Girls’ swim and dive plunged headfirst into the season, making a splash as the Tigers finished undefeated and won MIAA Sectionals and the State Championship for the first time ever in North history. According to PEHW teacher Kristen Smith, the head coach, the team’s success could be attributed to hard work and a particular emphasis on community.
Senior Finnleigh MacCannell, a captain along with seniors Orly Fishman and Jillian Schneider, said, “We really fed off of our energy, each win gave us confidence to swim against these bigger teams.”
According to Smith, the team revisited community-oriented and athletic skillset goals created during the previous season.
Fishman said a highlight of the season was beating Needham, the Tigers’ previously unconquerable opponent.
Overtaking Needham wasn’t the only exceptional feat by the Tigers. They set impressive school records in the 200 freestyle relay, the 400 free relay, the 100 breaststroke, and the 100 freestyle.
Athletic Director Mike Jackson said, “Coach Smith has done a really good job with our team. They worked hard on team culture on top of talent and I think the two together is why we got the result we got.”
According to MacCannell, the Tigers completed team building exercises and worked on building confidence throughout the entirety of the season.
Despite the team’s long stretch of a season, the Tigers continued to put hard work into their practices.
“We trained 6 days a week in the pool,” said Smith. “We trained for two days a week on dry land and two days a week of cross-training with cycling. We focused on dry land to strengthen our legs for our starts and turns.”
By the end of the season, most of the Chris “Doc” Jones record board was wiped clean to make room for new names, including Schneider, juniors Meg Urdaneta and Barbara Liao, and sophomore Victoria Sigmundstad-Callahan for completing the 200 freestyle relay in 1:39.82.
Senior Evin Otero and Schneider, Liao, and Sigmundstad-Callahan also found a spot on the board, receiving a 3:37.80 in the 400 free relay. Liao also broke the 100 breaststroke record with a time of 1:05.34, and Sigmundstad-Callahan took the 100 freestyle record with a time of 53.82.
Jackson said, “It was just fun to watch the girls swim. We had a really great group and they seemed to have a great time competing with each other. The most fun part for me is to see them enjoy it.”
Junior Barbara Liao said, “It was just a really fun season and our team bonding was super enjoyable.”
