By Sam Rosenblatt
Managing Editor of Sports
Both of Newton South’s swimming and diving teams fell to Westford Academy in their final dual meet of the season and now turn their focus to the DCL Championship Meet this weekend.
The boys’ team relies on great all-around depth heading into DCLs, as 18 Lions have already qualified for sectionals and many have also qualified for the state championship meet.
Juniors Andrew Johnston (200, 500 meter freestyle), Geoffrey Lo (100m freestyle and backstroke), senior Quinn Boulerice (50m, 100m freestyle), and senior captain Alex Song (200m individual medley, 100m breaststroke) have been the main point-scorers for the Lions this season.
Another notable performer for the boys’ team has been sophomore Jordi Boulerice. Boulerice broke the school record for diving earlier this season and has had a “dominant” season on the board, according to Song.
Song says that South hopes to secure a top place at DCLs this weekend, keeping pace with the swim program’s increasing success. “We’ve been improving our standing every year and we want to continue that trend,” he said.
The boys’ team is also looking ahead to later postseason meets and the future stars of the program.
“A few records are due to be broken over sectionals and states,” Song said. “Beyond that, we’ve got a lot of new freshmen, so they need to start stepping up for next season.”
On the other end of the pool, the girls’ swimming and diving team has surpassed all expectations despite a young roster filled with underclassmen.
Though Newton South rests in the middle of the pack among DCL competitors, they have put up an excellent fight throughout the season against stronger teams.
“A lot of our meets have been closer than we expected, which has definitely been great to see,” senior captain Alexia Miquel said.
Some of the Lions key swimmers this season on the girls’ side include sophomores Kristen Miquel (100m breaststroke) and Colleen McElduff (freestyle), junior Maddie Hofert (100m backstroke), and senior captain Jessica Zernitsky (50m freestyle).
The girls’ swim team will look to continue their success with a strong showing at DCLs before they too compete at the sectional and state meets.
“I am really looking forward to seeing how much everyone’s work has paid off at DCLs,” the senior Miquel said.
The girls’ team will compete in the DCL Championship Meet on Friday. The boys’ team will compete on Saturday.
