Amherst’s blockbuster girls swimming season ended with its first state championship in 2022. The Hurricanes will shoot the sequel with a new director.

A four-time conference swimmer of the year in the mid 90’s at New Hampshire, Denise Leckenby took over the Amherst program this winter, recognizing a need. Her daughter Rowan Albertson rediscovered her love of high school swimming during the Hurricanes championships season, so she was aware of the program when coaches Gyselle Hennessey and Solomon Albertine stepped away.

“The coaching pool, as so many staffing situations around the whole country, every industry is in need of people to step up and take on new roles,” Leckenby said. “I have some big shoes to fill for sure. The team last year was so strong and so cohesive.”

Senior sprinting star Lucy Smith returns after capturing the 50-yard freestyle and 100 free state titles at the state championship meet. She also contributed to a victory in the 200 medley relay.

“It's really motivating,” Smith said. “It adds some pressure but I think it's a good pressure because everyone wants to do that again.”

The Hurricanes won’t be indie darlings, however. They’re the defending state and Western Massachusetts champions every time they step on the deck.

“We don’t feel like we’re the underdogs we were last year, which is an interesting thing to sense from the team,” Leckenby said. “We have to approach the season in a fresh way.”

Albertson reached the state podium for the Hurricanes last season as well, taking third in the 50 free, while Deborah Wells was fifth in the 200 individual medley and sixth in the 100 backstroke.

On the boys side, Callum McDonald took sixth in the 200 IM at states.

They’ll all have a coach with an eye for the sport’s fundamentals. 

“I really appreciate the technical sides of swimming, the stroke perfection as opposed to the training yardage,” Leckenby said.

ABILD BUILDING FOR HAMP – Sydney Abild brought home a 100 breaststroke state title for Northampton last season and was fourth in the 200 IM. The now-senior also added a silver at the West/Central championships in the 100 butterfly.

Asha Kulp and Zoey Ames will also contribute in key spots.

Amalia Guerra joined the Blue Devils for the high school season after primarily competing for the elite Bluefish swim club, and Northampton has three divers Ursula Von Goeler, Caeil Killip-Leonard, and eighth grade Elise Marks that can help the Blue Devils score.

Jack Mattison-Gulotta rounded into form at the sectional meet, reaching the podium in both the 500 free (fifth) and 200 free (sixth).

GIGUERE GUNNING FOR MORE AT BELCHERTOWN – Luke Giguere claimed a state championship in the 100 backstroke for Belchertown and added two sectional titles in the back and 100 fly. He set a school record last season and likely has his sights set on more.

WATER WORKS – Hampshire gymnast Tyler Hetu tried diving for the first time last year for Easthampton and developed into one of the area’s best. He took second at the sectional championships and fifth at states, marks he’s aiming to better.

Natalia Robak took fifth for the Eagles in the girls 200 free at states and seventh in the 200 IM, the first two individual events on the program.

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