~ Submitted by Kerry Rackey and Jen Piliero
The Bedford High School Swim and Dive season, under the amazing leadership of Head Coach Samantha Thyne and Assistant Coach Dennis Mitchell, wrapped up their regular season at DCL Championships on February 5th and 6th. Senior diver Bella Seldon, and swimmers, sophomore Matsen Spirn (Boys 100 Breast) and junior Elora Syed (Girls 100 Breast), qualified for postseason meets. Bella, Elora, and Matsen attended Sectionals the week of February 7th, and Bella and Matsen headed to the Division II State Championship on Feb 26th & 27th.
The BHS swimmers and divers had a spectacular season. They were excited to experience a season that was mostly back to pre-pandemic days, with in-person meets and fans in the stands. The season began with a home opener against Waltham on December 10th where the boys team prevailed over Waltham 104-50, and the girls team gave a strong performance. Nine meets and ten weeks later, the team finished their season with DCL Championships. At DCLs, the girls had time cuts in 14 out of 21 DCL entries and the boys saw cut times in 21 of 33 DCL entries.
Congratulations to Bella, Matsen, and Elora for their outstanding performances at Sectionals and States. At Sectionals, Bella placed 5th for girls diving, Matsen placed 7th in 100 breaststroke and broke the school record with a time of 1:03.54, and Elora closed out her season with a 1:14.86, dropping a full second off her best 100 breaststroke time. At the MIAA Division II State Championship, Bella took 7th place for girls diving and Matsen took 12th place for 100-yard breaststroke.
During the regular season, the team’s four divers, seniors Bella Seldon, Lauren Fallon, Sophia Voss, and Sebastian Revesz, all consistently scored points for the team in meet after meet, with Bella placing first in several meets, and Lauren, Sophia, and Sebastian close behind.
The team’s 25 swimmers showed tremendous growth. Freshmen Noelle Lee, Aliyah Lussier, Shalom Merchant, Hannah Messinger, Aniq Syed, Bianca Tiwari, and Zach Wirth, and sophomores Shae Arsenault, Thomas Barney, Millie Bonneau, Trey Healey, Courtney Klingenberg, Ryan McWalter, Siddarth Nandakishore, Ben Sedran, and Matsen Spirn brought new spirit and energy to the team, not to mention some amazing performances. The team’s juniors Sally MacPhee, Lucas Rodriquez, and Elora Syed, along with the team’s seniors Peter Gillespy, Jake Klingenberg, Sam Lincoln, George Rackey, Cam Simons, and Sarah Wirth brought their knowledge and years of experience to the team.
A number of swimmers dominated in scoring:
- For the girls team, Elora scored points for the team for 100 breast, 100 fly and 50 free, Sally for 50 free and 100 free, Sarah for 100 breast and 50 free, Courtney for 200 IM and 500 free, Noelle for 100 back, and Millie for 200 free.
- For the boys team, Matsen secured points for the team for 100 breast and 200 IM, George for 50 free and 100 free, Jake for 500 free, 200 free, 200 IM and 50 free, Sam for 100 fly and 200 free, Ben for 100 fly, 500 free and 100 back, Aniq for 100 free, 50 free and 100 fly.
The team celebrated Senior Night at the team’s last home meet on January 18th against Lincoln-Sudbury. Junior captains Sally MacPhee, Lucas Rodriguez and Elora Syed planned and orchestrated a fun and festive night honoring the team’s 10 seniors: Ashley, Bella, Sophia, Sebastian, Sarah, Cam, George, Jake, Peter and Sam. Banners of each senior adorned the pool deck, with posters, balloons and roses rounding out the festive environment. (Be sure to drive by Mudge Way and view the banners of the team’s seniors prominently displayed on the baseball backstop across from the Bedford Public Library.)
The team’s senior captains Sam Lincoln, George Rackey, Bella Seldon and Sarah Wirth along with junior captains Sally MacPhee, Elora Syed and Lucas Rodriquez worked hard to promote team camaraderie and friendship, and this closeness shone brightly all season.
Coach Samantha Thyne stated, “I feel so lucky to be working with a team that continues to make me proud. Whether it’s a time cut or an improvement in technique, each of these athletes has shown me their dedication and hard work at each practice and competition. We had a great season and I’m excited for next year.”
Unlike other sports, swim and dive home meets cannot happen without many parents timing, scoring and taking photographs. A big thank you to all the parents who took the time to help with the 4 home meets this season.
Coaches Thyne and Mitchell navigated the ever-changing schedule and COVID requirements while providing constant support and guidance to the team. We are grateful for their passion and enthusiasm!
Congratulations to the team on a wonderful season!!
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