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Winter Sports Highlights 2.25.19

Basketball - First Girls'
Feb. 20: Basketball - First Girls’ 23 vs. Deerfield Academy 61
Though the score suggests otherwise, Westminster actually played really hard Feb. 20. Though the team’s technique was often poor, its defensive effort was as good as it's been in a long time. Westminster scrapped and competed, forced turnovers, and dove on the floor for loose balls. Bella Tawney '22 led the way with 13 rebounds and four blocks, Sam de Kanter '22 had a great all-around game with six points and nine rebounds. Bethany Winters '20 added six points, and Allison Kijanka '20 came off the bench to add four points.
 
Feb. 23: Basketball - First Girls’ 39 vs. Pomfret School 68
Westminster played perhaps its best offensive basketball of the season in the first half, but porous defense and poor communication allowed Pomfret to score 41 first-half points and establish a 15-point halftime lead. The pace of the game slowed down significantly in the second half, but the team still struggled somewhat on defense, despite a solid overall effort by everyone. Bella Tawney '22 led the way with 12 points (all in the first half) and 15 rebounds, while Bethany Winters '20 added nine. Ashlyn Clapprood '22 played perhaps her most aggressive and productive game of the year, and Ella Varano '21 grabbed a career-high five rebounds.
 
Basketball - First Boys'
Feb. 18: Basketball - First Boys’ 59 vs. Millbrook School 63
The Martlets had a great first half against Millbrook. They went up by nine points to end the first half 31-22. Millbrook came out firing in the second half from the three-point line. After a slow start, Millbrook imposed its will. However, the Martlets fought back to make the game very close toward the end. The entire second half was back and forth between both teams. Chris Robinson '20 and Joel Pullen '20 both had 18 points each.
 
Feb. 20: Basketball - First Boys’ 50 vs. Williston Northampton School 86
Overall, the Martlets fought hard but Williston played better. They controlled the game in both halves. The Martlets showed signs of life throughout the game but Williston had a much better shooting night. Chris Robinson '20 led the Martlets with 20 points and Jalen Sears '19 contributed with eight points.
 
Feb. 23: Basketball - First Boys’ 70 vs. Taft School 75
 
Basketball - Second Boys'
Feb. 20: Basketball - Second Boys’ 31 vs. Williston Northampton School 47
Seven Westminster players put points on the board in their 31-47 loss to Williston, a game that looked and felt much closer than the final score read. Henry Mitrano '19 scored 10 points, including two threes, along with five rebounds. The veteran point guard had an all-around fine last home game. Eddie Lie-A-Cheong '19 contributed seven points. Teddy Schellbach '20 ripped six boards.
 
Feb. 23: Basketball - Second Boys’ 40 vs. Taft School 62
The Martlets fought tooth and nail against a talented Taft team. Westminster kept the game close in the first half, quickly closing out on shooters, rebounding with authority and putting constant pressure on Taft's defense. Zach Burelle '20 gave his best performance of the season, moving the ball well on offense, running the floor and finally draining a couple trademark threes. He finished with six points but provided a lot of intangibles that can't be measured. Although Taft ran away with the game late in the second half, Westminster made a small run that kept the team in it. Eddie Lie-A-Cheong '19 finished his Martlet career with 17 points and seven rebounds, proving to everyone who witnessed that he does have game. Weathered point guard Henry Mitrano '19 pitched in nine hard-earned points, and utility man Teddy Schellbach '20 put up five points with eight tough rebounds. In the end, everyone contributed, ending the Second Boys' Basketball season on an undoubtedly positive note.
  
 
Hockey - First Girls'
Feb. 21: Hockey - First Girls’ 1 vs. Lawrenceville School 1
It was a tight one Feb. 21 as the Martlets faced off against a speedy Lawrenceville team. Westminster struck first on a power play opportunity early in the first. Jill Parsons '19 won the face off clean back to Sam DeLeo '21 who walked the puck to the middle and spied a breaking Megan Rittenhouse '20. DeLeo sent a shot through and Parsons redirected helping Rittenhouse finish it off by sliding it past the Lawrenceville goalie. The play remained tight through the second period as both teams tried to find the back of the net. Of note was Westminster's efforts to kill off a 5-on-3 to start the period. The third period was a battle as Lawrenceville managed to tie it just four minutes in. Westminster didn't crack and was even more resolved to find that second goal. Margaret Sadak '22 and Hailey Tullo '22 each had their chances, while goalie Mandy Busky '21 made incredible saves including one on a breakaway! Yet, the clocked ticked down and neither team could break the stalemate. The Martlets were tough and played as a team.
 
