By Beth Barhydt
New Canaan High School has etched its name as a powerhouse, particularly with its recent triumph in the 2024 CIAC Class L Championship. The season, marked by record-breaking performances and strategic excellence, was a spectacle of athletic prowess and teamwork. At the heart of this success is Coach Katherine Munson, whose insights provide a compelling narrative of the team’s journey.
Record-Breaking Performances
and Team Depth
“Our achievements this season are a testament to the hard work and dedication of every swimmer on the team,” Munson began, reflecting on the team’s collective effort. The New Canaan team shattered records, with Munson proudly stating, “I think we broke nine in total this season.” Such a feat underlines the team’s dominance in the sport.
A crucial factor in the team’s success is the depth of talent across the board. Senior Nate Codd, an often under-recognized athlete, emerged as a standout performer, particularly in the Men’s 100 Yard Butterfly and the 50 Freestyle. Munson highlighted his achievement: “Nate was third in the 50 free, which to be top three in both your individual events is really amazing.” Codd’s performance is a clear indicator of the team’s broad-based talent.
The Challenge of Setbacks
However, the path to victory was not without its hurdles. A notable setback was the disqualification of junior Eric Huang in the 100 Yard Butterfly due to a technical error by Huang, a moment that tested the team’s resilience. “Eric was disqualified, which unfortunately, was especially difficult because he would’ve easily won the meet at opens,” Munson recalled.
The Culture of Excellence
At the core of New Canaan’s swimming success lies a culture deeply ingrained by Munson and her coaching philosophy. “We’ve tried to really build a culture and an environment on our team where they feel this sense of belonging and this sense of pride in being a Ram,” Munson explained. This culture of excellence and belonging is crucial in fostering not only individual talent but also a strong sense of team spirit.
Individual Highlights and Future Stars
Looking at individual performances, Munson pointed to several swimmers whose contributions were pivotal. Jack Haley, a junior, was a force to be reckoned with in the 200 Yard Freestyle and the 500 Yard Freestyle, delivering times of 1:38.90 and 4:31.42, respectively. Munson’s anticipation for Haley’s future is palpable: “Jack Haley had such a phenomenal state open championship meet.”
Mascarinas, another senior, showcased his versatility, excelling in the 100 Yard Breaststroke and the 100 Yard Freestyle. His time of 56.56 seconds in the breaststroke was a standout performance, earning significant points for the team.
Eric Huang, despite his disqualification setback, displayed his skill in the 100 Yard Backstroke, finishing with an impressive time of 51.60 seconds. Munson’s expectations for Huang’s future are high, as she noted, “We’re looking for Eric to win SCX states and opens in the hundred fly and probably set the open state record.”
The Road Ahead
As Munson looks ahead, she sees a bright future for New Canaan swimming, driven by the potential of its younger swimmers. The development of talents like George Wang, a sophomore, and other underclassmen, is a key focus. “With two more years at the high school level, Wang has ample time to refine his techniques and build on his endurance,” Munson said, emphasizing the importance of long-term athlete development.
A Look Back
The New Canaan High School swimming team was poised for a remarkable showing at the 2024 Boys CIAC Finals and in the State Open Championship, scheduled for Saturday, March 16, at Yale University. The qualifying psych sheet indicated strong potential for New Canaan athletes across various events, setting the stage for a competitive and thrilling meet.
Leading the charge in the Men 200 Yard Medley Relay, New Canaan clinched the top qualifying spot with a time of 1:34.33, edging out teams like Norwalk-McMahon and Fairfield Prep.
In individual events, Jack Haley, prominently featured in the Men 200 Yard Freestyle and Men 500 Yard Freestyle, registers qualifying times of 1:39.75 and 4:36.06, respectively. Haley’s performance illustrated his versatility and endurance as a swimmer. His classmate, George Wang, also presented a strong showing in the Men 200 Yard Freestyle with a qualifying time of 1:45.01, highlighting the depth of talent within the New Canaan squad.
Senior Deacon Mascarinas – a notable entrant in the Men 100 Yard Freestyle, with a qualifying time of 46.00, positioned him as a formidable competitor in a hotly contested race.
The Men 100 Yard Butterfly saw senior Nate Codd representing New Canaan with a competitive time of 51.42. His participation was crucial for New Canaan’s ambition to accumulate significant points in this category. Mascarinas also stood out in the Men 100 Yard Breaststroke, showcasing his versatility with a qualifying time of 58.17.
New Canaan’s strength was not limited to individual events; their relay teams were equally impressive. The Men 200 Yard Freestyle Relay team, with a time of 1:28.91, and the Men 400 Yard Freestyle Relay team, with a time of 3:10.21, demonstrated their ability to excel in team events. These relays were pivotal for New Canaan in a strong overall position in the championship.
In the technically demanding Men 100 Yard Backstroke, New Canaan’s prowess was represented by junior Eric Huang, who entered with a competitive time of 51.26. Huang’s performance in this stroke was key to adding to the team’s success.
CIAC Class L Champions for the Fourth Year in a Row
The championship unfolded with New Canaan High School showcasing remarkable performances. In the 2024 CIAC Class L Championship, the team achieved an impressive victory, marking their fourth consecutive win with a total score of 760 points
In the 2024 Class L Boys Swimming Championship, the New Canaan High School team emerged as a formidable force, delivering remarkable performances across various events. Their efforts culminated in a triumphant win, securing the championship title with a series of stellar performances in both individual and relay events.
At the forefront of New Canaan’s success was their performance in the Men 200 Yard Medley Relay. The team, comprising junior Eric Huang, senior Deacon Mascarinas, junior Jack Haley, and sophomore Oliver Carr, achieved an outstanding time of 1:34.33, breaking the Class L record of 1:34.91 set by Pomperaug in 2017. This victory set a strong foundation for the team, earning them 60 crucial points.
