Ridgefield Aquatic Club Swimmers Recognized for Outstanding Academics and Excellence in the Pool by Connecticut Swimming

On November 4, 2007, 23 Ridgefield Aquatic Club swimmers were recognized by Connecticut Swimming for their outstanding academics, as well as their excellence in the pool at its annual banquet at the Aqua Turf Club. RAC had 6 swimmers named as Connecticut Swimming Scholar Athletes. Those swimmers were Jack Driessen, Ben Feeser, Marc Fink, Nick Lusardi, Joanna Tchobanova, and Madison Walsh. In order to be named a scholar athlete, each swimmer must be a sophomore in high school and maintained a G.P.A of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale in the core curriculum. In addition to achieving a high G.P.A each of these athletes had to compete at either the CT Senior Open Championship or the CT Age Group Championship. Of these 6 swimmers, Jack Driessen and Marc Fink made the USA swimming Scholastic All-American Team. In order to make the team, they had to maintain a G.PA. of at least 3.5 and place in the top 24 at the USA Swimming Sectional Championships.

RAC also placed 21 swimmers on the CT Swimming Top 16 list. The following swimmers times ranked them as one of the top 16 swimmers in the state of Connecticut in at least 1 individual event: Brian Bollerman, Jack Driessen, Kristi Edleson, Ben Feeser, Marc Fink, Julie Grecni, John Kenyon, Andrew Klutey, Kerri Knippenberg, Alex Kron, Tom Lombardo, Nick Lusardi, Courtney Monsees, Danny Palmiotto, Matt Reiff, Grayson Smith, Sean Sutherland, Nikki Tchobanov, Alexis Valedon, Kelli Ann Valedon, and Jordan Voves. Of the 21 swimmers who made the CT swimming Top 16 List, 3 swimmers were ranked #1 in their individual events. Grayson Smith, in the 11-12 200 backstroke, Brian Bollerman, in the 13-14 boys 800 freestyle, and Andrew Klutey, in the 13-14 boys 200, 400, and 1500 freestyle.

Also recognized at the awards banquet were those swimmers who exemplified excellence at the Connecticut Age Group Swimming Championship Meet. RAC had 3 swimmers win High Point awards for their performances at the Age Group Championship Meets. Grayson Smith won the 11-12 boys Distance High Point Award at the March Championship meet. Andrew Klutey won the overall High Point Award for the 13-14 boys at the July Championship meet. Kristi Edleson won the 15-19 girls Distance High Point Award at the July Championship meet.

If you are interested in becoming a part of the Ridgefield Aquatic Club’s swimming program please contact Head Coach Bob Shearer at 203-438-3951.