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12/20/2020 11:00 PMThe East Haven-Wilbur Cross (EH-WC) co-op girls’ swimming and diving team had to compete in virtual meets during the 2020 season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite all the changes, the Yellowjackets’ athletes were able to band together and motivate each other to perform their best throughout the campaign.
As the team went through its preseason practices, the Yellowjackets had to adjust to the new COVID regulations. There was only one swimmer allowed per lane, and athletes had to wear masks at all times when they weren’t competing.
Junior Norah Rome said that it was initially difficult to distance, because everyone on the team was so close. However, the Yellowjackets were able to make those adjustments with the help of Head Coach Leanne Boisvert.
“It was difficult at first. My coach was strict in keeping everyone safe. All of the girls were kind of nervous about it. Our team is such a family. It was really hard at first,” said Rome. “We separated into our lanes. One girl was at the end, another at the other end. We always had masks on. It was an adjustment.”
After the team’s first meet was held live, every other Yellowjackets’ meet was contested virtually this fall. EH-WC’s athletes would compete at their home pool, with their opponents doing the same, after which the performances from both teams were tabulated in order to score the meet and determine the winner.
Rome said that going virtual was challenging at first since everyone was used to having competition in the next lane. However, as the year went on, the Yellowjackets realized what they needed to do in order to perform well in a different setting.
“We would run a meet with regular officials in our own pool, but it was like you were racing against yourself. We have a small team, so you were racing yourself the entire time,” Rome said. “It was difficult at first knowing that now you don’t have anyone to pace with next to you. With time, everyone had the motivation to get better. Every girl had to step up for themselves and make their mark.”
EH-WC finished its season by competing at the Southern Connecticut Conference Virtual Championship that took place from Oct. 26 through Nov. 10. All 17 teams in the SCC competed at their respective home pools in order to form the standings for Division I and Division II. The Yellowjackets finished in fifth place for the Division II standings by scoring 625 points and also finished 11th in the overall SCC standings with 372 points scored.
Rome claimed first place in both the 200 freestyle and the 500 freestyle at the SCC Division II Championship. Rome posted a time of 1:55.57 in the 200 freestyle to finish first in the division and third for the SCC overall. In the 500 freestyle, Rome finished with a 5:05.58 to take first place in Division II and second in the SCC.
Sophomore Julia Rosado claimed first place in the 100 backstroke at the divisional championship and took fifth for the SCC Championship with a time of 1:01.95. Rosado clocked in with a time of 26.34 in the 50 freestyle to finish second in the division and 15th in the conference.
The Yellowjackets’ 400 freestyle relay of senior captain JJ Jim, freshman Kim Kate, Rosado, and Rome took first place at the Division II Championship. The team finished with a time of 3:56.21 to finish in the divisional meet and sixth in the conference.
EH-WC’s 200 medley relay of Rosado, senior captain Alora McCarroll, Kim, and Rome finished third in the division and ninth in the SCC with a time of 1:59.24. Those same four swimmers also teamed up in the 200 freestyle relay and recorded a mark of 1:49.17 to take fourth place in the division and ninth for the conference.
Kim finished second in the division in the 100 butterfly and was 14th in the SCC with a time of 1:05.11. Kim also swam a time of 2:21.63 in the 200 individual medley to finish fourth in the division and 11th in the conference.
McCarroll finished 10th in the division and was 32nd in the SCC for the 100 freestyle with a time of 1:04.29. McCarroll also posted a time of 1:20.94 in the 100 breaststroke to take 11th place in the division and 28th place in the conference.
Kate swam a time of 27.69 in the 50 freestyle to finish 10th in Division II and 31st in the SCC. In the 100 breaststroke, Kate finished with a time of 1:21.33 to take 12th place in the division and 29th place in the conference.
Numerous athletes were named to the All-SCC Division II Team by virtue of their performances at the championship meet. Rome was made it for both the 200 freestyle and the 500 freestyle, in addition to making the overall All-SCC Team in each event. Kim made the All-SCC Division II Team for the 200 IM and the 100 butterfly, while Rosado earned All-SCC Division II honors in the 50 freestyle and the 100 backstroke. The Yellowjackets’ 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relays also made the All-SCC Division II Team.
“JJ and Julia are very competitive. It’s not a surprise to me that they would get so many awards. You could look at them, and they always have something to tell you, something to say,” said Rome. “We were very motivated. It was the most motivated season everyone had. You didn’t want to let your team down.”
The Yellowjackets’ featured three seniors on their roster in Kim, McCarroll, and Sophia Chmelar. Kim and McCarroll served as the captains, and Rome said that they were both strong leaders who always kept everyone unified.
“JJ and Alora were both very good captains. They’re very good people overall. I give them a lot of credit for what they do. It was always great to see what they brought to the table,” Rome said. “They were the most motivated people. They don’t want to let you down. They set the bar for everyone and made sure everyone was OK. They were always encouraging behind the blocks. They had the right mindset going into the season.”
Even with three graduating seniors, EH-WC will still have seven returning swimmers heading into next year. Rome said that the 2020 season taught everyone on the squad to not take swimming for granted and understand that any meet could be your last.
“I thought of the kids who didn’t have a season. I’m very grateful for the season we had. Going into next season, I want to make it as fun as possible. You don’t know if you’re going to have a season,” said Rome. “It’s tough seeing football and basketball players and even my friends being unable to play. You just have to make the best of it.”
Even with all the ups and downs, the Yellowjackets were able to mesh together in order to see success both individually and as a team this year. As she heads into her senior season, Rome said that she’s excited to get back in the pool with her teammates and show everyone how good the EH-WC girls’ swim team can be.
“It’s a totally different environment. If you were a swimmer and you come into this program, it is so fun. Everyone is there for one reason—your teammates are going to be there for you,” Rome said. “You’re spending your high school experience with them. You’re playing with people you rely on as a family. They’re your sisters at the end of the day. You’re all pushing towards a common goal.”
The East Haven’ girls’ swimming and diving team’s roster featured senior captains JJ Kim and Alora McCarroll; senior Sophia Chemlar; juniors Camryn Lendroth, Norah Rome, and Isabella Orozco; sophomores Aby Brooks, Simuel Jeniyla, and Julia Rosado; and freshman Kim Kate.