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By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
Walpole’s Amanda Melish and Casey Laliberte captured Division II state swimming championships on Sunday afternoon at MIT.
Melish won the 1-meter dive with 529.050 points, narrowly beating Donna Zhang of Winchester (520).
Laliberte was dominant on the boys side for Walpole, winning the 200 individual freestyle (1:54.71) and the 500 freestyle (5:07.96) and setting meet records in both events. Laliberte also helped the Rebels to first-place finishes in both the 200 freestyle relay (1:37.29) and the 400 freestyle relay (3:37.75). Walpole’s placement in the 200 freestyle relay was also a new meet record.
Michael Rose also had a big day for Walpole, winning both the 100 butterfly (0:59.39) and the 50 freestyle (0:23.16), while also anchoring both the 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams in their victories.
Anna Smith placed fifth for Walpole in the 50 freestyle (0:24.95). The boys 200 medley relay team also placed third (1:57.88)
For funny and incisive sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter and Instagram @flano0.
