By EMMA CEPLINSKAS
Swim season has come to a close. Malden High School’s swim team blew Medford out of the water in their last dual meet and senior night on Jan. 29, 2013 just before the Greater Boston League Invitational.
It is no wonder how 15 members of the swim team qualified for states or sectionals after witnessing the phenomenal races swam by each swimmer. First place finishes included senior Simon Rogers, sophomores Kelvin Nguyen and Tristar To, and freshman Ryan Luu in the 200 yd medley relay; senior captain and Blue and Gold members Catherine Poirier 200 yd freestyle; and freshmen Alex Lombardi, Samantha Forestier, Quesada Nylen and senior captain and Blue and Gold member Amalia Quesada Nylen in the 400 yd freestyle relay.
During a break in the meet, MHS and Medford coaches Paul DeVincentis and Mary Judge gave touching speeches wishing the seniors all the best and thanking them for their dedication. Cala, Poirier, Quesada Nylen, Michelle Dang, Jonathan Drapinski, Noah Nguyen, Rogers, and Elyse Valente all received roses and gifts after the speeches were given.
On Jan. 31, 2013 the team had their GBL meet in Somerville. League records were broken by the girls 200 yd medley relay junior captain Bestine Cong, Poirier, Lombardi, and Quesada Nylen with a time of 1:59:68. The boys 200 yd freestyle relay , including Nguyen, Luu, To and Tang, broke the previous record with a time of 1:36:89. The final record broken was the girls 400 yd free relay with a time of 3:59:59 by both Quesada Nylens, Forestier, and Lombardi. The Malden girls won the GBL meet for the women’s division, and the boys came in second for the men’s division.
Due to the snowstorm that started on Feb. 8 and ended Feb. 12, the sectional competitions were cancelled, but the swimmers that placed for sectionals swam in the state competitions. Placing at states is extremely difficult, but Malden’s very own Cong, Lombardi, Poirier and Quesada Nylen placed 11th in the women’s 200 yard medley relay. Malden also placed 16th in the women’s 400 yard freestyle relay thanks to Forestier, Lombardi, and both Quesada Nylens. Luu placed a speedy 11 in the boy’s 100 yard butterfly.
The team’s final record is 8-1 and they are co-GBL champions with Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. The countless hours at practices were “all worth it in the end,” input Lombardi. When asked about the team, Cong, Cala, Drapinski, Lombardi and Valente all mentioned the team being a family. The swim team collectively stated that the “support” and “close companionship” keeps “[them] moving forward” and accounts for the “memorable season” and family that was created.
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