The Shelton boys swimming and diving team placed 12th with 192 points in the very competitive SCC championships at Yale University on Wednesday night.
“I thought we did very well,” Gaels coach James Allan said. “We involved half our team, which is impressive.”
Overall, Shelton brought eight swimmers and two divers to the meet.
Sophomore Matt Hellauer had an impressive night for the Gaels by setting two school records.
Hellauer won two medals. His best placement came late in the meet, when he finished third in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 4:54.03, scoring 26 points.
“I kept up with my competitors, I watched what they were doing and I stayed with them,” Hellauer said. “It feels great to break the record and I’m happy about it.”
Hellauer was Mr. Distance, setting a new standard in the 200-yard freestyle (1:49.94) by taking fifth place, scoring 24 points.
“I just tried to do my best and I tried to win the event,” Hellauer said. “It didn’t work out and I went for it. I felt good when I jumped into the water and words can’t describe how I feel about breaking the record.”
Hellauer also swam in two relays and led off the 200-yard medley relay, which finished 12th (1:53) and scored 30 points.
Junior James Szabo, freshman Cole Chavez and junior Tibor Molnar followed him in the 200-medley relay.
Molnar, senior captain Guo-Ying Teo, Szabo and Hellauer powered the 400-yard freestyle relay team to 12th place (3:44.38) and 30 points.
Sophomores Sean Walsh and Justin Letendro, junior David Karbowski and Teo led the 200-yard freestyle relay team to 13th place (1:44.31) and 28 points.
Shelton’s two divers placed and combined to score 32 points. Junior David Stein took 10th place (286.85) and scored 17 points.
“As in a lot of sports, the key to diving is getting in a lot of practice and a lot of repetition with the dives,” Stein said. “I was satisfied with what I did and but I hope to do better at states.”
His younger brother, freshman Joe Stein, took 12th place (267.60) and scored 15 points.
“I did what I practiced and I tried not to let the nerves get to me,” said Joe Stein. “I was focused on my dives and the pressure wasn’t too bad.”
Szabo, in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:09.46), took 14th place and scored 13 points.
“I pushed myself through the whole race and the hard work I did this season helped me do well,” Szabo said.
Szabo took 17th in the 200-yard individual medley (2:14.80), scoring nine points.
“I just pushed myself through the whole race and I beat my time from before,” Szabo said. “I’m very happy with how I did.”
The Gaels improved this year, going from 3 – 11 in dual meets to 6 – 9.
Next up for them are the Class L trials on March 13 at Yale. The Class L finals are March 17 at Wesleyan University.
“Class L looks promising and I expect great times from my guys,” Allan said. “I’m looking forward to it.”