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10/01/2017 12:00 AMAfter recording a pair of top-10 postseason finishes in 2016, the Hand girls’ swimming and diving squad is striving toward even bigger goals this year behind a well-rounded roster that adheres to the time-tested adage of ‘No I in Team.’
Last fall, Head Coach Jen Lyman and the Tigers went 7-4 for the regular season before finishing fourth at the SCC Championship and seventh in the Class L State Championship. This season, the Tigers are well on their way to surpassing that 2016 win total with their current record of 6-0. Hand stared out the season by posting victories over Lyman Hall, Foran, Mercy, and Sheehan during the first two weeks of action. Then last week, Hand edged out North Haven by a 86-84 final on Sept. 25 and then scored its sixth win with a 94-89 victory over Sacred Heart Academy on Sept. 28.
Coach Lyman said that her athletes not only have the skills they need to perform in the pool; they also display a quiet confidence while putting in the preparation that’s necessary to see success.
“Across the board, we have talent at all levels and grades. Each previous group has served as a great foundation for our newer swimmers, as well,” said Lyman. “There is also a tradition here in the way we practice and carry ourselves that we’ve carried on through each year.”
Seniors Allie Mascia and Case Porter are sharing the role of team captain for Hand in 2017. Lyman said that both athletes are ideal captains for the Tigers, because they symbolize the essence of this year’s club with how they’re multi-event threats in the water, as well as dedicated team leaders on dry land.
“Allie brings a great competitive spirit and a great understanding of life outside of the pool. She’s great with her enthusiasm with being in the moment on meet day, along with showing the girls how to succeed and enjoy the success,” Lyman said. “Case’s leadership doesn’t go unnoticed. She has a great way to make someone smile or laugh. She’s also a great academic leader. Her tenacious personality in and out of the pool is contagious.”
In the junior class, Hand features diver Julia Bloomfield, who won the diving competition in the Tigers’ first four meets, along with Samantha Tuveson and Gabby Wira. Hand also has another crop of quality athletes in its sophomore class with Kayla Mendonca, Ruby Redlich, and Kylie Scarpellino. Hand additionally welcomes freshmen Alesandra Betts, Sophia Cadematori, Ava Dougherty, Ava Keane, and Emma Ruffo to the mix this year.
“Julia’s training in the offseason has really shown. We rely on Samantha in distance events. Gabby has been a big contributor in the 100 breaststroke and 200 medley relay,” said Lyman. “Kayla’s versatility in all strokes gives us the flexibility we need to be successful. Ruby’s proficiency in the backstroke and freestyle events has given us stability there. Kylie is new to distance events, but she’s thriving there.”
In last week’s two-point win against North Haven, Hand’s highlights included the 200 medley relay team of Mendonca, Wira, Porter, and Mascia clocking in with a time of 1:59:26. Hand took the second- and third-place spots in the 200 freestyle with sophomore Erin Reilly finishing second (2:10:31) and Scarpellino placing third (2:13:13). In the 200 individual medley, Mendonca recorded a convincing victory behind a time of 2:16:94, while Ruffo took fourth in 2:29:02. Mascia finished second in the 50 free (26:09), and Keane came in fourth place (27:82).
Additionally for the Tigers, Porter finished first in the 100 butterfly (1:03:43) with Reilly securing fourth (1:07:87). Redlich took second in the 100 free (56:89), and Mascia was third (1:00:03). In the 500 free, Mendonca came in first place (5:18:84) with Scarpellino finishing fourth (5:58:09). The 200 freestyle relay team of Keane, Cadematori, Grace Vest, and Redlich placed second (1:54:60) for Hand. Redlich took first place in the 100 backstroke (1:07:33) with Ruffo following in second (1:09:27). Wira finished second in the 100 breaststroke (1:19:97), and Dougherty was fifth (1:25:78). The 400 freestyle relay team of Reilly, Ruffo, Mendonca, and Mascia put in a strong swim for first place with a time of 3:57:32.
The Tigers have crafted a T-shirt that displays their motto for this season. Coach Lyman feels they have the right material in place to stitch a spot near the top at both the Conference and State championship meets come postseason time.
“We put a slogan on the backs of our shirts. It reads: ‘Together Everyone Achieves More,’ and the acronym spells out T.E.A.M. We need to stay together to keep achieving success,” Lyman said. “We have a big meet at Shelton [on Oct. 2] and with Branford in one of our last meets of the year [Thursday, Oct. 12]. We want to be in the top six of our conference, and we also want to be a competitive presence at the Class L meet in November.”
From the Sidelines
Jen Lyman is now in her 10th season as head coach of the Hand girls’ swimming and diving squad.
Christina Forristall is the Tigers’ assistant coach. She is also the head coach of the boys’ swimming and diving team in the winter season.
For the Class L state meet, the Diving Championship will take place on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 5:30 p.m. at Middletown, the Swimming Qualifying will be held on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. at East Hartford, and the Swimming Championship will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. at Wesleyan University.