HARTLAND — At the Vermont Swim Association 2017 Championship meet, held at the Upper Valley Aquatic Center in Hartland on Sunday, Vergennes swimmer Will Clark climbed up on the block. It was the last heat of the eight-and-under 50-yard freestyle, and Clark’s seed time of 33.87 seconds was faster than the state record.
The starting buzzer beeped, and Clark flew into the water alongside five other boys. With a flurry of kicks and strokes, Clark pulled ahead of his competitors, touching the wall 33.75 seconds later, officially setting a new VSA record.
Behind the blocks, his coaches jumped up and down, and the crowd cheered up in the stands. His winning time flashed up on the scoreboard next to the letters “VST” — for Vergennes Swim Team. Down in the pool, the eight-year-old smiled shyly while the announcer’s voice boomed news of his record-breaking swim.
“It was sort of my goal for the year,” Clark said a few days after the race. He also holds the record for the boys’ six-and-under 25-yard backstroke and 25-yard freestyle.
Vergennes coach Ally Stearns was proud of Clark’s accomplishment, but she was also proud of the spirit that developed on the team, which was indicative of much of the spirit of youth swimming in Vermont.
“Even when we didn’t have anyone close to breaking the record — even when it wasn’t our kid, it was still so exciting to see it and hear everyone cheer,” Stearns said. “I think that’s such a good environment.”
The weekend-long championship meet marked a last chance for the Vergennes Swim Team (known as the Champs), along with 18 other teams, to compete, improve times and build on relationships made during the six-week season.
“The kids provide a lot of entertainment,” said Middlebury coach Colleen Rueppel on Sunday. “Even just sitting on the bench or under the tent, you hear some great stories. It’s just fun to hang out with them — like last night we had a two-hour pizza party at the hotel.”
Defending champion The Edge Swim Team from Burlington won the state meet with nearly a 2,000-point lead at 4,408.5 points. The Town of Essex Swim Team (TEST) followed, with 2,558.5 points. The Burlington Tennis Club placed third (1,804), followed by the Burlington Country Club, (1,548).
Vergennes narrowly missed fourth place, at 1,525.5 points, just 22.5 points behind BCC. The Champs brought in eight first-place finishes, four of which were made by Clark, who can now rightfully be called the defending state champion in the boys’ eight-and-under 25-yard freestyle, 50-yard freestyle, 25-yard backstroke and 25-yard butterfly.
In his first season of swimming with Vergennes, Flint Crary won both his individual events: boys’ six-and-under 25-yard freestyle and 25-yard backstroke. Carson Hoffman took home gold for the 11- and 12-year-old boys’ 50-yard butterfly, and Quinn LeBeau, Clark Crary, Juan De La Cruz and Will Clark placed first in the boys’ eight-and-under 100-yard freestyle relay.
Middlebury finished in ninth place, earning 847.50 points with two individual first-place finishes and two first-place relay finishes. Molly Thalen won the girls’ 7-8 25-yard backstroke, and Oliver Poduschnick won the boys’ 13-14 100 IM. The two winning relay teams both included Poduschnick, Nathan Stone, Will Carpenter and Fraser Milligan; that quartet won both the 14-and-under 200-yard medley relay and the 200-yard freestyle relay.
Rueppel called the relays a season highlight.
“We were jumping down, and I almost fell in the pool,” she said. “We’re a small team from a small town, and we’re not really well-known for swimming, so to come out and be number one in the state for the boys’ medley relay — that was a big deal for us.”
“I’m so proud of every Champ and every race they had this weekend,” Vergennes coach Alex Vutech added. “We had a lot of fast and intense races, but more importantly, we had so much fun.”
Addison County results at the state meet were as follows:
BUTTERFLY
•  U-8 girls 25: 38. Kaitlin Sulik-Doty, M; 43. Amelia Giroux, V.
•  U-8 boys 25: 1. Will Clark, V, 18.42; 6. Quinn LeBeau, V; 7. Clark Crary, V.
•  9-10 boys 25: 8. Ethan Croke, V; 14. Grey Fearon, V.
•  11-12 girls 50: 5. Madelyn Giroux, V; 8. Natalie Rockwell, M; 15. Acadia Clark, V; 23. Sydney Adreon, V.