Feb. 23: Hockey - First Girls’ 4 vs. Kent School 5 (OT)
The team hosted its Senior Night against a tough Kent team Feb. 23. Despite the emotion and home advantage, the Martlets had a hard time finding their rhythm in the first five minutes. Kent took advantage and scored two goals right out of the gate, putting Westminster at a crossroads. In the first shift back from the second goal, forwards Casey Winslow '21, Jill Parsons '19 and Taylor Adams '20 responded with much increased urgency and toughness. The bench took notice and you could sense each line making a quiet commitment to do whatever it took to get back into the game. The increased tempo paid off as a breaking Jenny Guider '20 drew a penalty with just five minutes left. The power play unit took to the ice determined to make the most of the advantage. Parsons won the face off cleanly and the unit proceeded to move the puck effectively, making crisp stick-to-stick passes. Megan Rittenhouse '20 walked the puck out of the corner and moved it quickly to Abby Munger '20 on the half-wall. Munger took one stride and let a shot go that sailed just under the goalie's arm short side. The Martlets had cut the deficit to 2-1. In between periods, the team recognized the level of play that would be required and got excited about continuing the pressure to start the second. The players took the ice with an incredible confidence — empowered by the strength of the team bond. The following 16 minutes would be their best hockey of the season, scoring four unanswered goals. To start the scoring, Adams found Rittenhouse on the back door on a power play to tie it up 2-2. The Martlets fed off the momentum and broke the puck out with speed earning the offensive zone ready to attack. Parsons pushed the play to earn a 2-on-2 with Adams. Parsons cut across the top while Adams drove to the net, catching a perfect pass from Parsons. She finished the play by baiting the goalie and backhanding it up and over her pad for the 3-2 lead. Then, finally with under four minutes to play, Guider stepped up on a penalty kill and scored a beautiful short-handed goal for the 4-2 lead. Westminster goalie Kayla Ireland '22 made some incredible saves to give her team the chance to get back in it. The third period was a battle, but the Martlets’ commitment never wavered. The defensemen made great plays, as Hannah Carbone '19 and Nina Ausperger '19 got the puck deep at every opportunity. Despite the discipline play, Kent earned and capitalized on its chances, closing the gap and finally tying it with just 43 seconds left. Westminster had an odd-man rush in OT, but the Kent goalie came up with the save. One unlucky play resulted in a Kent power play and it was able to seal the win with just three minutes remaining. In the end, even though the defeat was heartbreaking, there was a true confirmation of the growth this team has made over the season. The group had committed to nurturing a team culture of respect, hard work and trust in each other, and those dynamics were ready to help it to success when it needed it. The team had achieved that desired state of being greater than the sum of its parts. It was an incredible journey this season and coach Jessica Keough and coach Kelcie Finn couldn't be prouder of this group's Grit & Grace.
  
Hockey - First Boys'
Feb. 20: Hockey - First Boys’ 0 vs. Gunnery School 0
Westminster traveled to Washington, Connecticut to face off against an always physical and strong Gunnery team. Always a tight game, this one was no different. The goalies were the story of this game, and both played exceptionally well. Ian Shane ’20 stopped all 38 shots he faced for the Martlets, as did Gunnery’s tender. Great game, and probably the most exciting 0-0 tie you could imagine.
 
Feb. 22: Hockey - First Boys’ 4 vs. Belmont Hill School 0
 
Feb. 23: Hockey - First Boys’ 2 vs. Deerfield Academy 2
 
Hockey - Second Girls'
Feb. 20: Hockey - Second Girls’ 3 vs. Deerfield Academy 3
The Martlets faced a determined Deerfield team on their senior day. Both teams battled for the first goal of the game before Blake Cote ‘19 found the back of the net halfway through the first. Deerfield countered to tie the game up before Greta Baker ‘19 sent the puck home. Cote added another goal, however, Deerfield was able to tie it up in the third. Overall, a great team effort and battle against a talented Deerfield squad.
 
