Swim team competes at new venue

In triangular action Thursday, Jan. 16, the Lady Dragon swim team competed at a new venue in an eight-lane pool at the Westminster Fitness Center.

Holy Family, who is new to the league this year, won the triangular with 157 points, followed by Holyoke’s 106, with longtime Tri Valley competitor Estes Park scoring 43.

HHS’s leading medley relay with Traeli Hutches, Rylee Schneller, Lali Marquez and Haley Van Overbeke secured another win overall to kick off Thursday’s double dual.

The team went on to take top honors in three more events including Marquez in the 100-yard butterfly, Schneller in the 100-yard breaststroke and in the final 400-yard freestyle relay with the same swimmers as in the medley relay.

With top three finishes in 10 of the 11 events, Holyoke performed well.

“Our team of 17 has bonded greatly over the last nine weeks of competition,” coach Aly Brinkema said.

“Swimming is a mentally grueling sport. And for the newcomer, it is especially difficult to see times go up and down at meets during the regular season,” she added.

Brinkema explained that team members are asked to race exhausted until they are rested for their final meet. “The ladies display maturity beyond their years,” she emphasized.

The full article is available in our e-Edition. Click here to subscribe.