•  11-12 boys 50: 2. Carson Hoffman, V, 29.70; 13. Calder Rakowski, V.
•  11-12 girls 100: 4. Madelyn Giroux, V.
•  13-14 girls 50: 11. Holly Staats, M; 13. Anna Rakowski, V; 14. Jordan Jewell, V; 16. Grace LeBeau, V; 17. Sydney Jewell, V.
•  13-14 boys 50: 2. Nathan Stone, M, 27.14; 4. Oliver Poduschnick, M; 8. Will Carpenter, M; 12. Jarret Muzzy, V; 15. Andy Rockwell, M; 17. Noah Engvall, V.
•  13-14 girls 50: 10. Anna Rakowski, V.
•  13-14 girls 100: 8. Allie Croke, V.
•  13-14 boys 100: 2. Nathan Stone, M.
•  15-16 girls 50: 13. Rachel Merrill, M.
•  15-16 boys 50: 5. Devon Kearns, M.
•  15-16 girls 100: 4. Leah Croke, V; 8. Rachel Merrill, M.
•  17-18 girls 50: 6. Calista Carl, M; 8. Sophie Rippner, V; 9. Ciara Eagan, M.
•  17-18 boys 50: 8. Ethan Sausville, V; 12. Max Ratti-Bicknell, V; 14. Jacob Brookman, M.
•  17-18 boys 100: 4. Ethan Sausville, V.
BACKSTROKE
•  U-6 girls 25: 2. Annika Smits, V; 5. Reese Muzzy, V.; 6. Aurora Foley, M; 9. Mitzi Poduschnick, M.; 16. Casey Clark, V.
•  U-6 boys 25: 1. Flint Crary, V, 26.25.
•  7-8 boys 25: 1. Will Clark, V, 19.45; 13. Clark Crary, V; 24. Noah Smits, V.
•  7-8 girls 25: 1. Molly Thalen, M, 21. 32; 3. Adrienne Smits, V; 11. Isabella Romond, V; 20. Ella Bearor, V; 30. Ellie Brooks, V; 46. Sophia James, V.; 47. Ellie Eckels, V; 51. Lily Allen, M.
•  9-10 girls 25: 15. Lucy Poduschnick, M.; 59. Kaitlin Sulik-Doty, M.
•  9-10 boys 25: 4. Ethan Croke, V; 38. Rudolf Vorsteveld, V; 43. Maxwell Goodfellow, V; 46. Julian Potter.
•  11-12 girls 50: 11. Hadley Harris, V; 14. Natalie Rockwell, M; 16. Madelyn Giroux, V; 24. Bee Eckels, V.
•  11-12 boys 50: 12. Calder Rakowski, V.
•  13-14 boys 50: 6. Will Carpenter, M; 12. Adam Clark, V.
•  13-14 boys 100: 7. Andy Rockwell, M.
•  15-16 girls 50: 7. Leah Croke, V; 14. Emma Beauchemin, V.
•  15-16 boys 50: 11. Dylan Rapoport, V.
•  17-18 girls 50: 4. Ciara Egan, M; 6. Calista Carl, M.
•  17-18 boys 50: 3. Archie Milligan, M; 8. Jacob Brookman, M.
•  17-18 boys 100: 3. Archie Milligan, M.
BREASTSTROKE
•  U-8 girls 25: 7. Molly Thalen, M; 13. Mitzi Poduschnick, M; 14. Ellie Eckels, V; 24. Reese Muzzy, V.
•  U-8 boys 25: 5. Clark Crary, V; 6. Noah Smits, V; 8. Juan De La Cruz, V; 14. Sebastian Giroux, V.
•  9-10 boys 25: 25. Rudolf Vorsteveld, V; 33. Grey Fearon, V.
•  U-10 girls: 9. Amelia Giroux, V; 11. Kaitlyn Sulik-Doty, M; 12. L. Poduschnick, M.
•  11-12 girls 50: 5. Acadia Clark, V; 7. Hadley Harris, V; 9. Carlyn Rapoport, V; 14. Maddie Crowne, M; 19. Bee Eckels, V; 20. Sydney Adreon, V.
•  11-12 boys 50: 1. Carson Hoffman, V, 35.14; 13. Aidan Chance, M;.
•  11-12 girls 100: 5. Acadia Clark, V; 6. Carlyn Rapoport, V.
