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By Rama K. Ramaswamy
For the first time, after 29 years, the Wellesley High School girls swim and dive team took home the state title last week. The team wrapped up an undefeated season, winning a Sportsmanship Award, the BSC Championship Meet, the South Central Sectionals, and ultimately States. Parent,
“They are truly a very humble team and work hard for all they have accomplished this year, and in the years past,” said parent Tinea N. Rochelle.
"I feel really great about this [States] win, and the season in general,” said Coach Jennifer Dutton. “The girls work incredibly hard, in and out of the water, and it is fantastic to see them achieve the result they hoped for (and some tangible success). I love that they get some recognition now for their hard work!"
“A sense that we work as a team, not as a bunch of individuals,” she explained, was among the factors that contributed to the team’s strength. “We really try to make sure that all the girls are recognized as important to the success of the team as a whole. We are fortunate enough to have myriad personalities and strengths present in our amazing group of girls, and it is important to note that every girl, whether she is a fast swimmer or accomplished diver, is part of the success of the group. We have an incredible group of artist-musician-athlete-scholars! Also we have a great network of year-round swimmers/divers, combined with high-school-season-only swimmers/divers, and this combination makes everyone work harder to be stronger. They only have the short HS season to work together, which makes it special.”
The team includes the following students: Captain Keleyia Rochelle, Captain Nellie Thompson, Captain Isabelle Boegholm, Captain Paige Buller, Sierra Sinclair, Caroline Zimmer, Manager Katie Youngren, Lilly Patneaude, Abby Frank, Maggie Wargo, Molly Jordan, Sofia Puopolo, Alice Cook, Ainsley Keyes, Allie Boucher, Amelia Cookson, Ariel Oppenheim, Bliss Vernon, Coco Martin, Eleni Livingston, Georgia Spangler, Grace Chan, Gracie Meisner, Iris Xia, Juliette Connors, Katie Passanisi, Lilianna Gross, Lily Biro, Lucy Allred, Maree Allred, Megan Gillooly, Naomi Boegholm, Patricia Landers, Sofia Cozza, Sophie Biro, Vaani Kapoor, and Valerie Passanisi.
