Sussex Academy swims past Sussex Tech to start year
Things could not have gone any better for the Sussex Academy swim teams in their season opener against Sussex Tech Dec. 8.
“Boy, I'll tell you that is a great way to start the year,” said coach Tom Martiner. “Not only was it a good first meet, but it was also better than any other first meet we've ever had. That goes for both boys and girls.”
Facing one of the traditionally stronger girls’ teams in the state, the Seahawks were propelled to victory by familiar faces and a few new ones to place first in every event and take the meet 126-43.
“I honestly love racing them,” said reigning 100-meter breaststroke state champion Gracie Maughan. “It's such a high-energy meet, and I think it sets the tone for our season.”
The meet was also a chance for Gracie’s sister, Gretchen, and another young swimmer, Anna Mumford, to make their mark. Gretchen, an eighth-grader, couldn’t resist a chance to race her sister in the 200 individual medley, and her motivation was rewarded with a second-place finish, bested only by her sister.
“I am so happy that we were able to swim against each other,” Gracie said. “We were supposed to swim together in another event, but she said she wanted to do the 500 … like a lil’ speed demon.”
Gretchen grabbed second in the 500 freestyle, bested only by Mumford. Mumford, a freshman, lived up to preseason hype and broke two school records – the 200 and 500 freestyle swims.
Both teams did so well that they already qualified swimmers for states.
“The fact that we qualified people for states in every single event, and in most events we qualified two people for states, says to me that we have a good, strong team,” Martiner said.
The boys’ squad swept every event on the way to a 106-40 victory.
“We had a lot of good times on our team,” said senior Brayden Trout. “I saw a good performance from everybody, and I was impressed with how it went.”
Trout owns the school record in the 100 butterfly and came close to breaking it against Tech, finishing with a time of 56.05.
“I was a little mad when I got to the podium,” he said. “I was that close to breaking it, and I should have just gone for it, but it's good motivation for the season.”
Trout tied sophomore Christian Wright with two individual event wins in the meet and joined him on the 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle teams to take first in those events as well.
“A lot of guys are happy with how they performed, and it's really good to see a team,” Trout said. “We're all bonding. We're all having fun. It's good that we're gonna get out there and do some stuff this season.”
Sussex Academy welcomes Dover at 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 12.
