Boys’ Swimming Ends Season Strong at Interschols with Fourth Place Finish
Hard work, lengthy workouts and bus parties filled the winter season for this year’s boys' varsity swimming team. Characterized by their full-plates at dining hall, unmistakeable chlorine scent and insistence on dressing in bath robes, one can always recgonize this tight-knit group of swimmers. From brutal two hour practices to back-to-back races, the team worked hard all season, ending with a 4-6 record.
Though their record was low, the team’s results were not entirely indicative of their talent. In three of these losses, the margin of loss was very close, such as their 94-92 loss to Suffield. Another rival, Choate, only gained three points on the team, even when Big Red was missing three of its valuable swimmers. The last near loss was an 99-89 meet against Loomis, a difference of only one event.
The team started off the season with a loss and then two wins, and continued to fluctuate between victories and losses for the remainder of the season. However, the beginning of winter term gave the team the opportunity to gain experience and experiment with different event line-ups, determining which combination of swimmers would maximize their success. As the season progressed, the boys continued with a mix of wins and losses, always holding their heads up high and using the losses as motivation to win the next match.
“The team was a group of really great guys who made staring at a black line at the bottom of the pool enjoyable.”
Their hard work, determination and willingness to learn from their losses paid off for the team at the end of the season. Similarly to last year, the boys concluded the season with an impressive fourth place at Interschols, edging out Choate and Loomis, whom they had previously lost to in various dual meets by several points. “It was great in my eyes, as we've gotten fourth each year that I've been on swimming,” co-captain and senior Graham Hazlett said. “I am happy we were able to do so well in such a competitive league this year.”
The clear highlight of the meet came during the last individual event. Senior Thomas Gallup, otherwise known as the “Breaststroke King,” took home Exeter’s only first-place finish from Interschols and set a new team record in the 100 meter breaststroke.
Lower Harry Saunders described the excitement of the team after Gallup won the last event. “Everyone was at the end of his lane cheering for him," Saunders said. As the season progressed, many swimmers watched their times drop. However, all of the close losses and tough practices finally paid off as multiple swimmers stood on the podium at the end of the season, having achieved outstanding new personal records. “4th place was a strong finish this year,” Saunders explained, citing the team’s impressive improvement. “We finished ahead of multiple teams which beat us in the regular season.”
Similarly, lower Joaquin Riojas said both himself and his teammates greatly improved over the season. “I dropped a lot of time on my 200 and 100 free during interschols. My times hadn’t dropped that much all season before that meet,” he said. Several members of the team such as upper Joel Lotzkar credited the team’s improvement to their coach, physical education instructor Don Mills. “He is an awesome coach, always pumped for our practices and swim meets and he motivated everyone to always go out 100% for races,” Lotzkar said.
Mills remained close with the boys throughout the season. Knowing them inside and out, he was widely respected and deeply appreciated by the players. When the team lost their dual meets, Mills always encoured the team to move on and persevere. As a long time triathlete and swimmer, he knew how to strategize meets and the keys to success in all aspects of the team. “[Mills] did a good job keeping us focused when we needed to be,” Saunders said. “His enthusiasm was a great motivation as always.”
Alongside Mills, the co-captains Hazlett and senior Will Belmont fostered a “loose” and fun atmosphere that helped the team get through a long, cold winter and stay upbeat after their losses. As the captains made sure to keep work tough but enjoyable, practices were something the team looked forward to everyday. The team also felt very close throughout the season, and Hazlett will miss his teammates as he graduates.
“Whether it was in the pool, in the dining hall or on the team group chat, I always thought we had a great dynamic,” Hazlett said. “Because of the great group this year, I definitely think this season has been the most fun swim season of my four spent at Exeter, and I'll miss this team a ton.”
The captains encouraged this close atmosphere, despite swimming being an individual sport. A sense of competitiveness and collaboration was upheld within the team as the players always supported each other through each match and practice.
“We supported each other and helped one another get better,” Riojas explained.“The team was a group of really great guys who made staring at a black line at the bottom of the pool enjoyable.”
Already missing the team’s spirit, seniors Thomas Gallup and Graham Hazlett reflected on their last year of high school swimming with a sad sentiment. “Because of the great group this year, I definitely think this season has been the most fun swim season of my four spent at Exeter, and I'll miss this team a ton,” Hazlett said.
Gallup also described this season as “the most memorable and rewarding” season he has had at Exeter in terms of getting to know the team. “Even though we didn't have an undefeated season or win Interschols, I couldn't be prouder of the team in how we've grown and made such close bonds. My Exeter experience would not have been the same without it, and I would not change it for the world,” Gallup said.