Sports

Girls Swimming Smash Suffield Pool Record in 400 Free Relay

Seventeen days. The end of the season for the PA Swimmin’ women is fast approaching. With only one more meet in their regular season, the Lady Blue remain undefeated, having taken the win last weekend in their tri-meet with Williston, Northampton, and Suffield. Even with Captain Sarah Demers ’03 sick, the team managed to demolish both their competitors, taking blue ribbons in ten out of the twelve events. In the first event of the day, the 200 medley relay, neither competitor came close to catching the Blue wave. Keeping the excitement alive was Margaret Ramsey ’03, taking first in the 200 freestyle. Ramsey finished almost a half of a lap ahead of the event’s second place finisher, Emma Stillman ’05 of Suffield. As if the day was not good enough, Hee-Jin Chang ’05 took a stylish first in the 200 IM, touching in about 14 seconds ahead of any other competitor! Alyssa Hill ’06 also had a good race, taking third place. The diving divas were really put to the test last Saturday, as they faced Williston’s Condon, one of the best divers in New England. Captain Janis Scanlon ‘03, who has been undefeated all season, seemed to be nervous as the diving began. Scanlon gave it her all but still fell to Condon by a heartbreaking 3.15 points. Newcomer Tess Scott ’06 was able to brighten the diving break by scoring a season best of 151.5. The girls could not wait to dive in for the second half of the meet. Alex Doty ’05 and Liz Demers ’05 started the second half with a bang, taking a 1-2 in the 100 fly. Ramsey continued the Swimmin’ Women’s momentum, taking her second win of the day in the 100 freestyle. Alaskan sensation Katie Faulkner ’06 and Kate Page ’04 swam into a 5:20.46 and 5:26.75 respectively. The duo took Andover’s second 1-2 of the day. After taking victory in the 200 freestyle relay, Doty took her second win of the day in the 100 backstroke. Continuing the winning streak was Elizabeth Demers ’05 in the 100 breast, followed by another victory in the 400 free relay. The team of Walker, Page, Ramsey, and Chang ’05 finished the day on a good note by setting a pool record at 3:45.50. The Swimmin’ Women look forward to facing the Exies and continuing training for March 2nd’s interscholastic meet. Though the girls pulled off another victory, this does not mean that training will get any easier. If the girls continue at the rate that they are going, they should have no problem keeping their title. It looks like Gladys, their trophy from the 2002 meet, will have a friend to join her in a few weeks.