Masuk Free Press

Masuk High School faced Shelton High School this Friday at the recent swim meet. The schools, closely connected through shared talent on the Rapids club swim team, created an evening filled with both camaraderie and intense competition.

The evening unfolded with Masuk securing a win in the 200 Yard Medley Relay, led by the formidable team of sophomore Jack McHugh, senior Jack Cross, senior Keller Hall and junior Brendan Kirberger. The team had a time of 1:51.07, only a second ahead of Shelton’s team.

Although the night had a couple of close finishes, Masuk was ultimately dominant the entire time. 

“I think our team is stronger than ever,” said Coach Owen Smith.

Masuk continued winning as freshman sensation Mert Baykus showed his talent in the 200 yard freestyle with a time of 2:00.70, followed by a second place win from Mason Eannotti in the 200 IM.

As Masuk celebrated a very bittersweet senior night, they also showed lots of love for their freshman superstars.

“All our freshmen are really good,” said swimmer Thomas Rodriguez.

“I have high hopes for Mason. He is a freshman and he has done great so far and he will just get stronger and better,” said Smith. “Mert has also done a great job in the 50 Free this year. He’s always doing his stuff, you know.”

The freshmen on the team not only excel in swimming, but also diving. In the diving category, Gavin Chila’s spectacular performance earned high praise from judges, consistently scoring sixes and sevens for a total score of 188.50.

Although the freshmen were imperative to Masuk’s success, similar to past years, Kirberger excelled in his heat of the 50 yard freestyle with a time of 22.95 and Hall dominated the 100 yard butterfly, finishing eight seconds before Shelton’s second place.

Kirberger, continuing his winning streak, got first place in the 100 Yard Freestyle with a time of 49.91. 

Baykus and Carter Adragna won first and second, respectively, in the 500 yard freestyle. Baykus had a time of 5:29.82, just barely beating out Adragna’s 5:30.11.

The freshmen once again proved their importance to the team in the 200 yard freestyle relay.  The team composed of Will Hardy, Akshaj Yerragudi, Eannotti, and Baykus fought hard for first place,  beating out Shelton’s team by two-tenths of a second.

In the 100 yard backstroke,  Masuk swimmers swept the podium with Jack McHugh, Hardy and Yerragudi getting first, second and third, respectively.

In the final event of the night, the 400 yard freestyle relay, Masuk won yet again with a team made up of Trent Pierson, Baykus, Hall and Kirberger. They had a time of 3:47.06, over ten seconds ahead of second place.

The final score was 91 to 78 in Masuk’s favor.

Masuk not only spent the night winning, but also reminiscing. Senior night, which was originally going to be against Pomperaug, was instead on Friday.

“Usually we do it for the last meet, but we are tired of doing it and losing, so we moved it up. Even though we have more meets, it is still bittersweet,” said senior Sean Cammarano. 

The team is sad to lose their seniors. “I’ll miss the bonds with pretty much all the seniors,” said Kirberger. “It won’t be the same without them.”

However, the Masuk boys swim team still has more meets to look forward to. The team’s next meet will be away against New Fairfield on Feb. 6.