THE MELROSE High girls swim team is now a co-op team with neighboring Stoneham and will compete as “StoneRose” this season. (file photo)
A first ever co-op for Melrose High swimmers
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MEDFORD—While the concept of Stonerose is not new for Melrose High athletics (girls hockey was the first named team) this is first ever pairing for the MHS girls swim team with another, and this year Melrose has partnered with Stoneham to created their own co-op team “Stonerose” to compete this fall on the varsity level.
It’s a new day in every sense for the team that is coached by Alex Pennachio. For starters, they now practice and compete at Medford High. They opened their season this week against Belmont and will compete in ten meets and the always exciting Middlesex League meet later this season.
While they may have a new name, new home, new suits and new caps, they do have many returning swimmers who represent Melrose’s side of the roster.
They include Melrose’s two captains Lucy O’Neill and Nora Mounsif. They join a list of 14 swimmers that decorate the co- op roster.
Other returning swimmers included Tierra Pornkittchotti, Lillian Blenk and Kara Sacco. Also on the roster are Marta Fransi, Julia Lanneville, Isadora Lillis, Rose Napoleon, Olivia Manfredini, Sara Myagmarjac, Anna Policia and Kathrina Tran.
“The number of swimmers in the Middlesex League is down across the board and co-opting with Stoneham makes a lot of sense,” says coach Pennachio.
Stoneham has ultimate jurisdiction of the team but Stonerose’s bathing suits will be, appropriately, red white and blue. According to Pennachio, this week will be a telling one for Stonerose, with rosters and swim lineups remaining a work in progress.
“So far I see some early strength in breast stroke,” he reports. “The Middlesex League is always so tough but with this co-op I feel like we have a better chance to try different things with more options.”
It’s too early to say if any individual swimmer will qualify for a post season, but there’s sure to be fun at the Middlesex League Meet. “That’s when we really get an idea of where we stand in the league. It’s always a fun meet,” says the coach.
“The best thing I like about this team is that the girls have a general curiosity about how to get better and a desire to improve every day in the pool,” he continues. “These are quick learners who are really developing.”
Stonerose will host three meets in a row at Medford High against Belmont, Arlington and Chelmsford with Arlington coming up next Thursday at 4:00 p.m. Fans are encouraged to root the Stonerose girls on as they take the plunge into their 2024 season.
A full season schedule is below.
9/10/2024 Tue 4:00 v. Belmont
9/19/2024 Thu 4:00 PM v. Arlington
9/20/2024 Fri 4:00 PM v. Chelmsford
9/25/2024 Wed 4:45 PM @ Lexington
9/27/2024 Fri 4:00 PM v. Methuen
10/8/2024 Tue 4:00 PM v. Winchester
10/16/2024 Wed 4:00 PM @ Woburn
10/16/2024 Wed 4:30 PM @ Burlington
10/18/2024 Fri 7:00 PM @ Reading
10/22/2024 Tue 4:00 PM v. Wakefield
