A clear sky. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable..
A clear sky. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable.
READING — After years of dominance in the Middlesex League, the Reading High girls swim team fell back into the pack.
Recording was 5-6 overall last season and is striving to return as one of the league’s top teams.
“The girls are very excited to be back in the pool and together,’’ said third-year coach Lianne Bradley. "Some of the girls swim all season, and few joined year round teams after last season, but there is definitely excitement to be back in the pool as a team. We finished in the middle of the league last year, but we’re looking to be back among the top teams.”
Leading the Lady Rockets will be senior tri-captains Anna Boemer, Emmy Cashin and Elise Verrier.
Boemer, who is bound for Michigan, finished last season claiming two state titles, including in the 50 free and a state record time in the 100 butterfly.
Cashin and Verrier, who qualified for sectionals for the first time last year, are aiming for another strong campaign. Verrier is slated to compete in all freestyle and sprinting events while serving as an important catalyst in the relays. Junior Caroline Sewall is also expected to contribute in the 500 free and individual medley events while sophomore Lindsay Walker is also expected to add depth to the freestyle and butterfly races.
“Anna Boemer had such a strong finish ending the season with a double state champ title and meet record in the 50 free and the state record in the 100 fly. Both Emmy (Cashin) and Elise (Verrier) are talented, hard workers and we are looking forward to a great season with them.”
Other returning swimmers to the squad include sophomore Delaney Johnson, who excelled as a diver last year while fellow sophomore Sophia Donnelly was the only freshman, who qualified for both sectionals and states last year.
“Delaney (Johnson) finished last season with a sectional qualifying score, and we are hoping to see more from her this year with a year under her belt,’’ said Bradley. “(Sophia) Donnelly was our only freshman swimmer to compete at sectionals and states last year and she is returning as well.”
With 17 total swimmers on this year squad, the Lady Rockets will not only have one incoming freshman, but will also have four eighth-graders participating this year. Recently, the Lady Rockets were approved for an eighth-grade waiver. Laila Paulsen, an eighth-grader, is expected to be a factor in the 200 individual medley and breaststroke.
“Right now we have four eighth graders signed up for the team," said Bradley. "This is something new and exciting, and I look forward to seeing the depth and talent that they will provide for the team.”
As for pre-season goals, Bradley is hopeful that the team will be able to improve from last year’s mark.
“My goal is to build a team of swimmers that can work together, and push each other to work hard, and swim fast,’’ said Bradley. “I would also like to see us move up in the league standings from last year, even if it is only one spot, every bit counts.”
During the first two weeks of the pre-season, Bradley has been pleased with the overall attitude of the team during the pre-season.
“The attitude of the team so far has been great,’’ said Bradley. The captains really got the underclassmen excited for the season. The new swimmers are excited, and enthusiastic, and everyone seems to have a positive attitude. I think the attitudes of the swimmers make all the difference, and this group is positive, and willing to work hard and work together as a team. Even though swimming is an individual sport, working together to stay positive and encourage each other at practice and meets can make a huge difference, and so far this season I have seen that in the pool.”
While the Lady Rockets do possess some talent in a number of events, Bradley admits that the squad is a bit smaller than other teams in the league, which will no doubt provide a challenge.
“We are still on the small side compared to other teams, so I think that will be a weakness,’’ said Bradley. “We will need to find events for swimmers that they may not have tried before, and work to fill the line up with both new and returning swimmers.”
Bradley also has to work with both limited lanes as well as practice times at the Burbank YMCA pool.
"We are also working with difficult pool time,’’ said Bradley. “Although we are not in the morning like last season, we have fewer lanes than we are used to, and practice times will be in the evenings as opposed to right after school. Typically at the (Burbank Y) we are able to use four lanes that has been the space the team was provided since the pool opened in 2000. This year we are only able to use three lanes, and that might have an effect on our ability to be as productive as possible at practice.”
As for teams to beat in the Middlesex League, Bradley noted that Lexington and Winchester will no doubt be among the top teams that possess depth in many events.
“I don’t think anyone in the league can be taken lightly,’’ said Bradley. “We had a tight meet with Wakefield last year, so we will have our eyes on them again. Lexington, and Winchester have large teams, and we can expect them to be strong again. Woburn and Burlington combined this season, and their team is fairly large as well. We have a lot of talent and some great swimmers on the team, but we’ll be facing our share of challenges for sure.”
The Lady Rockets open the season on Monday in a non-league meet against Haverhill at the Haverhill High Swimming Pool.
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