Feb. 23: Hockey - Second Girls’ 6 vs. Kent School 1
Showcasing both grit and grace, Westminster defeated Kent 6-1 in the final game of the season. In a hard-fought first period, Susie Mahoney ’20 put Westminster on the board first, but Kent was able to even things up with a few minutes remaining in the period. Westminster, however, would go on to score five unanswered goals in the second half of the second period. Caroline McDermott ’20 started the scoring, with Blake Cote ’19 adding another goal just over 15 seconds later. Several minutes later, Layla Ennis ’19 added to Westminster’s tally with a shot from the point, and in the last 30 seconds of the period Natalie Rubin ’19 connected with Claire Taylor ’21 not once, but twice, for Taylor’s first and second career goals, to close out the scoring.
 
Hockey - Second Boys'
Feb. 20: Hockey - Second Boys’ 1 vs. Avon Old Farms School 4
The Seconds faced off for the second time this season against a talented and hard-working AOF team. The first match had ended in a hard-fought 1-1 tie at Avon, and this game promised to be another barnburner. The visitors certainly came to play, and took advantage of the Martlets' short bench to push the pace of play for the full 45 minutes. The Seconds hung tough and played significantly better hockey in the second and third periods after a bumpy start, and despite earning some good scoring chances found themselves chasing the lead all afternoon. Avon fired 45 shots on keeper Jack Schroeder '22, while the Black and Gold mustered only 18; in the first period alone the home side was outshot 2-20 (yikes) and was fortunate to get out of the period down only 0-2. Both goals came on deflections in front of Schroeder: the first on the second shift of the game when Westminster failed to cover the left point and the hard shot from the Avon defenseman was tipped neatly over Schroeder's shoulder. The Winged Beavers buzzed around the Martlet end for most of the first period, and added to their lead when they trapped Westminster with a sustained forecheck and a cross-ice pass deflected off a Westminster skate and into the net. A bad break, certainly, but given how hard Avon was working a goal they deserved. After the first, the Martlets had a chance to reset in the locker room and played a much better second period. Midway through that period, the Black and Gold cut the Avon lead in half when Aidan Petrie '20 crashed the net to collect a rebound of a Carson Roth '19 shot on the power play. Alec Paro '19 also assisted on that goal as the Martlets transitioned quickly through center ice. That goal energized the Seconds, and they had the balance of the play for the rest of the second and into the third period. Unfortunately, they could not solve the riddle of the Avon goalies — simply unable to consistently get pucks and bodies to the net to bang home the equalizer. With five minutes gone in the third period, a Martlet turnover on their own blue line led to a quick 2-on-1 against Schroeder which AOF capitalized on, making the score 1-3. That was a tough goal, and really decided the contest. A few minutes later AOF added their fourth of the afternoon, again tipping a hard shot from the point past Schroeder. And that's how the game ended, 1-4, and it would be hard to argue that AOF didn't deserve the win. The Martlets maybe conceded the first period, but they certainly battled hard through the final two.
 
Feb. 23: Hockey - Second Boys’ 2 vs. Deerfield Academy 4
The Seconds made the trip up Route 91 to Deerfield to take on a talented Big Green side. The Martlets dominated the first five minutes of the contest – and in truth had the better of the play overall when the teams skated five-a-side – but a rash of penalties in the latter half of the first period and into the second scuttled the teams efforts. Westminster righted the ship in the third and played a clean, hard-working period, generating several good scoring chances, but ultimately could not overcome its earlier loss of focus. Sixth Form captain Jack Murdock opened the scoring when he took a pass from a forechecking Ryan Huntley '21 on the nearside hash marks and ripped a shot over the Deerfield keeper's left shoulder to stake out an early 1-0 lead. But that lead didn't last long as Deerfield took advantage of some sloppy defense to tie the game a few minutes later. This wasn't the only lead of the game blown by the Black and Gold; the team was also up 2-1 early in the second period after Will Rizzo '21 banged home a tight shot following a tic-tac-toe series of passes with line mates Hunter Johnson '21 and Huntley. But the team couldn't stay out of the penalty box, ultimately serving over 18 minutes in penalties from halfway through the first to the end of the second – that's 18 minutes of penalties in a roughly 24 minute span, and included two major penalties, two double minor penalties, and a slew of other offenses. During this first and second period stretch, the Martlets yielded two power play goals against, both on 5-on-3 Deerfield advantages. From up 2-1 to down 3-2 at the end of the second was the story of this matchup. Keeper Jack Schroeder '22 played his usual strong game, making 31 saves on the afternoon, but no keeper can be expected to bail his team out when he's facing a man advantage for such long stretches. In fairness to the referees, most of the penalties were deserved. Deerfield took their share of penalties as well in this choppy affair, but overall the Martlets made their own bed – and earned a heart-to-heart chat from their head coach between the second and third periods. To their credit, they responded and the third was a penalty-free, energetic frame for the Martlets. The team worked hard to create several really good scoring chances – but they couldn't seem to get the puck bounce or the right opportunity to even the score. The only miscue of the period was a bad line change that left an odd-man advantage in front of Schroeder, and Deerfield buried it to go up 2-4 on one of their few shots of the final period. Westminster pulled Schroeder with two minutes to go and pounded the Deerfield net but to no avail, and the game ended 2-4. Overall, a lost opportunity for the Seconds, but one which the coaches hope will be a learning experience for this group of young men as they move forward in their athletic careers but more importantly in life: how you do anything is how you do everything, and to be successful you simply cannot lose your focus and discipline. The team ends the 2018-19 campaign with a respectable 9-7-4 record.
 
