Boys’ Swim And Dive Emphasizes Quality Over Quantity

December 15, 2009 by Greg Lederer

For a program steeped in tradition, the Cheshire High School boys’ swim and dive team is flying under the radar. The Rams didn’t qualify a swimmer for the State Open last winter, so they haven‘t received much hype heading into the 2009-10 season. That underdog role fit’s a small, but close group just fine.
“It’s a big factor. Nobody made the State Open last year and our goal is to always make all three relays,” said senior Dan Sweeney. “It will make everybody work harder this year.”
Turnover has created a young roster. Of 19 athletes, 10 are underclassmen. That number is deceiving when you add their experience outside high school. Many swimmers compete year-round for the Cheshire YMCA Sea Dog Swim Club, facing top competition inside and out of Connecticut.
“Our numbers are smaller, but the percentage of talent is higher. We’ve had bigger teams, but this group could put more swimmers into the states,” explained Cheshire Head Coach Fran Connolly. “We have to stay healthy and come together as a team. We are a work in progress going into January and February.”
Cheshire benefited from a strong freshman class last season and built momentum before running into health issues down the stretch. The Rams finished with a 9-7-1 record, cracking the top 10 of the Southern Connecticut Conference (fifth, 457 points) and Class L (seventh, 284 points) Championships. Seven swimmers graduated from the program.
It’s a true honor,” stated Sweeney, of being elected a captain with classmate Jordan Attwood. “Kevin Menescardi and Elliott Laden were great captains last year. Elliott is a really good friend of mine and I’m looking forward to it (leading the team).”
Senior leadership will anchor the sprints, following Laden‘s departure. Sweeney joins Miguel Rodriguez Lapman and Ethan Medling in the 50- and 100-yard freestyles. They teamed up for the Class L 200-yard freestyle relay (ninth 1:34.38), with Sweeney swimming on the 400-yard freestyle team (10th, 3:30.44).
“That group should show their experience this year,” added Connolly. “Hopefully, they fill in a relay or two.”
Rodriguez Lapman (Class L; 100-yard butterfly, 20th, 1:00.47; 50-yard freestyle, 22nd, 24.06) was the boys’ soccer MVP for the fall season. Sweeney is also working back into swim shape after leading the football team to the Class LL title on Dec. 6.
“It’s been tough,“ said Sweeney. “I feel pretty good. I think I’ll be in good condition for the rest of the season.”
Connolly is emphasizing versatility with this team. Menescardi (butterfly) and fellow graduate Paul Gifford contributed heavily in the individual medley and breaststroke last season.
“We’ll miss their ability to get in the odd strokes,” Connolly said.
Cheshire does return options. Junior Dan Mongillo (12th, 5:04.24) and sophomore Brendan Smalec (21st, 5:18.47; 200-yard individual medley, 17th, 2:14.57) swam the Class L 500-yard freestyle. Mongillo, who hadn’t previously cracked 5:07, can swim from 100- to 500-yard freestyle and join Smalec through the individual medley.
“He (Smalec) will be good in IM and distance,” stated Connolly, who also appreciates Mongillo‘s drive to get better throughout the off-season. “Danny is capable of going under (five minutes) this year. He is strong and possesses good technique.”
Senior Jackson Getchell (500-yard freestyle) and junior Peter Broadbridge (200-yard freestyle, 100-yard backstroke) add distance experiences. They both qualified for the 2009 SCC event.
“For what he has done in the last four years, I’m proud of him,” said Connolly, of awarding Getchell with Most Improved Swimmer last winter.
The sophomore class was asked to contribute immediately. Ray Chen added a spark to the 200-yard medley relay, along with swimming the 100-yard backstroke (14th, 59.02) and 200-yard individual medley (21st, 2:13.8) at the Class L meet.
“Ray is one of our most talented kids. He swam 100-yard freestyle at the end of last year and did really well,” recalled Connolly. “I think he will help our medley relay again.”
Sophomore Erin Williams (SCC; butterfly, backstroke) finished 24th (1:03.45) in the Class L 100-yard backstroke, while classmate Justin Go contributed to the SCC 400-yard freestyle relay team.
“(Sophomore) Andrew Davison was also swimming really well and qualified two events for Class L. But he had a two-week flu at the end of last season and didn‘t swim at states,” Connolly said.
Cheshire’s depth was lessened when sophomore Erik Saberski transferred to Cheshire Academy. Saberski was a key component to the 200- and 400-yard freestyle relays, adding key points individually from sprints to middle distance. Junior Matt Richardson, a distance freestyler and contributor in butterfly, underwent shoulder surgery and will miss this season.
“We need someone to fill his spot,” said Connolly, of Saberski. “Matt was really coming around before he got hurt. He is sticking around the team, but we will miss him in the pool.”
Connolly believes freshmen Gregory Han and T.J. Rodenbush can make a similar impact to the sophomore class. Both swim competitively with the Sea Dogs.
“I think they will hit the ground running in IM and breaststroke. They can help with relays. There is an adjustment to swimming two to three meets a week, so that is part of the learning curve for them,” explained Connolly. “There will be good competition for guys to fill our A-relay spots.”
Competition isn’t limited to swimmers. Attwood and classmate Michael Topitzer, along with junior Matt Annenberg, return intact to the diving team. They were a key strength of the team last winter.
“Matt is a great kid and I’ve been working with Mike for four years,” added Attwood. “It’s friendly competition between us. Mike and I train in the off-season and hang out. There is a great chemistry between the divers and swimmers.”
Their experience is a luxury for first-year coach Kelly Mohr. A former competitor at the University of Rhode Island, she also coaches diving during the fall at Sacred Heart Academy. Mohr is the third Cheshire diving coach in three years.
“It’s really nice. Cheshire swimming is so big. I’m excited,” said Mohr, who stresses consistency with her divers. “They have a lot of good dives, so it’s just working to do them repetitively.”
Attwood (sixth, 340.9; fourth, 218.2) and Topitzer (seventh, 329.1; fifth, 215.4) were top eight finishers at the 2009 SCC and Class L meets, respectively. The Class L finishes qualified them for their first State Open. Topitzer (14th, 343.1) and Attwood (16th, 334.95) ended their strongest seasons at Yale University.
“I want to win states and crack the top 10 at the (State) Open,” stated Attwood. “All-American is another goal, but that will be a stretch.”
“They know what they are doing,” said Mohr, of her seniors. “They’ve been around and people look to them for leadership.”
Annenberg learned from competing at the SCC (ninth, 259.9) and Class L (10th, 168.98) last season.
“He has gotten a lot better and increased his level of difficulty,” Mohr added.
Coaches feel this team has a lot of room for improvement, starting with Wednesday’s opener against Joseph Foran, at 3:30 p.m. Cheshire plans to build depth before facing top competition in 2010. Five-time defending SCC Champion Fairfield Prep (Jan. 26), Notre Dame (Feb. 2), Amity (Feb. 12), Xavier (Feb. 17) finished ahead of them at the conference meet last season. Pomperaug, who has won the last two Class L titles visits Cheshire on Jan. 22. The 2010 Class L Finals will be held March 17 at Wesleyan University.
“I’d like to be more competitive in the meets we lose. I’d also like to get a dual meet that we didn’t win last year,” said Connolly, who is coaching with an eye to the future. “With these underclassmen, we can start some two- to three-year goals. I think we realize that we can be a really good team in the next couple years.”