February 9th, 2014 marked a great day for the North Providence High School Cougar Boy’s and Girl’s Swim Teams. Both teams, lead by Captains Julia DePalma, Diana Perez, Michele Winter, and Trestin Wehbe, swam remarkably and the Boy’s team took back its Division III Championship title. The Division III Championship meet was held at Roger Williams University.
The Cougar Boy’s Swim team beat out Middletown and Classical for the Division III Championship title, after losing for two consecutive years in a row. The winning streak had ended in 2012, after the Smithfield team beat out the Cougar Boys for the title. This year, Coach Bozigian and Coach Muccino were proud to be holding the plaque once again. Podium-placing relays included the efforts of David Santamaria, Brady Erickson, Trestin Wehbe, and Jordan Alecio. They placed third in the 200 Yard Medley Relay, and first in the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay, beating out rivals Middletown and Classical. The 400 Yard Freestyle Relay team of Jimmy Dionne, Evan Galleshaw, Kevin Yepes, and Gabriel Paiz came fifth place overall.
Swimmers David Santamaria, Brady Erickson, Trestin Wehbe, and Jordan Alecio also placed in the top three times for individual events, boosting the score of the Boy’s team and helping pave the way to victory. Senior Captain Trestin Wehbe placed third in the 200 Individual Medley, Brady Erickson came in third for the 50 Yard Freestyle, Jordan Alecio came in third for the 100 Yard Freestyle, and David Santamaria came in second for the 500 Yard Freestyle.
The Girl’s team came in 5th overall in the Division II Championship meet with many girl swimmers getting personal best times. The 200 Free Relay team of Lauren Gavelick, Suzana Smith, Amy Zhang, and Michele Winter came in third place for the event. They were rewarded with bronze medals. The same group of four placed fourth overall in the 200 Yard Medley Relay, just missing another bronze medal. First time senior swimmer Laura Barilari placed eleventh overall in the 200 Yard Freestyle, with freshman Lauren Pringle following with sixteenth place. The 400 Yard Freestyle Relay team of Diana Perez, Isabella Martin, Julia DePalma, and Laura Barilari came in seventh place. The Girl’s season ended with 5 wins, 3 losses, and 1 tie. The Boy’s season ended with 6 wins and 1 loss.
The Boy’s team sent Jordan Alecio, Trestin Wehbe, David Santamaria, Brady Erickson, Gabriel Paiz, Kevin Yepes, Jimmy Dionne, and Evan Galleshaw to the Boys State Championship Meet. The boys broke the 200 Free Relay school record at this meet. The eight swimmers placed nineteenth overall in States, which was held on February 23, at Brown University.
By: Michele Winter