Cong Wins Two Races as Malden Swims Past Somerville

SOMERVILLE—The Malden Golden Tornadoes swam their way to another Greater Boston League victory yesterday, out-dueling Somerville 91-73 at the Kennedy Pool.

Malden was able to rebound from a heartbreaking loss against Cambridge last Friday that, with the Greater Boston League regular-season crown on the line, came down to the final relay and saw the Golden Tornadoes drop a narrow 91-79 decision, giving the Falcons the league title.

Malden showed no let down in Somerville yesterday.

“To rebound like we did today, as I just said to them in our team meeting, that was about as good as it gets on the road,” said Malden head coach Paul DeVincentis. “They did a terrific job, it was an all-around effort.”

Bestine Cong collected the top spot in two events for the Golden Tornadoes, placing first in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 1:05.68, and topping the board in the 100-yard backstroke with a 1:06.97 mark. Other Malden winners were captain Kaela Bryan, who grabbed the top spot in the 200-yard individual medley (2:33.85), Phil West in the 50-yard freestyle (26.13), Jackie Tran, who won the 100-yard breaststroke at 1:14.13, Eddie Lee in the 500-yard freestyle (5:59.06) and the 200 and 400-yard freestyle relay teams.

The Highlanders’ Caio Azevedo won the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:51.72, and the 100-yard freestyle at 52.87, while the 200-yard medley relay team (Azevedo, Cam Kostopolous, Roberto Dourado, Aaron Nevin) took the top spot with a mark of 2:06.62.

Azevedo’s winning times both represent personal bests, while Dourado notched his best time in the 100-yard butterfly at 1:11.06 and Susanne Cho did the same in the backstroke with a time of 1:36.97.

“(Malden) is a tough team, we knew that coming in,” said Somerville head coach Mike Williams. “We’re young, but we’re coming along.”

With the league title race decided, the focus now shifts to personal development with an eye towards qualifying swimmers for the state meets. Somerville’s Azevedo has already sealed a spot, and according to Williams, the kids know what they need to do, and it is now up to them to get it done.

“We have been telling them all season about what they should be doing to improve for the future ... especially the younger kids,” he said. “Now it’s up to them to do it. You can tell them what to do, you can encourage them, you can try to motivate them, but in the end, it comes down to if they really want to do it.”

The Highlanders return to the pool today against Medford in another GBL meet.

For the Golden Tornadoes, although the league crown slipped through their grasp, DeVincentis is more than pleased with the way his team has performed this year, and says they are a special group to be around.

“I’ve been doing this a long, long time,” he said. “And I get excited going to practice everyday, that’s the kind of group these guys are. I couldn’t be more pleased. They are doing a terrific job in and out of the water. What we lack in talent, we more than make up for in drive and dedication.”

Malden will host Medford on Monday in the Golden Tornadoes’ homecoming meet.