Girls Swimming 2012

WestieBlue

Catherine Bartozzi. Photo courtesy of Todd Dandelske.

Upper Hand
Tigers defeat Westies, 97-84
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(October 19, 2012) – The West Haven girls’ swim team was hoping to close the regular season in style. Instead, the Westies fell to Hand-Madison in the finale by a score of 97-84.
The Westies won just 5 events in the loss. Elizabeth Fournier won the 200 IM in 2 minutes, 27.42 seconds, Hayley Padro was victorious in the 50 freestyle in 27.69 seconds and Tifani Gilbert won the diving with 123.65 points.
Catherine Fournier was victorious in the 100 breaststroke in 1:14.44 and the 400 freestyle relay team of Ariel Vaughan, Georgienna Driver, Cynthia Hager and Jessica McClure won in 4:29.82.

Westies fall to SHA
Pacers win by 19 points
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(October 16, 2012) – The West Haven girls’ swim team fell to Sacred HeartAcademy Tuesday afternoon 100-81. The Westies won only five events in the loss.
Elizabeth Fournier tied for first place in the 200 freestyle in 2 minutes, 4.40 seconds, Catherine Fournier was victorious in the 200 IM in 2:23.18 and Jess McClure won the 500 freestyle in 5:50.22.
Catherine Fournier also won the 100 breaststroke in 1:14.14 and the 400 freestyle relay team of Hayley Padro, Catherine Fournier, Elizabeth Fournier and McClure was victorious in 4:10.26.

Westies fall to Mercy
Tigers post 95-83 victory
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(October 12, 2012) – The West Haven girls’ swimming team knew the it would been in for a challenge when it hosted Mercy Friday afternoon. The Westies were proved to be correct.
Despite a valiant effort, West Haven fell to the Tigers 95-83 at West Haven High. The loss dropped the Westies to 3-5-1 on the year.
West Haven was able to win 6 events in the loss, including two relay events. The 200 medley relay team of Georgienna Driver, Catherine Fournier, Hayley Padro and Elizabeth Fournier won in 2 minutes, 4.95 seconds, while the 400 freestyle relay team of Padro, Jess McClure, Catherine Fournier and Elizabeth Fournier won in 4:08.64.
Catherine Fournier and Elizabeth Fournier also did well in the individual events. Elizabeth Fournier won the 200 freestyle in 2:11.77 and the 500 freestyle in 5:41.01. Catherine Fournier won the 200 IM in 2:22.64 and the 100 breaststroke in 1:15.40.

Westies fall to Branford
Hornets remain undefeated
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(October 9, 2012) – The West Haven girls’ swimming team has run into some tough competition of late. After seeing the likes of Cheshire and Amity, the Westies faced Branford Tuesday evening.
Remaining undefeated, Branford defeated the Westies 100-77. West Haven won only five events in the loss to the powerful Branford squad in Branford.
Catherine Fournier posted two of the individual victories as she won the 200 IM in 2 minutes, 23.43 seconds and the 100 breaststroke in 1:16.24
Elizabeth Fournier won the 200 freestyle in 2:05.58 and Jess McClure won the 100 backstroke in 1:19.09. The 400 freestyle relay team of Hayley Padro, McClure, Catherine Fournier and Elizabeth Fournier posted a victory in 4:08.00.

Cheshire too much for Westies
Rams post 94-68 victory
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(October 5, 2012) – The West Haven swim team knew it would be facing tough competition Friday evening. Facing a storied Cheshire program, the Westies would see how polished the Rams were.
Following a loss to a tough Amity team, the Rams were next to show West Haven how well the team swims.
Winning just one event, the Westies fell to Cheshire 94-68. West Havendropped to 3-3-1 with the loss.
Elizabeth Fournier had West Haven's lone victory. Fournier won in the 200 freestylein a time of 2 minutes, 6.02 seconds.

