Ridgefield Aquatic Club swimmers had an outstanding performance at this year’s Age Group Championships

Ridgefield Aquatic Club swimmers had an outstanding performance at this year’s Age Group Championships. The meet was held March 6 thru 9 at Wesleyan University in Middletown; Ct. RAC had two Age Group Champions for the 2008 short course season. Congratulations to Jack Driessen and Grayson Smith, both from Ridgefield. Driessen won the 100-breast stroke and Smith triumphed in the 1650 freestyle.

In order to participate at this meet, swimmers must meet a time standard for each event within their age group. The top 18 swimmers, after a preliminary race, advance to the finals. The RAC athletes finishing in the top 18 within the state are as follows:

(Men 15-18)

Brian Bollerman (Ridgefield) 5^th in the 1650-free (17:01.19) and 100-breast (1:04.18), 6^th in the 200-free (1:49.70), 8^th in the 200-breast (2:20.11) and 9^th in the 200 IM (2:05.05)

Jack Driessen (Ridgefield) 1st in the 100-breast stroke (1:02.16), 2^nd in the 200-breast (2:14.44), 5^th in the 200 IM (2:02.09), and 9^th in the 200-free (1:51.97).

Ben Feeser (Ridgefield) 6^th in the 500-free (5:00.27), 7^th in the 200-free (1:51.29), 9^th in the 1000-free (10:35.95), 14^th in the 200-back (2:11.99), and 17^th in the 200 IM (2:07.51)

John Kenyon (Ridgefield) 6th in the 1650-free (17:09.63), 7^th in the 500-free (5:02.89), 8^th in the 1000-free, and 17^th in the 200-free (1:56.64)

Justin Kenyon (Ridgefield) 10^th in the 1650-free (18:21.54)

Andrew Klutey (Ridgefield) 2^nd in the 500-free (4:46.92), 3^rd in the 1650-free (16:36.60) and the 1000-free (9:54.87), 4^th in the 200 back (2:02.76), and 13^th in the 200 IM (2:05.14)

Thomas Lombardo (Ridgefield, CT) 4^th in the 200-fly (2:04.64), 7^th in the 400 IM (4:31.66), 8^th in the 200-free (1:51.82), 9^th in the 500-free (5:06.84), 11^th in the 100-fly (57.71), and 16^th in the 200 IM (2:05.81)

Nicholas Lusardi (Ridgefield, CT) 4^th in the 200-breast (2:17.80), 7^th in the 1000-free (10:27.67), 8^th in the 500-free (5:03.95) and the 100-fly (56.43), and 15^th in the 100-breast (1:06.49)

Sean Sutherland (Ridgefield, CT) 13^th in the 200-free (1:54.50), and 18^th in the 100-breast (1:10.18)

(Boys 13-14)

Grayson Smith (Ridgefield, CT) 1^st in the 1650-free (17:01.92)

Niki Tchobanov (Brewster, NY) 5^th in the 1650-free (18:33.38), 13^th in the 200-fly (2:20.95), 16^th in the 400 IM (4:55.62), and 17^th in the 200-fly (2:25.60) and 100-breast (1:12.28)

(Boys 11-12)

Jordan Voves (Ridgefield, CT) 10^th in the 200-breast (2:45.56) and 14^th in the 100-breast (1:18.21)

(Boys 10 and under)

Brian Valedon (Brewster, NY) 5^th in the 200-free (2:27.14)

(Women 15-18)

Kerri Knippenberg (Carmel, NY) 13^th in the 1650-free (18:47.46), and 19^th in the 1000-free (11:31.59)

(Girls 13-14)

Alexis Valedon (Brewster, NY) 2^nd in the 100-breast (1:09.88), 12^th in the 200-breast (2:36.05), and 15^th in the 200 IM (2:19.43)

(Girls 11-12)

Olivia Cohen (Ridgefield) 9^th in the 50-breast (35.89) and 11^th in the 100-breast (1:16.52)

Zoe Hayes (Ridgefield) 8^th in the 200-fly (2:34.21), and 11^th in the 100-fly (1:08.27)

Courtney Kenyon (Ridgefield) 17^th in the 200-breast (2:52.43)

Jamie Knippenberg (Carmel, NY) 13^th in the 200-fly (2:44.14), 18^th in the 100 fly (1:12.94) and 21^st in the 500 free (5:57.69)

KelliAnn Valedon (Brewster, NY) 6^th in the 200-fly (2:33.59) and 14^th in the 100-fly (1:10.64)

Other RAC members qualifying for the State Championship Meet or participating in relays include Ryan Carey (Ridgefield), Eliana Cohen (Ridgefield), Katie Feeser (Ridgefield), Jeffery Gilbert (Ridgefield), Victoria Holzinger (Ridgefield), Austin Kenyon (Ridgefield), Ian Meyers (Ridgefield), Courtney Monsees (Brewster), Kevin Santoro (Ridgefield), Joanna Tchobanova (Brewster), Eric Waite (Ridgefield), and Madison Walsh (Ridgefield)