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Zeus swim club teammates Meredith Pramer and Rachel Smolensky remember when the first Pat Spinola Meet was held eight years ago at Norwalk High School. They were just youngsters, and they recalled it as far less competitive than this weekend's affair.
"There was Zeus and one or two other teams,'' Meredith said. "It has gotten a lot more competitive over the years."
The meet kicked off Friday night and concludes Sunday. A total of 11 teams with about 350 swimmers are competing in age groups from under-9 to high school seniors. Teams from Rye, N.Y., all the way up to Litchfield County are competing. All 130 members of the Norwalk-based Zeus team were entered, according to coach Omar Cruz.
The meet was one of the final home meets for Pramer, Smolensky and Jillian Carter, all of whom will be swimming in college programs next fall. Pramer will attend Providence, Carter will go to Georgetown and Smolensky will go to Southern Connecticut. Cruz said the girls have been integral to the Zeus team. They were among the volunteers helping younger swimmers at Friday's races.
"It's an important meet for our community,'' Cruz said. "It's important to have a home meet. We're grateful to Pat Spinola (the former Norwalk High athletic director) and Norwalk High School. We're grateful to continue the swimming that we have developed here. A lot of credit also has to go to the Norwalk YMCA."
The meet was bittersweet for Cruz's seniors. Although they are excited about college, they will miss the Zeus experience. "I'm really said,'' said Smolensky, who added her name to the Norwalk record books when she broke a 33-year-old school record in the 100 backstroke previously held by Kate Mortell. "I've been swimming with this team since I was 8. I'm ready to experience college swimming, but I'm really sad to be leaving my friends."
Pramer, Carter and Smolensky went 1-2-3 for Zeus in the 100-yard butterfly. "We still have a lot to go,'' Meredith said. "It all comes together at the end of the season."
The Zeus team continues swimming through March. Cruz said the Spinola meet was important to prepare for the championship season. "On all levels, we're doing pretty good against some pretty good competition."
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