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East Hampton's Camryn Hatch in the 100-yard backstroke in a meet earlier this season. Hatch qualified for states in both the backstroke and 100-yard freestyle this past weekend.
East Hampton's Camryn Hatch qualified for states in both the 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke.
East Hampton's Camryn Hatch starting the backstroke at the League III Championships.
Camryn Hatch at the League III Championships.
Bonacker Camryn Hatch competing at the League III Championships. Hatch qualified for states in both the 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke.
The East Hampton girls swim team at the Section XI Championships this past weekend.
Although she had trained for it all season, East Hampton junior Camryn Hatch admitted she was in shock when she qualified for the New York State Championships in both the 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke at the Section XI Championships this past weekend at Stony Brook University.
Hatch finished the 100 free on Saturday in 54.05 seconds, a personal best by over five seconds, which placed her fourth in the county. Then on Sunday, Hatch placed second in the 100 back in 58.95 seconds, 2.3 seconds off her previous best from the previous week at the League III Championships.
The New York State Championships are November 19 and 20 at Ithaca College.
“The last few practices going into counties were some of my best practices of the season,” Hatch explained. “I felt amazing and I just felt like I was gliding through the water. Because of this, I knew that this meet was going to be a good one. I think the motivation from my parents and teammates was what helped me achieve these times the most. Seeing everyone at the pool watching me and cheering for me makes me push so much harder.
“I was much more shocked by my 100 back time than my 100 free time because I have been pushing for about two years to break 1:00, and I think it’s safe to say I met that goal,” she added.
Hatch was one of seven Bonackers at counties that helped the team place eighth out of 25 teams. Hauppauge/Smithtown won the county title with 345 points, followed by Half Hollow Hills (271) and Northport/Commack (240).
Alyssa Brabant, Ava Castillo, Elizabeth Daniels, Emily Dyner, Madison Elflein and Lily Griffin all competed over the weekend. Hatch, Griffin, Castillo and Dyner dropped nearly four seconds to take fifth place in the 200-yard medley relay in 1:56.67. Castillo finished 14th in the 200-yard individual medley and 17th in a season’s best 1:03.61 in the 100-yard butterfly. Dyner finished 22nd in the same event in 1:06.60.
Griffin competed in the 100 free with Hatch and finished 14th in a season’s best time. She also competed in the 100-yard breaststroke and finished 20th in 1:16.23. The 200-yard freestyle relay team of Castillo, Elflein, Brabant and Griffin finished seventh and the 400-yard freestyle relay team of Daniels, Brabant, Dyner and Hatch dropped over 12 seconds to finish eighth.
Hatch was selected by team captains as the Swimmer of the Meet for the match for obvious reasons.
“All four of Cami’s swims resulted in best times and both of her individual swims earned New York State Meet qualifying times,” East Hampton head coach Craig Brierley said. “She was a major contributor to the team’s eighth place finish in the standings. Cami competed with confidence and a positive attitude that was the driving force to her hard-earned success.”
Hatch said she’s excited to compete at the state meet for the first time and to make new friends as part of the group that Section XI, or Suffolk County, is sending to Ithaca.
“I am hoping to take even more time off of my events and most importantly make new friends,” she said. “Since I am the only person from East Hampton attending states, I will be spending time with a whole new group of girls with one big thing in common. I can’t wait to compete against some very fast girls and watch my teammates compete in their events. I am very happy to be a part of Team Section XI representing East Hampton.”
