Exactly 10 years ago this past Monday, Gloucester High competed in its very first varsity swim meet.
The past decade since has been filled with ups and downs for the ‘young’ program, including some true rebuilding campaigns in the past few seasons.
This year, the Fishermen will get a boost by joining forces with nearby Beverly High (in addition to Rockport) in what looks to be a promising winter in the pool — and they can’t wait to get started.
“I was reminiscing a little bit with our captain Sarah Fernandes about how it was our first meet 10 years ago and she and her brother were there. They obviously weren’t swimming for us yet, but both of them were there helping out,” said Gloucester head coach Laura Dale, who has been with the program since its inception. “Now we’re here 10 years later, and we’re very excited to incorporate more swimmers and to have Beverly with us. It’s important to let those (student-athletes) compete in their sport, and we’re happy to have them on board.”
Fernandes, a senior who served as a captain last year, too, will look to lead the charge alongside fellow captain and lineup staple Esme Sarrouf, a junior. Fernandes specializes in the 50 and 100 freestyle events while Sarrouf shines in both the 100 backstroke and 200 IM; together, they’ll look to guide a new-look group of both experienced upperclassmen and young newcomers.
“Sarah’s been swimming since she was two and Esme started with us in middle school; it was such an easy decision to make them captains,” said Dale. “The two of them just take charge, they’re organized, and they’re so helpful not only to the coaches but to their peers and the new swimmers that have come on. It’s very obvious when you look at them interact with their teammates and watch what they do behind the scenes that they were the best choice for captains.”
Senior Sandrina Kline from Beverly will serve as another leader and veteran swimmer, as will juniors Sean Buckley and Beverly’s Susie Low. Sophomore Joey Porcello is another returning talent looking to take things to another level, while freshman Anna Patrick of Rockport had a great debut campaign last year and is poised for another strong season in the pool.
“Anna has made some great progress over the offseason and she was really one of those kids that is pretty disciplined in her sport, getting to practice prior to us starting and being one of the last ones to get out of the pool,” Dale said of Patrick. “She just enjoys swimming, all of the strokes, and is very willing to do anything; she’s very pliable.”
Fellow freshman Emma Hoke will provide added depth along with Beverly sophomore Henry Siedzik. There’s also a slew of middle schoolers who will look to make an impact and were referred to by Dale as “go-getters” from the jump.
Dale admits it was a bit daunting at first adding a new cast of swimmers from a neighboring school to the mix, but the former rival competitors have meshed extremely well early on and are eager to line up alongside one another all season.
“Everyone has done so well and we really look like a pretty well rounded team,” said Dale. “Very early on the Beverly kids came in and were eager to get into their particular lanes, and they’ve integrated very easily with the Gloucester and Rockport swimmers. They all come from a competitive background, a club background, which is really beneficial to the team.”
Gloucester opened the new season late Tuesday night against conference rival Swampscott at the Cape Ann YMCA.
And while the end result didn’t fall in their favor, the Fishermen were extremely competitive in a narrow 89-81 defeat.
Porcello took first place in the 100 freestyle while Siedzik did the same in the 500 free and the 100 butterfly. The 4×400 freestyle relay team of Amos Telep, Porcello, Fernandes and Siedzik also came out on top. In addition, Fernandes qualified for sectionals with her performance in the 500 free.
It was an encouraging start for Gloucester, which will take on a talented Masconomet team at Gordon College for a Friday afternoon clash next.
As for the season as a whole, Dale and her staff haven’t set any lofty expectations for their group just yet, but the goal is to win more events and meets than last year and continue to establish a positive culture for the program.
“The past couple of seasons were definitely growing years, particularly last year,” admitted Dale. “So I’m excited to watch them swim; the relays are always exciting especially with some of the new swimmers from Beverly. It’s going to be fun watching how they compete and interact with each other, and I’m looking forward to seeing them all progress in the sport from the first meet to our last meet against Danvers.”
Sports Editor Nick Giannino may be contacted at 978-675-2712 or ngiannino@northofboston.com.