Following a second place finish at the New England Championships last season, Andover Girls Swimming, led by co-captains Kristen Faulkner ’11 and Theresa Faller ’11, enters the season looking to capture the title this year. Andover will look to its core group of seven seniors for leadership, as the seniors hope to end their Andover swimming careers with a New England Championship title. With a much larger team than past years, Andover’s many newcomers add to the much needed depth. “We have a huge team, but I think it is going to be a great season because everyone tries their hardest in practice and never slacks. We expect a great season,” said Hailey Novis ’13. The team already kicked off the season with an intramural blue vs. white meet before the break to help the new swimmers adjust to the exciting atmosphere in Andover swim meets. Andover maintains great confidence heading into the season, looking for revenge after last year’s second place finish. One of the reasons for the team’s success in past years is the leadership of their coach, Dean Paul Murphy. Since 1991, Dean Murphy has compiled a career record of 138-29-3, winning the New England Championship 6 times. With his kindness, motivational skills, and knowledge of the sport, he has inspired his swimmers, creating many successful teams. In addition to the high hopes for the swimming, the diving team also expects a great season with the return of Kendall Macrae ’11. Macrae, Andover’s top diver, broke the 25 year old diving record last season with a score of 267 points in a home meet against NMH. The fantastic diving coach, Belinda Canavan, who has been coaching diving since 1991, hopes to lead the team to similar success this year. The girls swimming team also adds many newcomers, including Elizabeth Howe ‘14, Corrina Torabi ‘14, Amy Zhoa ‘14, Emily McKinnon ‘14, Lauren Conte ‘14, and Alex Robinson ‘14. The team hopes the new swimmers can contribute to the season this year, while also adding long term potential. They will look to upperclassmen and captains as role models. With seventeen returners, including eight seniors, experience is one of the team’s most valuable assets. This weekend, the team heads to Choate Rosemary Hall, looking to repeat last year’s victory.
