AMHERST — The bleachers alongside Amherst Middle School’s pool filled with supporters of the Amherst and Northampton boys and girls swim teams as the ‘Canes hosted their senior night in their final dual meet of the season on Friday evening.

Amherst recognized its six seniors with heartfelt speeches directed at each individual from an underclassman member of the team. The two sides split on Friday, with the Hurricanes girls winning 129-55, and the Blue Devils boys earning a tight 72-70 victory.

While Amherst, which was the state runners-up on the girls side just a year ago, may not have those same title aspirations, head coach Denise Leckenby feels her team – in some ways – is deeper as a whole than previous seasons.

“Years past we were aiming super high, and I think this year, we’ve gotten stronger as a unit as opposed to having those standout folks at the top of their events,” Leckenby said. “On one hand, on paper our season may look different from seasons past. On the other hand, I feel like we’ve had a really successful season and are really holding our own.”

That’s led the ‘Canes to a 9-2 record on the girls’ side, and a lot of their success has to do with their senior class, as well as an 11-year co-op with Hopkins Academy that has brought neighboring towns together through sport.

Leckenby is thrilled to see so many of her seniors, who have practiced with each other for nearly 10 years, stay somewhat close to home so she can watch them thrive on a bigger stage next year.

“This senior class, one way or another, has probably been training together since seven or eight years old,” Leckenby said. “They care about one another, they support one another despite being in two separate school districts. The history is long and deep, and the support has been really meaningful. These kids are lovely. They’ll be scattered across New England for the most part, which will be really nice to follow them. I’m really proud of the class as a whole for their leadership.”

Northampton is in a similar boat. That is, the Blue Devils are also in the process of reconstructing their team goals and chemistry. Over the past half decade or so, Northampton has had several coaches come in and out of the program. And with head coach Peter Davis taking the reins, he’s ensured his group one thing: stability.

“The program has had its ups and downs over the last few years, changing coaches and what not,” Daviss said. “I think giving these guys and girls some stability is gonna help us have an awesome end to the season for both teams.”

Because high school events are shorter distance-wise, Davis decided to implement a newer style of training that tailors toward that style of swimming – fast-twitch muscle movements and quick accelerating drills.

Some of the Northampton swimmers poised for a strong finish are Jack Mattison-Gulotta and Reed Mitchell on the boys side, and Amalia Guerra on the girls. Mattison-Gulotta – who has a great shot to win Western Mass. in any of the two events he chooses to participate in – feels Davis’ training style has helped him in his events.

“This season has been really refreshing, and a great change from past years,” Mattison-Gulotta said. “Peter is an awesome coach, and he’s coaching a style that’s totally working – you can see it across the team. We’ve all dropped times in these dual meets, and it’s tough to do that when you have so many races.”

The diving event was probably the most captivating on Friday. Northampton’s Tyler Palm and Ursula Von Goeler, as well as Amherst’s Annabel Culbreth-Loomis put on a show on the board, as Leckenby described it as “some of the best diving she’s seen in years.” The ‘Canes haven’t had a diving team in nearly a decade, and Northampton first-year diving coach Sean Andrews has helped his team take immense strides.

“Sean’s fantastic, and he’s got them diving great,” Davis said. “They’re a talented group, and with Sean’s help it’s gone over the top. All of them are diving at a really high level, and all of them have a shot at making waves at sectionals and states.”

As for Amherst individuals, junior Sadie Cyr is terrific in the 50 and 100 freestyles, sophomore Finnley Chambers dabbles in a bit of everything and is one of the most talented swimmers on the team, and Caprial DiBartolomeo is capable of making a splash at Western Mass. On the boys side, senior Grant Donta-Venman is stellar in the 500, 200 freestyle and 50 freestyle.

Cyr, a Hopkins student, played basketball for the past few years but is back swimming with the ‘Canes. 

“This is my first year back, so I’m just kind of taking it meet by meet and seeing where I’m at,” Cyr said. “Denise and Jane [Denenberg] have done a great job helping me specifically with certain strokes that I wanna work on, and it’s a really great environment. I definitely wanna make it to states. I’m hoping at Western Mass. I swim my 50 and 100 free fast enough that I make it there.”

With the Fast-Chance Meet (Feb. 3), Western Mass. championships (Feb. 11), and MIAA championships (Feb. 17-18) all coming up over the next three weekends, both teams are primed and ready to make some noise. Until then, Davis and Leckenby each said similar things about what the plan is moving forward: getting some much-needed rest.

“We’re just keeping things in check in terms of everybody’s physical and mental health,” Leckenby said. “Trying to keep everybody well rested and well fed, and training smart. So we’ll see what unfolds over the next three weekends.”