Westies fall to Amity
Amity drops Westies to 3-2-1
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(October 2, 2012) – The West Haven girls’ swim team fell to 3-2-1 with a 91-82 loss to Amity at West Haven High Tuesday afternoon. The Westies won only four events in the loss.
“Overall, we swam well,” West Haven coach Erin McCauley said. “We had a “Senior 500” with Catherine Fournier, Hayley Padro, and Ariel Vaughan and all swam well.
“I had kids in mixed up events because I knew the competition would be strong. Ying Guo had her best time in the 100 breaststroke and Jess McClure swam well in the shorter distance events, something she is not used to.”
The Westies were victorious in the 200 freestyle relay in a time of 2 minutes, 3.66 seconds. The team consisted of Jess McClure, Jess Lauer, Yingxian Guo and Ariel Vaughan.
Elizabeth Fournier won the 100 backstroke in 1:08.08, Catherine Fournier won the 100 breaststroke in 1:14.31 and the 400 freestyle relay team of Hayley Padro, Georgienna Driver, Catherine Fournier and Elizabeth Fournier won in 4:08.64.

Westies defeat Woodland
Fournier's and Padro lead the way
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(September 27, 2012) – The West Haven swim team used a complete team effort to defeat Woodland 99-86 Thursday afternoon in Woodland. The Westies won seven events and had several swimmers in the top three of their events.
Elizabeth Fournier and Catherine Fournier had big days as each was part of four winning events. Hayley Padro was part of two victorious events.
The Westies were victorious in the 200 yard medley relay with a time of 2 minutes, 6.45 seconds. The team consisted of Elizabeth Fournier, Catherine Fournier, Ariel Vaughan and Padro.
Elizabeth Fournier won the 200 yard freestyle in 2:10.48 and Jess McClure was second in 2:16.72. Catherine Fournier won the 200 yard IM in 2:22.60 with Vaughan placing third in 2:37.44.
Vaughan placed second in the 100 yard fly in 1:11.14 and Georgienna Driver was third in 1:15.02, while Sarah Flynn was second in the 100 yard free in 1:17.99.
McClure was victorious in the 500 yard freestyle in 5:54.86 and Driver was second in 5:57.63. The 200 yard freestyle relay team was second in 1:59.05 and was comprised of Vaughan, Jess Lauer, Yingxian Guo and McClure.
Elizabeth Fournier won the 100 yard backstroke in 1:08.79, Catherine Fournier won the 100 yard breaststroke in 1:16.31 and the 400 yard freestyle relay team of Padro, Driver, Catherine Fournier and Elizabeth Fournier won in 4:08.54.

Westies defeat Law
Hayley Padro and Elizabeth Fournier lead the way

By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(September 25, 2012) – The West Haven girls’ swimming team won 9 events Tuesday afternoon and defeated Jonathan Law 98-83 in West Haven. Elizabeth Fournier and Hayley Padro each won three events in the victory.
"Elizabeth works hard every minute of every day," West Haven coach Erin McCauley said. "She excels at everything and she is a tremendous asset to the team, especially since she is only a sophomore. I will be able to put her in my lineup for two more seasons after this one. I put her in the 100 fly in this meet just to see how she would do and she came within two seconds of qualifying for states in it.
"Hayley has always been a strong sprinter. She has been working harder at practice recently and I am hoping to see her get a little faster. She has the potential to be consistently under one minute in the 100 free. I think the tougher teams we have coming up will provide some good races for her, which will help her to push towards that goal."
The Westies were victorious in two of the three relay events, posting wins in the 200 medley relay and the 200 freestyle relay.
The 200 medley relay team consisted of Elizabeth Fournier, Catherine Fournier, Ariel Vaughan and Padro and was won in 2 minutes, 7.51 seconds. The 200 freestyle relay team was comprised of Vaughan, Jess Lauer, Yingxian Guo and Jess McClure and won in 2:01.56.
Elizabeth Fournier also did well in the individual events, winning the 200 freestyle in 2:11.60 and the 100 butterfly in 1:09.35. Padro also won two individual events as she posted a victory in the 50 freestyle in 28.47 seconds and the 100 freestyle in 1:02.26.
Georgienna Driver was victorious in the 200 individual medley in 2:36.42, McClure posted a victory in the 500 freestyle in 5:59.50 and Cynthia Hager won the 100 breaststroke in 1:25.81.
"As long as the girls are getting faster and having a good time while doing it, I am happy," McCauley said. "High school season is fast for the girls. Many of them swim year round on club teams, but the high school season provides eight to twelve weeks of excitement and energy.
"With all the hard work they put in each day, they get to see progress quickly. It is important to keep morale high and workouts tough. I think we have found that balance and I hope to continue to see progress among all the girls."
The Westies improved to 2-1-1 with the victory.
"Tifani Gilbert had a personal best score in diving with a 118," McCauley said. "She scored several five's and a seven and placed second out of four divers. Jessica McClure broke six minutes for the first time ever in the 500 freestyle and took first place.
"Georgienna Driver had a best time in the 200 IM, Sarah Flynn had a best time in the 100 free and Ying Guo competed very well in two new events for her, the 200 IM and the 500 free. Talia Raucci dropped twelve seconds in her 500 free. All of the girls are continuing to get faster and that is what this season is all about."

