One stroke after another, the girls and boys swim teams glide through the water, scoring points not only for themselves, but the overall team.
The Dolphins competed at the Bayside Recreation Center against the Cavaliers of Princess Anne High School (PA) on Jan. 17, 2025. The girls team won 177-132 against PA, and the boys team defeated PA 180-129.
“The swim team has always been a close group. We all look out for each other in and out of the pool,” junior Payton Warnock said. ”We have [many] amazing seniors this year who really help bring the team together.”
There are a few traditions that are unique to senior night, including a 400-meter freestyle made up of seniors who don’t typically swim long distances, as well as other senior relay teams, according to boys swim and dive coach Andrew Bedinger.
Before the meet began, all 21 seniors were recognized in alphabetical order, consisting of 8 boys and 13 girls. The following boys were recognized: Luke Aurigemma, Chase Bonfiglio, Ryan Ericson, Tucker Gates, Ben Knight, Dominic Scotty, Oliver Stroppa, and Rockwell Li.
“The seniors have impacted our team so positively this season. They are really so amazing and encouraging and really make sure everyone is included and okay,” freshman Tenley Rollings said.”They are really the glue of our team.”
Following the senior boys’ announcement, the girls were recognized: Lindsay Meadows, Sophia Phaneuf, Brynn Psimas, Lauren Rakov, Afsana Rawlins, Sohalya Rawlins, Lucy Goodloe, Sam Grimes, Ella Jackson, Rania Jacob, Maggie Sokalzuk, Julia Swartzbaugh and Sofia Thompson.
“I’m going to miss the joy they brought to practice and meets because it did a [great deal] in helping make high school swim unique and fun,” sophomore Rowan Smith said.
Junior Dylan Bennington placed first in the 1-meter dive with a score of 219.45. Following his lead, Maggie scored 217.70, earning her first place in the 1-meter dive.
“It feels great to have the swim team come support us, it’s more fun and less stressful overall for the divers,” Maggie said.
The boys 200-meter freestyle relay secured a state cut with first place and a time of 1:43.03. The relay team is composed of four seniors: Ben, Ryan, Chase and Oliver.
“I’m very happy we managed to make the state cut, especially because it was our first time swimming the 200-freestyle relay together and it became the second relay we got a state cut for,” Oliver said.
Additionally, seniors Sohalya, Thompson, Afsana and Tenley obtained the state cuts in the 200-meter freestyle relay with a time of 1:55.45 and the 400-meter freestyle relay, finishing with a time of 4:10.97.
“It goes without saying that we put together workouts to develop the swimmers, making them stronger and faster,” Bedinger said.”We encourage a growth mindset, which allows swimmers to accept each workout as a challenge and part of an overall journey toward excellence.”
Boys and girls varsity swim will compete in districts at Princess Anne Recreation Center on Feb. 8, 2025, at noon.
