Girls’ Swimming Excels, Sets Numerous Records
With over 50 personal records broken this season, the girls’ swimming and diving team saw their hard work come to fruition. The girls finished their season with a 5-4 record and sent several swimmers and divers to the New England Championships.
Not only did the team set a multitude of personal records individually, but senior Joyce Tseng shattered two school records in 6 meter diving. Tseng racked up the points for Big Red this year and lead the team by example to push themselves for personal improvement. The team recognized her efforts with the Most Valuable Player award.
Tseng attributed some of her success to the Thai team she dove with over the summer. “Spending my summer diving really proved to me how much I care about the sport and just fueled my desire to do well,” she said. “We were all interested in helping each other get a new dive or perfect an old one. Having a good team that has your back really matters.”
Tseng set her first school record at a home meet versus Deerfield. “It was an amazing feeling to hear my name and score being announced,” she said. Tseng went on to beat that record with a perfect 10 later in the season on a forward one and a half somersault in pike position. Tseng said her success this year was “surreal.”
“The strength of team really lies in the dedication all of the girls have to [it]. Everyone is always on the sidelines cheering each other on; we really help push each other to be better in the pool and out."
Tseng was not the only member of the diving team to have a successful season. Senior Michaela Kivett finished in 10th place at the New England Diving Championships. Less than 1 point separated Kivett and Tseng’s scores at the event with Tseng finishing in 9th. Senior Luz Lim and lower Addie Millman also had great diving seasons, both setting personal records.
In what coach Jean Farnum referred to as “the most competitive girls’ New England Championship to date,” Big Red had great swims and placed in a very accomplished group of swimmers. Prep Tina Wang finished 5th in the 50m sprint and 6th in the 100m sprint. Senior and captain Stajz Sarr made the 100m breaststroke final along with prep Elizabeth Williams in the 200m and 500m freestyles. Prep Samantha Gove finished 9th overall in middle distance events, just missing the final.
Exeter’s relays all placed in the finals at the New England Championship. Those relays included the 200m medley relay comprised of lower Maddie Shapiro, Saar, senior and captain Olivia Reed and upper Catherine Huang and the 200m freestyle team of preps Tina Wang, Heddy Parker, Elizabeth Williams and upper Emily LaRovere.
Additional members of the team raced in the consolation finals at the New England Championship. LaRovere and Parker sprinted for the team, prep Issy Wise competed in the butterfly and Shapiro swam in the 100m backstroke.
This year’s team was a particularly young one, including 9 preps out of 16 total swimmers. Prep Christine Baker said that she looks forward to watching the team grow together in the years to come. “There is a lot of room for more success and improvement next year and in the years after,” she said.
Shapiro said that she entered the season a bit wary of how few returning swimmers there were, but she was pleasantly surprised by how far the team came. “It definitely was a learning experience for everyone this season,” she said. “I'm very proud of everyone.”
Upper and newly elected captain LaRovere said that after the initial adjustment period, the team had a wonderful time together. “It took some time to adjust, but after a few weeks, everyone became more comfortable,” she said. “We worked so well together and had a great season full of fun, laughter and hard work.”
LaRovere will take over as captain for the 2016-17 school year alongside upper Catherine Huang. She said that the current captains, Saar and Reed, have made a large impact on her throughout her time on the team. “They've been there with me the past three years and have been a huge part of what swimming is for me,” she said. “They were amazing captains and it will be a challenge to try and fill their shoes, but I am looking forward to it.”
As Reed reflected on her time with the swim team, she commended Farnum on her abilities as a coach. “She really made my experience on the team special. She is always there if you need to talk,” she said. “She has all the answers. She is really good at looking at the team and figuring out our strengths in certain events.”
Reed also said that her teammates are what makes girls’ swimming, affectionately known as NEGS, such a positive experience.
“The strength of team really lies in the dedication all of the girls have to [it]. Everyone is always on the sidelines cheering each other on; we really help push each other to be better in the pool and out," she said.
Reed continued to liken NEGS to a family and mentioned the fond memories she has created. “There are so many shared jokes in the locker room, on deck and in the dining hall and everyone is there because they want to be,” she said. “There is a lot of joy.”
Looking forward, the team wants to continue the warm atmosphere it fostered this year. After close scores with both Andover and Deerfield, the girls hope to come back next year and swim with increased energy. Tseng hopes the swimming and diving teams will continue to bond. “Next year I hope that the team attracts more divers to try out the sport and for the swim and dive teams to continue to get closer with one another,” she said. “It was a very memorable season,” Reed finished. “I think the girls felt really connected.”