THE PIONEER-WARRIORS saved their best for last at States held at BU last weekend. The team broke many school records and put an exclamation point on the best season in program history. Pictured from left to right is Johnny Stumpf, Nick Alphen, Antonio Anastasiades, Alex Kent and Chris Anastasiades. (Courtesy Photo)

Published in the February 22, 2019 edition.

By DAN PAWLOWSKI

BOSTON — The Lynnfield-Wakefield boys’ co-op swim team was probably wondering how they would top a championship at the Cape Ann League Meet. How about breaking more school records at sectionals and states to finish the best season in program history with a resounding splash?

The members of the boys’ team who qualified for Sectionals at MIT were Wakefield’s Chris Anastasiades, Antonio Anastasiades, Johnny Stumpf and Alex Kent along with Lynnfield’s Nick Alphen, David Blake and Ben Sykes.

The boys had a great meet, achieving lots of personal best times throughout the day.

The 200 Medley Relay got their best time of the season at 1:45.01 coming in 9th place overall for this event (dropping 1.58 seconds off their seed time). The relay consisted of senior Chris Anastasiades (backstroke), junior Antonio Anastasiades (breaststroke), senior Johnny Stumpf (butterfly) and sophomore Alex Kent (freestlye).

Antonio Anastasiades came in 1st place for the 200 Yard Individual Medley with a time of 1:57.49 (dropping 5.26 seconds off his seed time).

Chris Anastasiades placed 8th in the 100 Yard Butterfly with a time of 53.71 (dropping 1.04 seconds of his seed time). He was joined in this race by Stumpf with a time of 57.95 (dropping 0.61 seconds of his seed time).

The 200 Free Relay received a time of 1:42.61 and consisted of senior Matt Pecjo, senior Nick Alphen, senior David Blake and freshman Ben Sykes.

Antonio Anastasiades came in 2nd place for the 100 Yard Breaststroke with a time of 59.59 (dropping 0.90 seconds off his seed time). Chris Anastasaides came in 13th place for this event with a time of 1:03.19 (dropping 1.63 seconds off his seed time).

Finally, the 400 Freestyle Relay team came in 17th place with an overall time of 3:35.38. This relay consisted of Chris Anastasaides, Antonio Anastasiades, Stumpf, and Kent.

“Overall we had a wonderful weekend at sectionals,” said assistant coach Meghan Sullivan. “Our swimmers had many personal best times for this season and we are very proud of them all for their hard work.”

The Pioneer-Warriors continued that great effort in the pool at Boston University for States last weekend.

“Swimming at the Division 1 level for high school is very exciting and competitive,” said captain Chris Anastasiades. “Our team has proven that we can compete and place with the top teams in Division 1.”

Antonio Anastasiades became the program’s first ever State Champion by swimming a new team record and junior national qualifying time of 57.69 in the 100 breaststroke.

“Antonio winning the 100 breaststroke and being the Division 1 champion is a remarkable accomplishment,” said proud brother Chris.

Antonio also got a new team record in the 200 IM, getting 3rd place overall.

Chris Anastasiades also broke a team record in 53.09 and getting 5th place in the 100 fly. Chris also got 14th in 100 breaststroke successfully putting an end to an incredible career in which it is certainly difficult to decide what he will remember most.

“I would say my most memorable experience is being recognized by the league for being voted the swimmer of the year in the Cape Ann League,” said Chris. “It was great to be recognized by other coaches and to also represent Lynnfield-Wakefield with this honor.”

The 200 Medley Relay got 7th place with a four-second drop of their best time for another new team record. That relay consisted of Chris Anastasiades, Antonio Anstasiades, Johnny Stumpf and Alex Kent.

The same four Warriors weren’t done as they picked up another team record for good measure in the 200 Free Relay.

“I am proud to be a part of the school record relays but It is more rewarding to be part of a team that has exemplified great team spirit throughout the whole season,” said Anastasiades, who was also quick to credit head coach Andrew Digiacomo.

“Coach Digiacomo has been very supportive to the team and has been instrumental in the success between the two schools,” said Anastasiades.

“It was truly a spectacular way to end our most successful year in team history,” said Digiacomo of sectionals and states. “Overall the boys’ team broke seven of 11 team records, had our highest team finishes at both sectionals and states and were undefeated champions of the CAL league.”