Bangor, Cheverus swimmers to battle at Husson Saturday

Cheverus High of Portland, last year’s Class A State Meet  runnerup to Bangor High School, races Coach Phil Emery’ Rams at 11 a.m. Saturday at  the Husson University pool in Bangor.
In his analysis of the Stags, Emery notes their front line quality and ability to cover all events with multiple quality swimmers.
Leading Cheverus is senior Trebor Lawton, state champion a year ago in the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke. Lawton’s abilities extend to  other distances and events. This dual-meet season he has hit 22.2 seconds in the 50 free and 53.4 in the 100 butterfly.
In addition to quality swimmers, the Stags will challenge the Rams in diving as well with Michael Gordon among the leaders this season in 1-meter diving.
Like Cheverus, Emery’s Rams offer experienced and talented swimmers in their front-line led by junior David Smallwood and Liam Reading.
According to Emery, however,  the Rams’ depth is young and developing.
“Every meet is exciting because swimmers are making breakthroughs,” he said.
Saturday’s racing can be expected to produce another wave of improved times.
Cpacj Cindi Howard’s Bangor female swimmers also will race Cheverus Saturday.
Tessa Lindsley leads Cheverus, having displayed the ability to compete successfully at various freestyle distances including the 50 free (25.0), the 100 free (55.8) and the 500 free.
A matchup between Lindsley and Bangor’s talented Emma Waddell could develop in in one of the freestyle events.
Waddell also has the talent to race at an equally high level in other stroke events including the butterfly, individual medley, and the back.
Actually, Bangor’s Julianna McDonald  has recorded the fastest 100 free this season in the interscholastic league, fractions ahead of Waddell and Lindsley. And, in the backstroke, Sarah Nappo of Cheverus earlier this month was the state leader in the 100.
Bangor diver Liz Huber is among the state leaders as is Cheverus diver Courtney Kane .

Bangor’s Hamilton honored
Southern Connecticut University recognized former Bangor High diver and current Dartmouth diving coach Christopher Hamilton with the Dr. Bruce Hutchinson Award at the start of the season. The award is given in honor of the late Bruce Hutchinson, SCU’s highly respected swimming coach of 37 years.
The award recognizes a former SCU alum who has made outstanding contributions to diving or swimming. Hamilton, who is in his 14th season as Dartmouth diving coach, has coached 21 Big Green divers to NCAA Zone competition. Hamilton’s Dartmouth divers hold 33 records in the all- time top 10 best performances at Dartmouth
While competing at Southern Connecticut, Hamilton was named the National NCAA Division II Diver of the Year in 1993.
Hamilton becomes the second Bangor High graduate  and SCU alum to receive the award as Emery received the recognition several years ago.