Senior project work done, Connolly shines in pool
By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 15, 2010 1:47 PM
Another key phase of the senior project is done.
Now, it's back to the pool for Bryce Connolly.
The Charles B. Aycock standout claimed two individual victories and swam legs on two winning relay teams during a nine-team meet at B.G. Darden Natatorium on Tuesday evening.
The Golden Falcons started the evening with a close victory over Clinton in the 200 medley relay. The quartet of Taylor Bradshaw, Connolly, Savannah Sauls and Kylie Robertson touched the wall in 2 minutes, 13.94 seconds.
Connolly came back to win the 200 free in 2:07.16.
"My best time is a 2:03 and I wanted a 2:05, but I'll take the 2:07," said a smiling Connolly, who sipped on a half-full bottle of Gatorade while she watched other events. "I missed some practice time due to my senior project, but I felt better (tonight) than I thought I would. I felt strong."
Connolly swam the anchor leg of the 400 relay, which grabbed first place in 4:25.27. Robertson, Sauls and Bradshaw swam good, solid splits to help the Golden Falcons, who dropped the team portion of the competition by one-half point to Clinton.
Robertson was third in the 200 free.
Eastern Wayne's Lilly Boyette took top honors in the 100 backstroke and swam the opening leg on the 200 medley relay, which finished fifth. She was joined by Emily Spengler, Heather Black and Victoria Mashburn.
Black challenged Clinton's Maggie Wells in the 100 free and finished second. She ended up third in the 200 IM and swam the anchor leg on the 200 free relay that finished fifth overall.
"We have a little more experience with the girls," said Warriors head coach Sydney Myers. "The girls are doing a real good job of teaching, encouraging (each other) at practice. The girls have more senior leadership than I have in the guys."
Southern Wayne got solid efforts from its relay teams throughout the night. The young, energetic group finished sixth in the 200 medley and eighth in the 200 free.
Taylor Pate was seventh in the 200 free, while Nicole Castro ended up 13th in the 50 free. Savannah Brown was 11th in the 100 free.
"My girls are in a building phase," said Saints head coach Karen O'Donnell. "We saw our times fall and are five seconds out of consideration for the 200 free relay. A lot of our team graduated from last year, and that's a lot. We have a lot of new (swimmers)."
Rosewood's Ciera Satterfield was 14th in the 100 free. Teammates Jessica Mitchell and Dakota Hersey placed seventh and eighth, respectively, in the 200 IM.