Could the meet have been any more exciting? Both Andover and Exeter entered into the historic rivalry match-up with perfect records. The teams knew someone would have to go home with a loss. In a heartbreaking decision, in which the Big Blue was shown up in numerous events, the Big Red went home with the victory. The Manimals, despite facing defeat, are definitely capable of redeeming themselves at Interschols. The meet started off well with the 200 IM relay team of Jeff Zhou ’06, Tom Lesnick ’05, Co-captain Dave Hill ’03, and Paull Randt ’04 taking first place. However, Exeter’s team, showing its depth, followed to take second and third place. Co-captain Brian Fiske ’03 continued the momentum alongside team mate Aaron Stroble ’04 in the next event, the 200 free, in which the boys took first and third. This joint effort increased Andover’s winning margin to 18-12. Co-captain Hill, who was almost unable to make it back to school for the meet due to the weather, swam two of the closest and most disappointing races of the day. In his first event, the 200 IM, the Exeter swimmer seemed to stay centimeters ahead of Hill for the entire race, forcing Hill to settle for second. Hill was touched out by .23 seconds. In his next race, the 100 breaststroke, Hill was again bested by Exeter’s Eric Horan ’04. Other strong performances were turned in by Lesnick, who looked especially strong in the 100 backstroke, turning in a winning time of 56.39. Also holding their own were Zhou and Stroble, who captured second and third place finishes respectively in their individual events. The seniors on the team, for whom this was not only their last home meet, gave some of the strongest performances last Wednesday. Diving Captain JC MacMillian ’03 defeated the Exeter divers with a score of 252.45. Gavin Kuangparichat ’03 gave a solid performance in the 200 free and the 100 fly. Bryce Kaufman ’03 should be commended for dropping four seconds in his 200 IM, clocking a personal best time of 2:11.39. Kaufman said, “I’m really excited about that swim. I think now that I may be able to go around a 2:08 at Interschols after tapering.” Eric Chung ’03 and Peter Stetson ’03 were also very influential as relay swimmers against Exeter. Coach Hugon offered some more positive news about the Interschols meet when he explained that though Exeter may have won this dual meet, at Interschols other teams will be there to take away the depth points that fueled Exeter’s victory. In the next couple of weeks the boys will be focusing on technique, strategy, and getting pumped for their championships at Deerfield on March 1st where they are expected to tear up the pool.
