Duxbury swimming coach Elizabeth Walsh was overwhelmed with emotion as she embraced seniors Grace Ali, Mary Buckley, and Anna Jamieson for the last time after the 400-yard freestyle relay. The three, along with sophomore Julia Ali, capped an overwhelming victory for the Dragons as they captured their second straight Division 2 state title at Boston University, only the second for the program.
Duxbury dominated the competition, finishing with 323 points, 142 points more than second-place Weston (181), with Hopkinton (166) taking third.
“This group of kids, this combination, doesn’t come along very often,’’ said Walsh. “The way they started and ended the meet says it all.’’
The Dragons sent a message when the same quartet seized the 200 medley relay with a 1:44.80 finish, setting meet and state records and automatic All-America qualification.
Buckley boosted the lead by winning the 200 individual medley (2:05.63), as the Dragons ran away with it. Grace Ali took second in the 100 butterfly (55.92) and 100 freestyle (52.47). Julia Ali placed first in the 100 backstroke (55.82) and second in the 500 freestyle (5:03.67).
By the time Buckley stepped up to the block for the 100 breaststroke, Duxbury already had the title in its hands.
“[Buckley’s] inspiring to watch swim,’’ said Walsh. “She sets these goals for herself, and she never lets up till she gets there. That’s why she’s meet record-holder, state record-holder, and an All-American.’’
Buckley became all of those things in a momentous performance in the 100 breaststroke, her last individually as a Dragon, where she defended her title (1:01.74).
“I’m losing the most talent that Duxbury has ever seen in a long time,’’ said Walsh. “But Ava [DeAngelis] came in second today [in the 100 breaststroke]. She’s so capable of following in Mary’s footsteps. Julia [Ali] swam out of her mind today. Her 100 backstroke blew me away.’’
Buckley is confident she’s leaving the legacy she’s helped build in capable hands.
“This is our favorite thing of the year,’’ she said. “I hope people just enjoy the sport, and the feeling you get when you win something.’’
Senior Andrea Wei of Hopkinton was a double winner, taking the 50 freestyle (23.56), and a record-setting 100 butterfly (54.93). Marblehead senior Meagan Hathaway claimed the 200 freestyle (1:53.70) and the 500 freestyle (5:02.61). Freshman Jacey Hinton of Weston won the 100 freestyle (51.10) and was a member of the 200 freestyle relay.
Division 1 — After battling a teamwide bout of the flu all week, Westford Academy rolled to its third straight Division 1 state title and sixth in seven years.
The Grey Ghosts piled up 445 points without winning a single individual event. Concord-Carlisle took the silver (166.5) and Masconomet was third (166).
To highlight Westford’s clean sweep of the relays, the 200 freestyle relay, comprised of seniors Katherine Pawlak and Emily Rudiman and juniors Anika Svoboda and Ada Ferrick, snapped its meet record by winning in 1:37.40.
Individually, Pawlak and freshman Amy Jiang placed highest, earning silver in the 50 freestyle (24.23) and the 100 backstroke (58.68), respectively.
Franklin senior Ashley Loomis set meet and state records in winning her third straight 200 freestyle (1:49.00) and fourth straight 500 freestyle (4:50.76) titles.
Madison Milbert became Silver Lake’s first two-time champion after defending her title in the 100 backstroke (56.21), and its first triple champion as she claimed the 200 IM (2:04.99) as well.
Triton junior Maggie Summit set a meet record in taking her third consecutive 50 freestyle title (23.39), and then added another win in the 100 free (50.98).