Hockey - Third Boys'
Feb. 18: Hockey - Third Boys’ 3 vs. Rumsey Hall School 4 (OT)
 
Feb. 23: Hockey - Third Boys’ 0 vs. Taft School 4
 
Squash - First Girls'
Feb. 20: Squash - First Girls’ 0 vs. Taft School 7
For their final dual match, the girls had to play again without No. 1 Valeria Osorio '19. Her absence turned what figured to be a very interesting match into one in which everyone was in just a bit too deep, and the hosts earned a sweep. Nonetheless, the Martlets fought hard and pushed their Rhino opponents. Taft's depth showed as it won in three at Nos. 6 and 7 over Georgia Swank '19 (5, 7, 8) and Eve Cathcart '20 (5, 7, 4), respectively. At No. 4, captain Caroline Kelter '19 also fell in three, although she gained strength as her match progressed, and narrowly missed pushing into a fourth (3, 7, 13). Ellie Bailey '21 pushed a very strong No. 2, playing long, entertaining rallies, but also could not muster a game (6, 4, 8). At the other spots on the ladder, the girls found more success. At No. 1, Kaylee Hunt '20 came from behind to win her first game, but did not have the stamina to keep it going against a strong defender and counterpuncher ((10), 6, 0, 7). Natalie Fay '19 was at her determined best at No. 3; she would have had a good chance if she had been able to eke out a few more points to force a fifth game (5, 8, (6), 9). Rebecca Sargent '20 produced effective pressure with deep drives at No. 5, and she was also just a few points from taking her match to a fifth ((8), 3, 10, 8). And in an exhibition match that pitted sister against sister, Annabel Bradley '19 refused to go home empty-handed, using great court coverage to earn her game (6, 8, (13), 4). Sixth Formers Bradley, Swank, Fay and Kelter made strong impressions in their final regular-season performances.
 
Feb. 23: Squash - First Girls' at New England Tournament
Making the A tournament for the first time in four years, the girls faced some high seeds on the first day of New Englands, so successful results were hard to find. Nonetheless, the Martlets brought their full supply of grit, and fought hard through some tough match-ups. On Feb. 24, Caroline Kelter '19, Rebecca Sargent '20 and Georgia Swank '19 will compete for 13th place in their draws in the 16-team tournament. Swank had an especially eventful day Feb. 23, falling just short in her bid to take down the fourth seed (7, (9), (8), 8, 5), and getting to four games in round 2 (10, 5 (6), 5). Three others — Ellie Bailey '21, Natalie Fay '19 and Kaylee Hunt '20 — will play for ninth tomorrow. Noteworthy were Hunt's first-round win in four-tight games (10, (9), 8, 9), and Fay's inspiring come-from-behind five-gamer in round 2 ((7), 9, (8), 2, 7).
 
