Tycz, Samson dominate Class A as Johnston leads B

The short high school swimming season is nearing its end and the Brunswick boys have proven they are ready to perform. Jacob Cost, Brian Hess, Nate Samson, and Henry Raker teamed up to break a long standing Bangor High School record in 1:38.31. Most surprisingly the record was set in a dual meet with Morse high school. Freshman Brian Hess stepped up in the breaststroke with a 27.74 to put the relay within record setting pace. The final nail in Bangor’s coffin was hammered by a 22.44 blistering fast butterfly split from Junior Nate Samson. Cost’s backstroke leg was also very strong and ensured that Raker’s freestyle split  would be fast enough to put the foursome under the record. It looks like there will be no doubt that Brunswick will dominate at least two of the relays this year and there are certainly high expectations from this entire team at the state championship.

Sophomore Caitlin Tycz of Brunswick returned this year to continue her domination of Class A swimming. Tycz has the top time in the state in every event minus the 100 breaststroke which she has yet to swim. Most impressively she has swam a 55.70 in the 100 butterfly at a dual meet against Edward Little. Big things in the butterfly and freestyle can be expected from her at states.

On the men’s side Nate Samson, who just put his name in the history books of Maine swimming, has also been dominating Class A swimming. Samson holds the best time in the state in the 200 free, 200 IM, 50 free, 100 fly, and 100 back. Teammate Brian Hess holds the number two time in the state in the 100 breaststroke with a 1:02.16, while Bangor’s Colby Prouty, also a freshman, holds the top time with an impressive 1:01.61. Similarly to Tycz, Samson is a juggernaut that could swim practically any event (and if he had a time machine – in any year) and win.

In diving, Bangor High School’s Kyle Adams holds a 100 point lead in Class A. Adams has closed in on the 300 point mark with a score of 291.05 while no other diver has broken 200.

Leila Johnston of MDI who will be continuing her swimming career next year at Florida State University on scholarship currently leads the Class B girls in the 200 free, 200 IM, 50 free, 100 fly, 100 free, and 100 backstroke. At states fast times can be expected in the fly and freestyle events.

On the men’s side in Class B Talor Hamilton has proven to be the biggest performer. Hamilton holds the top time in the 200 freestyle, 50 free, 100 fly, and 100 back. His strongest events are probably the 50 and 100 freestyle and a double win at states would not be a surprise.

 

On a side note, I would like to introduce an exciting new motivation system for young swimmers. AMBRO Manufacturing has launched a new merit badge based award system for competitive swimming. Similar to the Boy Scouts of America’s “Merit Badge” program this company offers a set of 10 skill based embroidered patches for competitive swimmers ranging from proper stroke technique to diving, turns, and breathing.

This is a great new system for tracking progress of young swimmers and motivating them to accomplish defined and achievable goals. Coaches can use these rewards to help keep young athletes interested in a difficult sport. Some coaches forget that one of the most important goals for their young swimmers should be for them to enjoy the sport and want to work hard to achieve their goals.

Cool stuff!

To check out the new competitive swimming merit badge program click here

Matthew England

About Matthew England

Matt is a former Bangor High School swimmer and currently swims for coach Susan Lizzotte at the University of Maine. He holds team records for the Bangor Hurricanes, Bangor High, and the University of Maine. He is an exercise science major for the class of 2016.