Reading Swimming Aims for the Division 2 State Championship

With the release of the State Division 2 psych sheet, it is safe to say the that Reading Memorial High School swim squad has as good of shot as anyone of winning the Division 2 State Championship.  

"Last season we had nine swimmers qualify for States and this year 15. All 15 of those girls had an outstanding season," said Reading's assistant coach Neil Gillis.

A psych sheet tells the entry position of each swimmer before the start of the meet, and Reading's swimmers are constantly finding themselves at the top of the lists.

In addition to the plethora of talent on the team of , it is arguable that with senior captain Erica Belcher in the line-up, certain events are already "in the bag."

Belcher is one of three Reading senior captains, and she is getting ready to defend her State Titles in the 200-meter individual medley and the 100-meter backstroke.

Her junior year, she successfully defended her titles, and isn't about to let her legacy slip away senior year. 

Belcher's swimming has since advanced, placing eighth overall in the 200 IM out of 200 swimmers at the semi-annual YMCA Nationals in Ohio. 

Her fellow captains, Julie Trodden and Gillian Walsh, are also key contributors to the success of Reading's championship season thus far. 

Trodden is going into the meet with the fourth best time in the 200-yard freestyle, and the fifth best in the 500-yard freestyle. In addition, Walsh is ranked third in the 100-yard breaststroke, and sixth in the 100-yard freestyle.

The Rockets tend to dominate in the relay events, but they also have swimmers capable of finishing in the top twelve in each and every event. Reading exhibits strong swimming in all aspects of the sport, a testament to the depth of its swimmers. 

"I thought before the beginning of the season that they had an outside chance of being in the position where they are today; namely competing for the Division 2 State Title," said Gillis. 

"From the outset these young women have done what it takes to develop into a championship team—taking practices seriously, supporting their teammates, both in and out of the pool, and developing a 'family' atmosphere for the entire team. I'm very proud of what they have done," he added.

Other dominating student athletes include Erin Daly, Brenna Melanson, Amanda Adreani, Olivia Gallugi and Kasey Lamb, to name a few. 

The pressure is on for the Rockets who have a fighting chance to capture their first State Title in the program's 23-year existence. With the pressure on, Gillis thinks the squad is capable of keeping their cool.

"The more seasoned swimmers respond very well under pressure situations," said Gillis. 

The State meet will be held Sunday, Nov. 21 at Harvard University. Blogett pool is located on the corner of North Harvard Street and Soldiers Field Road, and the Division 2 meet begins at 5 p.m.