With momentum on its side from its last few wins, Andover Girls Swimming came out with energy and determination, lapping Hopkins 104-72 at home on Saturday. This win raises the team’s record to 3-3 going into the final stretch of the season.
After having no meet last week, the team was able to practice more, leading to decisive results.
Sarah Al-Mayahi ’17 wrote in an email to The Phillipian, “A lot of people got personal best times. Our win was a reflection of the hard work we’ve been putting in up until this point.”
Many of the girls were able to come together and contribute to the success of the team this weekend.
Qiqi Ren ’15 wrote in an email to The Phillipian, “In general, each of us has gotten more focused in our training. During practice, we’re more event-specific and mostly know what we need to work on at this point. As a team, our strengths are our depth and the versatility of some individual swimmers.”
Throughout the season, Andover’s relay teams have been consistently strong, grabbing points for the team early in the meet.
The first event of the meet was the 200-Yard Medley Relay. Andover placed second and third, gaining a total of six points.
Jess Gearan ’18 wrote in an email to The Phillipian, “Being on a relay is one of my favorite parts about swimming. It is much different than an individual event, because your teammates are right behind the blocks, getting you ready until the second you dive into the water. Swimming in a relay with my teammates got me very excited at the meet this weekend.”
Emma Donchi ’18 said, “Over the weekend, our team was really strong during the relays. Our swimmers are fast individually, and when they were together as a team, we are even faster.”
Andover Girls Swimming had five first place finishes, which added 32 points to the team’s total, notably less than the team’s ten first places finishes at its last meet.
The team placed first in the 50-Yard Freestyle, the 100-Yard Butterfly, the 200-Yard Freestyle Relay, the 100-Yard Backstroke and the 100-Yard Breaststroke.
Gearan, who won the 100-Yard Backstroke, said, “I have improved on focusing on swimming for the team, and getting in the mindset of scoring points to win as a team.”
Andover Girls Swimming has a challenging few meets ahead. Building off its upward momentum from the rest of its season will be an important factor in success.
Returning swimmer Katherine Sweetser ’17 wrote in The Phillipian, “We have had a good season so far. We have our last dual meet against Exeter next weekend, and two weeks later are the New England Championships. We will really put in the work over these last few weeks to carry us forward to have a great final stretch.”
The girls will be looking to set some personal records and see the team’s practice pay off.
Ren said, “We are at the height of our training. We will likely see much more impressive performances in the last few weeks.”
Andover will hit the pool next against Exeter for its last home meet on February 21.
