LYNN — For the second straight year the Classical swim team was crowned city champions Saturday at the Tech pool.
The Rams put up one of their best performances of the year with first place finishes in nine of 12 events, racking up 138 points in the win over Tech (104) and English (84) in the annual Lynn City Swim Meet.
“We have a very big team but it’s about a lot of hard work,” Classical coach Denise Silva said. “I have seven captains this year and they all worked hard and shared the same philosophy. They helped all the underclassmen as well. It worked.”
It did certainly show in the pool. Jacob Lang and Zachary Weston led the way. Lang finished first in both the 200 individual medley (2:17.19) and the 500 freestyle (5:32.67) while Weston took first in 100 (1:00.30) and 200 freestyle (2:17.68). Adam Mariano won the 100 butterfly (1:03.52), while Daniel Puma won the 100 breaststroke (1:17.26). Classical also swam to first place in all three relays.
“To take nine out of 12 first place finishes is phenomenal,” Silva said. “I couldn’t have predicted that on my best day at home. I think many of them saved their best for (Saturday). Come the 400 free relay, they didn’t know it, but I kind of already knew we already had it won. But each of our four swimmers in that event bested their times.
“I give a shoutout to our coaching staff, Charlie and Kay Rowe and diving coach Don McKenny,” Silva said. “They did a phenomenal job. It doesn’t happen with one person, it happens with everyone together.”
It was an especially important meet for the Tigers, who said goodbye to coach Brad Tilley. Tilley has guided Tech’s swim team for 44 years and is the namesake of the city championship trophy, the Tilley Cup.
“It hasn’t even soaked in yet to tell you the truth,” Tilley said. “I’ve been here for 44 years, that’s ridiculous. Nine different principals and a ton of great kids. And Lynn Tech is not the Lynn Tech of old. This is a new Lynn Tech. These kids are smart, polite, they’ll hold the door for you. It’s awesome. And the thing I’m always most proud of is winning the MIAA team Academic award (ninth year in a row).”
The Tigers relay teams did especially well, swimming to second place finishes in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays. Diver Lee Lewis, who won the girls Commonwealth Athletic Conference championship last Thursday, finished second at the city meet (186.10).
“I have to give credit to my assistant coaches,” Tilley said. “John Hogan has been with me for 18 years. He does all the competitive teaching and coaching. Rich Bucko has been with me for two years as a volunteer assistant. He does the JV group. They’re great guys. They work really hard and don’t get a lot of credit for it.”
English may not have had the finish they were hoping for, but many of their seniors went out on a high note. Hannah Trahant was crowned city diving champion once again (230.64), Cole Story (26.98) placed first in the 50 freestyle and Mary Lawlor (1:05.17) won the 100 backstroke.
“What I love most, even though we didn’t win they all had a great time,” English coach Lisa Trahant said. “They had great spirits, cheering everyone. That’s that city swim thing that everybody loves.
“It was building years for us. We had a small team with only 24 swimmers, but they gave their all at every meet. That’s all I can ask for. We have five graduating seniors and a big junior class of 14 coming up so that’s good.”
All of the seniors competing in the meet were recognized beforehand. The long-standing tradition included swimmers diving through hoops decorated with their school’s mascot into pool water dyed with their team colors.
A poster adorned with dozens of photos from Tilley’s time at Tech was also made to thank the beloved coach.
“To say goodbye to Brad (Saturday) is bittersweet,” Silva said. “I love that guy, I loved him when he was my coach and I still love him.”
“The best thing is leaving on a high note,” Tilley said. “Whoever is taking over, I hope it’s John but I don’t know, is going to have 42 swimmers who can all swim well. A great group of booster parents. The situation is wonderful.”