(Jan. 9, 2015) After a two-week winter break, the Stephen Decatur swim teams returned to the pool for competition Tuesday.
The Seahawks took a trip to Delaware to the Sussex YMCA where they met the Cape Henlopen Vikings.
The boys’ meet was a tight battle. Decatur led after the first two races, but Cape Henlopen pulled ahead and held on to win 90-80.
“It’s tough when you’re not in the pool a lot,” said Decatur Coach Damien Sanzotti. “Some of the boys said they felt they were not in as good of shape as they were before break. [Some who missed practice] said they felt a little behind everyone else.”
Several swimmers did recorded their best times during the meet, including senior captain Dalton Warren in the 50-yard freestyle. He completed the race in 25.22 seconds, good for first place. He also won the 100-yard backstroke (1:04.43).
Decatur athletes who also scored victories in their individual events were freshman Kevin Williams (100-yard freestyle, 57.70 seconds) and junior Andrew Gottfried (100-yard breaststroke, 1:11.49).
Warren, Williams, Gottfried and Dustin Berkey, a sophomore, took first place in the 200-yard medley relay race (1:51.37).
Senior Matt Krall joined Warren, Berkey and Williams for the 400-yard freestyle relay race. The boys won the event in 3:57.15.
Overall, Sanzotti said the boys swam well and he saw some improvements.
The Lady Seahawks went up against a talented Vikings squad. Cape Henlopen outscored Decatur, 110-60.
“We did OK. It was our first meet back and that was a factor as well as going up against a tough opponent,” said Decatur Coach Steve Deakyne. “A few people had a good meet. Hopefully it’s motivation to get back at it.”
Decatur didn’t win a race, but the Seahawks came in second place in all but two events.
Several swimmers recorded their best times. Marley Rakow, a junior, logged her fastest time in the 100-yard freestyle. She completed the race in 59.78 seconds, good for second place.
Junior Zainab Mirza dropped time in the 500-yard freestyle race. She finished the event in 6:52. Her previous best was 7:06.
During the second half of the season, Deakyne said the team needs to start bringing times down as a whole.
Sanzotti also said the goal is to improve times, build on yardage and fix little fundamental things to make each swimmer more sound.
“This is a busy month. [With many meets] there’s not a lot of time in the pool for practice,” Sanzotti said. “We need to make the best of our practice time.”
Decatur’s next meet is Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. against the Pocomoke Warriors at the Pocomoke YMCA.