Feb. 24: Squash - First Girls' at New England Tournament
On Feb. 24 the girls played their final matches in the New England tournament. Although the team went in seeded 16th overall, each of the girls earned no lower than 14th in her draw, and everyone won at least once on the weekend. Kaylee Hunt '20 played two four- and one five-gamer en route to a 12th place finish at No. 2. Ellie Bailey '21 won twice to take 10th pace at No. 3. And all three Sixth Formers who competed closed out their careers with wins. Georgia Swank '19 played a second five-gamer at No. 7, this time coming out on top in exciting fashion ((1), 5, 9, (9), 6). Natalie Fay '19 put on a classic display of determined defending at No. 4, prevailing 7, 7, 11 in her final match as a Martlet. And at No. 5 captain Caroline Kelter '19 showed the touch she has developed to complement her power game in winning her last two matches 3, 6, 7 and 10, (7), 5, 5.
   
Squash - First Boys'
Feb. 20: Squash - First Boys’ 0 vs. Taft School 7
The No. 26 ranked Martlets lost to No. 6 ranked Taft 0-7. Although all the matches were decided in three games, the Black and Gold fought hard for every point. This was especially true at the bottom of the ladder where everyone was playing up due to Sean Gregg's ’22 absence (injury). Peter Miller '22 gets the nail for the match, winning 21 points in his (5), (6), (10) loss at No. 7. Obviously, Miller never gave up. Sixth Formers Ethan Na '19 at No. 6 and Nate Swift '19 at No. 5 also battled hard in their matches. It was fun to watch No. 1 Alex Unruh '22 trade points with a very clever Taft player, too.
 
Feb. 21: Squash - First Boys' at New England Tournament
The Martlets had a good first night at the New England Division B Squash Championships, with three boys advancing in the main draw. Alex Unruh '22 moved forward with a default win in Flight No. 1. Ethan Na '19 played outstanding squash, maybe his best ever, to advance in Flight No. 7, defeating his opponent 6, 8, 4. And Sam Pagon '21 was also dominant in a 9, 2, 7 victory in Flight No. 5. Nate Swift '19 narrowly lost in four games in Flight No. 6, while Nate Londal '19, Sean Gregg '22 and Khalil Walker '19 fought hard in three-game losses at Flights No. 4, 3 and 2 respectively.
 
Feb. 23: Squash - First Boys' at New England Tournament
The Martlets struggled in the morning rounds Feb. 23, losing five of six matches. Sam Pagon '21 lost in four close games in the No. 5 flight, while Nate Londal '19 and Sean Gregg '22 both lost five-gamers in the Nos. 4 and 3 flights respectively. Those losses were especially tough since both boys had early leads (Londal 2-0 and Gregg 2-1). Khalil Walker '19 played smart, determined squash to win his match in the No. 2 flight, 11-3, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8. Alex Unruh '22 also played outstanding squash in the No. 1 flight, taking the second game against a top-seeded opponent before eventually falling in four games. The afternoon matches saw Ethan Na '19 return to form by defeating a talented opponent in four games, 9, (8), 6, 8. Pagon lost a heartbreaker in five games, 6, 4, (11), (10), (6), knocking him into the consolation bracket. Nate Swift '19 started his match in the No. 6 flight with a 17-15 victory, lost the second game 8-11, and then won games three and four by identical 11-8 scores. Gregg rebounded from a 0-2 deficit to win his final three games 9, 10, 9. Londal, Walker and Unruh all lost hard-fought three game matches. Feb. 24 matches will feature Na battling for fifth place, Pagon and Unruh battling for seventh place, Swift competing for ninth place and Walker competing for 11th place.
 
