Twenty-one Cougar Aquatic Team (CAT) Swimmers honored as CT’s Top 16 Swimmers and Scholar Athletes

Submitted by: Mike Krajewski

HADDAM/KILLINGWORTH, CONNECTICUT - Twenty-one swimmers from the Cougar Aquatic Team (CAT) were honored at the annual Connecticut Swimming awards banquet in recognition of their outstanding performance during the 2010-2011 season. This banquet was held at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville on Sunday, November 6. Twenty CAT swimmers were recognized as Connecticut Top 16 swimmers in each individual event for each age group, including the Madison Mile Open Water Championship. The Connecticut top times were compiled from all swim meets during the 2010-2011 short course and 2011 long course seasons. 

CAT swimmers who achieved the Top 16 times in Connecticut are Marissa McNary (Westbrook) for 10/U Girls, Rica Generoso (Clinton) and Caitlin McNary (Westbrook) for the 11/12 Girls age group.  The 13/14 Girls were Coral McNary (Westbrook), Maggie Purvis (Old Saybrook) and Caroline Wolek (Madison) with the top time in CT for 13/14 Girls 50L Free.  CAT’s 13/14 Top 16 Boys were Matthew Dagenais (Middletown), Jake Gibbons (Higganum) with the top time in CT for 13/14 Boys 200L Backstroke, Garrett Mazziotti (Killingworth), Mason Revis (Higganum) with the top time in CT for 13/14 Boys 200L Butterfly, Tristan Stritzel (Killingworth), and James Whaley (Deep River). Theresa Goehring (Essex), Claire Hendershot (Wallingford), and Coral McNary (Westbrook) were CAT’S 15/16 Girls. Chris Myers (Essex), and Ty Seymour (West Hartford) were CAT’s 15/16 Top 16 Boys.

CAT Swimmers who achieved the Top 16 Open Water Mile times in Connecticut were 13/14 Girls Annie Bonsall (Haddam) and Caroline Wolek (Madison). The 13/14 Boys were Connor Champagne (Haddam), Matthew Dagenais (Middletown), Jake Gibbons (Higganum), Noel Haren (Madison),  Garrett Mazziotti (Killingworth), Mason Revis (Higganum) and James Whaley (Deep River). Theresa Goehring (Essex), Diedre Haren (Madison), Claire Hendershot (Wallingford) and Coral McNary (Westbrook) were CAT’S 15/16 Girls.  Chris Myers (Essex) was CAT’s 15/16 Boy.

In addition, CAT swimmers, Theresa Goehring (Essex), Claire Hendershot (Wallingford), Katie Lisitsin (Clinton) and Chris Meyers (Essex) were recognized as Connecticut Scholar Athletes at the banquet.

The Cougar Aquatic Team (CAT), founded in 1985, is a recognized USA swim team that practices at the Haddam-Killingworth High School pool.

CAT competes at several locations and colleges around Connecticut and New England. Under the sponsorship of the Haddam-Killingworth Recreation Department, CAT provides competitive training programs where individual needs and goals are given careful consideration. Swimmers are grouped based on ability, age, and objectives. Practices are available seven days a week with incorporated dry land training (strength training and exercises outside of the water), as well as periodic specialized clinics. CAT is open to swimmers with the desire and determination to succeed in a sport strongly dominated by outstanding student athletes. For more information go to www.catswim.com.

Pictured: CAT’s Top 16 Swimmers and Scholar Athletes: Front Row (l-r)  Theresa Goehring (Essex), Ty Seymour (West Hartford), Marissa McNary (Westbrook). Second Row (l-r) James Whaley (Deep River), Coral McNary (Westbrook), Claire Hendershot (Wallingford), Rica Generosa (Clinton), Katie Lisitsin (Clinton), Caitlin McNary (Westbrook).  Back Row (l-r) Tristan Stritzel (Killingworth), Garrett Mazziotti (Killingworth), Matt Dagenais (Middletown), Mason Revis (Higganum), Chris Myers (Essex).  Not pictured Annie Bonsall (Haddam), Connor Champagne (Higganum), Jake Gibbons (Higganum), Noel Haren (Madison), Dierdre Haren (Madison), Maggie Purvis (Old Saybrook), Caroline Wolek (Madison).