Swimming: Bow dominates in Goffstown, Bishop Brady looks to grow under new head coach
Published: 12-19-2024 12:17 AM |
GOFFSTOWN – The Bow High and the Bishop Brady High swim teams met at the Goffstown YMCA on Tuesday night for a competitive evening against three other schools. The Falcons proved they have the talent and speed to win tight races across the board, and Brady showed that its program has the potential to grow under new head coach Lyndsey Hawkins.
Bow’s freestyle dominance: The Falcons, led by fifth-year head coach Julie Guerrette, showed improvement across the board in freestyle events.
Freshman Ava Popielarz was Bow’s first freestyle racer in the meet and placed second (2:13.50) in the girls’ 200-yard freestyle, outpaced by Manchester Central senior Abigail Gowern (2:00.13). Still, the freestyle races showed promise early for Bow.
In the 50-yard free, senior Lena Thompson placed second overall (26.39 seconds), and sophomore Hailey Mauro was close behind in fifth (32.17) out of 25 competitors – another great showing from Bow.
Guerrette said that seniors Thompson and Anna Fellers and other upperclassmen are helping anchor the team while the young up-and-comers, such as Popielarz, are already having a big impact on the team.
Junior David Owen took second in the boys’ 50-yard free, a second behind first place but faster than his personal best last year. He also improved upon his best 100-yard freestyle time from last year at the Goffstown meet on Tuesday (1:09.04) but came in third.
Bow’s swimmers found their rhythm after this and dominated the podium in the 100-yard free.
Thompson came in first, 10 seconds ahead of junior teammate Sabine Karanouh, with an incredible time of 57.72. Karanouh (1:07.97) was followed closely behind by senior Olivia Shippos, who came in third (1:10.59).
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Bow placed first and third in the 200-yard relay to finish their freestyle outing. Popielarz, Thompson, Shippos and junior Emily Hou came in first (1:58.09), and the second squad of senior Anna Fellers, freshman Molly Key, junior Maya Owen and Mauro was 14 seconds behind in third.
“The 200-yard free relay at this time in the season, we’re in our second meet, and we’re looking at our different individuals and putting together combinations,” Guerrette said. “I have returning upperclassmen who can anchor both of these races and help establish the newer components to it.”
The bigger Bow picture: Bow did not just compete in freestyle, but it was evident that it was the Falcons’ strong suit. Popielarz and Karanouh did well in the 100-yard backstroke, coming in third and fourth, respectively, and Hou came in third in the 100-yard breaststroke.
The Falcons finished 10th at the state championship meet last season but returned many swimmers, as well as receiving a boost to their bench this year with multiple incoming freshmen.
“I think we’re in a really great spot. I’m very excited about the opportunities these kids have,” said Guerrette. “When I’m looking forward to states, I look at it as progression and performance. We practice, we perfect and then we perform, and that’s what we do.”
Beginnings for Bishop Brady: The Giants have a small and relatively inexperienced team of only three swimmers: Megan Varley, Hayley Cochrane and Madeline Nicholls. Hawkins has come into the fold as the head coach this year and is trying to coach them up as they begin again.
“I think for them to get this meet under their belt is a huge booster for their confidence. And I can’t wait to see how the rest of the season goes,” she said.
Hawkins explained that Varley and Nicholls had not swam competitively before and that Cochrane had not competed since elementary school. However, for rookies, they had a solid outing.
Varley came in 15th in the 50-yard freestyle (36.00 seconds) and Nicholls came in 20th (39.49). Cochrane did very well in the 100-yard freestyle, placing sixth (1:14.33), and came in ninth in the 100-yard backstroke.
For Hawkins and her small squad, this season is all about the small wins and beating personal bests.
“I would love to see them excel at every stroke. Like I said, we’re just starting off, so learning every stroke, getting some time and, really, I want them to beat the goal that they have in their mind,” said Hawkins. “Swimming is the biggest head game. It’s all mental, so you got to beat your own personal best.”
Alexander Rapp can be reached at arapp@cmonitor.com.