By John Orrell, Contributing Writer
Westborough – Competitive high school swimming is undergoing a major transformation beginning this season that will alter the course of the sport for years to come.
Teams remain co-ed but no longer will boys compete against girls in events. Under the new rules of high school swimming, boys will compete against boys and girls versus girls, a radical shift from the past. So, is the change one for the better?
“I remember when I first started coaching Westborough [High School], I thought the co-ed meets were very interesting, girls and boys swimming in the same relays,” said Ranger varsity head coach Bethany Bergemann. “The new format is certainly different to us. We have done a few meets against teams in the Dual-County League, and this is how it is done in their league. So it’s not completely new to me, but it’s definitely a learning curve for all involved including me, the swimmers and the parents. I think it will give more girls a chance to shine.”
So when the Westborough High varsity swim team traveled to Worcester’s Jewish Community Center Dec. 11 to match up with Wachusett Regional High School for both teams season-opener, the new rules were clearly in effect. In this one, the Ranger girls’ swimmers were edged by the host Mountaineers, 81-88, while the boys carried off a resounding 117-45 victory.
There were a number of fine performances that the team will build upon. Sophomore Marisa Papagelis won the 50-meter freestyle (sectional qualifying time) and 100-meter backstroke, while freshman Emelia Kudej took the 200-meter individual medley, junior Rachel Shufflebarger the 100-meter butterfly, and freshman Jordan Connolly took top honors in the 500-meter freestyle and qualified for sectionals in the process.
The team also won all three relays including the 200-meter medley with Papagelis, Connolly, Shufflebarger and Hailey Limoges clocking in with a state qualifying time. In the 400-meter freestyle relay, the team of Kudej, Connolly, Papagelis and Alissa Hall finished first, qualifying for sectionals.
On the boys’ side, junior Ryan Shufflebarger posted a personal best state-qualifying time in the 200-meter freestyle, and a state-qualifying time in the 500-meter freestyle, just over his school record in that event. Sophomore Aaron Wong recorded a personal best state-qualifying time in both the 200-meter individual medley and 100-meter freestyle while senior Sam Rong secured a sectional-qualifying time in the 50-meter freestyle and a personal best in the 100-meter breaststroke. Senior Jared Wong swam a personal best, state-qualifying time in the 100-meter butterfly and also won the 100-meter backstroke.
The boys also took top honors in three relays including the 200 Medley qualifying for state competition with Jared Wong, Sam Rong, Louis Gencarelli, and Aaron Wong all swimming superbly.
“Opening meet is very exciting because you get to be in the water for the first time, being competitive for the first time and just see where the team is at,” said senior co-captain Greg Cervenak. “After today, I have no doubt we’re going to be an amazing team this year.
“We all push each other to the best of their ability. If someone has not-so-great a race, we tell them to shake it off and focus on your goals for the next time. That will put that fire under them to try and get that time next time.”
“We have a ton of energy on the team,” added Limoges, also a team co-captain. “Everyone’s been into it at practice. It’s so exciting to see all the energy, especially since most of our team is underclassmen. The first meet is so exciting to see everyone get on the blocks and start.
“During the relays we like to get down at the end of the pool and just cheer. I can sometimes hear it when I’m swimming and I tell myself I’ve got to go faster. The motivation from the team is awesome. It seems like an individual meet, but it’s also a team overall.”
In September, the team participated in the second annual “All in to Swim” relay event that brought together swimmers of all ages and abilities to raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The event was held at the Rangers’ home pool, the Westborough Swim and Tennis Club. The team also participated in a “swim-a-thon” that raised money for Ox-Fam America and the Worcester County Food Bank Dec. 5.
“They’re really coming together as a team,” said 19-year head coach Bergemann in assessing her team following the season-opener. “There’s a lot of cheering this year, more so than in years past so that shows a real team aspect. Having the first meet under the belt is good. Next week’s going to be a little easier for the kids who don’t know what they’re doing. They should be able to perform a little better and not be so nervous.”
Members of the 2015-2016 Westborough High Swimming and Diving Team are seniors Greg Cervenak, Alissa Hall, Hailey Limoges, Cooper Shumway, Sam Rong, Jared Wong and Michael Yeung along with juniors Deirdre Robins, Andrew Rosenfeld, Rachel Shufflebarger and Ryan Shufflebarger.
Sophomores on the team include Abigail Eastwood, Louis Gencarelli, Savant Liu, Natasha Nadar, Marisa Papagelis, Daya Sharon and Aaron Wong as well as freshmen Zac Colebourn, Jordan Connolly, Claire Gagnon, Miles Henderson, Juliette Koehler, Emelia Kudej, Lydia O’Connell and Bram Townsend.
Bergemann is assisted by Lindsay Burgess, Katie Cullen and manager Ally Tracchi.