It’s been an impressive season for the girls’ swim team, who have won their last five meets. This past weekend at the Eastern International Swimming and Diving Championships in Pennsylvania, the team placed 12th out of a field of 28. Team captains Mary Howley ’20 and Leydn McEvoy ’20 both placed in the top 8th in their individual events–Mary with 2nd in the 100 butterfly and 4th in the 100 backstroke and Leydn with 6th in the 500 free and 8th in the 200 IM.
Both the girls’ and boys’ teams are often out of the spotlight, practicing and competing off campus throughout the winter season. These dedicated swimmers spend long hours in the water, working hard to improve their form and times. So Mary and Leydn make it a point to instill some fun into the practices and meets.
“This year, to get our team members more excited to do well at meets, we started offering candy prizes,” said Mary, who competes in the 100 backstroke, 100 fly medley and the 400 relay. “Everyone who swims the 500, the longest race, gets a ring pop. And after every meet on the bus ride home, we choose an MVP for boys and girls, and there are more prizes.”
“Our goal overall as a team is to push each other every day to work hard and have a positive attitude,” said Leydn, who competes in the 200 IM, 500 free and three relays. “Then fast times and breaking records just come after.”
Both Mary, who will swim at Dartmouth next year, and Leydn, who will swim at NYU, have been on the team since freshman year. They are the team’s top-two scorers. Assistant coach Jamie LaRochelle said, “Mary and Leydn have done an excellent job. Their work ethic sets a great example for the other members of the team and they have been very supportive of their teammates.”
“This has been my favorite season,” said Mary. “The team dynamic is the best and the unity between the guys and the girls is great.” Next up for the team is one more regular meet and then the ISL Championship.
