Watson Brothers Are The Heart & Soul of Fitch Swimming

At first glance, brothers Luke and Sam Watson of the Fitch High School swimming and diving teams exhibit as many differences as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

Luke, a senior, is 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, armed with All-America status as a junior when he swam a leg on a record-setting 200 medley relay team.

Sam, a junior, is 5-foot-6, 130 pounds and, like his height, is still developing as a backstroke swimmer and diver.

The Watson are in different stages in their swimming careers, but both contribute heavily in a variety of ways to Fitch boys' swimming.

 "We're a little bit different in terms of height and personality," Luke said. "He likes backstroke and I can't stand it. He's a great kid, and I can't wait to see what he does down the road in swimming and in life."

If Luke is blessed with All-American skills and leadership, Sam brings an All-American attitude. Sam was the only Falcon swimmer to step forward and give diving a try when coach Ken Berg canvassed the team to see if anyone would make a sacrifice and fill a gaping hole in Fitch's lineup.

Sam finished 11thin Eastern Connecticut Conference  diving finals to go withhis eighth place in the 100 backstroke in the ECC swimming championships Saturday. Because Fitch's home venue, the University of Connecticut-Avery Point, does not have a diving board, any Fitch diver is forced to travel to East Lyme High to practice diving from 8:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. during the week, explaining the lack of divers.

"Sam sucked it up for the team," Luke said. "He didn't want to do it, but he realize we needed a diver to score key points. He manned up and took the role."

Fitch coach Ken Berg is accustomed to diverse siblings on his team. His own daughters, former swimmers Alivia and Jessica, were not mirror images. Alivia was smaller and a faster, All-America short distance swimmer. Jessica was bigger and an All-Area long-distance freestyler.

"One is like the father and one like the mother, like the Watsons," Berg said. "It's been great having the Watsons on the team. Luke's the captain and the leader, he's been on the team for four years. Sam has done a great job in the backstroke. He has backstroke talent, he just has to bring it out."

The Watsons helped Fitch to a second place finish in the ECC Meet behind perennial favorite East Lyme. Luke won the 100 breaststroke in 1:04.0 and was second in the 200 individual medley behind East Lyme's Adam Opsahl. Luke hopes his best times are ahead of him in the Class M state meet.

Postseason was good to him last year when he set a Fitch breaststroke record of 1:01.25 with a 7th place State Open finish. Luke also made All-American in the 200 medley relay with Emmett Dignan, Tom Rowland and Harry Kietzman, all of whom have graduated.

"It's been a letdown after being on such a high at the end of last season," Luke said. "The whole relay was awesome. Missing those three has been a huge setback for my training."

But there is still much to attain during his final scholastic post-season.

"My goal now is to be individual All-American in the 100 breaststroke at 57.4 automatically or 58.6 for consideration. I'm kind of frustrated by today's meet, but I have to consider I haven't tapered yet. Making All-America is always the goal."

Sophomore Christian Berg, son of Ken, was the only Fitch double individual winner in the 100 backstroke and 200 freestyle. Aidan Quinn won the 50 freestyle, and Andrew Lewis won the 500 freestyle for Fitch.

"It's been a little harder for Luke because he doesn't have anyone to lean on other than Christian, who is fast, but young and a little naive," coach Berg said.

But there is no reason to take a collection for Luke.

"Luke is  going to college (Connecticut College) and has compiled a great career," Berg said. "He will continue to have a great career."

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