Coming off last year’s 4-9 record, the boys’ swim team is looking to kick off their upcoming season strong to win the conference championship and perform well at states. The team got back in the water on December 5.

  The boys already have goals set in hopes of improving their overall team performance from previous years.

  “Our team’s goal is always to win the conference championship and perform well at states, however, that cannot be achieved without the little victories along the way. We need to always work our hardest in practice and try to improve our times in every single swim meet. By doing that we will best prepare ourselves to perform the best we can come the end of the season,” senior Ben Green said.

  Many swimmers are also looking to pursue individual achievements.

  “This season I want to move into more of a leadership role on the team and try to fill the void left by the departure of the Class of 2014. This includes putting maximal effort both before and during the season to get the most out of my workouts. I’m also hoping to improve my sprinting so that I don’t have to endure the 200 Free each meet,” junior Daniel Bobylov said.

  Senior captain Andrew Deakin is prepared to help lead the team to many victories in the months to come.

  “I have been doing club swimming since I was five so it’s crazy to think that this will be my last year. While I have specific times in mind, my main goal is to just put in the work every day in practice so that I’m improving throughout the entire season and ultimately have a great performance in the championships,” Deakin said.

  Deakin further explained his role as captain is to keep the entire team focused on these goals so that every person is swimming their fastest, raising their chances of winning every meet and improving throughout the season.

  Overall, the team is excited to reunite and begin swimming together again. The boys’ swim team coach of 27 years, Scott Ferrigno, is especially ready for this season. Simsbury Middle School teacher and 2002 alum Tim Walczak will be filling in for past coach Lauren Luciani.

  Ferrigno said, “Just seeing all levels reach a level maybe they didn’t think was there is exciting. It doesn’t matter if it’s a year round experience swimmer or somebody brand new to the team it’s just exciting to see them realize that they can accomplish something that at the beginning they didn’t think they could.”