WEST HARTFORD – The Mandell JCC Sharks Swim Team made a splash this long course season, which included a state record set by team member Mackenzie Headley.
At Connecticut Age Group Championships the team finished in the top 10 for the fourth year in row. Mackenzie Headley, 10, won the 50 Breaststroke, 100 Butterfly, and the 50 Butterfly. In the 50 Butterfly, she set a new state record with a time of 32.51. Madison Hagberg, 13, won the 100 back and placed in the top five in four out of her six events. Teammate Emma Hapkiewicz, 14, finished second in the 1500-meter freestyle. Emma placed second in the 800-meter Freestyle and top 10 in all swims.
The Sharks also celebrated top 10 swims by 13/14 year-olds Molly Miller, Jennifer Zhang, Erin Shea, Malone Revis, Tahlia Crowley, Erika Dipietro; 11/12 year-old Kali Dominguez, Meghan Tiernan, Jacqui Fox, Vanessa Squillante, Julia Seguro; 9/10 year-olds Ella Tevelde, Cyrus Xu, Ava Hapkiewicz, Tess Sherry, Live Sherry, Jocelyn Niemczyk. The team was also well represented by swimmers Brooke Armstrong, Arianna Bishop, Daniela Echevarria, Emma Gullen, Tyler Grublich, Hally Laney, Alex Lee, Parker Munro, Ella Shafman, and Blake Wool.
The Sharks placed 12th overall in the CT Senior Championship – the highest finish in the team’s history. Finishing in the top 10 were Alex Chernysh, Grace Moore, Aislinn MItchell, Samantha Hagberg, and Natalie Chernysh. The team was also well represented by Jamie Amell, Samantha Dickinson, Julian Flores, Ian Harker, Charlotte Otis, and Matt Shea.
The Sharks Swim Team is a year round program for swimmers ages six and older. The team is a member of United States Swimming.
Team tryouts for the upcoming swim season will be held at the Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Ave., August 3, 7, 15 and 16; 6 – 7 p.m. For more information: dlaudati@mandelljcc.org or at www.mandelljccsharks.org.
CAP: BACK ROW: Daniela Echevarria, Arianna Bishop, Vanessa Squillante, Kali Dominguez, Jacqui Fox, Meghan Tiernan, Julia Seguro, Ella Shafman. FRONT ROW: Alex Lee, Tyler Grubelich.