The Connecticut Aquatic Club (CAC), coached by Christine Pelham, attended the US Swimming, Connecticut State Age Group Championship held at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. The meet started Thursday evening March 10 and concluded Sunday evening, March 13.

Wesleyan’s 18 lane, 25 yard pool hosted 1,100 swimmers from Connecticut’s 52 US Swim Teams. For 11 and older swimmers the meet format consisted of daytime preliminary racing with the top 18 finishers in each event returning for finals in the evening. The 18 top finishers were divided into two heats with the fastest 9 compromising the Championship Final and the next 9 comprising the Consolation Final. For 10 and under swimmers, all races were finals.

13 of CAC’s 15 qualifying swimmers, representing all age groups competing at the Short Course Championship, were in attendance. CAC’s Rhianna Blake and powerhouse swimmer, Jessica Hespeler opted not to attend as they were preparing for Southern Zone Sectionals in Ft. Lauderdale, 3/17 – 3/20. CAC’s 13 swimmers demonstrated the excellence of their coaching and personal dedication achieving an overall place of 20th in team points scoring. This was the strongest showing for southeastern Connecticut’s US Swim Teams.

CAC’s 10 and under swimmers made a very strong showing at the meet.

Westerly’s Lea Kopperman (10) placed 25th overall in points scoring in the 9-10 Girls Division. Kopperman placed 10th in the 200 Freestyle (2:23.95), 13th in the 100 IM (1:16.38), 50 Freestyle (30.11), 100 Freestyle (1:06.98), 16th in the 200IM (2:47.31), and 25th in the 100 Backstroke (1:18.75).

Hailing from Pawcatuck, Boys 9-10 Division swimmer, Wes Rea (9), placed in the Boys 9-10 Division; 17th in the 50 Freestyle (30.63), 19th in the 50 Butterfly (35.22), 25th in the 50 Backstroke (36.92), and 30th in the 200 Freestyle (2:33.32).

CAC’s 11-12 year old swimmers were showed that the results of top caliber technique coaching, which is extremely important for developing young swimmers.

Ledyard swimmer Jordan Legg (12) placed 18th overall in points scoring in the Boys 11-12 Division. Jordan qualified to swim finals in every event. In Championship Finals, He placed 4th in the 100 Freestyle (56.16), 7th in the 200 Backstroke (2:24.21), and 9th in the 50 Freestyle (26.54). In Consolation Finals, Jordan placed 1st in the 100 IM (1:06.76), 2nd in the 100 Backstroke (1:07.35) and 50 Backstroke (32.14).

North Stonington’s Lea Janz (12) swimming in the girls 11-12 Division was 16th in the 500 Freestyle Final (5:47.16). In preliminaries, Lea was 21st in the 50 Freestyle (27.88), 22nd in the 100 Freestyle (1:00.65), 26th in the 200 Freestyle (2:13.26) and 200 IM (2:31.49), and 33rd in the 100 IM (1:12.50).

CAC’s 13-14 year old swimmers set a pace that was tough to follow. They demonstrated the benefits of focused coaching with strong emphasis on quality technique.

Waterford’s Asia Langley (13) placed 10th overall in points scoring in the Girls 13-14 Division. Asia qualified to swim finals in every event. In Championship Finals, Asia placed 3rd in the 50 Freestyle (25.09), 5th in the 100 Freestyle (54.86), 8th in the 100 Backstroke (1:03.28), 9th in the 500 Freestyle (5:24.20). Asia placed 1st in the 200 Freestyle Consolation Final with a 1:58.39. Asia has qualified for Southern Zone Sectionals in Ft. Lauderdale, 3/17 – 3/20.

Westerly’s Logan Hellwig (14) placed 6th overall in points scoring in the Boys 13-14 Division. Logan qualified to swim finals in every event; however, on Sunday he scratched the 200 Backstroke to concentrate on the 100 Butterfly. In Championship Finals, Logan placed 1st in the 200 Freestyle (1:49.93), 2nd in the 100 Backstroke (54.90) and 100 Freestyle (49.46), and 3rd in the 100 Butterfly (54.58) and 50 Freestyle (22.78). Logan has qualified for Southern Zone Sectionals in Ft. Lauderdale, 3/17 – 3/20.

Ledyard’s Rachel Legg (14) returned to swim finals in the Girls 13-14 Division, placing 8th in the 50 Freestyle (25.55). Rachel also placed 27th in the preliminary 100 Freestyle (57.01).

Pawcatuck’s Julia Gavin (13) swimming in the Girls 13-14 Division preliminaries was 25th in the 100 Breaststroke (1:14.32) and the 200 Breaststroke (2:39.01) and 30th in the 50 Freestyle (27.00). Julia has qualified for Southern Zone Sectionals in Ft. Lauderdale, 3/17 – 3/20.

Waterford’s Meredith Hird (14) swimming in the Girls 13-14 Division placed 28th in the 100 Brest preliminary (1:15.76).

CAC’s 15-Over swimmers demonstrated the results of excellent technique, hard work and excellent training with very strong finishes.

North Stonington swimmer Andy Janz (15) placed 16th overall in points scoring in the Boys 15-Over Division. Janz qualified to swim finals in every event; however, on Sunday he scratched the 200 Backstroke to concentrate on the Consolation Final 100 Breaststroke. In the Championship Finals Andy placed 6th in the 100 Backstroke (1:00.14), 7th in the 200 Breaststroke (2:22.94) and the 400 IM (4:33.50). In Consolation Finals, Janz placed 1st in the 100 Breaststroke 1:03.07, and 5th in the 200 IM (2:10.06). Janz has qualified for Southern Zone Sectionals in Ft. Lauderdale, 3/17 – 3/20.

Mystic’s Adam Tran (16) returned to swim finals in four events in the Boys 15-Over Division. In Championship Finals Adam placed 8th in the 100 Backstroke (1:00.99). In Consolation Finals, Tran placed 1st in the 100 Freestyle (51.62), 5th in the 50 free (23.64), and 7th in the 200 Breaststroke (2:28.91).

Westerly’s Kyle Rohdin (17) swimming in the Boys 15–Over Division preliminaries was 22nd in the 200 Backstroke (2:13.40) and 50 Freestyle (24.08) and 37th in the 100 Breaststroke (1:11.76).

Groton’s Andrew Lewis (17) swimming in the Boys 15–Over Division placed 25th in the 200 IM preliminary (2:18.54).