Anna Smith 

When did you first begin playing this sport? 

I started swimming when I was 2, and started competing when I was 5.

Do you want to continue this sport in college? 

Maybe, I’d like to do club or walk-on if possible.

Who was a prominent coach in your sports career? Why? 

My sister, Katie. She was the one that really set the stage for some of my long-term goals. She always helped me with stroke technique and had held many of the school records that I chased for four years. I was always trying to measure up to her success.

What other activities/clubs are you involved in?

Besides swim, I play lacrosse, I am on the School Council, I am a part of NHS, and I also am the Social Media Director for The Searchlight.

What was a highlight of your season this year?

The highlight of this year’s season was having a healthy season; we were one of the only teams that did not have a COVID scare and I was very thankful for that.

What goals did you and your team accomplish this year?

One of my goals this year was to break my sister’s 50 yard and 100 yard freestyle, although I did not get the Championships to do this, I am thankful for getting best times even without direct competition.

Who were some big opponents/rivals? Why?

Some of our big rivals include Braintree and Milton. Both teams have very strong Girls’ and Boys’ programs and one of my Coaches also coaches Braintree so we always enjoy winning against her.

Andrew Hendricks 

When did you first begin playing this sport? 

Sophomore year (7 outside of high school).

Do you want to continue this sport in college?

No.

Who was a prominent coach in your sports career? Why?

Cheryl Cavanaugh because she has been my coach for the entire time I have done it and she has encouraged me to become better at the sport and is very supportive.

What other activities/clubs are you involved in?

Mock trial and rec basketball.

What was a highlight of your season this year?

A highlight of my season this year was getting personal bests in most of the events that I swam.

Who were some big opponents/rivals? Why?

Braintree because our assistant coach for the summer swim season is one of the coaches for that team.

Erin Foley 

When did you first begin playing this sport? 

I began the sport at age 4 but began the WHS Swim & Dive team in freshman year.

Do you want to continue this sport in college? 

No.

Who was a prominent coach in your sports career? Why? 

Cheryl Cavanaugh was a prominent coach in my swim career because she was my first and last coach. She has taught me since I was 4, so she has a strong bond with us. Cheryl is very kind, but also shows us tough love. She taught me how to push myself and the the importance of hard work and dedication. 

What other activities/clubs are you involved in?

I am involved in WHS Dance Company, NHS, Journalism, Student Council, UNICEF and I dance at HMSD.

What was a highlight of your season this year?

The highlight of my season was simply having a season at all. With COVID-19, we didn’t know if we would be able to get pool time or even complete this season. I am so thankful that we were able to get through the season safely and still have fun.

What goals did you and your team accomplish this year?

This year, many members broke some WHS records which was a big goal of ours from the start of the season. I was proud to have PRed in each of my individual events, and I know many swimmers and divers experienced PRs too throughout the season.

Who were some big opponents/rivals? Why?

One of our biggest opponents is the Milton swim team. The reason they are such a big opponent is because we race no gender with them, which means that we do not account for the gender of the swimmer when doing the lineup. This often causes a lot of tight races and meets.

Danielle Abril 

When did you first begin playing this sport? 

I was 2 when I started on the Walpole Rec Swim Team, and I did swim all 4 years at the high school.

Do you want to continue this sport in college?

No.

Who was a prominent coach in your sports career? Why?

Coach Cheryl Cavanaugh and Coach Kristen O’Leary. Cheryl has made a huge impact on my life, as she has coached me since I was two years old. She always pushes us to be faster swimmers, but also to not be too hard on ourselves. Kristen is the assistant coach for Walpole Rec swim and she makes going to the pool everyday over the summer fun by making me laugh all the time. Both coaches have given me more confidence in and out of the pool and have taught me so many things beyond swimming such as leadership and responsibility.

What other activities/clubs are you involved in?

Journalism, Walpole Film Fest, National Honor Society, Student Roundtable and Spanish Club.

What was a highlight of your season this year?

Both freshman year and junior year I was injured so I couldn’t swim. This season, I pushed myself and got faster times in the 200 freestyle, 200 IM, 100 butterfly, 100 breaststroke, and 100 backstroke. I also loved when Cheryl called me her “assistant coach” because I would organize everyone and get people ready for their events while Cheryl managed the table.

What goals did you and your team accomplish this year?

This year, our team worked hard all season long despite not having a single in-person meet. It was hard at first when we heard that other Fall 1 sports were able to play games and have meets when we are only allowed 25 people on the pool deck and could not. However, I think we became closer as a team and developed stronger bonds by pushing each other and using our teammates to get faster times.

Who were some big opponents/rivals? Why?

Milton was our big rival this year. Milton also has boys on their team, so we were able to put our boys into the first heat and get extra points with their times. Although we did not beat them like last year, it would have been a fun meet, had it been in-person, because our times were so close.

Michael Rose

When did you first begin playing this sport?

When I was 7.

Do you want to continue this sport in college? 

Yes.

Who was a prominent coach in your sports career? Why? 

Cheryl Cavanaugh, she has been my coach since I was 7. She has been a great influence as well as a great coach who helped me become who I am today.

What was a highlight of your season this year?

Breaking the school record in the 100 yard backstroke and 100 yard breaststroke.

What goals did you and your team accomplish this year?

We were able to successfully have a season even with the pandemic going on.

Who were some big opponents/rivals? Why?

Braintree and Milton, almost every single meet it came down to the final relay to determine the winner. We were victorious all but once.