Cape swimming defeats Sussex Tech for Henlopen North titles

The Cape girls’ 400 free relay team took a victory in the last event to garner the Northern Division title over the Ravens. Shown are (l-r) Hailey Hassell, Sidney Caldwell, Anna Sullivan and Jenna Reinhold, who swam a fast 4:03.57. DAN COOK PHOTOS

Dan Cook

February 9, 2023

The Cape girls’ swim team took the win in the last event, the 400 free relay, to garner the Henlopen Northern Division title with an 87-83 victory over Sussex Tech Feb. 7 at the Sussex Family YMCA.

Sidney Caldwell, Hailey Hassell, Jenna Reinhold and Anna Sullivan swam a 4:03.57 time to post the victory.

“It was a really good matchup,” said Cape senior Alissa Silva. “Tech has some really strong first lineup swimmers. However, all our girls swam what they needed to, and swam great races. This my first time winning Northern Division during my high school swim years, so I’m ecstatic. With how much work the girls have put in this season, I’m glad our regular season ended off on such a good note.”

In a dominating performance, the Cape boys’ team won the Northern Division title and regular-season conference championship with a 119-48 win over the Ravens boys’ squad.

“It means a ton to all of us to win the North and the conference,” said senior Andrew Criswell. “We know a lot of the guys on other teams in our conference, and it makes for lots of fun rivalries and always fun races. Winning the conference is something we can really hold high and hang onto those bragging rights. Also I believe this is the third year in a row we’ve won the North, and that means a ton to me personally to be able to win it three out of my four years.”

“Tech has always been one of our toughest meets for years,” said cape coach Bill Geppert. “They always bring their A game when they swim us and we have to be prepared for them. It is meets like this that bring out the best in each program, and they are always very entertaining and fun to be a part of. We were fortunate to get them this year, but we know they will be excited to swim us next season. It’s a great rivalry that everyone in both programs looks forward to every year.”

They finish the 2023 Henlopen Conference regular season at 13-0.

For complete scores, go to CapeVikingsSports.com.

Cape and Tech will be competing in the Henlopen Conference Swim Championships Saturday, Feb. 11, at Sussex Academy.

Winning the 200 free relay with a time of 1:50.85 are (l-r) Anna Sullivan, Hailey Hassell, Alissa Silva and Sidney Caldwell.

Sussex Tech junior Brynn Thornton wins the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:06.62.

Ravens senior Stella Pogwist swims the fly leg of the medley relay. She and teammates Brynn Thornton, Neh Dinga and Cassidy Thomas won with a time of 2:07.17.