The Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference swim championships are set to get under way at the Bath Area Family YMCA, beginning with Class B on Friday, and several area teams are in contention for conference titles.
In KVAC A, which will compete Saturday in Bath, Cony and Messalonskee will be among the teams looking to dethrone defending champion Brunswick from its perch, both in girls and boys competition.
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KVAC Championships
up next
KVAC B
WHEN: 5 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Bath Area Family YMCA
WHEN: 10 a.m. Saturday
WHERE: Bath Area Family YMCA
Cony coach Jon Millett said the KVACs are a true team championship event.
“Everybody gets to go to KVACs, where not everybody goes to states,” Millett said. “The meet is what I would describe as our team championship, where everybody participates and everybody plays a role.”
For the girls, Cony will once again look for a big performance from Anne Guadalupi, who is seeded second in the 100 butterfly (1:02.28) and is the top seed in the 100 backstroke (1:02.10).
“All the kids on my team, Anne in particular, have put in a lot of hard work during the offseason,” Millett said. “Anne, Haley Gagne, Abreal Whitman, Tara Jorgensen, Abby Lenko, they swim in the offseason. They swim in the summertime, they participate in a summer program. That pays off for them this time of year. You can look for all of them to swim well this weekend and next weekend at states.”
Jorgensen is seeded third in the 200 individual medley (2:38.74) and fourth in the 100 free (1:04.23). Molly Silsby is the third seed with a time of 1:18.76.
Messalonskee will be led by Kristy Prelgovisk, who set conference records last year in the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke. Prelgovisk will not race in the 200 IM but will compete in the 100 breaststroke. She’s the top-seeded swimmer in the event with a time of 1:12.03. Right behind Prelgovisk in the event is Edward Little’s Olivia Paione, who comes in with a 1:12.48 seed time.
The Messalonskee girls will also be led by Kenzie Burton, who is seeded second in both the 200 free (2:09.51) and the 500 free (5:50.57). Sophia Libby is seeded second in the 50 free (28.56) and sixth in the 100 butterfly (1:14.24).
Both Cony and Messalonskee will duke it out in multiple team events. In the 200-yard medley relay, the Rams are the top seed with a time of 2:03.79, while the Eagles are second with a time of 2:05.37.
Messalonskee is seeded second behind Brunswick in the 200 freestyle relay (1:52.66), while Cony is seeded third (1:55.87). Cony is seeded second behind Brunswick in the 400 freestyle relay (4:10.15), while Messalonskee is third (4:19.17).
Lawrence has multiple contenders in the same event, the 100 free. Dakota Hutchins is the top seed with a time of 55.50. Seeded third is teammate Sierra Weston (59.96).
Noah Aube, who won KVAC A titles in the 500 free and 200 free last year, once again leads the Cony boys team. Aube is the top seed in both events, having improved his time in the 200 from 1:55.20 last year to 1:53.99 this year. He’s also improved his 500 from 5:13.45 to 5:11.99.
“He’s the top seed in both of his events, and the 500 isn’t even close,” Millett said. “The 200 is going to be a really contested race and I think a lot of people are looking forward to that race. But Noah puts in double sessions, sometimes triple sessions in preparing and if anybody’s worked hard to earn their success, it’s Noah Aube. He’s totally transformed his stroke. He’s worked hard and put in the yardage to be rewarded for his efforts.”
Aube said he’s put specific work into improving his 500 time.
“I’ve been working a lot on the pacing of the events,” Aube said. “This year I’ve been working harder on making sure I’ve been more consistent in the 500 and it’s definitely helped.”
Brad Beeckel will be a contender in the 100 backstroke, as he’s seeded fourth with a time of 1:08.06.
Benjamin Thibert leads the Messalonskee boys. Thibert is the third seed in the 200 IM (2:14.27) and second in the 100 butterfly (59.56), behind Brunswick’s Jacob Cost (54.98). Daeghan Elkin is seeded second in the 100 free (55.50), behind Lewiston’s Mathew Charest (52.23). The Rams and Eagles will be in tight competition with Brunswick in the 400 freestyle relay. Messalonskee is the second seed (3:47.81), while Cony is third (3:50.15).
Waterville and Winslow will be among the teams battling for the KVAC B title. Morse won the boys championship last season, while Camden Hills won the girls title. Both are the favorites to repeat this season.
Jessica Greeley leads the Winslow girls. Greeley, a junior, is seeded second in the 200 IM (2:29.53) and is the top seed in the 100 breaststroke (1:18.30). Teammate Paige Smith is the third seed in the 50 free (28.12) and the fifth seed in the 100 free (1:03.55).
Waterville is led by Margaret Reisert, who is the fourth seed in the 500 free (6:21.81). Marie Huingelby is the fifth seed in the 100 backstroke (1:13.64) and the sixth in the 50 free (29.27).
Emmett deMaynadier leads the Waterville boys, as he is seeded sixth in the 200 IM (2:18.73) and fourth in the 100 butterfly (1:00.34). Spencer Jones is seeded sixth in the 100 backstroke (1:07.76).
The Winslow boys are led by Harrison Clark, who is seeded fourth in the 100 breaststroke (1:13.86).
Dave Dyer — 621-5639
ddyer@centralmaine.com
Twitter: @Dave_Dyer
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