Splashing, cheering, clapping and whistling could all be heard coming from the pool at Marblehead’s Jewish Community Center as Swampscott High School took on Peabody Veteran’s Memorial High School in a co-ed swim meet on Wednesday, January 7.
Despite suffering a close loss, 93-82, Swampscott Head Coach Ashley Vieira was impressed with the Big Blue’s performance.
“I think we did well,” said Vieira. “We only have 15 kids, but the 15 we have show up and work hard. We had some great swims tonight.”
One of those great swims belonged to Charlie McLaughlin, who took home first place in the 500-meter freestyle, the longest race of the evening. When McLaughlin reached the finish line after swimming the length of the pool 20 times consecutively, he had built a commanding lead.
“He did a great job with it,” said Vieira. “We’ll keep working but it was a solid swim for him.”
Despite being outnumbered by many opponents, the Big Blue made up for it with a strong team camaraderie and positive energy, Vieira said.
“We just have a really cohesive group,” said Vieira. “The team is very supportive of one another.”
Captains Claire Slomski and Julian Flacke have been able to foster the positive environment too.
“Claire has been a state qualifier and won conference events in the past. She brings a lot of positive energy,” said Vieira. “[Flacke] is great. He is very versatile. You can put him in any event. He is always willing to do whatever is needed for the team.”
The early practices of the season started with focusing on technique, especially for the younger swimmers. Some learned how to properly flip turn, which is needed when a free style or back stroke swimmer reaches the end of the pool and continues onto another lap. The importance of a strong dive to start a race was also a focus.
“They have really improved and team connectivity is going great,” said Vieira.
The Big Blue will return to action on Sunday, January 11 when they take on every school in the Northeast Conference for a league meet at Peabody YMCA.
The next home meet for Swampscott is on Wednesday, January 21 at the Jewish Community Center in Marblehead. The Big Blue will take on Masconomet Regional High School at 7 p.m.
