MHS junior Ben Terentiyev broke a 1996 MHS school record in the 200 I.M. while medaling at the Div. 2 States last weekend. (courtesy photo)

Swim standout breaks MHS 200 IM record

By JENNIFER GENTILE

CAMBRIDGE—Melrose High junior captain Ben Terentiyev smashed a 1996 MHS school record while competing at the Div. 2 State Finals held at the M.I.T. pool on Feb. 18, 2023.

Terentiyev now holds the new record in the 200 IM with a time of 2:01.51, which surpasses a previous record held by Melrose High’s Henry Turner from 1996. Terentiyev and fellow qualified teammate Jos Baranyi had earned a trip to Div. 2 States earlier in the season, and both competed recently at MIAA North Sectionals.

Terentiyev medaled twice in the day, his record-breaking 200 IM swim earned him a 5th place medal and he also swam solidly in the 100-breast with a time of 1:01.56, medaling him in 4th.

Coach Alex Pennachio was thrilled at Terentiyev’s efforts. “He started slightly injured this season and made such enormous progress. He’s paced his recovery wisely and became a real strategic swimmer. This is a big, big record to break.”

Terentiyev expressed his pride at the achievement and thanked his coaches.

“I am more than thrilled to hold the 200 IM record for MHS. It took a great deal of effort and consistency, but I knew I had to keep pushing. I still cannot believe this is a reality, and I would like to thank both coaches Alex Pennachio and Bryan Meegan, as well as the rest of the MHS swim team for helping me get to this point in my swimming career.”

Meanwhile, at MIAA North Sectionals, teammate Jos Baranyi, having come off medal performances at league finals, qualified and swam in the 50th and 100 free races on Feb. 12. Says his coach, “Jos made such progression from his seeding spot to his final finish at Sectionals, moving up 10 spots. He worked really hard this season.”

As the season officially winds down coach Pennachio is really proud of his group of swimmers, including departing seniors Jonah Peters and Damian Am.

“All my swimmers from top to bottom made huge improvements on times. It was a great season,” he says.

And with both Terentiyev and Baranyi returning next winter, the future remains bright for the MHS boys swim team.