makos team records.

Other top Newtown finishers for the Makos by age-group were:

8-Under Girls: Lily Van Der Kroef – 19.49 in the 25 breaststroke, good for second place and a Makos team record.

8-Under Boys: Aidan Kennedy – 17.61 in the 25 butterfly, for seventh; and 21.37 in the 25 breaststroke, also seventh.

9-10 Girls: Audrey Sedensky – 1:27.66 in the 100 breaststroke for seventh; 1:19.01 in the 100 butterfly for eighth and a Makos team record; and 39.70 in the 50 breaststroke, good for fifth.

13-14 Boys: Robert Linden – 24.34 in the 50 free for eighth; 1:01.12 in the 100 backstroke for sixth; and 5:07.33 in the 500 free for a fourth place finish. Richard Huffman – 58.41 in the 100 butterfly, earning him fourth and a Makos team record; and 1:00.80 in the 100 backstroke for fourth place.

15-18 Girls: Tara Dawley – 5:38.00 in the 500 free for eighth place.

15-18 Boys: Nick Lafky – 1:03.37 in the 100 breaststroke for fifth and a Makos team record. Conor Donnelly – 5:06.89 in the 500 free for sixth place.

The Makos, who also finished second at the New England Championships in 2007 and 2009, and third in 2008, will scheduled to conclude the spring short-course season with the YMCA Short Course National Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Fla this week.