By Robert Rogers
BETHEL SWIMS WITH HEAVY HEART
Bethel Swim team came up short with a 94-86 loss to Weston on Tuesday night, but for many on the team it was a far more somber night as they remembered their former Parks & Rec summer swim coach and BHS Swim 2005 captain, Ashley Zowine, who passed away this week. The team sported the initials “AZ” and “ZZ” on their shoulders and hands for Ashley and her brother, Zack, who passed in 2007 also from Neurofibromatosis.
The team plans on a few fundraisers to increase their annual donation to the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Last year, the team began the Henry & Zack Zowine award for the swimmer who best displays the love of the sport through spirit and dedication and the recipient has $50 donated from the team to help find a cure for Neurofibromatosis.
Sophomore Tucker Bjornson, who swam for the coach Margie Zowine and her daughters early in his swimming, posted two first places in the 500 Free and took a close run at the Bethel High 200 Individual Medley record. Senior captain Kevin Gallagher also collected a first place in the 50 Free with a 25.12, his season’s best.
The Wildcats have their final head-to-head meet of the season tomorrow night at WCSU against Joel Barlow at 5:00pm. Following that they enter the post-season with over 10 swimmers qualifying for conference championships and additionally over 12 girls qualifying for the state championships for girls swimming in the boys’ season.
To see more photos from the meet, visit http://mattdewkett.com
