Ridgefield Aquatic Club Swimmers Excel at CT Regional Championships

The Ridgefield Aquatic Club sent over 50 swimmers to the CT Regional Swimming Championships during the weekend of July 18-20. The meet was held at Wesleyan University and the University of Connecticut.

RAC had 6 10/u swimmers place in the top 8 at the meet. Those swimmers were, Stephanie Gerschwer, from Ridgefield, who placed 8^th in the girls 200 freestyle. Jeffrey Gilbert, from Ridgefield, who placed 5^th in the 100fly, 2^nd in the 100 free, and 6^th in the 50 fly. Sophie Hayes, from Ridgefield, placed 4^th in the 100 fly. Austin Kenyon, from Ridgefield, placed 6^th in the 50, 100, and 200 free. Kevin Santoro, from Ridgefield, placed 4^th in the 100 back, 7^th in the 50 back, 3^rd in the 50 fly, and 8^th in the 200 free. Kieren Smith, from Ridgefield, placed 2^nd in the 50 free and 200 free, 8^th in the 100 back, and 3^rd in the 100 free.

The 11/12 year old swimmers were paced by Emily Motil and Zoe Hayes, both from Ridgefield. Emily, placed7th in the 50 fly, and 8^th in the 100 fly. Zoe placed 7^th in the 50 free.

RAC had 5 13/14 year old swimmers finish in the top 8 in their individual events. Chris Myers, from Ridgefield, placed 7^th in the 400 IM and 8^th in the 800 free. Ryan Carey, from Ridgefield placed 7^th in the 100 and 200 breast. Kelly Coleman, from Ridgefield, placed 6^th in the 200 fly. Victoria Holzinger, from S. Salem placed 7^th in the 200 back and 2^nd in the 100 back. Tommy Parks, from Ridgefield placed 4^th in the 100 back.

In the 15/over division RAC was lead by Katie Feeser, from Ridgefield who placed 1^st in the 50, 100, and 800 free, as well as placing 2^nd in the 200 free and 3^rd in the 400 free. Liz Bilotta, from Ridgefield placed 1^st in the 400 IM, 2^nd in the 200 breast, and 3^rd in the 200 fly. Justin Kenyon, from Ridgefield placed 8^th in the 400 free and 100 back, and 3^rd in the 200 back. Kerri Knippenberg, from Carmel, NY placed 5^th in the 400 free, 6^th in the 200 free, and 2^nd in both the 100 and 200 back. Joanna Tchobanova, from Brewster placed 3^rd in the 400 IM, 3^rd in the 100 breast and 100 fly, and 4^th in the 200 breast. Casey Lorusso, from Ridgefield placed 6^th in the 200 fly.

Overall, RAC had 10 swimmers qualify in 16 events for the CT State Swimming Championships. The swimmers who qualified for the CT Age Group Championships were Jeffrey Gilbert, Austin Kenyon, Kevin Santoro Kieren Smith, Ryan Carey, Victoria Holzinger, Tommy Parks, Katie Feeser, Liz Bilotta, and Kerri Knippenberg.

RAC Swimmers Place 6^th at CT State Swimming Championships

The Ridgefield Aquatic Club had 37 swimmers qualify for the CT Age Group State Swimming Championships held July 24-27 at Wesleyan University in Middletown. The Age Group Championships are the premier swimming competition in the state of CT. Approximately 50 teams and 1200 swimmers participated in the event. RAC placed 6h overall as a team at the event.

The RAC 10/u swimmers were lead by Brian Valedon, from Brewster, NY. Brian placed 2^nd in the 400 free, 4^th in the 200 free and 200 IM, 5^th in the 100 free, 7^th in the 50 free, and 9^th in the 50 breast.

For the 11-12 year old age group, RAC had 5 swimmers place in the top 16 at the state championships. Zoe Hayes, from Ridgefield placed 6^th in the 100 fly, 10^th in the 200 fly, and 11^th in the 50 fly. Courtney Kenyon, from Ridgefield placed 16^th in the 50 breast, and 10^th in the 200 breast. Jamie Knippenberg, from Carmel, NY placed 14^th in the 100fly, 12^th in the 200 fly and 15^th in the 100 free. Kelli Ann Valedon, from Brewster placed 13^th in the 400 free, 11^th in the 100 fly, 6^th in the 200 fly, and 15^th in the 200 IM. Jordan Voves, from Ridgefield placed 14^th in the 100 breast, 15^th in the 200 IM, and 9^th in the 200 breast.

The 13-14 year old swimmers were lead by Grayson Smith who was the Most Valuable swimmer (High Point Winner and Distance High Point winner) of the meet in his age group. Grayson, from Ridgefield placed 1^st in the 400, 800, and 1500 free, he placed 3^rd in the 200 fly, and 2^nd in the 400 IM. Nikki Tchobanov, from Brewster placed 15^th in the 200 fly, 9^th in the 800 free, and 13^th in the 100 fly. Alexis Valedon, from Brewster placed 13^th in the 100 back, 6^th in the 200 IM, 3d in the 200 breast, 7^th in the 400 IM, 11^th in the 200 back, and 7^th in the 100 breast.

In the 15/over division RAC had 7 swimmers place in the top 16 in individual races. Brian Bollerman, from Ridgefield placed 1^st in the 100 breast, 10^th in the 200 free, 3^rd in the 200 breast, and 15^th in the 100 back. Katie Feeser, from Ridgefield placed 15^th in the 50 free. John Kenyon, from Ridgefield placed 7^th in the 1500 free and 13^th in the 800 free. Justin Kenyon, from Ridgefield placed 12^th in the 1500 free. Andrew Klutey, from Ridgefield placed 5^th in the 200 free, 3^rd in the 200 IM, 5^th in the 400 free and 200 back, and 12^th in the 200 fly. Kerri Knippenberg, from Carmel placed 15^th in the 80 free. Nick Lusardi, from Ridgefield placed 8^th in the 200 breast, and 16^th in the 400 IM. Courtney Monsees, from Brewster placed 12^th in the 200 IM and 50 free, and 5^th in the 200 fly.

Over the course of the meet, RAC won 4 individual state championship, broke 8 team record, had 1 swimmer win the High Point Award in their age group, and qualified 2 swimmers for the Eastern Zone Age Group Championship swim meet in Maryland.

If you are interested in attending RAC’s Open House on Aug. 27-28 from 5-6:30 PM or Sat. Sept. 6 from 9-10 AM at the Barlow Mountain pool please feel free to contact Head Coach Bob Shearer at 203-438-3951 or by email, racswimming256@aol.com.