By DAN TOMASELLO
WELLESLEY — Freshman Sabrina Bunar finished fourth in the 1-meter diving competition during the Girls’ Sectional Swimming and Diving Championships on Sunday, Feb. 8 at Wellesley College.
Less than a week after shattering two Cape Ann League diving records, Bunar finished fourth during the sectionals’ diving competition with 434.50 points. She also finished fourth in the 1-meter diving semifinals with 307.45 points.
“I’m really happy with my performance because it was the first time I have competed in sectionals,” said Bunar. “I have only competed in USA Diving before and this was a great experience. I was able to go to sectionals with a great group of teammates and I was happy where I placed.”
Pioneers Jeff Boyd praised Bunar’s performance during sectionals.
“She is unbelievable,” said Boyd. “She is the best diver I have ever seen in our league. She destroyed the Cape Ann League records in the last meet and the fact she is a freshman makes it that more unbelievable.”
Bunar, 14, has been diving since she was 11-years old. According to Bunar’s mother, Andrea, Bunar travels to Indiana once a month to train with USA Diving’s 14-15 age group. Andrea Bunar said her daughter hopes to compete in the Summer Olympics in the future.
According to Bunar, the most enjoyable aspect about diving is it enables people to consistently try new things.
“It’s nerve racking to learn a new dive, but when you do it’s exciting,” said Bunar.
Additionally, the 200 freestyle relay team featuring Bunar, Erika Glowik, Alyssa Stelman and Lindsey Barrett finished 18th during sectionals (1:54.54).
According to Boyd, Bunar expressed an interest in competing in other events and he decided to have her join the 200 freestyle relay team.
“The first time that relay team competed, they qualified for sectionals,” said Boyd.
Bunar said she enjoyed competing in sectionals with Glowik, Stelman and Barrett.
“It was amazing,” said Sabrina. “The three other teammates I swam with were awesome. They were incredibly supportive and encouraging.”
While the Pioneers struggled this season as the program entered a rebuilding era, Bunar said she wouldn’t trade this season for the world.
“I loved it,” said Bunar. “There were only 19 kids on the team compared to 40 kids on other teams, but everyone was incredibly supportive of one another and were always cheering everybody on.”
With sectionals now in the rearview mirror, Bunar is now gearing up for states this weekend.
“I am a little nervous, but I am looking forward to it because it’s my first time at states,” said Bunar. “I am going to try my best.”
Swim notes
Bunar’s fourth place finish and the 200-freestyle relay team’s 18th place enabled the Pioneers to finish 19th overall in sectionals with 15 points.
Additionally, Glowik finished 17th in the 1-meter diving semifinals (224.75).
