Freedom girls fall to NHS in opening meet
Freedom’s girls’ swim team was just happy to be back in the pool for their virtual season opener last Wednesday when they fell to Northampton, 103-62.
“In the 2 medley relay it was a little weird because we weren’t racing anyone, so it was definitely a different environment, but with all of our teammates cheering, it wasn’t as weird as I thought it would be. After that event, it all felt normal and felt good to be in the pool racing,” said Patriot captain Abby Burnette. “Coming from a small team, we were never about the score. It was always about pushing each other to be the best. If anything, I think we performed better not seeing a number on the board and getting in our heads and getting down if we’re losing.”
The medley relay team of Nicole Spaziani, Lilly Anderson, Burnette, and Deborah Belen placed second in 2:12.47.
Anderson came in second in the 200 IM in 2:45.41.
Belen won the 50 free in 28.57.
“As well as I did, considering how much we practiced, I’m satisfied,” Belen said.
In diving, Sarah Gill took first place with a score of 202.25.
Burnette won the 100 fly in 1:04.83.
Spaziani came in second in the 500 free in 6:57.87, Anderson was second in the 100 backstroke in 1:11.36, and Burnette took second place in the 100 breast in 1:12.94.
“In fly and breast, I was two seconds off the time I went at districts last year, which, for not racing since then, it felt really good, and I know that from here I can only get better,” Burnette said.
Katie Twiggar, Jasmine Chiu Anderson, and Belen combined for a second place finish in the 400 free relay in 4:38.44.
“It would’ve been different if I saw someone neck and neck with me. I think I would’ve been a little bit faster, but I look at it as me trying to go my best and making my best times for the team and for myself,” said Belen. “I didn’t have as many nerves, you know, when you see the competition, but other than that, it was pretty normal to me. We had a normal season last year, and I didn’t think it would push over into this season, but you’ve got to work with what you’ve got.”