Published February 25, 2021
By HENRY PELMAS
READING — Wrapping up their 2020-2021 season, the North Reading-Wilmington boys’ team claimed second place in the Cape Ann League meet and held a 3-2 record following their loss to Lynnfield-Wakefield on Feb. 4.
The North Reading-Wilmington team proved their strength at the CAL meet as Ethan Ryan, a Wilmington sophomore, was named boys’ swimmer of the year, alongside Henry Brien of Triton.
In the 200-yard medley relay, the boys began the night claiming second place as captain Henry Pelmas, captain Jared Benoit and Ethan Ryan of Wilmington, and captain Christopher Mangano swam a 2:00.87.
The boys took fifth, seventh, and eighth place as Dat Tran of Wilmington swam a 2:27.63, Jonathan Mangano swam a 2:52.82, and Jameson Burns of Wilmington swam a 2:59.68.
Ryan continued his strong performances in the 200-yard individual medley as he swam a 2:12.41 for first place.
The boys took fifth and tenth within the 50-yard freestyle, as captain Christopher Mangano swam a 26.14, and captain Benoit of Wilmington swam a 27.94.
Wilmington’s Dat Tran swam a 1:08.4 for fourth place in the 100-yard butterfly.
In the 100-yard freestyle, captain Pelmas swam a 59.78 for fifth place.
Captain Christopher Mangano took third place in the 500-yard freestyle relay as he swam a 7:18.93.
The boys’ relay teams took fourth and eighth in the 200 yard-freestyle relay, as Dat Tran, Tyler Sheehan, Captain Benoit, and Ryan swam a combined 1:51.12 for fourth place, and Jonathon Mangano, alongside Wilmington residents Nick Samaha, Jameson Burns, and Dylan Tran swam a 2:22.81 for eighth place.
In the 100-yard backstroke, captain Pelmas took fourth with a time of 1:16.9, and Jonathon Mangano took eighth with a time of 1:31.29.
Ryan, captain Benoit, and Nick Samaha, all of Wilmington, swam in the 100-yard breaststroke, as Ryan swam a 1:05.57 for first, captain Benoit swam a 1:17.33 for sixth and Samaha swam a 1:54.06 for ninth place.
In the final event of the night, the 400-yard freestyle relay, the boys’ relay teams claimed second and fourth places, as Dat Tran and Sheehan, both of Wilmington, swam alongside captains Managano and Pelmas to finish at 4:25.65, and Jameson Burns, Jonathan Mangano, Samaha, and Dylan Tran swam a 5:49.32.
The boys’ team had a strong season, and finished CALs in second place, the closest the team has ever come to the championship, finishing the night with a total of 353 points.
“The boys had a strong season despite the difficult circumstances,” said coach Sue Hunter. “I’m very proud of everything the team showed me throughout the year, and we will miss our seniors next year, but I look forward to the team continuing to prove themselves in the years to come.”
Hunter was awarded the Cape Ann League Coach of the Year and captain Pelmas was given the team’s sportsmanship award.
On Feb. 4, following their meet against Lynnfield-Wakefield, the team held their annual Senior Night, where they created posters for each senior, along with designing shirts and giving them each a bouquet of flowers. The team usually invites the seniors’ parents and family members to the celebration, but due to COVID, no spectators were allowed. However, the seniors were still offered a farewell from their teammates and enjoyed the opportunity to swim for their team in their last official meet of the season.