Westies trounce East Haven
101-41 win helps Westies improve to 1-1-1
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(September 21, 2012) - The West Haven swim team was victorious in all but two events as West Haven defeated East Haven 101-41 at West Haven High Friday afternoon. The win allowed the Westies to even their record at 1-1-1 on the year.
West Haven opened the meet with a win in the 200 medley relay. The team of Elizabeth Fournier, Catherine Fournier, Ariel Vaughan and Hayley Padro won in 2 minutes, 5.52 seconds.
The Westies also won the 200 freestyle relay in 1:53.66. The team consisted of Jessica McClure, Padro, Georgienna Driver and Padro.
Driver was victorious in the 200 freestyle in 2:15.02, Catherine Fournier won the 200 individual medley in 2:27.50, and Elizabeth Fournier was victorious in the 50 freestyle in 27.78 seconds.
Tifani Gilbert took home the diving event with 107.80 points and Catherine Fournier placed first in the 100 butterfly in 1:10.72. Driver also won the 100 freestyle in 1:02.72 and Vaughan won the 500 freestyle in 6:18.79.
Cynthia Hager rounded out the victories, winning the 100 breaststroke in 1:25.41.

Westies lose to Foran
WH falls to 0-1-1 after 96-85 loss
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(September 18, 2012) – The West Haven girls’ swim team fell to 0-1-1 after a 96-85 loss to Foran Tuesday afternoon at West Haven High. The Westies were victorious in only six events, resulting in the 11-point loss.
"I knew the meet would be close because I know the depth Foran has," West Haven coach Erin McCauley said. "Many of their swimmers are on the West Haven Wizards, the Park Rec team I coach in the offseason.
"I was very happy because all of the girls swam well and I am continuing to see best times from all of them. They are working hard and swimming hard, and, as a coach, that is all I want to see."
Both Catherine Fournier and Elizabeth Fournier had stellar days. Each was part of two victorious relay teams and both won a pair of individual events.
"Catherine and Elizabeth Fournier are big point scorers for us," McCauley said. "Catherine won all of her events in this meet and Elizabeth is the anchor in our come-from-behind winning 400 free relay. Jessica McClure, Georgie Driver, Ying Guo and Josephine Ayala also had best times and Tifani Gilbert had a best score in diving."
The Westies were victorious in the 200 medley relay as Elizabeth Fournier, Catherine Fournier, Ariel Vaughan and Hayley Padro won in 2 minutes, 3.67 seconds.
West Haven also won the 400 freestyle relay in a time of 4:06.13. The team consisted of Padro, Jessica McClure, Catherine Fournier and Elizabeth Fournier.
Elizabeth Fournier won the 200 freestyle in 2:07.66 and the 100 freestyle in 58.19 seconds. Catherine Fournier was victorious in the 200 individual medley in 2:21.83 and the 100 breaststroke in 1:15.08.
"We are facing a tough rest of the season," McCauley said. "We are in Division I based on points scored at championships the past two years. We no longer have the All-State or State Open qualifying talent we had during those years, so it will be difficult to compete with the powerhouse SCC teams.
"We do have some younger swimmers who have the potential to reach All-State status by the end of their career. For now, we are focused on improving times and getting a win in wherever we can."
Vaughan was third in the 200 individual medley in 2:35.06, Padro was second in the 50 freestyle in 27.80 seconds and Vaughan also placed second in the 100 butterfly in 1:10.03.
Georgienna Driver placed second in the 500 freestyle in 5:55.63 and McClure was third in 6:03.39. Padro was second in the 100 backstroke in 1:12.30.
The 200 freestyle relay team was second in 2:00.44 with a team of Vaughan, Jess Lauer, Yingxian Guo and Driver.

