Both the boys and girls swim teams ended their season undefeated for the first time in six years.
The girls and boys ended the regular season with a 11-0 record. In the postseason, the girls claimed first place at the Midland-Wachusett League Championships, while the boys placed second. Multiple school records were broken including the 100 meter backstroke by junior Elizabeth Walsh, 200 meter individual medley by senior Mina Chung and and both teams broke their 200 meter medley records. The girls medley team comprised of sophomores Lanna Palmer and Alaia Phillips, junior Elizabeth Walsh and senior Mina Chung whereas the boys medley team consisted of juniors Jonathan Ribeiro and Max Qi as well as seniors Simon Linden and Ben Zhao
Senior captains Mina Chung and Tiara Ramesh expressed that the team’s high level of effort and camaraderie were key to their success.
“There was a lot of hard work and dedication throughout the entire season,” Chung said. “In the past four years, I feel like all of our bonds have also strengthened so much, especially the girls’ team, which was basically nonexistent when my class came in.”
While Chung broke the individual 200 meter record that went unbroken for two decades, she also broke a relay record with three other swimmers that had stood for nine years.
“After the boys broke their record at Sectionals, the girls were like, ‘Let’s look at what the girls record is,” and when we looked at it, it wasn’t too far off our time,” Chung said “Our last race…at States we did it; it was just crazy.”
Ramesh is proud to achieve a League Championship her senior year.
“Getting first place [at Leagues] is kind of a summative experience for all the four years of hard work that everyone put in,” Ramesh said. “Every single meet we had a lot more people cheering; that definitely helped build our team spirit.”
Ramesh added that first-year swimmers received as much cheering and support as the top swimmers.
“Everyone cheers for each other, even if it’s for people they don’t know as well,” Ramesh said.“I think cheering for your teammates really helps motivate yourself and everyone else on the team when you just stay active in the meet.”
The boys team also showed great improvements and success with standout swimmers such as junior captain Jonathan Ribeiro, senior captain Simon Linden and junior Max Qi.
“It’s great to be undefeated during the dual meet season,” Ribeiro said. “To see my backstroke improve in the three years I’ve been swimming has been great…To go from a 1:08 all the way down to 56 [seconds] is amazing for me.”
As a captain, Ribero plans to keep the team strong and continue their success into next season. Additionally, head coach Jean Fedak is proud of the team’s accomplishments and their unique sportsmanship.
“There’s been this sportsmanship that has been established in our league that is pretty incredible and not typical of other sports.” Fedak said. “[The swimmers] go around the pool, they talk to each other or they’re cheering for each other. When you see a kid struggling who’s a beginner swimmer, the kids on the team are cheering for them.”
Ultimately, Fedak stresses the importance of a close knit team that acts as a community of friends. She believes this is a crucial part of her team’s success.
“When a team comes together to support each other, builds solid friendships and knows what is expected of them, the winning just seems to come!” Fedak said via email.
