CHS swimmers impress in double win vs. Sharon

By Jay Turner

Both CHS swim teams got off to a strong start to the new year with an exciting double win over division foe Sharon last week at the Randolph High School pool.

Junior Brianna Gilchrist (Mike Barucci photo)

The Bulldogs are hosting all home meets in Randolph this season as Blue Hills Regional School undergoes a major renovation project. On Friday, January 4, they faced off against the Eagles and both the boys and girls teams came away victorious, winning 95-73 and 87-83.

“They were both very exciting meets,” said head coach Cheryl Cavanaugh, noting that the boys meet, despite the wider margin of victory, was arguably even more nerve-wracking.

Still trailing in the team competition after several events, the Canton boys finally pulled ahead after a victory in the 200 freestyle relay, powered by the strong swimming of Nate Rousseau, Brendan Mitchell, Eric Pham and Devin Kelly. The Bulldogs would add to their lead with first, second and fourth place finishes in the backstroke (Javier Ferstler, Ben Guerini, Josh Linsenberg), then seal the meet with the top two spots in the 400 free relay: first for Pham, Ferstler, Kelly and Mitchell, and second, in a judge’s decision, for Jabari Richelieu, Huy Hong, Ethan Nguyen and Paolo Ruggeri.

Other top performers for the boys included Mitchell in the 100 fly (1st) and 200 IM (2nd), Rousseau in the 50 free (1st), Pham in the 100 free (2nd), Ferstler in the 200 free (2nd), Guerini in the 500 free (2nd), and Tony Ruggeri in the breast stroke (2nd).

In the girls’ competition, Canton took an early lead after Brianna Gilchrist’s victory in the 200 free and then held on with some strong swims down the stretch. Jessica Hart, the lone CHS swimmer to qualify for the postseason thus far, took first in both the 200 IM and breast stroke, and Maddie Nourse placed first in the 50 free. Gilchrist, Hart and Nourse also teamed with Maddie Rousseau to win the 200 free relay, and they are currently one second off the time needed to qualify for sectionals.

With the win over Sharon, the Canton girls improved to a league-best 4-1 overall while the boys inched closer to .500 at 2-3. In addition to several talented veterans, both teams have several newcomers who are already contributing in meets, including Erin Lane, Abby Gilchrist and Amy Coe for the girls and Austin Lane, Marek Broderick and Ryan Mullen for the boys. Both teams were due to return to action Friday night with an away meet against Foxboro at the Hockomock YMCA.

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