NORTHAMPTON — The Northampton boys and girls swim teams hosted Holyoke on Monday night at the JFK Middle School pool, with the boys winning 71-54 and the girls winning 99-32.
With a new-look squad this year, the Blue Devils have been finding their identity so far through the first month.
Monday featured more of the same, with Northampton’s swimmers showing off in new events and making progress as they grow over the course of the season.
“We’ve got a lot of new faces on the team, and a lot of new energy,” Blue Devils head coach Peter Davis said. “Getting through December, the first few weeks of the year, I think they’ve come together and are having fun, swimming fast.”
Northampton got out of the gate fast on Monday, winning both the girls’ and boys’ 200-yard medley relays. Willa O’Donnell, Jayda Alejandro, Safia Abdul-Knerr and Juliet Mitchell finished in two minutes, 21.34 seconds, while Mazen Abdul-Knerr, Taj Abdul-Knerr, Cole Mattison-Gulotta and Rinchen Monlam clocked in at 1:56.11.
The Blue Devils had great success in relays, also taking the win in the girls 200-yard freestyle relay and both 400-yard freestyle relays.
“The camaraderie and the team energy was really good,” Davis said. “Being willing to be here, the day before break, and still get together as a whole team, with almost everybody here.”
As for other events where Northampton won on both sides, both 200-yard IM’s went its way as well, with siblings Safia Abdul-Knerr and Taj Abdul-Knerr finishing in 2:28.09 and 2:14.44, respectively.
Adelaide MacLean won the girls 500-yard freestyle at 6:47.86, while Cole Mattison-Gulotta took the top spot in the boys event at 5:42.04.
The team rounded things out with first place in both 100-yard breaststrokes, with Alejandro at 1:30.73 for the girls and Taj Abdul-Knerr at 1:08.66 for the boys.
Judah Wagler won the boys 100-yard freestyle with a time of 1:10.43, and Elise Marks tallied 180.70 in the girls one meter diving.
Although there were plenty of victories, the Blue Devils had plenty of young swimmers getting their feet wet in new events. The combination of veteran production along with young experience being gained helped make for an all around important meet.
“I was really happy with all the [swimmers] trying new races,” Davis said. “A few had never won an event, coming out and winning them. Really happy with our fastest swimmers, but also just as happy with one’s trying new things.”
Holyoke had a productive day of its own, taking first place in a number of events. The Purple Knights dominated the 50-yard freestyles, with Katie Carson in first at 29.31, and Jared Lapite in the top spot at 26.57.
Moving up a league this season, Holyoke knew it would be put to the test, but the team was up for the challenge on Monday.
“The competition this year is going to be really awesome,” Purple Knights head coach Megan Haber said. “We’re facing bigger teams, teams that have more year-round swimmers.”
In other top spots for Holyoke, Maeve Healy finished in first place in the girls 200-yard freestyle, clocking in at 2:37.81. Ibrahim Salloum took the crown in the boys 100-yard butterfly at 59.99.
Kierstin St. Lawrence finished first in the girls 100-yard freestyle at 1:04.993, while Carson captured first in the girls 100-yard backstroke at 1:16.38 as well. The Purple Knights won the boys 200-yard freestyle relay, clocking in at 1:41.41.
Holyoke had plenty of good outcomes on the night, with an extra meet of added experience helping to get more into the swing of things.
“For my swimmers, I think the biggest positive was them overcoming their little ‘in their head’ moments and just doing what they need to do to get done,” Haber said.
With the win for Northampton, it looks forward to a meet against West Springfield on the road on Monday, January 5 at 5 p.m.
“We’re comfortable swimming our best events, but then we’re going to have to try some new ones and be ready to adapt and to try some new events come January,” Davis said.
The loss gives Holyoke plenty to learn from, looking ahead to Friday, January 2, at 4 p.m., when it takes on Springfield Central at home.
“Certain things need to be worked on, like finishes and turns, and the little things, the little fundamentals that they seem to forget sometimes,” Haber said.
Other area swim results
Amherst 114, Belchertown 54 (girls) — Rowan Albertson and Lindsay Franz took the top two spots in the 100 freestyle, highlighting the Hurricanes’ huge win.
All three relays were won by Amherst, as well.
Belchertown 94, Amherst 72 (boys) — Tallon Demers (50 free and 100 backstroke), Lewin Halasz (200 free) and Lloyd Schattin (100 free) swam well for Amherst in the close loss.
Soren Castenson followed closely behind Schattin in the 100 free, taking second place.
Easthampton 90, Monson 28 (girls) — The Eagles took first place in every event except for the 200 Individual Medley, the 100 free and the 100 breaststroke.
Allie St. Pierre (200 free, 100 butterfly, Taylor St. Pierre (50 free) and Lauren Filipek (100 backstroke) won individual events for Easthampton.