Feb. 24: Squash - First Boys' at New England Tournament
The Martlets had five players with matches Feb. 24. Ethan Na '19 lost a heartbreaker in the 5/6 match in Flight No. 7 to open the day. Na was simply brilliant in his first two games, winning at seven and eight. His crafty shots just weren't falling in the third game, however, which he ended up losing 5-11. The fourth game proved to be pivotal as the players battled back and forth until the score was tied at 10. Na had a match point at 11-10, but barely missed a touch drop shot, falling in that game 11-13. The final game was tense as well, but Na just couldn't get enough touch volleys for winners and he ended up losing 8-11. Nonetheless, Na finished in sixth place in his flight, the highest finish of any of the boys, which earns him the "nail" for the weekend. In the No. 6 Flight, Nate Swift '19 concluded his Westminster career on a high note, manufacturing patented Swifty shots, including a just-above-the-tin winner through is legs (!) on his way to a 7, 8, 6 victory for a ninth place finish in his flight. In the 7/8 match in Flight No. 5, Sam Pagon '21 found himself trailing 0-2 before playing some inspired squash to win the third game 11-7. Unfortunately, Pagon ran out of gas in the fourth game, losing 3-11, but still finishing in ninth place in his flight. The final two matches were the best of the day for the Martlets. Khalil Walker '19 was absolutely determined to end his four-year squash career with a victory, playing smart and strong squash on the way to a 7, 9, 8 win over a talented opponent in the No. 2 Flight, which was good enough for an 11th place finish. Finally in the No. 1 Flight, Alex Unruh '22 found himself on court with a boy from Loomis whom he had twice defeated in close matches during the regular season. This match was no exception as Unruh prevailed 7, 9, (9), 9, earning him a seventh place finish overall. Overall the team finished 11th our of 14 teams, just about where they were seeded. The Martlets lost four of the five five-game matches they played this weekend, which prevented the team from finishing much higher in the tournament. The four Sixth Formers on the team (Nate Londal, Walker, Swift and Na) showed a lot of leadership and grit over the course of the weekend. They will be missed next year. Nevertheless, the prospects are good for the boys as the team returns Nos. 1, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 from this year's squad.
 
Squash - Second Girls'
Feb. 20: Squash - Second Girls’ 3 vs. Taft School 4
Westminster traveled to Taft for its final match of the season and showed great heart in defeat. Lauren Way '20 played with a heavily bandaged knee and hopped around the court to a 3-0 win at No. 1. Shelby Oken '22 dropped the first two games before roaring back and dismantling her opponent in game five. Daniela Mays-Sanchez ‘20 finished a strong season with yet another 3-0 decision. In the end, it was not to be. Elaina Comia ’19, playing in her last match as a Martlet, extended her opponent in the fifth game before losing 12-10 at No. 7. Westminster went down three matches to zero and nearly came all the way back. The Martlets finish the winter campaign with an 11-4 record.
 
Squash - Second Boys'
Feb. 20: Squash - Second Boys’ 1 vs. Taft School 8
The Martlets lost their final match of the season to a talented team from Taft by the score of 1-8. Zach Eckerson '21 was the only Westminster winner in an exciting five-game match at No. 8. Eckerson lost the first game 10-12, but then came back to win games two and three, 11-9 and 11-9. After losing the fourth game 7-11, Eckerson regrouped and displayed his usual all-out hustle to close out the match at 11-7. Other notable matches included Travis Paulsen '20 losing in five games at No. 3 and Ral Reyes '21 coming back from a two game deficit to force a deciding fifth game which he narrowly lost 8-11. Quoc Anh Truong '20 at No. 5, Ian Lee '21 at No. 7, and Nate Chaves '19 at No. 9 all lost in four competitive games. Truong played the game of the day in his second game, trading points with his opponent until at last he won 17-15.
 
Swimming/Diving - First Girls'
Feb. 20: Swimming/Diving - First Girls' vs. Founders' League Championship
Cecilia Raymond '20 and Jane Ogden '19 placed fifth and sixth, respectively, at the Founders League Diving Championships Feb. 20 at Westminster, while Ola Szopa '20 finished 10th. All three earned the first points for the Martlets as part of the Founders League Swimming & Diving Championships. The swimming portion will be held at Hotchkiss Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. Raymond nailed her back 1-1/2 somersault tuck in the ninth round to move her ahead in a very tight field. She finished just six points out of third place, with Ogden less than four points behind her. The 11-dive championship format tests the divers ability to complete at least two dives in each of the five groups in a contest that lasted almost three hours. The divers set the stage for the swimmers' follow up performance Feb. 23, putting the team in second place after the diving event, behind Hotchkiss, who swept the top three spots. Great job, girls!
 
