Knowing that the meet was likely to go down to the wire, Ursuline Academy swimming coach Bob Stanley started getting some flashbacks as he walked into the Seekonk High pool yesterday, the scene of one of the most thrilling victories in his coaching career. Those feelings got even stronger when he received a text message from former swimmer Brooke Haynes, the relay hero of that win four years ago.
A new set of heroes emerged for the Bears against the Dolphins this year. Needing a win and a third in the final 400-yard freestyle relay to claim victory, Katie Kenney and Clare Gunshenan delivered exactly what Ursuline needed with tremendous anchor legs as the Bears pulled out a 92-88 triumph
Seekonk led by two points entering the final relay after going 1-2 in the 100 backstroke. Ursuline needed to win to ensure at least a tie from the meet and the “A” team Nicole Daley, Elly Chinnaswamy, Nicaela Chinnaswamy and Kenney delivered in dramatic fashion, swimming 3:57.4, more than 13 seconds better than the Bears previous best 400 free time of the year. Dedham native Kenney held off a tough Seekonk anchor with personal best 57.2.
“If I had told them they needed a 3:57 to win it they probably could not have done it,” said Stanley. “I wish we had more meets like this, it brings out the best in them.”
That gave the “B” team the opportunity to put the meet away with a third and Amanda Nolan, Lauren Bruno, Lauren Flatley and Gunshenan brought it home in 4:24.9, with Gunshenan coming from behind on the final leg.
Besides diving, which was uncontested, the Bears only won two events, grinding away with their superior depth. But those two victories were big as Kenney and Daley went 1-2 in the 100 free and Elly Chinnaswamy, Jenny Dubowski, Daley and Kenney took the 200 free relay.
Elly Chinnsawmy submitted a state time in the 500 free and a sectional time in the 300 free in second place showings. Kenney also had a state time in a second in the 100 fly and Nicaela Chinnaswamy’s sectional time led a 2-3-4 in the 200 individual medley.
“This is one of those meets where the fifth places are just as important as the first places,” said Stanley. “They were focused, they couldn’t have been more ready for this meet. The minute they walked in they were all business. They knew what they had to do and what times they had to beat and they did everything I asked of them.”
The Hawks were unable to come away with the win they needed to remain in contention for the Division 1 South qualifier at Duxbury Yacht Club.
Junior Anthony Breen fired a 1-over 37 from the No. 6 slot to earn medalist honors, but was the lone Xaverian golfer to shoot in the 30s as the Hawks had five shoot 42.
“We obviously needed the win and Duxbury is a very talented team, they’re (13-1) now,” said Xaverian coach Jay McGilvray, whose team is now 5-8. “We had some decent rounds but needed a little bit better than what we shot.”
The Hawks will close out the regular season on Wednesday against Bridgewater-Raynham.
The Marauders took a big step toward reaching the Division 3 South qualifier with a convincing win over the Wildcats and Dedham Golf & Polo Club.
Marauders Kevin Hutchinson and Joe Quinn were co-medalists with 36s while Eric Dolt was a shot back.
Dedham swept all four groups with Hutchinson and Steve Arki, who had a 40 from the No. 8 slot, delivered a 17-10 win.
Quinn and Bobby Sennott, who shot a 38 from the No. 6 spot, clinched the win with a convincing 21-6 win.
The Marauders need to win one of their final two matches to earn a spot in the Division 3 South qualifier. Dedham hosts Norwood on Tuesday.
“The past couple years have been close matches (with Norwood) and we’re excited and looking forward for the opportunity to make the tournament,” said Dedham coach Ed Hickey.
Matt Carney and Walker Macon teamed up for a 14-13 win in the final group.
The Bears rested some of their top runners but still managed to get the Catholic Conference win at home by placing all five of their scoring runners in the top eight.
Sophomore Rachel Collins was the top runner for Ursuline (2-1) taking second in 20:02 with classmate Anna Dolan 35 seconds behind her and junior Nina Angeles a minute behind Dolan in fourth.
The level of compition will go up sharply Tuesday when the Bears host Fontbonne.
“They will be a good test,” said Ursuline coach Tim Hilliard. “They’ve beaten us the last two years, but lost some quality athletes from those teams.”