Fit to be Tied
Westies and Sheehan open season with 90-90 tie
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
(September 12, 2012) - The West Haven girls’ swimming team traveled to Wallingford Wednesday afternoon looking to open the season with a victory over the Titans. In a meet which was close throughout, the two teams played to a 90-90 tie in the season opener for both teams in Wallingford.
"I am very proud of all the girls," West Haven coach Erin McCauley said. "We have so many new kids on the team and they all stepped up and helped each other out. It was a great meet."
The Westies were victorious in seven of the twelve events and received big days from three swimmers. Hayley Padro and Catherine Fournier each won four events, while Elizabeth Fournier was victorious in three.
West Haven was victorious in a pair of relay events, taking home the 200 medley relay and the 400 freestyle relay.
The 200 medley relay team of Elizabeth Fournier, Ariel Vaughan, Catherine Fournier and Padro won in 2 minutes, 3.93 seconds. The 400 freestyle relay team was comprised of Padro, Catherine Fournier, Jess McClure and Elizabeth Fournier and won in 4:05.7.
The individual events were taken by Padro and Elizabeth and Catherine Fournier. Elizabeth Fournier was victorious in the 200 freestyle in 2:09.65, while Catherine Fournier was a winner in the 200 im in 2:21.04 and the 100 breaststroke in 1:15.01.
Padro won the 50 freestyle in 27.97 seconds.
Tifani Gilbert placed second in diving, Vaughan and Georgienna Driver were second and third, respectively in the 100 butterfly and Driver and McClure did the same in the 500 freestyle.
Elizabeth Fournier placed second in the 100 backstroke with McClure finishing third. Yingxian Guo was third in the 100 breaststrokle.
The 200 freestyle relay team of Vaughan, Jess Lauer, Guo and Driver placed second in 2:02.34.
Personal improvements saw Gilbert with her personal best in diving and Driver broke six minutes for the first time in the 500.

All In
Westies looking to make a splash in 2012
By MIKE MADERA
Westie Blue
West Haven girls’ swimming coach Erin McCauley is well aware the success the past two years will play a factor this season. With the success of the last two years in the postseason, West Haven will move to Division I in the Southern Connecticut Conference this season.
“We’ve shifted into Division I in the SCC this year because of the strength of our swimmers the past two years at championships,” McCauley said. “We will have to fight for every point against powerhouses like Amity and Branford. We hope to be competitive with Sacred Heart and Foran.
“We have several younger swimmers who have the potential to grow into big-time point scorers. We also have a new assistant coach, Matt Milano, who specializes in diving, so we hope to grow that area of our program and earn extra needed points in dual meets.”
Looking to improve on last season’s 7-8 record, West Haven will need to replace the graduated Christina Lavery, who qualified for the State Open, sprinter Sam Garcia, versatility swimmer and two-time Coaches’ Award winner Angelica Daguplo and sprinter Sam Gilbert.
The 2012 team will be led by senior co-captain Catherine Fournier, who will swim the breaststroke and IM and senior co-captain Hayley Padro who will swim the freestyle and backstroke.
“Catherine is my strongest and most versatile swimmer,” McCauley said. “If she works as hard as she can this year, she has the potential to break a record. I have coached her for five years now, since she was on the Park Rec team, and I knew she had the potential to do great things with her strength.
“Hayley is a talented sprinter and I have coached her for five years also. She has a strong personality and can rally a team behind her. I look forward to a unified team dedicated to success, following the leadership of both Catherine and Hayley.”
Senior Ariel Vaughan will swim the butterfly, junior Georgienna Driver will swim the butterfly, IM and freestyle events and junior Jessica McClure will swim the freestyle. Sophomore Elizabeth Fournier will swim the freestyle and backstroke.
“My goals for this season are to score as many points as possible, especially in diving, to beat all of the teams we are facing in Division II and to at least come close to breaking a record or two.
“We have to have hard work every day. It is not going to be easy for us against all the big Division I teams, but we have a lot of talent and a decent amount of depth. If every girl works hard every day, we have the potential to do big things this season.”
With the season less than a week away, McCauley likes what she sees from this year’s team.
“I absolutely like what I have seen,” McCauley said. “I have twenty-two amazing girls, all of whom can swim well. This is as talented a team as any I have coached, and our leadership is good too. These girls can do anything they want if they put their minds to it.”