The winter sports season, outside of Saturday’s State Open for boys swimming, has come to a close for Southington High athletes and teams. While no team can lay claim to a state championship, overall it was a successful campaign for both individuals and teams.
Here is a look back at recent action:
Saturday, March 12 – Skiing
Eastern High School Championships @ Franconia, N.H.
What was supposed to be a two-day competition at Cannon Mountain for junior Austin Florian was reduced to one when fog cancelled the giant slalom race. Florian had a pair of slalom runs, finishing in 35th place among 112 competitors with a combined time of 1:21.69. He was third among Team Connecticut racers and helped the state team to a fourth-place finish in a field of 10.
Saturday, March 12 – Gymnastics
New England Championships @ Law HS, Milford
Freshman Kayla Nati capped off a solid season, scoring 9.025 on vault to finish in 14th place as the lone Blue Knight competitor in the regional event.
Saturday, March 12 – Boys Swimming
Class LL qualifying meet @ Hamden
Junior Mike Smigelski finished first in the 100-yard freestyle (47.26 seconds) and second in the 50-yard freestyle (21.40), setting new school records in both events. Smigelski teamed with junior Jesse Cooney, sophomore Vlad Kiveliyk, and senior Colin Magaro to place eighth in the 200 medley relay (1:44.12). The quartet of Smigelski, Magaro, Cooney and junior Dylan Figueiredo placed eighth in the 200 freestyle relay (1:31.89).
Tuesday, March 15 – Boys Swimming
Class LL Championships @ Wesleyan University, Middletown
Led by a pair of top-three finishes in individual events by Smigelski, Southington finished ninth with a total of 196 points. Smigelski was second in the 100 freestyle (47.36 seconds) and third in the 50 freestyle (21.63). Smigelski teamed with Cooney, Kiveliyk and Magaro to finish eighth in the 200 individual medley relay (1:43.79). The foursome of Smigelski, Cooney, Figueiredo and Magaro placed seventh in the 200 freestyle relay (1:31.01). The quartet of freshman Joe Taglia, senior Niels Thomson, sophomore Bryan Adie and Kiveliyk placed 12th in the 400 freestyle relay (3:38.08). Magaro was 12th in the 50 freestyle (22.58) and 13th in the 100 free (49.99). Cooney placed 21st in the 200 individual medley (2:09.51) and 24th in the 100 backstroke (1:05.53).
In today’s State Open at Yale University, Smigelski will compete in the 50 and 100 freestyle events. The Blue Knights have also qualified in the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays. The competition begins at 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 12 – Cheerleading
Class Championships @ New Haven Athletic Center
Southington took part in the Class LL competition, finishing 12th with a team total of 111 points. Danbury won the event with a score of 162.
