Meeting strict qualifying times, the Bobcats sent an impressive 17 of their 20 swimmers to compete at the Class M State Preliminary Meet. Swimming for the Bobcats were all 8 Seniors: Anna Brown, Katie Dixon, Marilyn Duong, Anna Fernandez, Stephanie Ferrarie, Kelly Lappin , Samantha Palicz & Sam Russo; Junior Megan Contarino; Sophomores: Ali Bowers, Rachel Brown, LeAnna Murphy, & Brie Wurst; and Freshmen: Delaney Adams, Emily Mendelson, Gabby Tamer, & Celia Weinstein. 13 of the girls went on to qualify to swim at the Class M State Championship Finals.
At State finals, the Bobcats 200 Medley Relay Team of Anna Brown, Emily Mendelson, Samantha Palicz & Delaney Adams battled for a 3rd place finish with a time of 1:52.91.
The Bobcats had 3 swimmers qualify to swim in the 200 Free. Sophomore Rachel Brown lead the team with a 3rd place finish in a time of 1:56.94, earning All-State recognition, with Senior Kelly Lappin finishing 9th with a life-time best of 2:03.99 and Freshman Celia Weinstein taking 16th at 2:10.05.
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Samantha Palicz placed 3rd in a deep field of swimmers in the 200 IM, earning a spot on the All-State team with a best time of 2:11.48. Steph Ferrarie placed 7th at 2:16.50 and Freshman Delaney Adams swam to 21st in the time of 2:21.15.
Anna Brown swam to 14th in the 50 Free with a time of 26.37 followed by teammates Gabby Tamer finishing 21st at 27.00 and Katie Dixon, 22nd, with a time of 27.20.
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In the 100 fly, Freshman Emily Mendelson swam strong to 10th place with a time of 1:02.41. Sophomore Ali Bowers touched 14th with a best time of 1:05.44 and Delaney Adams finished 21st at 1:07.07.
In a very close and exciting 100 Free race, Rachel Brown had another All-State finish as she won Silver in a best time of 53.51, missing 1st place by just .06 of a second. Gabby Tamer also had a best time of 59.33 for a 21st place finish.
The Bobcats had a strong presence in the 500 Free as all 4 swimmers qualified to compete at that night’s championship. Stephanie Ferrarie won Bronze, earning All-State honors, with a life-time best of 5:13.27. Kelly Lappin finished 9th with a best time of 5:28.49. Celia Weinstein swam strong to 12th at a time of 5:35.73 and Senior Samantha Russo 17th with a best time of 5:44.41.
The 200 Free Relay team of Gabby Tamer, Stephanie Ferrarie, Delaney Adams, and Rachel Brown battled the competition in a fast and exciting race, finishing 4th.
Samantha Palicz had an amazing race in the 100 Backstroke, winning the gold, earning All-State honors, and was the only swimmer that night to break a Class M State Record. The previous record, set in 2011 at 58.48 was taken down by Palicz as she hit the wall at 58.19. Teammate Anna Brown also had an exciting race, finishing in 3rd and earning herself a spot on the All-State team with a time of 1:00.08. Junior Megan Contarino finished 10th for the Bobcats at 1:04.47.
In the final individual event of the night, a young and future talent on the team helped secure much needed points in the 100 Breaststroke. Emily Medelson shocked the field with a 3rd place finish as just a freshman in a time of 1:09.42 and Sophomore Ali Bowers finished strong in 9th at a life-time best of 1:12.36.
The Lady Bobcats found themselves in a battle with SWC rivals Pomperaug and Joel Barlow in the night’s final event, the 400 Freestyle Relay. The team of Rachel Brown, Steph Ferrarie, Emily Mendelson, and Samantha Palicz fell just short of Pomperaug’s relay, finishing in 2nd and earning All-State recognition with a final time of 3:38.82.
Brookfield qualified 4 individual swimmers and all 3 relays to swim on at the Connecticut State Open, the highest level meet for high school swimming, held at Yale University the following Saturday. Qualifying for the meet were Samantha Palicz in the 200 IM and 100 Back, Rachel Brown in the 100 Free and 200 Free, Anna Brown in the 100 Back, and Stephanie Ferrarie in the 500 Free. Swimming on the relays were Ali Bowers, Emily Mendelson, and alternate Gabby Tamer.
At the Open, the Medley Relay team of A. Brown, Bowers, Mendelson and Adams placed 22nd. Palicz medaled in the 100 Back with a 5th place finish, and placed 15th in the 200 IM. Rachel Brown touched 14th in the 100 Free and came in 15th in the 200 Free. Stephanie Ferrarie swam to an 18th place finish in the 500 Free. Brookfield’s 200 Free Relay Team of R. Brown, A. Brown, Adams & Ferrarie finished 13th. Anna Brown touched the wall 14th in the 100 Back. The 400 Free Relay, the final event of the meet and season, the team of Rachel Brown, Stephanie Ferrarie, Emily Mendelson and Samantha Palicz raced to a 9thplace finish. Brookfield placed 14th out of 57 teams with a total of 139 points.
Congratulations to the team on another successful season!
