CHS Girls’ Swim And Dive Uses Depth To Unseat Greenwich For Class LL Crown
November 20, 2009 by Greg Lederer
The Cheshire High School girls’ swimming and diving team is more than just a couple superstars. That emphasis on depth helped the Rams capture their 26th state title on Wednesday Night.
Senior Kim Jerome was the only state champion in the 200-yard individual medley (2:06.18; All-American consideration), but Cheshire still compiled 875 points to unseat Greenwich High School (788.5 points) at Southern Connecticut State University. The Rams finished runner-up to the rival Cardinals in each of the last four years.
“After looking at the numbers before the meet, we thought we had a really good shot,” said Cheshire Head Coach Ed Aston. “We have depth. The girls really came together over the last couple weeks.”
No swimmer or diver had ever experienced a state championship. Jerome, Melissa Metcalf, Catherine Patrell, and Jen Thompson captain an eight-member senior class.
“I’m excited,” explained Jerome. “I remember being so overwhelmed during freshman year at this meet. It doesn’t feel that long ago.”
Jerome contributed to the meet’s tightest finish. Greenwich senior Emily Weir (1:03.67), a rival for many years in high school and YMCA, outlasted Jerome (1:03.73) by just six hundredths of a second. It was the identical finish from last year. Weir already owns the state record and lowered her Class LL mark, while Jerome dropped her school record and went under 1:04 for the first time in high school. Jerome has secured All-American breaststroke each season.
“She got off to a slow start and had to play catch up,” said Aston, of the breaststroke final. “She went faster than her (Weir) in the second 50 (yards).”
Junior Karen Novak (500-yard freestyle, 5:06.36; 200-yard freestyle, fourth, 1:56.73) and sophomore Jen Tavares (200-yard freestyle, 1:54.16) also finished runner-up to Greenwich junior Jesse Evans. Novak and Tavares have both cracked the school’s top 10 all-time.
“It feels good. I’m excited,” explained Novak, of her career-best time.
Jerome and Patrell swam on the 200-yard medley (junior Stephanie Nguyen, sophomore Maggie Ptaszynski; third 1:51.03) and 400-yard freestyle (Tavares, Novak; second, 3:36.93) relays. Novak also anchored the 200-yard freestyle team (sophomore Haley Payne, junior Ally Barry, Tavares; 1:40.81) to second overall.
“Our team is so built for it,” added Novak, regarding depth. “We were ready from the time we walked in the door.”
Greenwich didn’t go down without a fight, winning eight of 12 events. The Cardinals swept three relays and broke or tied four Class LL records. Cheshire will face them again during the State Open Finals, to be held tomorrow, at 12 p.m. from Yale University.
“I think with their front line swimmers, they will be tough to beat,” said Aston.
Cheshire is also excited for the State Open Diving tonight. Thompson, who has already captured the Southern Connecticut Conference (417.25 points) and Class LL (426.5 points) titles, goes for the sweep at Hamden High School. She is making her fourth appearance at the meet, which starts at 5:30 p.m.
“I’m a little nervous to face everybody from around the state,” said Thompson, who is seeded less than a point behind Darien senior Alex Leinroth (426.8). “I did look at the standings already. It would be great (to win), but my goal is to break the school record of Katelyn Cox (2000 graduate; 434.55).”