•  11-12 boys 100: 3. Nate Muzzy, V.
•  13-14 girls 50: 5. Holly Staats, M; 14. Jordan Jewell, V; 15. Sydney Jewell, V.
•  13-14 boys 50: 3. Oliver Poduschnick, M; 4. Nathan Stone, M; 5. Fraser Milligan, M; 8. Noah Engvall, V.
•  13-14 boys 100: 2. Fraser Milligan, M; 3. Nathan Stone, M; 6. Noah Engvall, V.
•  15-16 girls 100: 9. Rachel Merrill, M.
•  15-16 boys 50: 6. Devon Kearns, M.
•  15-16 boys 100: 6. Devon Kearns, M; 10. Dylan Rapoport, V.
•  17-18 girls 50: 2. Olivia Hawkins, V, 35. 25.
•  17-18 girls 100: 4. Olivia Hawkins, V; 5. Sadie Kass, V.
•  17-18 boys 50: 8. Ethan Sausville, V; 9. Jacob Brookman, M.
FREESTYLE
•  U-6 girls 25: 3. Reese Muzzy, V; 5. Mitzi Poduschnick, M; 6. Aurora Foley, M; 7. Annika Smits, V; 10. Isabella De La Cruz, V; 14. Casey Clark, V; 18. Ella Maneen, V.
•  U-6 boys 25: 1. Flint Crary, V, 20.03.
•  7-8 girls 25: 1. Molly Thalen, M; 12. Ellie Brooks, V; 21. Petra Fearon, V.; 23. Adrienne Smits, V; 28. Ella Bearor, V; 34. Sadie Chance, M; 36. Ellie Eckels, V; 47. Lily Allen, M.
•  7-8 boys 25: 1. Will Clark, V, 15.14; 4. Quinn LeBeau, V; 7. Juan De La Cruz, V; 8. Clark Crary, V; 17. Joey.
Maneen, V; 18. Noah Smits, V; 35. Sebastian Giroux, V.
•  U-8 boys 50: 1. Will Clark, V, 33.75; 5. Quinn LeBeau, V; V; 24. Noah Smits, V.
•  9-10 girls 25: 42. Lucy Poduschnick, M; 52. Amelia Giroux, V; 61. Kaitlin Sulik-Doty, M.
•  9-10 boys 25: 5. Ethan Croke, V; 25. Grey Fearon, V; 49. Maxwell Goodfellow, V; 52. Rudolf Vorsteveld, V; 58. Julian Potter.
•  9-10 boys 50: 8. Ethan Croke, V; 17. Grey Fearon, V; 43. Julian Potter, V.
•  11-12 girls 50: 7. Hadley Harris, V; 18. Natalie Rockwell, M; 21. Maddie Crowne, M; 22. Bee Eckels, V.
•  11-12 boys 50: 2. Carson Hoffman, V; 8. Aidan Chance, M; 13. Patrick Stone, M; 15. Nate Muzzy, V.
•  11-12 girls 100: 15. Bee Eckels, V; 20. Sydney Adreon V.
•  11-12 boys 100: 16. Calder Rakowski.
•  11-12 girls 200: 9. Carlyn Rapoport, V.
•  13-14 girls 50: 8. Jordan Jewell, V; 16. Allie Croke, V; 22. Holly Staats, M; 35. Summer Chabot, V;.
•  13-14 boys 50: 4. Oliver Poduschnick, M; 7. Will Carpenter, M; 8. Fraser Milligan, M; 11. Jarret Muzzy, V; 15. Noah Engvall, V; 17. Andy Rockwell, M; 22. Adam Clark, V; 24. Derek Vorsteveld, V.
•  13-14 boys 100: 9. Fraser Milligan, M; 11. Jarret Muzzy, V.
•  13-14 girls 100: 7. Anna Rakowski, V; 9. Grace LeBeau, V.
•  13-14 boys 200: 10. Adam Clark, V.
•  13-14 girls 200: 2. Grace LeBeau, V, 2:19:45.
•  15-16 girls 50: 11. Leah Croke, V; 13. Emma Beauchemin, V.
•  15-16 boys 50: 5. Devon Kearns, M; 14. Dylan Rapoport, V.
•  15-16 girls 100: 10. Emma Beauchemin, V.
