Newton North Girls' Swim Team Has Early Sights Set on State Meet

With just one meet down this season, members of the girls' swimming and diving team already have the state meet on their minds.

During the first meet of the season -- a "friendly rivalry" against on Sept. 7 -- the Tigers swam two state qualifying times, according to coach Kirsten Tuohy.

"We were very impressed with the performances of all competitors and have great expectations for the rest of the season," Tuohy said in an email. 

Both Ariana Paone (226.42 points) and Monica Kieff (177.75 points) tallied the first of two required scores to qualify for the state meet, Tuohy said.

In addition, the Tigers finished the 200-yard medley relay in 2:02.98, a race that included Sammi Chan, Niki Lew (captain), Liv Sloan, and Irina Rojas. The 400-yard freestyle relay team -- Helen Culici, Annmarie Conboy-Depasquale, Niki Lew, and Irina Rojas -- finished its race in 4:03.87, Tuohy said.

But the accolades didn't end there -- Mount Alvernia also had some notable swim times during Friday's meet, with Helen Smith (200-yard freestyle) and Grace Jessiman (100-yard breaststroke) both setting Mount Alvernia school records, according to coach Ryan Rich.

The final score of the game had Newton North coming out on top, 99 to 81. 

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