Westminster Swim Squad Dives Into Their Virtual Season

By Sydney Schuster ’21

Image Credits: David B. Newman

​After a very long interim period, the Westy Swimming and Diving team is back in the water, and some would even say better than ever! Following four busy weeks of practice, the Martlets kicked off the 2020-2021 season this past Saturday, February 13, with their first-ever virtual swim meet. Though the team has only been in the water for a short time, the swimmers were spitting out their best times, as well as setting new school records, left and right. Lucy Benoit ’23, a frequenter of the record board, claimed two more records this weekend, in both the 100Y breast and 100Y free. Max Larock ’22 also broke a longstanding 100Y free record, set in 2006 by Steve Cosme ’06. Additionally, Larock got a new personal best in the 200Y Free. The best times didn't stop here: Madison Khuu ’24 brought two best times in the 100Y breast and 50Y free in her first-ever meet as a Martlet. Moreover, Catie McGuigan ’23 earned two best times of her own in the 50Y and 100Y freestyle. Congratulations to all Martlets who swam their best times this weekend.

Though it was hard to measure up to the energy and chaos of a crowded pool deck in previous seasons, Annie Brewer ’21 noted that the virtual meet felt “very normal overall, but strange to not have the other team cheering in opposition.” Campbell Swift ’21 and Katherine Ashe ’21 both echoed Brewer’s sentiments, saying that they were thrilled with the opportunity to compete again and that the spirit and camaraderie of the team have not diminished without the physical presence of the other teams.
 
As a whole, the team has enjoyed the season thus far and is extremely grateful to be together and back in the water. They have even expanded their workouts into cross-training activities such as boxing and battle ropes, all of which the team has grown pretty fond of.
 
The Martlets plan to suit up again this coming Saturday, February 20, for their last meet of the season against Hopkins School, the alma mater of the head coach Grant Gritzmacher. With two wins already in their back pocket, the team is very hopeful to emerge victorious next weekend.

Congratulations to Max Larock '22, Lucy Benoit '23, their teammates and their coaches on a phenomenal two weeks in the pool. Both Max and Lucy set pool records Feb. 13 and Feb. 20 during their livestream virtual meet. A full list of the records they broke is listed below. 

Of special note is that we have a new record in the 50 freestyle thanks to Max’s time of 21.54. The previous 50 free record was set in 1979 and had stood until Max broke it! 

Congrats to both Max and Lucy! Thanks to Mr. Gritzmacher for sharing the details below. 

Max Larock
Feb. 20:
- school record in 50 Freestyle (21.54)
- school and pool records in 100 Backstroke (52.68)
Feb. 13:
- School record in 100 Freestyle (48.19)

Lucy Benoit
Feb. 20:
- pool record in 200 IM (2:05.62)
- pool record in 100 Backstroke (56.81)
Feb. 13:
- school record in 100 Freestyle (53.06)
- school record in 100 Breaststroke (1:07.96)