After numerous practices, meets, and aching shoulders, the Malden High swim team dove into the GBL Championship meet, prepared to prove how far they had come this season.
The focus at GBL extends far beyond first place considering the team’s early-season loss to Medford. The swimmers entered the championship with shared goals: to improve their times, qualify for States and sectionals, and close the season off on a high note.
“I feel like going into the GBL meet, everyone had the mindset of getting their best times and qualifying for states or sectionals,” captain Danielle Harrington claimed. Despite the disappointment of losing the GBL title earlier in the season, she explained that the team prioritized personal growth and long-term goals as opposed to dwelling on setbacks.
The mindset was evident in the team’s performance. Malden finished second overall in the GBL, an accomplishment the swimmers embraced with pride given the season’s challenges. “We were all very nervous at the start but by the end of the GBLs we were all very comfortable and content with what we have achieved,” said Junior Weiqi Du.
The road to the championship had its obstacles; several swimmers described time management as one of their biggest struggles. “Balancing school, practices, and my stuff outside of school was difficult at times,” shared sophomore Tara Villatore. She also noted the frustration of not seeing immediate improvement. With encouragement from coach Jessica Bisson, she learned to stay patient and trust the process, focusing on her mindset rather than immediate results.
The team faced other challenges, such as having many newcomers learning to adjust to the techniques and intensity of high school swim. “At first, the team was a bit challenging to manage because of lots of new-comers that weren’t adapted to what coach Bisson expects from us,” Harrington explained, but by the end of the season, communication and cooperation skills had significantly improved.
Maya Sanh, a freshman and “first year” swim team member expressed how she initially felt nervous trying to keep up with her more experienced teammates, but over time, the team “grew comfortable and supportive.”
Despite losing to Medford earlier in the season, swimmers described that moment as a turning point rather than a defeat. “It was kind of a bummer,” Harrington continued, “but as a team we prioritize qualifying for states, sectionals, and obtaining personal best times; that mentality definitely kept us from being discouraged.” From that point forward, the team focused on cutting time and pushing through difficult practices, a shift that resulted in numerous personal records.
The season also produced standout achievements. Sophomore Sophie Tran and freshmen Katie Rice and Alden Deronja qualified for the State Championship, Tran extended her streak of making it to states to four consecutive years, Rice qualified for the second year in a row, and Deronja earned his forest, a promising sign for the team’s future.
Throughout injuries, competitive pressure and demanding workouts, the team continued to improve. “We have drastically improved since day one,” expressed Du. By the time GBL arrived, the growth in times, confidence, and unity had been clear.
While the championship title may not have returned to Malden this year, the season ultimately reflected something just as important: resilience. As junior Yingyan Xia put it, “The team grew so much from the first meet to GBL, and he felt “so proud of my team and the growth they made throughout the season.”
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