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Wilton Wahoos Toast Swimmers Heading To Olympic, Paralympic Trials

WILTON, Conn. — The Wilton Wahoos recognized five of their own swimmers who are set to compete in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials at a ceremony at the Riverbrook Regional YMCA on Wednesday.

The Wilton Wahoos will be sending five swimmers to U.S. Olympic Team Trials and one swimmer to the largest Paralympic trials in U.S. history later this month. Another Wahoo swimmer is set to compete for Antigua.

The Wilton Wahoos will be sending five swimmers to U.S. Olympic Team Trials and one swimmer to the largest Paralympic trials in U.S. history later this month. Another Wahoo swimmer is set to compete for Antigua.

Photo Credit: Jay Polansky

The team also recognized one swimmer who is competing in the the largest Paralympic trials in U.S. history and another who is representing Antigua in the Olympic Games.

Riverbrook Regional YMCA CEO Bob McDowell praised the efforts of the dedicated swimmers, who have their eyes set on Rio.

“I’m thrilled,” McDowell told the Daily Voice. “I can’t be happier, more proud as an organization to see this level of accomplishment.”

McDowell said he has watched the Wahoo athletes grow from an early age, when they first learned how to train for the sport’s most prestigious competition.

“Early on they learn what it’s going to take to become eligible to compete at Olympic trials or even in Olympic games,” McDowell said.

Swimming fast is one thing, but the Wahoo athletes have also shown dedication to teammates, schoolwork and their own training, McDowell said.

The swimmers heading to the Olympic trials from June 26 to July 3 in Omaha, Neb., are:

•Ky-lee Perry, one of the top female recruits in Connecticut and a senior just graduated from Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk. She will attend North Carolina State in the fall.

•Verity Abel, who just finished his sophomore year at Duke;

•Stephen Holmquist, who just finished his freshman year at Michigan;

•Ian Rainey, who just finished his sophomore year at Michigan; and

•Eric Ronda, who just finished his junior year at Harvard.

David Gelfand, who just finished his junior year at Weston High School, will be attending the largest Paralympic trials in U.S. history from June 29 to July 2 in Charlotte, N.C.

Noah Macoll-Gomes, from Astoria, N.Y., who just finished his junior year of high school at the Academy of American Studies in Queens, will be representing his country, Antigua, at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero.

Wilton Y Wahoo swimmers come from over 22 towns in southwestern Connecticut, Westchester County, and New York City. A total of 25 Wahoos have competed at Olympic Trials, including 1988 Olympic silver medalist Janel Jorgensen.

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