Hopkinton Swimming and Diving Is Tri-Valley Champs in Teamwork and Coaching, Not Just in The Water

After securing its second consecutive Tri-Valley League Championship title with a 7-1 record as a co-ed team, Hopkinton High School Swimming and Diving looked toward victory at last Sunday’s TVL Conference Meet at Wheaton College  -  an honor that eluded them last year.

This year, the Hillers proved themselves in the pool and supported their championship season with a win at the TVL Conference Meet. The team topped second-place finisher Medfield by nearly 200 points.

While the boys had five first-place finishes at the meet, head coach Bryan King credits the depth of the team as the key to their success. Remarkably, the Hillers’ depth comes from a team without any seniors.

"It was no secret we graduated a lot of talent," King said.  "It is no secret now, that the future of the Hillers Swimming and Diving team is bright and hopeful."

The five swimmers winning events were:

Junior John Lagasse, Breaststroke - undefeated in the TVL

Freshman Kevin Lagasse, 200 Freestyle - undefeated in TVL

Junior Paul Lagasse,  50 Freestyle - undefeated in TVL

Freshman Jason Cardillo, diving- undefeated in TVL

The boys 200 Medley Relay (Kevin, John and Paul Lagasse and Junior Alex Carbone).

Girls relay inspires team

The girls also contributed significantly at the meet.  A pivotal event was the second-place finish by the girls 200 freestyle relay with Kelly Kaiser, Rachel Muench, Jackie Schofield, and Madeline Lipkin.  

Other key finishers

FRESHMEN

Pat Reimonn (2nd and 3rd)

Amanda Karpacz (3rd and 5th)

Spencer Franklin (4th)

Andrew Devine (4th and 6th)

Chris Kimura (6th)

John Nadeau (4th and 7th)

Ryan Cuniff (5th and 6th)

SOPHOMORES

Kara Cooney (2nd and 5th)

Brian Doyle (6th)

JUNIORS

Jeff Wagner (4th and 5th)

Julianna Tordella (3rd)

Mike Scott (3rd)

Kelly Kaiser (5th)

Samantha Thyne (7th)

How teamwork and coaching paid off

The talent of this championship team, led by captains Juliana Tordella, Rachel Meunch, Jamie Horrigan, John Lagasse and Paul Lagasse, was enhanced by its dedication and unity.

 “We all have a passion for bettering ourselves daily, and therefore bettering the team,”  Tordella said. “The fact that we have had this much success without any senior members just shows what a young team can do. There's a huge sense of responsibility and family amongst the team. A lot of this is due to the sense of pride that Coach King instills in us.”

A lot of bonding takes place in the 30 seconds between sets at practice, Horrigan said. More than one would think. But Horrigan said the team dinners throughout the season helped the team truly get to know one another. 

“The bond that the team possesses is special," she said. "We may be a large team but we are closer than any other sports team I have been on.”

In addition to the support they receive from one another, the team credits King's encouragement and expertise for their success.

“Coach King makes sure every swimmer or diver knows that he believes in them," Paul Lagasse said. "It is very reassuring before a race, to know that Coach knows you can do whatever it is he expects from you.”

While King works to prepare a few of the swimmers for sectional and state competitions in the coming weeks, he already looks forward to next season.

“This team has a chance many teams do not get," he said. "To all come back again next year and try to do it again."

- By Ruth-Ann Cote

A note on scoring

A diving score considers three elements: the approach, the flight, and the entry.

Races and relays are scored with the winner getting the most points, and second, third and other finishers getting points on a descending scale.