The South Windsor High School boys’ swim team went to the Conference Championships at Glastonbury High School on Thursday, March 6th, earning second place and seeing numerous swimmers qualify for states.
Prior to the event, the Boys Varsity Swimming Team had a very successful season with a final record of 7-2, despite ten seniors leaving the team entering the year.
“I was expecting this to be a ‘rebuilding year.’ However, I was fortunate to acquire a very talented freshman class, along with the strong sophomore class from last year, and we’ve had a very unexpected successful season,” Boys’ swim coach Laura McLaughlin commented.
McLaughlin has been credited with being the reason behind the team’s success by many, including sophomore Alexander Fetzko, citing her motivational attitude and positive spirit.
“We have had some very hard practices and very close wins to make it this far with only 2 losses, but I have to give most of the credit to our coach Laura. She has motivated us throughout the year and always came to practice with a smile,” Fetzko told The Prowl.
The team’s successful season set them up for what they hoped to be a very successful conference championship. The atmosphere of the team ahead of the event was very positive, with many feeling confident and ready for what was to come while also reserving feelings of nervousness, which is to be expected ahead of such a large event.
“Personally, I have mixed emotions as I am a little nervous as we approach the CCC’s but also confident because I know we put the work into succeeding during this season. I expect great results from the CCC’s and know that we are going to do great individually as swimmers and divers, and collectively as representatives of the South Windsor Bobcats,” sophomore Ian Park said.
The championship began with seniors Dylan Baumgartner, Aaron Park, and Mohnish Srivatsav receiving a round of applause from swimmers and spectators at Glastonbury High School, a token of appreciation for their dedication and pride towards their South Windsor team.
Ultimately, South Windsor won second place averaging about 200 points, a victory well deserved for a team that worked hard and relentlessly.
“The pure energy and motivation the team gave towards the swimmers tonight really pushed us over the edge to perform how we did,” Park told The Prowl after the meet.
This was a rewarding win for the team after a season of hard work, and it was a welcome sight to see that their efforts paid off.
Some personal achievements from the meet were qualifications for states by numerous swimmers on the team.
“Khoushnaf [Mohamed], Denis [Mike], and Andrew Truong all made states tonight which was great,” senior Dylan Baumgartner said.
Several swimmers on the team also received medals for their respective events. Aaron Park earned 1st place for the 100 yard breaststroke and 3rd place for the 100 yard butterfly, Nicholas Tyurin earned 2nd place in the 200 yard IM and 4th place in the 100 yard breaststroke, Amartya Rawat earned 5th place in the 100 yard freestyle, and Denis Mike earned 6th place in the 500 yard freestyle.
In the wake of the conference championships, the team awaits State Trials, where they intend to go in with the same energy and hope to emerge victorious as they begin March 15th, with State Finals on March 17th.
