LYNN — After a year full of new guidelines and virtual meets the Lynn Classical and English swim teams ended their seasons Monday, with the Rams swimming to a 81-64 win at the Lynn Tech pool.
In the pool Classical won nine of 12 events during the meet while the Bulldogs took first in three.
It was far from a normal year at the Lynn City Swim Meet. The Tech swim team wasn’t able to compete, the stands weren’t packed to the brim with cheering parents and family members, and both teams swam at separate times, but it was still a success for both sides.
“The meet went well and it summarized the season,” Classical coach Denise Silva said. “A lot of strange things happened, but it went well because we recognized our six seniors. We didn’t want to lose that (tradition) from the city meet. During COVID we can’t have a true city meet because it’s jammed and this is the right way to do it.”
Camille Mendonca, Daniel Puma. Adam Mariano and Mary Collins (2:13.14) took the 200 yard Medley relay. Aleana Benedetto won the 200 yard freestyle (2:41.69) while Sydney Finnigan won the 200 yard individual medley (2:40.89). Kristen Johnson was the best diver of the night with a score of 145.95. Adam Mariano won the 100 yard butterfly (1:08.87) and Camille Mendonca won the 100 yard freestyle (1:04.94). Puma, Yassine Bakhouch, Kitty Mannion and Finnigan won the 200 yard freestyle relay (2:08.69) Puma also finished first in the 100 breaststroke (1:22.87) while Jessica Page, Finnigan, Mendonca and Mariano won the 400 yard freestyle relay.
The tradition included recognizing seniors on both sides during the long-standing tradition where swimmers dive into the pool through a decorated hoop into water dyed with the team’s colors. After a season without any fans, parents and family members of those seniors were allowed to watch the meet socially distanced in the stands.
“The meet was great and very exciting,” English coach Lisa Trahant said. “To have senior night, and have parents of seniors in the stands for the first time was great. We had nine seniors, which is a really big class. They were all really great together and this whole season was a great bonding experience for them and the underclassman.”
English also had some nice showings, with Caroline Zuffante leading the pack in the 100 backstroke (1:14.34) and the 100 yard freestyle. Cole Story also added a first place finish in the 50 yard freestyle (25.66) while freshman Eamonn Mchale finished third in the 100 breaststroke (1:32.84).
“They did a great job,” Trahant said. “It was the seniors last time swimming so they gave it all they had. I’m really happy with how the season turned out.”
Obviously that was no different on the Classical side
“All the kids made signs, decorated the pool area, we got balloons and it was a lot of fun,” Silva said. “The team swam really well. We did mix up our roster a little bit. We tried to give everybody, especially the seniors, an opportunity to compete on the roster. Everybody did well.”
Overall, both sides were happy that the meet was even possible in a year where swimming in Lynn took a big hit like any sport, but teams bounced back like champions.
“It’s nice to have seen Lynn swimming get a chance to get going,” Silva said. “It was an abbreviated season but we got it going. The kids wear their masks and follow all the guidelines. They’re here because they want to be here. Could we have done a lot more with them if we had 10 weeks versus five weeks? I believe we could have. But we took those five weeks and were thrilled with them. The team’s enthusiasm will roll right into any (Sports) seasons they’re heading into now.”
