Swimming: Freshman Riley Synan, sophomore Bryanna Verroneau and a talented group of youngsters are helping Belchertown to a strong start.
Teams in the Patriot League will have to be wary of the Belchertown High School girls swim team, not just this season but for several years to come.
Second-year coach Dustin Hui boasts one of the strongest rosters of underclassmen in Western Massachusetts, but these Orioles aren’t just aiming for the future. The present looks pretty good as well.
Sophomores Bryanna Verroneau and Claire Nauman, junior Ashley Chumbley and freshmen Riley Synan and Helen Hale are among those Orioles who have won two individual events in a meet this season. Verroneau was a first-team All-Scholastic selection by The Republican last season.
“The girls are really swimming well,” Hui said. “It’s pretty nice to see.”
Synan has quickly developed into one of the best first-year swimmers in the region. Hui and others in the know were aware of her credentials entering high school, but those who don’t have a pulse on the club ranks might have been a bit surprised at first.
Not anymore, however, after Synan posted her best times of the year fairly early on.
“I knew she was fast coming in,” Hui said. “But she’s really worked hard to get her best times.”
Belchertown (5-0) hosts South Hadley (3-2), another very strong squad, in the Patriot League opener Tuesday at Chestnut Hill Community School. Sabree Thomas, Megan Pinciak, Hannah Nelson and Cailey Newton are among the Tigers’ key contributors.
STAR COACH: A recognizable local media figure is helping the Holyoke High School swimmers post some fast times.
Ashley Baylor, meteorologist at WWLP TV-22, is in her second season as an assistant coach for the Purple Knights. Among Holyoke’s top female swimmers this season are Molly and Maime Burns and freshman sensation Sharon Dec.
LOOKING AHEAD: Friday’s Minuteman League girls meet between East Longmeadow and host Minnechaug Regional should provide some intrigue.
Both teams enter league competition Tuesday with undefeated records, and each team boasts some of the top individual performers in the region. East Longmeadow (5-0) relies on the Lajoie sisters – Emily, Julie and Kelly – as well as Callie Phillips, Allison Hayes and defending Western Mass. diving champion Melanie Avdoulos.
Minnechaug (4-0) is led by Christiana Greco, Hannah Tarpey, Kristen Webber, Elizabeth Avery and divers Emily Murphy and Bridget Wheble.