THE 2024 Wakefield High girls’ swim team is looking forward to a promising season. The Warriors kick off their season tomorrow against Woburn/Burlington, 4:30 p.m. at Malden High School. (Courtesy Photo)
By CASSIDY SILVA
WAKEFIELD — As Wakefield Memorial High School fall sports kick off, the Wakefield girls’ swim team aims to start its 2024 season with a bang.
United under new head coach Laura McCormack and assistant coach Tash Brown, the team is just a day away from their first meet of the season tomorrow against the tough, co-operative Burlington-Woburn team.
But coach McCormack, who is taking over for legendary Warrior coach Kathy Byrne who retired after 30 seasons, isn’t scared of the challenge. In fact, McCormack is “thrilled to coach a great group of girls who want to win and want to work together…Our first meet is against Burlington-Woburn, who is a formidable opponent due to their size, but I think we have a great shot at coming up ahead.”
The Warriors have both reliable seniors and underdog freshmen to watch out for as they look to build on last year’s successful season in which they finished with a regular season record of 5-2-1, while taking 3rd at the Middlesex League Meet and 6th at the Div. 2 North Sectional Meet.
Specifically, eyes are on three-time Middlesex League Breaststroke Champion and last year’s Division 2 State Champion in the breaststroke, senior captain Audrey Cook who along with sophomore Allie DeGray, are members of the school record-holding relay team in the 200-yard medley relay and the 400-yard free relay from last season. Cook and DeGray were All-Conference All-Stars last year.
Freshmen, like Elie Wagner, who swims a competitive freestyle to round out an impressive roster of “incoming freshmen who all have amazing swimming potential,” according to McCormack.
“I’m really looking forward to this season and seeing what this team can accomplish,” said Cook. “We have a variety of swimmers excelling in different events and distances.”
Talent flows through the entire team just as fluidly as the hard work and dedication on display during every practice.
“This year, we have a really cohesive team in terms of mindset,” said senior captain Laila Atoui. “We are all really committed to the same goal. Each and every girl makes a full effort every practice to contribute to the roster’s strength.”
But the team’s greatest strength doesn’t lie in their swimming, but rather their incredible bond. Senior Sam Bordonaro says that the team feels comfortable around each other.
“It really makes high-stress situations or meets a little less scary knowing you’ve got your whole team behind you,” says Bordonaro.
The Warriors regularly organize out-of-practice team bonding activities like ice cream night at Soc’s Ice Cream, team pasta parties before meets, and volunteering at the Buddy Walk, which is taking place on Oct. 13.
“The supportive nature is amazing. These girls have great team spirit and are really looking out for each other,” coach McCormack notes. “Everyone works as a team and respects one another.”
This teamwork starts with the example set by the upperclassmen.
“The upperclassmen are very responsible and are working super closely with the underclassmen to make sure they are included in everything we do,” said McCormack.
Coach McCormack’s role as a new coach is intrinsic to cultivating a competitive environment that allows for an athlete’s development. Her core philosophy is that “building a culture of comfort and respect is of paramount importance.”
McCormack boasts an impressive 20 successful years of coaching competitive swim both at the club and high school levels. She uses her years of experience to drill the idea that “working together as a team is the number one thing that creates a supportive atmosphere.”
Altogether, Wakefield is looking forward to another incredible season.
“I think that our team could be really good this season,” Bordonaro says. “I’m excited to see how we do.”
After their meet against Burlington/Woburn, Wakefield will take on Winchester on Tuesday, 4:30 p.m. at the Woburn Boys and Girls Club.