In the Men 200 Yard Freestyle, Jack Haley, a junior, continued to showcase his aquatic prowess. Haley secured the second position in a closely contested race, just shy of the Class L record of 1:40.06 set in 2008 by Matthew McLean of Simsbury. His teammate, freshman George Wang, also delivered a commendable performance, finishing with a time of 1:45.01.
Another highlight for New Canaan was senior Deacon Mascarinas in the Men 100 Yard Breaststroke. Mascarinas swam to victory with a time of 58.17 seconds, securing 30 points for his team. While he did not surpass the state record of 54.25 seconds set in 2018 by Oliver Rus of Fairfield Prep, his performance was a significant contributor to New Canaan’s overall success.
The Men 400 Yard Freestyle Relay was another event where New Canaan shone. The team, comprising George Wang, Eric Huang, Jack Haley, and Deacon Mascarinas, registered a time of 3:10.21. Although not a record-breaking time, their performance was instrumental in cementing New Canaan’s position at the top of the leaderboard.
Individually, Eric Huang also made his mark in the Men 100 Yard Backstroke. He finished with a time of 51.26 seconds, earning the second position. His performance was a mere 1.04 seconds away from the Class L record set by Peter Horan of Newtown in 2023.
These achievements underscore the depth and talent within the New Canaan High School team. Their performances across various events reflect not only their individual skills but also the cohesive teamwork and strategic planning that were integral to their championship victory.
The 2024 Class L Boys Swimming Championship will be remembered for New Canaan High School’s exceptional display of swimming talent, teamwork, and competitive spirit.
New Canaan High School’s Impressive Showcase at the 2024 Boys State Open Championship
In the fiercely competitive 2024 Boys State Open Championship, New Canaan High School emerged as a formidable contender, showcasing outstanding talent and determination. The team secured fourth place overall with a total of 370.5 points, marking a significant achievement in a field dominated by Greenwich, Pomperaug, and Norwalk-McMahon. In particular there were standout performances in both individual and relay meets.
200 Yard Medley Relay
New Canaan’s team, comprising Eric Huang (JR), Deacon Mascarinas (SR), Jack Haley (JR), and Oliver Carr (SO), clinched first place with a time of 1:33.79. This remarkable performance was a mere 2.23 seconds shy of the state and open record set in 2018.
200 Yard Freestyle
Jack Haley (JR) dominated the 200 Yard Freestyle, seizing first place with a time of 1:38.90 with Kegan Clark (SR) of Greenwich coming in second with a time of 1:40.30
500 Yard Freestyle
Continuing his impressive streak, Jack Haley (JR) secured another first-place finish in the 500 Yard Freestyle, clocking in at 4:31.42 just one second ahead of the second place finisher, Cody Lonsberry (JR) of Enfield.
100 Yard Breaststroke
In a show of skill and range, Deacon Mascarinas (SR) of New Canaan achieved first place in the 100 Yard Breaststroke with a time of 56.56 seconds and earned a second place finish in the 100 Yard Freestyle with a time of 46.05 just .45 seconds behind the first place finisher Kegan Clark from Greenwich.
100 Year Backstroke
Eric Huang (JR) exhibited a robust performance across multiple events in the 2024 Boys State Open Championship. In the 100 Yard Backstroke, he secured a commendable third place with a time of 51.60 seconds, just .77 second behind the first place finisher. Additionally, Huang participated in the 200 Yard Medley Relay as the lead swimmer for his team. The relay team, comprising Eric Huang (JR), Deacon Mascarinas (SR), Jack Haley (JR), and Oliver Carr (SO), achieved first place with an impressive time of 1:33.79. Huang’s initial leg set a strong pace.
400 Yard Freestyle Relay
The New Canaan team, featuring Jack Haley (JR), George Wang (FR), Eric Huang (JR), and Deacon Mascarinas (SR), excelled in the 400 Yard Freestyle Relay, finishing second with a time of 3:09.63.
The 2024 Boys State Open Championship was a stage for New Canaan’s underclassmen to shine, showcasing the depth and potential of the team’s emerging talents. Key among them, sophomore George Wang and juniors Eric Huang and Jack Haley, have already displayed exceptional skills that hint at a bright future for New Canaan swimming.
George Wang, competing in his sophomore year, demonstrated significant promise. His participation in the crucial events, such as the 200 Yard Freestyle and 400 Yard Freestyle Relay, underscores his potential as a versatile and formidable swimmer. With two more years at the high school level, Wang has ample time to refine his techniques and build on his endurance, positioning him as a likely candidate to lead New Canaan in future championships.
Eric Huang, a junior, showed remarkable prowess in the 100 Yard Backstroke, securing a respectable third place with a time of 51.60, not far behind the leaders. His performance was pivotal in the 200 Yard Medley Relay, contributing to New Canaan’s victory in this event. Huang’s potential to improve and possibly challenge state records in backstroke events is a thrilling prospect for the team in the upcoming season.
Jack Haley, another junior, was a standout performer, clinching first place in the 200 Yard Freestyle with a time of 1:38.90. His contribution was integral to New Canaan’s success in the 400 Yard Freestyle Relay, anchoring the team to a second-place finish. Haley’s dominance in freestyle events indicates a high ceiling for his senior year, where he could be one of the top swimmers in the state.
With these underclassmen at the helm, New Canaan’s future in swimming looks bright. Their close finishes and significant contributions this season are indicative of their ability to aspire to higher achievements. The development of these young talents will be eagerly watched by swimming enthusiasts, as they are poised to become the new face of New Canaan swimming, pushing the team to new heights in the competitive landscape of Connecticut high school swimming.
