Each dynasty has a novel backstory on this planet of sports activities.
On Valentine’s Day, Harmony-Carlisle was capable of get away its trademark pink cowboy hats as soon as once more. For a 3rd consecutive yr, the Patriots made historical past, capturing their newest Div. 1 ladies swimming and diving title with 283 mixed factors at MIT.
After dominating every of the previous two championship meets, Harmony-Carlisle discovered itself chasing Saturday. The Patriots trailed within the college rankings for many of the morning, however nonetheless managed to accrue factors utilizing their staff depth, with 20 athletes taking part. Senior Sarah Fortier registered considered one of two essential particular person victories late within the competitors, inserting first within the 100-yard breaststroke race with a blazing time of 1:08.88.
“Once we get to the breaststroke, there’s loads of strain,” Fortier mentioned. “You simply know that it’s a must to carry out. It’s important to rise to the event. All of your teammates are relying on you. With (this) huge of a meet, it’s a must to carry out effectively.”
Nonetheless behind by seven factors within the standings with two occasions remaining, Harmony-Carlisle shone as a staff within the diving competitors with rising star Audrey Herz main a path to victory. The freshman gained the occasion with a last rating of 465.85 factors, catapulting her squad to the forefront of the varsity rankings.
“I simply wished to strive my greatest and see no matter occurs,” Herz mentioned. “Divers, it will be significant that we rating factors for the staff. However it’s a must to have enjoyable, and simply get pleasure from it.”
In the meantime, the Patriots had three extra divers place with junior Maya Jaffe coming in sixth total (380.6), Gwenyth Ely ending seventh (377.15), and Holden Taunton-Rigby at ninth (349.4). The competitors resulted in a 54-point swing in Harmony-Carlisle’s favor, successfully clinching this system’s newest title.
“This one was totally different,” Harmony-Carlisle coach Matt Goldberg mentioned. “We trailed many of the meet. It wasn’t till the breaststroke and the diving factors acquired added in simply earlier than the 400 free relay that we knew we had it. I feel definitely, of the three, this was our hardest battle. These children swam and dove unbelievably in the present day.”
After taking a second to bask of their highlight with the {hardware} and championship banner in-tow, the Patriots jumped into the pool one last time, donning all of their cowboy hats and staff apparel. Goldberg was out of breath following the celebrations.
“We’ve been carrying them for just a few years now,” chuckled Goldberg. “We’re not going to vary it now. It’s working.”
Amherst-Pelham completed because the Div. 1 runner-up with 244 factors as a staff. The Hurricanes have been powered by Rowan Albertson and Teagen Demers, who have been key cogs in the course of the college’s victories within the 200-yard medley relay (1:49.52) and the 400 freestyle relay (3:39.08). Albertson added a second-place end within the 100 freestyle (52.96 seconds) and the 50 freestyle (24 seconds).
No new data have been set on the 2026 Div. 1 ladies swimming and diving championships, however a number of athletes had impeccable performances. Lilah Doherty, a UNH commit, concluded her embellished highschool profession with Longmeadow as a triple winner, inserting first within the 50 freestyle (23.73 seconds) and the 100 butterfly (55.65). She additionally swam for the Lancers as a part of their profitable 200 freestyle relay staff (1:39.17).
Bryant commit Feining Huang completed a double winner for Sharon, capturing first place within the 200 freestyle (1:52.19) in addition to the 100 backstroke (55.81 seconds).
