Walpole High School Swimming and Diving was 9-5 last season throughout the regular season, and they placed 6th at Conferences as a team.  After only losing three members to graduation, the team returns a majority of their swimmers and have added seven newcomers to the roster.  With their first competition against Brookline on Friday, September 12, the Rebels new lineup has not yet been tested in the regular season. However, based on graduation, some individuals will need to step up to fill holes in the lineup.

Most noticeably, last year’s top divers are no longer a part of the team.  State Champion Hannah Phelan transferred to Bishop Feehan, and junior Sam Chauvin has been recovering from nagging injuries which may sideline her early in the season.  The Rebels will need to rely on veteran drivers such as senior Maggie O’Leary and junior Catherine Shivers, as well as sophomore newcomer Sophie Nemec, to score crucial diving points.

“Even though we lost our best divers,” said Head Coach Cheryl Cavanaugh, “I am still very confident that we will place well in the diving events because we have a lot of new divers this season, who with practice should be very good by the end of the season.”

As for swimming, the Rebels will return senior Katie Smith who was a State Champion in the 100 yard freestyle and placed second in the 50 yard freestyle.  A year-round swimmer who also competes for a club team in the offseason, Smith is the most reliable point-scorer on the roster both for League and Conference Meets.

The Rebels will also need to replace the versatility of graduate Lexi Riggott in some of the toughest events.  Last year, she swam almost every event, even the two most grueling races: the 500 and 200 yard freestyle.  From the lineup, the Rebels will most likely rely upon the strength of junior Paul Ferraro to replace Riggott’s versatility.  However, other swimmers will need to contribute in order to offset her absence.  Freshman Carlie Cavanaugh and sophomore Kelly Fogarty have also both shown promise in the lanes. Although both are newcomers, they already have logged impressive times.

“We definitely have a lot of new swimmers that are doing really well,” Coach Cavanaugh said. “I think they will really help the team in the relay events because I believe that we will have three very strong relays this year.”

Senior Captain Joe Burke said “Our team this year has a lot of camaraderie and feels like a team, which will really help us get through the season.”  However, Burke said “ one weakness we have this year, is that we have a lot of new swimmers, who are lacking on technique, which will hurt them in races.  But I know that they will with practice will improve and do well.”