Swim Team Looks Back on Season

Editor's note: This article was submitted by the Weston High School Athletic Department.

On any high school sports team, there is a stark reality that sets in soon after the season ends.  After the last game or meet is over and final scores are tallied, the coaching staff begins to look ahead and asks, how in the world are we going to field a team next year without these seniors?  The Weston Swimming and Diving program is facing the prospect of competing without the Class of 2011 right now, and the looming loss of this group is major.

“Some classes are missed for their sheer athleticism – what they contribute in the pool.  Others are missed for their seasoning – their experience and ability to come through under pressure.  Still others, it’s their leadership and personality,” said Head Coach Claude Valle, recently.  “In their four years, this group has demonstrated all of these.” 

Certainly, the numbers speak volumes, and confirm this group’s contributions in the water.  Over the last four seasons, the senior class has amassed a combined dual meet record of 108 wins, 10 losses, and one tie – an average record of 27–3 each season.  They’ve taken two DCL crowns, several Invitational Meet titles, and taken one state title (with four combined state runner-up finishes.)

As for seasoning and performing under pressure?  One need to look back no further than Weston’s “Senior Day” meet against Tyngsborough a little over six weeks ago.  Senior Dale Ziobro took to the one-meter diving board to make a run at the oldest record in the books, and 11-dive pool mark of 375.75 points, by Jan Watkins (’81).  With just one chance for the record and performing under the 11-dive format for the first time in the season (dual meet diving uses a 6-dive format), Ziobro eclipsed the total by the narrowest of margins with a 376.15 total.

With hopes to match the feat, classmates Seena Potter and Cheryl Lang made a run at the pool record in the 200-yard freestyle relay less than half an hour later.  Joined by junior Bianca Tocci and freshman Victoria Bryson, the quartet set their sights on the mark of 1:40.61, set last season.  On best add-ups, the foursome projected at 1:42.06, but a blistering 25.30 lead-off leg by Potter (her previous best was 27.70) revved up the group, and they blasted their way to a 1:38.89 clocking.

After several minutes of celebration, suddenly something completely unexpected became obvious; not only had the pool record been smashed, but the four GLOWS had also just broken the varsity record of 1:38.97.  They were now not just the fastest 200 free relay ever at the Weston Pool, but in the history of the program.  “All four girls hit their take offs perfectly and swam best times,” said Assistant Coach Bella Marlow, “but when Seena came down over two seconds on the front, it really got the rest of them excited.”  Lang (no stranger to the record board with several pool and school marks to her credit over four years) also had a lifetime best split of 24.45.

According to most team followers, however, the greatest impact the “Group of 11” has had (there are 11 seniors in the team’s class of 2011) is through their personality and leadership.  Trish Blanchard and Ryan Szeto have been steady four-year performers who have had their share of big swims in big meets, but have also contributed to the future of the program by being positive role models, and through their summer work coaching the Catfish Youth Swim Team with the Recreation Department.  High School Assistant Coach Cindy Tseng is a big fan of the duo’s summer efforts: “I have a child in the program and I can’t tell you how much fun they make it, while still pushing them.  They strike a great balance.”

Two other seniors well known within the team for striking this great balance are Ally Richlen and Chaichath Wiyarand.  Both hard working, Richlen is a freestyle and backstroke specialist known for her friendly personality and positive outlook on things.  “Ally is so devoted to the team and was so nice to me,” said one freshman, “she really made me feel welcome.”  Wiyarand (known as “M” by his teammates) is a breaststroke swimmer, and has a major impact on team morale.  “M is the life of the team.  We’re pretty intense, but he had fun with the sport – he taught me a lot that way,” said one teammate.  “This man is essential to The Red Tide.”

Will Brewer and Fred Lee are another pair of hard-working seniors with great senses of humor.  Both termed committed, much improved, and nice to underclassmen by their teammates, this season each played a critical role in the success of the team.  “Will went from a run-of-the-mill diver, to a state-level performer this year,” said first-year Diving Coach Luke Henesy.  “His great personality also added life to diving practices.”  As for Lee, “We used him all over the line-up,” said Assistant Coach Jim McLaughlin.  “At times, we didn’t know what his main event was because he did everything well; he was much underrated and had a great impact on others.”

Two final members of the Group of 11 also had a great impact on others – Jonny Greb and Nick Peacher.  Fine swimmers in their own rite (Greb was part of The Tide’s tremendous freestyle depth and played a key role in last year’s DCL title, while Peacher has always been a big-meet swimmer), both are accomplished athletes outside the pool.  Greb was a state champion in golf this past fall, while Peacher is a three-sport athlete who was part of last spring’s state champion tennis team.  The two are known for leadership.  “They were inspirational role models and gave the most unforgettable bus speeches,” said one swimmer.

For now, Weston High still has three more months with the Group of 11 on campus.  But come June, they will graduate and next Thanksgiving, The Tide will face competing without this remarkable group.  “Sure, it’s impossible to comprehend a line-up without them, but it’s even harder to imagine a team without their graceful work ethic, infectious humor, and unwavering kindness and leadership,” said Valle.  I sure hope our underclassmen were taking notes.