The West Haven Wizards swim team celebrated its first-ever undefeated season and undisputed league championship with a banquet on Sunday April 28. This year’s team was comprised of more than 150 swimmers in five different age groups. Swimmers were recognized for growth and improvement throughout the season, excellence in individual strokes, strong technique, versatility and team spirit.
The Heart of Gold Award is given to swimmers that exemplify the “gold standard” for outstanding commitment, effort and attitude. This year’s Heart of Gold recipients are: Anna Piskura, Aarya Mulmi, AJ Meglio, Olivia DeLauir, Khando Dorjee, Erin Morton, Lucas Vital, Sidra Barry, Kaelyn Falanga, Kaleigh Morton, Macie Rascoll, Morgan Falanga and Hannah Rascoll.
The Junior and Senior Coaches Awards are the oldest in the team’s history with the Senior Coaches Award dating back to 1979. The Coaches Awards recognize swimmers for excellence in and out of the pool. Each recipient must show exemplary sportsmanship, citizenship, team leadership, commitment, respect, excellence in swimming and they must show a strong drive for personal and team success. The recipients must also qualify for Yankee League Championships. This year’s girls’ junior winner is Macie Rascoll. The senior award was given to Morgan Falanga. The boys junior award was given to Lucas Vital.
Since the Wizards starting keeping team records after the 2004-2005 season, they have served as both a point of conversation and goal for the swimmers. These records show how the Wizards continue to improve as record after record fall each year. This year six new records were set: Collin Charron set a new record for the boys 11/12 50-yard backstroke, and Anya Celmer set new records in girls 15 and over 100-yard freestyle, 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard backstroke and the 50-yard freestyle.
This year’s only graduating senior is Anya Celmer, Anya takes her swimming career to the next level at Southern Connecticut State University in the fall.
Registration for Spring Wizards is still available. For more information on the West Haven Wizards please visit our website at www.westhavenwizards.org.