Franklin girls capture South Sectional crown

HIGH SCHOOL SWIMMING

Attleboro’s Ferguson wins two individual events, two relays

Ashland’s Molly Connors competes in the 100-yard breaststroke during the MIAA South Sectional girls swimming and diving championship Saturday at MIT. PHOTO BY PAUL CONNORS — MEDIA NEWS GROUP/BOSTON HERALD

Westwood’s Harper Morrison performs a back somersault with a one-and-a-half twist while competing in the diving event during the MIAA South Sectional girls swimming and diving championship. PHOTO BY PAUL CONNORS — MEDIA NEWS GROUP/BOSTON HERALD

Duxbury’s Anna Szafran, left, congratulates Ashland’s Molly Connors after the pair finished second and first, respectively, during the 100-yard breaststroke in Cambridge. PHOTO BY PAUL CONNORS — MEDIA NEWS GROUP/BOSTON HERALD

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By Brendan Connelly

Correspondent

CAMBRIDGE >> When Carl Cederquist opted to come out of retirement to coach at Franklin, he wasn’t sure what was in store. All he knew was he was entering a pretty decent situation.

Months later, his decision paid dividends.

Senior captain Harikalal Birali finished a double winner, placing first in the 100-yard backstroke race in 59.17 seconds. She also teamed up with Kseniya Baghdasaryan, Ava Pecora and Taylor O’Neil to win the 400 freestyle relay (3:43.87), as the Panthers captured their second-ever South Sectional girls swimming and diving championship Saturday at MIT.

“This is my first year coaching the high school team,” said Cederquist. “It was kind of unexpected, but I’m very happy for the girls. They swam really well, really well. They’ve swam well the whole season this year.”

Following a 45-year stint as a coach with the Crimson Aquatic club team, Cederquist took on the new role with an optimistic approach. Saturday’s championship was the second sectional title in the last three seasons for Franklin, its most recent coming in 2023. The Panthers only won two events during the morning, but placed among the top-10 in nine of 12 total competitions to accrue 229 points.

The catalyst? Birali. The senior was able to rally Franklin as things wore on into first place among all schools, a position it would hold for much of the meet.

“I’m one of those people who stalks the psych sheet,” said Birali with a laugh. “When I was looking at (it), I was like: ‘OK, based on the points, we could do this.’ Coming in, I was like, ‘This could be a possibility.’ As it went on, it became more real.”

Thanks to a complete team effort, Dover-Sherborn finished as the meet’s runner-up with 173.5 points, besting Attleboro for second by .5 in the standings.

The Blue Bombardiers may have boasted the meet’s individual MVP. Following a performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics for Trinidad and Tobago, Attleboro’s Zuri Ferguson made waves at sectionals by finishing a quadruple winner.

The Florida commit took first place in two solo races at the 200 IM (2:06.98) and the 500 freestyle (5:09.12). She also guided her schools to victories in the 200 freestyle (1:42.54) and the 200 medley (1:52.28) relays, combining with Ava Dougherty, Samantha Provost and Caroline Lynch-Bartek to win each.

“I was just looking to enjoy myself as much as possible,” said Ferguson. “For me personally, with enjoyment comes better swimming. So, I just wanted to take everything in, and have as much fun as possible this year.”

Cederquist now turns his attention to the biggest meet on the schedule for Franklin. With states approaching rapidly, he is keeping an open mind.

“It’s funny,” said Cederquist. “I’ve been trying to look at the psych sheets and stuff, figure out what our best lineup will be. After today? I’m just going to put our best lineup together, and whatever happens, happens.”