When Lynnfield-Wakefield head coach Jeff Boyd says “we talked all season, really, about this meet,” you know you’re in for something special. Despite the girls (2-4) losing 110-73 against Triton on Sunday afternoon at the Torigian Family YMCA, the boys (6-0) won 99-81 to clinch the Cape Ann League title.
“We’ve had it circled all year long, so we’ve been working every day for two, three months to get to this point,” Boyd said. “It’s nice to see the kids’ hard work pay off.”
Among several swimmers who impressed, Evan Chan swam the 50 freestyle in 24.09, Robert Brown finished second in the 100 backstroke (107.68), and Henry Brown finished second in the 200 freestyle (203.90).
In the 200 individual medley, Adam Ho finished second (226.02), while Andee Shieh finished second in the 100 breaststroke (112.62).
“This is probably the best team we’ve had, ever, just because there’s so much depth and every single one of them can really swim,” Boyd said. “Even though we may not win every race, we have someone coming in second, third, fourth, fifth, and we’re just getting all those points based on our depth, which is huge.”
The combination of Robert and Henry Brown, Chan, and Spencer Little finished first in the 200 freestyle relay with a time of 138.82.
Also, the boys didn’t place last in a single event.
On the girls’ side, Isabella Shrewsbury finished first in the 200 freestyle with a 222.56, and Aubrey Rocha impressed in diving. Also, Shrewsbury, Julia Ho, Emme Speicher, and Chloe Cieslewicz were second-to-none in the 200 freestyle relay with a time of 155.53.
“The girls, across the board, had their best meet of the year – there’s no question about that. The Triton girls – they’re the best team in this league,” Boyd said. “Our girls really gave them a good run.”
Overall, it was a very good day for the program – both in and out of the pool.
“Swimming’s often thought of as an individual sport, which in a lot of ways it is, but what we have going here is such an incredible team,” Boyd said. “They don’t swim for themselves; they swim for everybody else on the team.”
When asked about the crowd, intensity, and stakes of the meet, Boyd said his swimmers were very good at staying calm under pressure.
“The kids are so good,” Boyd said. “We practice getting ready in practice, so by the time we get here for the meets, we’re very well-prepared.”
As for the camaraderie and culture of Lynnfield-Wakefield, Boyd said he’s “been very lucky.”
“They care about each other so much, which is great,” Boyd said. “If they weren’t in there competing, they were at the side of the pool going crazy [and] supporting each other.”
Next up is the Cape Ann League meet on Sunday with a 2 p.m. starting time at the Lynch/Van Otterloo YMCA. And when it comes to Lynnfield-Wakefield, you can bet they’ll be ready.
“It’s more than just a swim team – it’s a family in itself,” Boyd said.
