Killington Sharks swim team competes at state meet

The Killington boys’ relay team placed second in both the medley relay and free relay. Pictured are: (l-r): Matt Titterton, Bailey Peters, Lucas Godfrey, Griffin Van Neil, and Kyle Wereither.

KILLINGTON—On Aug 1-2, at the Upper Valley Aquatic Center in White River Junction, the Killington Sharks swim team competed at the state meet. A swimmer must qualify with times in each individual event in order to swim at the state meet. Each swimmer is able to swim four total events during the weekend meet with two relays. Killington’s swim team was well represented at the state meet competing against 20 other summer clubs in Vermont.

Congratulations to the following swimmers from Killington who qualified for States and competed: Heidi Alf (11), Sophia DisGuiseppe (13), Paige Fieldhouse (9), Kate Ganley (15), Maeve Haff (12), Paige Harned (10), Ady Kinsman (9), Logan Knox (9), Becca Titterton (17), Saide Lewis (8), Sophia Nisimblat (8), Justine Peters (10), Mattie Peters (10), Quinn Stickney (9), Jack DiGuisepe (15), Lucas Godfrey (17), Kyle Harned (8), Evan Joaquin (11), Otto Nisimblat (11),Marko Svoren (9),  Bailey Peters (15), Dakota Peters (14), Logal Sudol (10), Max Grover (9), Matthew Titterton (15), Griffin Van Niel (15), Kyle Weirether (15), and Justin Whittaker (17).

Killington Sharks is considered a small team with only 32 swimmers competing at swim meets, but the quality of swimmers is exceptional and other teams have taken notice, said Kim Peters Killington Recreation and director and head swim coach.

Among the standouts is Becca Titterton, who qualified in all her events could not attend States, because she was traveling to Atlanta for the YMCA National swim meet to compete in 200 Individual medley, 200 breaststroke, 100 breaststroke, and 50 breaststroke. Swimmers who qualify for YMCA National are a specialized group of talented swimmers. Titterton will be attending Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the fall to continue her swimming career.

Matt Titterton and Bailey Peters, both age 15, competed against 17- and 18-year-olds at the state meet and finished first in four of the events. Titterton finished first in 200 Individual medley and 100 butterfly, second in 100 freestyle, second in 100 breaststroke, while Peters took first in the 100 breaststroke and 50 butterfly, and second in 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke. Sophia Nisimblat, age 8, also took first place at states in the 50 freestyle and 25 butterfly.

Kyle Harned finished second place overall in the 25 breaststroke, with Lucas Godfrey finishing third overall in the 100 breaststroke.

Finally, the 18-and-under boys’ relay was expected to have a competitive relay team, even with three out of their four swimmers only 15 years old. The relay team pulled off second place in both the free and medley relay, with Bailey Peters (15), Matt Titterton (15), Griffin VanNeil (medley relay, age 15), Kyle Weirether (free relay, age 15), and Lucas Godfrey (17). All the boys will back next year to strive for the first place title in the relays.

There can only be one winner in an event, and winning events is important to a team, but the individual progress of a swimmer is most important and is stressed at Killington. The individual goals for a swimmer are to continue to improve his or her times and also swim more challenging events, Peters noted.

“As a coach it is my expectation that each swimmer not only improves their times, but challenges themselves in and out of the water.  I have truly enjoyed the summer Killington Swim Team and the support of the parents and community.  Congratulations to a great season and representing Killington at the State meet!” Peters concluded.

Photo Courtesy of Kim Peters recreation director at Killington Parks & Recreation