Freedom’s boys’ swim team had its first taste of virtual competition last Wednesday in its season opener against Northampton, won by the K-Kids, 96-64.

“They did excellent and I thought it went a lot smoother and a lot better than what I was expecting,” said Freedom coach Alisha Rosioli. “We did combine some of the events so they did have someone there to swim against, and that worked out in their favor.”

The Patriot boys 200 medley relay team of Andrew Ehret, Eric Mann, Luke McClure, and AJ Black opened the meet with a first place finish in 1:52.00.

McClure won the 50 free with a time of 24.11 and the 100 fly with a time of 57.68.

“I added two seconds in the 50 free, but it was my first race in who knows how long? My fly was good, but I could definitely go faster,” McClure said. “I’m just happy to get in the pool, but I feel bad for my teammates who aren’t getting the same training as all the other schools.”

Black came in second in the 100 free in 57.39.

Ehret won the 500 free in 5:15.97 and the 100 backstroke in 59.88.

The Shivam Chand, Black, Aadam Ameerally, and Ryan Rummel foursome placed second in the 200 free relay in 1:48.99, just missing a first place finish.

The Pates closed out the meet with a first place finish in the 400 free relay by McClure, Mann, Rummel, and Ehret with a time of 3:56.03.

“The three people that swam with me just swam back-to-back events,” said McClure, “and that energy push you get from racing another team is lacking but we’ll get to the point where we’ll be able to do it.”

All-in-all, Wednesday’s meet was a good showing for the Patriots.

“There were some district cuts already today which I’m super proud of them for, and I wasn’t expecting that,” Coach Rosioli said. “They’re really pulling it together, not only during a tough season but a tough school year too.”