•  15-16 girls 200: 7. Emma Beauchemin, V.
•  17-18 girls 50: 2. Olivia Hawkins, V, 27.56; 5. Calista Carl, M; 6. Sophie Rippner, V.
•  17-18 boys 50: 7. Archie Milligan, M; 8. Max Ratti-Bicknell, V; 15. Jacob Brookman, M; 17. Ethan Sausville, V.
•  17-18 girls 100: 3. Olivia Hawkins, V; 7. Calista Carl, M; 8. Sophie Rippner, V; 10. Ciara Eagan, M.
•  17-18 boys 100: 6. Max Ratti-Bicknell, V.
•  Girls Open 500: 5. Anna Rakowski, V, 6:21:15.
•  Boys Open 500: 2. Archie Milligan, M, 5:07:59.
INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY
•  11-12 girls 100: 9. Hadley Harris, V; 13. Madelyn Giroux, V; 14. Acadia Clark, V; 17. Natalie Rockwell, M; 21. C. Rapoport, V; 26. Maddie Crowne, M.
•  11-12 boys 100: 3. Aidan Chance, M; 4. Patrick Stone, M.
•  13-14 boys 100: 1. Oliver Poduschnick, M, 1:01:21; 11. Jarret Muzzy, V; 13. Andy Rockwell, M; 16. Adam Clark, V.
•  15-16 girls 200: 7. Leah Croke, V; 8. Rachel Merrill, M.
RELAYS
•  U-8 girls 100 free: 4. V (Petra Fearon, Isabella Romond, Adrienne Smits, Ellie Brooks); 6. V (Sophia James, Reese Muzzy, Ellie Eckels, Ella Bearor).
•  U-8 boys 100 free: 1. V, 1:13.83 (Quinn LeBeau, Clark Crary, Juan De La Cruz, Will Clark).
•  U-8 boys 100 medley: 2. V, 1:34:09 (Clark Crary, Juan De La Cruz, Will Clark, Quinn LeBeau,).
•  U-10 boys 100 free: 8. V (Grey Fearon, Rudolf Vorsteveld, Julian Potter, Ethan Croke); 13. V (Flint Crary, Sebastian Giroux, Noah Smits, Maxwell Goodfellow).
•  U-10 boys 100 medley: 7. V (Julian Potter, Rudolf Vorsteveld, Ethan Croke , Grey Fearon).
• U-12 girls 200 free: 4. V (Madelyn Giroux, Acadia Clark, Carlyn Rapoport, Hadley Harris).
•  U-12 girls 200 medley: 3. V (Hadley Harris, Acadia Clark, Madelyn Giroux, Carlyn Rapoport).
•  U-14 girls 200 free: 3. V (Anna Rakowski, Sydney Jewell, Grace LeBeau, Jordan Jewell).
•  U-14 boys 200 free: 1. M, 1:40:39 (Nathan Stone, Will Carpenter, Fraser Milligan, Oliver Poduschnick); 6. V (Noah Engvall, Derek Vorsteveld, Adam Clark, Carson Hoffman).
•  U-14 girls 200 medley: 5. V (Allie Croke, Anna Rakowski, Grace LeBeau, Jordan Jewell); 15. V (Bee Eckels, Sydney Adreon, Sydney Jewell, Summer Chabot).
•  U-14 boys 200 medley: 1. M, 1:53:78 (Will Carpenter, Oliver Poduschnick, Nathan Stone, Fraser Milligan); 6. V (Adam Clark, Noah Engvall, Jarret Muzzy, Derek Vorsteveld).
•  U-18 girls 200 free: 9. V (Emma Beauchemin, Sophie Rippner, Sadie Kass, Olivia Hawkins).
•  U-18 girls 200 medley: 7. V (Emma Beauchemin, Olivia Hawkins, Leah Croke, Sophie Rippner).
•  U-18 boys 200 free: 7. M (Andy Rockwell, Jacob Brookman, Devon Kearns, Archie Milligan); 9. V (Ethan Sausville, Dylan Rapoport, Jarret Muzzy, Max Ratti-Bicknell).
•  U-18 boys 200 medley: 7. V (Dylan Rapoport, Carson Hoffman, Ethan Sausville, Max Ratti-Bicknell).