Tornado kicks season off with convincing win over Windsor Black Knights
Abby Hansen of the Purple Tonrado swims the backstroke in Thursday’s home meet for Norwich. Hansen captured a first place finish in the event as the Tonrado won the season’s first meet. (Keith Lanfear Photo)
NORWICH – Tornado head coach Saundra Gantt mixed up her lineup for the first meet of the season, placing most of the team in off events for Thursday’s meet against Windsor. The move didn’t harm the team in any way as the Tornado swam to a 99-66 victory over the Black Knights.
“We have a big meet next weekend [the Waverly Invitational] and this meet was just an extension of our training to get ready for it,” said the Norwich coach. “I also wanted to guage where some of our swimmers might fit into the lineup.
New Tornado team member Abby Hansen – who has experience in the pool from her days as Norwich YMCA Dolphins swimmer, raced like she never took a break from the sport. The former soccer player made her return the pool a promising one as she claimed a first place finish in both the 50 yard freestyle and 100 yard backstroke.
“I’m excited to have [Abby] back in the pool with the team,” said Gantt.
Julia Llewellyn, an 8th grader on the varsity team, swam from behind, chasing down the Black Knights in the 200 medley relay. Nearly pulling it off in the pressure situation the youngster was faced with, Llewellyn gave her team a second place finish by a second. She also swam an impressive 100 yard butterfly race that was noted by her head coach.
Emerson Burton, one of Norwich’s distance swimmers, swam really well for the Tornado as she raced in different events. One of which included a second place finish in the short 50 yard freestyle race. “[Emerson] was very happy with her swims as was I,” said Gantt of one her seniors on the team.
Coming off a strong performance at the World Championships, senior Margie Winter remained consistent for the Tornado swimmers, capturing top times in all events swam during the meet.
Gantt also noted that veterans Katie Blaisure and Angela Carlson were routine for the team as the two picked up where they left off last season.
“We, as a team, as many personal best times and all the girls swam well,” Gantt said. “All times from the girls were where I expected them to be and it was great start to the season.”
The Waverly Invitational is next up for the Tornado swimmers, where Gantt stated the team will be looking to make a statement and show off their hard off-season work.
“We have a big meet next weekend [the Waverly Invitational] and this meet was just an extension of our training to get ready for it,” said the Norwich coach. “I also wanted to guage where some of our swimmers might fit into the lineup.
New Tornado team member Abby Hansen – who has experience in the pool from her days as Norwich YMCA Dolphins swimmer, raced like she never took a break from the sport. The former soccer player made her return the pool a promising one as she claimed a first place finish in both the 50 yard freestyle and 100 yard backstroke.
“I’m excited to have [Abby] back in the pool with the team,” said Gantt.
Julia Llewellyn, an 8th grader on the varsity team, swam from behind, chasing down the Black Knights in the 200 medley relay. Nearly pulling it off in the pressure situation the youngster was faced with, Llewellyn gave her team a second place finish by a second. She also swam an impressive 100 yard butterfly race that was noted by her head coach.
Emerson Burton, one of Norwich’s distance swimmers, swam really well for the Tornado as she raced in different events. One of which included a second place finish in the short 50 yard freestyle race. “[Emerson] was very happy with her swims as was I,” said Gantt of one her seniors on the team.
Coming off a strong performance at the World Championships, senior Margie Winter remained consistent for the Tornado swimmers, capturing top times in all events swam during the meet.
Gantt also noted that veterans Katie Blaisure and Angela Carlson were routine for the team as the two picked up where they left off last season.
“We, as a team, as many personal best times and all the girls swam well,” Gantt said. “All times from the girls were where I expected them to be and it was great start to the season.”
The Waverly Invitational is next up for the Tornado swimmers, where Gantt stated the team will be looking to make a statement and show off their hard off-season work.
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