By Fatimah Noulati
Staff Writer

When it comes to competitive swimming, seniors Tori Weinstock and Jen Marrkand have gone stroke for stroke in every meet to ensure an exciting event for spectators. They are not only strong teammates in the pool, but best friends out of it as well.

Weinstock and Marrkand both started on different club teams starting at age five. Weinstock started her competitive swimming when she was eight and joined the Patriots Swim Club, a United States Swimming club. Shortly after, Marrkand joined Weinstock on the team. Both swimmers have been on the same team ever since.

The Patriots Swim Club was only the beginning of Weinstock and Marrkand’s swimming careers by each other’s side. Both of the girls have been on the Westford Academy Swim and Dive team since their freshman year.

The girls have dedicated almost all of their high school days to the intense sport. Both of them were named captains of the swim and diving team, along with senior Courteney Martin.

“Jen, Tori, and Courteney were outstanding leaders.  They led by action at both practice and meets, where they raised the bar for their younger teammates,” said WA Swim and Dive coach Kaitlin Click.

Marrkand and Weinstock have beat multiple records for WA. Weinstock is currently part of the 400 yard freestyle relay record and the 200 yard freestyle relay record. She was also a previous record holder in the 200 yard medley relay.

“It’s hard to beat records when you have Jen around,” Weinstock joked about her friend.

Marrkand holds the record for the 200 yard medley relay, the 200 yard individual medley, and 100 yard backstroke along with many others. The girls ended their high school swimming careers by setting a new record for the 400-yard relay along with Martin and fellow senior Mara Tynan.

This race was one of Weinstock’s best memories of being Marrkand’s teammate. When it was Marrkand’s time to take part in the race, WA was fairly far ahead, but this did not stop Marrkand from trying her hardest.

“Jen could have easily won the race without putting her all into it, but instead she gave 110%, and put up the fastest relay split in the state. I know she did it for the four seniors on the relay,” Weinstock said.

Coach Click said every teammate is pushed by others to make these records happen, especially Weinstock and Marrkand.

“We are able to push each other at practices because we know each other’s weaknesses and strengths,” Marrkand said.

In between their practices before school, and their journeys to different meets every week, Weinstock and Marrkand did not let their love for swimming get in the way of schoolwork.

Starting in their freshman year, both girls have been enrolled in honors and Advanced Placement level classes. Weinstock and Marrkand have maintained grade point averages above a 3.6, allowing both of them to be a part of the National Honors Society since their sophomore year.

Weinstock and Marrkand can agree that having each other throughout their careers as teammates and best friends have made the journey much more enjoyable and easier.

“Having my best friend by my side during tough practices and low points helps me stay motivated and positive as I know we are getting through it together,” Weinstock said.

Both of the girls have already committed to colleges where they will continue their swimming careers. While Weinstock will leave for Connecticut College in the fall, Marrkand will head for the University of Virginia. Even though they think it will be odd to be on a team without each other at first, neither of the girls have doubts that their friendship will change.

Coach Click agreed that their friendship will remain strong.

“As Jen and Tori head off for college, I am sure the friendship that they have built through the sport of swimming will continue,” said Click. “I feel fortunate to have coached athletes with such strong character. I am proud of what they have both accomplished as student-athletes.”