Above: ARHS swim team meet from last winter. (Photo by Chris Wraight)
The league website hasn’t been sharing much in the way of swim team championship brackets, results or even schedules. Luckily, the Telegram & Gazette got the scoop on what’s happening in an interview with ARHS swim team coach Jean Fedak.
According to T&G, Algonquin’s swim team earned the league title for their undefeated season, but came in second to Tyngsboro at the league meet. This Saturday, the girls will compete in the Division sectionals at Wellesley College. On Sunday, the boys will compete at WPI.
Fedak spoke to the T&G about the team’s strongest three competitors: Dorian McMenemy (a former Olympian), Drew Beland and Jonathan Batista who all expect to head to state.
Beland entered the season holding six Algonquin school records, but Fedak stressed that his junior classmate Batista is every bit Beland’s match, even edging him recently in the 100-yard backstroke. . .
Those two will be the only boys’ individuals represented at states and sectionals, while McMenemy will headline a girls’ group that also includes senior tri-captain Carly Railing (50 free, 100 free), Isabelle Seppa (200 free, 500 free), andMackenzie Hostage (50 free).
All six boys’ and girls’ relay teams — the 200-yard medley, 200-yard freestyle, and 400-yard freestyle — qualified as well, with some help from the team’s notables. . .
“She brings a whole new dimension to our team during meets and practices,” said Fedak, noting McMenemy has set school records in the 50-yard-, 100-yard and 200-yard freestyle sprints and in the 100-yard butterfly. “She’s excelled in so many events, not just her strength, the 100 butterfly.”
Although she didn’t make the finals, McMenemy competed in the 100 fly at the 2012 Summer Olympics. McMenemy, who has dual-citizenship through her mother, Luisa, became the first female to represent the Dominican Republic in the Olympics, making her notable enough to have her own Wikipedia page.
For the full T&G article, click here.
