Weston Swim and Dive Program Begins 40th Season at DCL Relay Carnival

Submitted by the Weston Athletic Department:

The Weston High School Swimming and Diving program began its fortieth season last Friday afternoon at the annual DCL Relay Carnival at Atkinson Pool in Sudbury, with the Red Tide taking top honors in eight of 14 events.

Leading the way for the GLOWS were senior Bianca Tocci and freshman Julimar Avila, each with three golds in three swims. The pair teamed with junior Katie Kim and sophomore Victoria Bryson to take the 200 free relay, and combined with Kim and senior Laura Beaudry in taking the 400 free relay. Tocci also joined classmates Stephanie Palocz and Julia Meehan to take the 200 butterfly relay while Avila was part of a winning individual medley relay that included sophomore Anna Neufeld and senior Maddie Pierce.

Pierce joined forces with Palocz and Meehan in Weston’s other winning combine, the 200 backstroke relay.

The Weston girls had 17 other relays that scored points in the contest. Participants on those relays included seniors Stephanie Bryson, Kate Bui, Libby Menders, Emelie Reeves and Emily Yue, juniors Molly Ludwig, Lydia Moore, Claire Reeves and Jen Egan, sophomores Anne Burkus, Simran Gupta and Rachel Yan, and freshmen Izzie Alesse, Katherine Binney, Katelyn Cort, Lilia Chang, Nicole Davenport, Claudia Haimovici, Annie Hayes, Alexandra Palocz and Sarah Varghese.

For the boys, the Tide was led by junior Ian Delaney, who had three blue ribbon performances in three races. Delaney joined classmates Jack Blyzinskyj and Ryan Burrow, and senior Tyler Lewtan, to take first place in the medley relay. Delaney later teamed with Lewtan, sophomore Sam Cekala, and classmate Tommy Peacher in winning the 200 free relay. He concluded his day by matching up with Peacher, Cekala, and Blyzinskyj and taking the top spot in the 400 freestyle relay.

A number of other boys turned in notable performances for Weston. They included seniors Tommy Fitzgerald, Jonathan Heinlein, Greg Sanda and Derek Shay, juniors Drew Alcaide, Robert Douglas, Alden Harwood and Alexis Mundo, sophomores Stephen Babcock, Christian Bruce, Jason Bui, Enzo Cerrutti, Jean Khaksari, Colin Larocque, Jared Lorusso, Colin Luzzi, Jamie Noonan, Eric Reeder, Mitch Revers, Dan Rigobon, Dan Spellman, Harry Teplow and Caleb Tulloss, and freshmen Will Bertelson, Alan Blaesser, Kyle Chow, Davis Clark, Spencer Clough, James Joutras, Ashton Knight, Alan Lee, Nick Revers, Jono Seel and Michael Upton.

The only athletes not represented in the Relay meet were Weston’s divers. Coached by second-year diving coach Luke Henesy, the squad includes seniors Kian Nowrouzi and Eliza Robson, juniors Camille Casey and Jamie Packs, sophomores Caroline Chase and Ross Taylor, and freshmen Spencer Clough and Michaela Thompson. The octet has looked fantastic in early season training.

The coaching staff is led by Head Coach Claude Valle, beginning his 29th year of high school swim coaching, his 24th at Weston and fifth season as head coach. Returning as assistants are Bella Marlow and Jim McLaughlin, with newcomers Alex Cronin and Katie Tucker also joining the staff.

“We have our largest roster, ever, about 90 kids. Our assistant coaches worked miracles that first week, and our athletes were incredibly positive, flexible, and hard working,” said Valle. “Fitting that many bodies in six lanes is not easy, but if the teamwork we showed is a sign of what’s to come, it’s going to be a great ride.”

Weston opens its dual meet season tomorrow at home at 4 p.m. against DCL rival Waltham. The Tide will then host another DCL opponent, Bedford, next Tuesday, at 4 p.m.