Feb. 23: Swimming/Diving - First Girls' at Founders' League Championship
The Westminster girls kicked off the championship season Feb. 23 at Hotchkiss, dialing up a host of incredible swims in the Founders League Championships. The Martlets came alive early in the meet, with a fifth place finish from Campbell Swift '21, Dorka Nagy '19, Katherine Ashe '21 and co-captain Alex Wolf '19 in the 200 medley relay with their best time this year. Co-captain Alex Lin '19 led the way in the 200 freestyle with a fast swim to place 11th followed by lifetime best times from Ashe (14th), Sydney Schuster '21 and Simonne Ponce '21. Nagy placed 10th in the 200 IM with her best time and Annie Brewer '21 dropped seven seconds in her IM, with Angelesia Ma '20 adding a best time of her own. Ellie Thorson '21 tied for sixth in the 50 free, with Wolf in 10th, both with lifetime bests, and Swift, India Lalor '21, Michelle Wu '21 and Isabel O'Connell '20 all broke personal records as well. The diving contest, held Feb. 20 at Westminster, saw Cecilia Raymond '20 and Jane Ogden '19 placing fifth and sixth, with Ola Szopa '20 in 10th in a competitive field. In the 100 fly, Ashe swam her best ever time to place 13th, and Sophia Coumantaros '21, Wu and Lalor all swam personal bests of their own. Wolf and Lin placed sixth and seventh in the 100 freestyle, with Thorson in 10th, all with best times. Ponce, Shannon Keefe '19, O'Connell and Rachel Ha '21 also all swam best times in the 100 free. Brewer shaved 25 seconds off her best 500 freestyle to finish 13th with a PR, and Schuster also set a new personal best to sneak into 16th place. The 200 free relay team of Thorson, Ma, Wolf and Lin placed fifth with a season-best time, and Ponce swam a best time in the 50 free leading off the B relay. Swift dropped a second off her time in the 100 backstroke while Coumantaros shaved off four seconds in the same race and Keefe added a best time of her own. Nagy swam a season-best time in the 100 breast to finish sixth, and Ma lowered her personal best by two seconds to break 1:20 for the first time. In the 400 freestyle relay, Ashe, Thorson, Nagy and Lin dropped more than 10 seconds off their previous best time to place fifth with super-speedy splits from every swimmer. On the B relay, Brewer led off with a best time, as did Coumantaros on the C relay. Overall, it was a fantastic day of fast swimming that seemed to get better with every race. There was magic in the water every time the Martlets took the blocks. In the end, Westminster finished all alone in the middle of the field, well ahead of Ethel Walker, Kent and Kingswood, but a good distance from Loomis, Choate and Hotchkiss.
 
Swimming/Diving - First Boys'
Feb. 23: Swimming/Diving - First Boys' at Founders' League Championship
Westminster traveled to Hotchkiss Feb. 23 for the Founders League Championships and did not disappoint in its quest to establish itself as a team to watch in the coming years. Third Former Max Larock firmly made that point as he became Westminster's first Founders League Champion since 2012 as he won the 100 back in a lifetime best time. Also in the medals was co-captain Matt Norris '19, who pulled in a second-place finish with a great swim in the 500 freestyle; and Jason Shi '21, who swam an incredible 100 fly to finish third, with Norris in fifth. Hudson Stedman '21 shaved five seconds off his 200 IM to finish sixth; he also dropped two seconds in the 100 fly to place 12th. In the opening race, the team of Larock, Eddie Shin '21, Norris and Shi placed fourth in the 200-medley relay with their best time this season, with Stedman swimming a PR in the 50 back leading off the B relay. Larock then finished fourth in the 200 free with an in-season best, followed by co-captain Emmett de Kanter '19 (15th) and Kieran Haug '21, who both swam season-best times. J-C Lane '21 added a best time in the 200 IM, and Shi broke the 23-second mark for the first time to place seventh in the 50 freestyle, with Layton Harmon '21 placing 15th. Harmon added a lifetime best in the 100 free to finish 10th, with de Kanter in 14th with his season-best time, and Grant McCargo '21 ventured below the minute-mark for the first time. David DeFronzo '19 added his season-best time in the 100 free, and Jeevan Palaniyandi '19 swam a lifetime best in his final race in the Black and Gold. Haug swam a lifetime best in the 500 free to place seventh in a great race, and the 200 free relay team of Larock, Shin, Harmon and Shi placed fourth with a quick time. Lane finished 16th in the 100 backstroke to snatch a point with a personal best, while DeFronzo dropped more than a second off his best time as well. Shin placed 14th in the 100 breast, and the 400 free relay team of Stedman, de Kanter, Norris and Harmon swam their best time this season to finish sixth.
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In keeping with our support for a diverse community, Westminster abides by all applicable federal and state laws and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national and ethnic origin, ancestry and/or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Westminster admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. 
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