Girls Swim pulled out a 90-80 win against Morris Knolls on Monday Feb. 10. This advances them to the State Sectional Tournament finals, tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 12.
“I feel that everyone had a sense of urgency to swim our best towards the end of the meet to make sure that we get to move on to sectional finals,” senior captain Livia Fontes said.
The meet started with the 200-medley relay. Typically dominant in this event, the girls on the relay team were optimistic about taking an early advantage in the meet. The result was senior Ana Saguillo Leppanen, sophomore Alba Saguillo Leppanen, junior Peyton Enama and freshman Ashley McDonnell earning second place.
“We needed to keep our spirits up if we wanted a chance to win,” senior captain Kisa Mulondo said.
The girls moved forward, with junior Alivia Wright earning a close second place in the 200 free and freshman Taylor Holtzman securing third place.
The semifinals environment was stressful, with both teams on edge. Going into the 50 free, the Rams saw their first win, with junior Sydney Wright placing first.
“I made sure that everyone was cheering each other on to keep the energy up and distract the girls from getting nervous before their own races,” Ana Saguillo Leppanen said.
The Rams utilized the halfway point of the meet to regroup and communicate. With the score remaining in a tie, both teams were tense, as there was a lot on the line.
The Rams found their groove in the freestyle events, with S. Wright securing another win in the 100 free, and Holtzman winning the 500 free.
The relays ultimately helped the Rams come out victorious during this close race. The Randolph swimmers dominated the 200 free relay, with Young, Ana Saguillo Leppanen, A. Wright and S. Wright earning the win. Also, freshman Emily Dalton, Amelia Williams, K. Mulondo and freshman Reese Nelson placed third.
“During these close moments I was thinking that the team needed to think confidently,” Fontes said.
The score was close during the last events, but the Rams gave their all and secured the win, as Ana Saguillo Leppanen got second in the 100 back and Enama got a close fourth.
The winning moment in the meet came down to the 400 free relay, as the score was tied 78-78. However, the relay team of S. Wright, A. Wright, McDonnell and Young placed the Rams first and second, giving Randolph just enough points for the win, resulting in a final score of 90-80.
“For our last meet I hope we can bring home the win with good team spirt. I want us to be the loudest people in the pool area,” Ana Saguillo Leppanen said.
Come support Girls Swim in their sectional final, on Wednesday, Feb. 12. against Northern Highlands.
