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> Sports > Sports News > Minnechaug Regional now swimming, diving champs
Minnechaug Regional now swimming, diving champs |
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Reminder Publications submitted photo
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(front row, left to right) Elizabeth Avery, Laura Webber, Angela Berthaume, Tara Rooke, Casey Tarpey, Maura Harrington and Christine Murphy. (back row) Assistant Coach Martin Gulberg, Kristen Webber and Head Coach Erik Mandell.
A once in a lifetime opportunity for the Lady Falcons presented itself during the Western Mass Swimming and Diving Championships at Springfield College. The Minnechaug girls team went into the championships seeded to finish in fourth or fifth place.
The 200 yard relay team had their sights set on breaking a long time school record as they came within striking distance during the regular season. They were very close, within .04 seconds; this laid the foundation for the determination that would be needed for the last relay of the meet.
The championship came down to the last race, the 400 yard relay, with several teams in contention to win. Minnechaug came from behind and won by tenths of a second. Each girl on the four person team posted their best time ever for their portion of the relay (Angela Berthaume, Kristen Webber, Tara Rooke and Laura Webber). Total team contributions and the points from divers Kathleen Burke and Samantha Maldonado capped off the 2009 meet with the Girls Western Mass Championship title.
How does a team go from fourth or fifth to first? It s a mix of several ingredients " leadership, respect, discipline and camaraderie. The Minnechaug swim team is coached by Erik Mandell, a coach with incredible leadership and motivational talent. He has taught the team how discipline, hard work and focus pay off.
Mandell has always set high, but achievable, expectations for each team member and encouraged teamwork. He and Assistant Coach Martin Gulberg dedicated hours and hours of time working with the team. In return for their hard work this year Mandell, he surprised the team with personalized swimming caps similar to those worn by the National Australian Swim Team.
Coach Mandell has always shared encouraging quotes or sayings with the team. The one to share for this occasion is It is the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal " a commitment to excellence " that will enable you to attain the success you seek (Mario Andretti).
Other awards included: Career High Point/Most Outstanding Swimmer Award, Class of 2009, Tara Rooke; PVIAC Scholar-Athlete Award for Laura Webber and Samantha Maldonado.
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