SPORTS: Groton Gators Impressive at AAU Nationals
The Groton Gators National swim team competed in the AAU Nationals, a four day-long meet that took place in Ann Arbor MI, in the hallowed Canham Natatorium (former splashing grounds of Michael Phelps) from July 26th-July 29th. It is the largest competition for AAU swim in the entire country and an annual event that draws athletes from the East Coast to Hawaii!
For the first time in history, the New England district sent a team of swimmers to this competition, including nine Gators from Groton! It was a rigorous event, with prelims and finals of each event taking place on the same day.
"The Gators, including Lauren Kenney, Ted Schiebe (12), Andrei Safontchik (16), Jennifer Kenney (14), Alexandra Sinnery (14), Jordan Sheffield (15), Declan Lowney (10), Jillian Onishi (15) and Sarah Figueroa showed us all their strength and stamina with four days of non-stop astounding performances," enthused head swim coach Jen Dimino.
"The experience was incredible and the kids set several personal records," added Groton Pool and Golf Center Aquatics Director Carol Wright.
Gators who medaled (finishing in the top eight in each event) were Lauren Kenney, Tad Schiebe and Declan Lowney.
Lauren Kenny (12) took 8th place in the 400 meter free style, 16th in the 200 meter freestyle. Tad Schiebe swam to a sixth place finish in the 400 meter freestyle and in the process beat his personal best by seven seconds.
"We tried really hard," said 10 year old team captain Declan Lowney, the youngest swimmer on the Gator National team. Lowney finished 6th in 200m free style, 9th in 50m butterfly and 8th in 200m individual medley. "A true phenom," added Dimino.
Groton swimmers receiving ribbons for finishing in the top-16 were Lauren Kenney, Declan Lowney, Tad Schiebe, Jillian Onishi, Alexandra Sinnery, and Andrei Safontchik. "An remarkable feat, considering the competition and the sheer numbers in each event," Dimino continued.
Andrei Safontchik (16) was 16th in the breaststroke while ninth grader Jennifer Kenney smashed her previous best in the breaststroke. "It was really fun because we were well-prepared. That's why we made it to the finals," said Kenney.
Alexandra Sinnery (14) placed 13th in the 50m freestyle, 200 IM, and 200 backstroke. Jordan Sheffield (15) was 21st in 100m butterfly with a time of 1:21.98.
"I had never been to the Nationals. It was great spending so much time with the team," said Jillian Onishi (15) who placed 11th in 100m breaststroke and 15th in 50m freestyle.
The women scored 21st out of 23.... despite being the smallest team at the AAU Nationals and the men scored 13th out of 26. "Extraordinary," shared Dimino.
The combined team scores (men + women) had the Grotonites in 18th place out of 25 participating teams!
"The Nationals attendees and medalists swim with us year round!! In the fall/winter season, we train at the Groton School. We are so honored to have 'home grown' athletes who train with us full time," concluded Dimino , head coach NAC/GPGC/Swimpro Aquatics - AAU and Groton School varsity swim teams.
