Cape boys win conference swim championships

Sussex Academy girls earn Henlopen title

The Cape boys’ team took top honors in the conference, going undefeated in the regular season and winning the conference swim meet. Shown in back are (l-r) Kieran Morrissey, Oakley Roberts, Ryan Morgan, Kevin Lewandowski, Mack Leonhartt, Andrew Criswell, Brian Fleming, Ellis Jack, Luke Robertson and Trenton Neal. In front are Holden Tighe, Shane Toback and Jacob Gabbard. DAN COOK PHOTOS

Dan Cook

February 13, 2023

The Cape boys’ swim team capped an undefeated season with a win at the Henlopen Conference Swim Championships Feb. 11 at Sussex Academy Aquatic Center. The Sussex Academy girls’ squad took first place and also went undefeated this season.

Cape garnered 381 points for the top spot in the boys’ meet. They were followed by Caesar Rodney with 303 points, Indian River with 297, Sussex Academy with 275 and Sussex Tech with 214.

“I am proud of the way our teams responded,” said Cape coach Bill Geppert. “They all swam great times, and we accomplished what we were trying to do. We are looking forward to swimming even faster at states.”

Sussex Academy took top spot for the girls with 385 points. Rounding out the top five were Sussex Tech with 307 points, Cape with 288, Caesar Rodney with 237 and Indian River with 231.

“Over the last few years, the level of the local swimmers has improved tremendously,” said Sussex Academy coach Tom Martiner. “Without a doubt, it’s great to win the girls’ title, but also great to see individual winners from a host of schools.”

The Vince Morris Award for Outstanding Swimmer went to Sussex Central’s Breyden Wright and Sussex Academy’s Gracie Maughan.

2023 Henlopen Conference Boys’ Coach of the Year honors went Indian River’s Colin Crandel, while Martiner took the award for the girls’ side for the fifth consecutive year.

The Sussex Academy girls’ conference champion team members are in back (l-r) Claudia Warren, Caitlin Perchiniak, Camilla Figueroa, Kiki langroudi, Victoria Evans, Gracie Maughan, Itzel Gomez-Sanchez, Addi McKay, Megan Raines, Samantha Petty and lyla Baker. In middle holding trophies are Sanne Elling and Eve Mundok. In front are coaches Tessa Elling, Tom Martiner and Stephanie Hartsoe.

Cape junior Brian Fleming leaves the blocks in the 500 freestyle. He placed second in the event.

Seahawks junior Gracie Maughan swims for first in the 200 individual medley with a time of 2:07.94. She was also voted Outstanding Swimmer for the second year in a row.

Cape senior Alissa Silva swims to a time of 2:35.25 in the individual medley.

Cape’s Jenna Reinhold leaves the blocks in the medley relay. She also placed fourth in the 100 backstroke in 1:05.84.

Sussex Academy’s Jaxon Laux placed fourth in the individual medley with a time of 2:10.97.

Indian River’s Themo Rigakos swims the fly leg for the medley relay team. His team won with a 1:42.51 clocking.

Cape senior Alissa Silva, left, lends support and encouragement to freshman Madelynn Riccio-Hummell after the individual medley.

Indian River’s Brynn Crandell celebrates his time in the 500 freestyle.

Cape’s Anna Sullivan celebrates her win in the 50 freestyle with a time of 25.53.

Sussex Academy freshman Victoria Evans placed second in the individual medley with a time of 2:25.13.

Themo Rigakos looks to the crowd as he wins the 50 free in 21.64.

Seaford’s Aleksandra Anderson wins the 500 free with a time of 5:43.34.

Cape coach Bill Geppert celebrates the performances of Sidney Caldwell (third) and Anna Sullivan (first) in the 50 freestyle.

Milford’s Madi Stahl swims the anchor leg of the 200 free relay.

Sussex Academy’s Addison McKay celebrates the win in the 200 free relay with Gracie Maughan.

Sussex Central’s Breyden Wright takes off in the 100 backstroke, which he won in 53.33.

Cape’s Kevin Lewandowski, right, is consoled by teammate Mack Leonhartt after the 200 free relay finals.

Cape junior Anna Sullivan leaves the blocks in the 200 free relay.

Milford’s Carly Mackert swims the 100 breaststroke in a time of 1:15.95.

Sussex Academy’s Michael Whitaker swims the 100 backstroke in a time of 1:04.32.

Sussex Academy junior Gracie Maughan wins the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:04.83.

Cape’s Kevin Lewandowski swims the 100 breaststroke in 1:11.12.

Cheering on their team are Cape coaches (l-r) Bill Geppert, Colleen Bailey, Pete Olson and Rick Brokaw.

Cape senior Andrew Criswell swims to third in the 500 free with a time of 23.44.

The Indian River 200 free relay team took first place with a time of 1:31.15. Shown are (l-r) Shane Hall, Alexander Arnold, Themo Rigakos and Evan Peterson.

Sussex Academy took first in the 200 free relay with a time of 1:43.78. Shown are (l-r) Itzel Gomez-Sanchez, Eve Mundok, Addison McKay and Gracie Maughan.

Cape’s 400 free relay team swam to first place with a time of 3:52.41. Shown are (l-r) Anna Sullivan, Sidney Caldwell, Jenna Reinhold and Hailey Hassell.

Celebrating the Henlopen South boys’ title is Indian River. Shown in back are (l-r) Alexander Arnold, Quinn Gonzalez, Shane Hall, Themo Rigakos, Gavin Harrell, Landon Arauz, Drew Barthelmess and Max Fadden. In front are Andres Lucenti, Evan Peterson, Gabe Clark, Max Forrey and Logan Dawson.

Voted by their peers as the 2023 Henlopen Conference Coaches of the Year are Indian River’s Colin Crandel for the boys, left, and Sussex Academy’s Tom Martiner for the girls.

Sussex Academy Aquatics Director Lydia Schmierer presents the Championship Meet Vince Morris Award for the outstanding girls’ performer to Sussex Academy’s Gracie Maughan.

Sussex Academy Aquatics Director Lydia Schmierer presents the Championship Meet Vince Morris Award for the outstanding boys’ performer to Sussex Central’s Breyden Wright.

Taking the top three spots in the 50 freestyle were (l-r) Indian River’s Themo Rigakos, Cape’s Kevin Lewandowski and Cape’s Andrew Criswell.

Cape senior Andrew Criswell leaves the blocks in the 50 freestyle.

Sussex Tech’s Neh Dinga swims to fourth place in the 100 breaststroke with a 1:14.12.

Sussex Central’s Breyden Wright wins the 100 butterfly in 50.71.

Getting pumped to swim is the Cape girls’ squad. Shown in back are (l-r) Madelynn Riccio-Hummel, Sarah Lester-Stranick and Anna Sullivan. In middle are Avery Ritchey and Alysa McCarthy. In front are Hailey Hassell and Sidney Caldwell.

Indian River coach Colin Crandel cheers on his swimmers.

The Sussex Tech coaches get excited for an event.

Cape’s Kieran Morrissey makes the turn in the 200 individual medley.

Cape’s Jenna Reinhold makes a splash in the butterfly.

Cape boys win conference swim championships

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