Girls’ Swimming and Diving becomes State Champions

The Girl’s Varsity Swimming and Diving team, led by coach Caitlin Click, has had its best season in school history. Recently, the team placed first as MIAA Division I State Champions. The event was held on February 19th at Boston University.

This has been the fourth time in five years that the team has won the championships. Click’s team won consecutively from 2012 through 2014 and placed 3rd last year. In addition, the team made history at Westford Academy by winning the DCL meet and the North Sectional meet.

Although the team faced difficulties such as swimmers and divers practicing with different coaches at different times, Click was able to bring the team together to win the championships.

Click attributes the team’s success to the depth and coverage of the events. The swimming and diving team that went to MIAA State Championships had 17 swimmers, 14 of which had placed in the top 16. Having more athletes than any other team, they were able to score the most points.

Senior captain Julie Becker is extremely happy about the Girl’s Varsity Swimming and Diving team’s recent win at MIAA State championships.

“I feel incredibly proud of our win. It was a complete team effort and I couldn’t be happier. […] Our team had a great attitude going in. We knew our hard work would pay off and our commitment to each other and our team as a whole [would lead to success],” said Becker.

Becoming State Champions did not come easily.  The Girl’s Varsity Swimming and Diving team not only dedicated 1.5 hours of practice three times per week and an optional dry-land practice, but also competed in about 2 meets per week at UMass Lowell. 

For Becker, difficulties primarily arose from balancing the intensity of both schoolwork and her obligations to the team.

Senior captain Hannah Rosenstein added that she faced the challenge of practicing 6 to 7 days a week during the peak of the season in order to stay in shape and be dedicated to both the Westford Academy team and a club sport.  Being captain of the entire swimming and diving team, she had to be a leader and a motivation to a team containing 55 athletes.

“I am very committed to the team and do my best to keep everyone engaged and excited about performing his or her best so that we can achieve success together. […] We do a lot of team activities […] which helps to promote a positive team atmosphere,” said Rosenstein.

Another senior captain, Emma Gosselin, was responsible for arranging fundraising events and developing ways to help the team to bond.

“We work really hard in the off-season to fundraise and plan events for the [team], and then in the season, we help the team more directly,” said Gosselin.

In addition to winning the State Championships, many team members has been able to achieve individual goals as well. Athletes, like freshman Lauren Berk, have performed their personal best times and scores of the season.

“I’ve shaved off 15 seconds on the 100 freestyle, which was probably my proudest accomplishment,” said Berk.

Though this was the last meet of the season, Click is looking forward to keeping up the success.

“I am hopeful that the underclassman will work hard in the off season to defend their title. […] This is a highly motivated group of individuals which makes them a pleasure to coach. […] They put the team goals first, and individual goals second,” said Click.