Greely second at both boys’ and girls’ state meets
By Michael Hoffer
The curtain fell on the swimming and diving season last week and Forecaster Country produced plenty of memorable performances.
After falling short a year ago, the Falmouth girls won their fifth Class B state championship in six seasons last Monday at the University of Maine in Orono. The Yachtsmen scored 319 points to defeat runner-up Greely (295), which was second for the sixth time in seven years, as well as 26 other teams. Yarmouth (150 points) came in sixth. North Yarmouth Academy (103) placed eighth. Freeport, featuring two individuals, had 32 points and placed 15th.
The boys took their turn last Tuesday, also in Orono. Greely had 263 points, but was a distant second to Mt. Desert Island (368). The Rangers were runners-up for the third year in a row and the fourth time in the past five seasons. NYA (118 points) finished ninth, Yarmouth (60) was 11th and Falmouth (54) finished 12th.
Dynasty restored
Only a disqualified relay team prevented the Falmouth girls from winning six successive state championships. Last year, the Yachtsmen had a false start in the 400 medley relay and wound up third behind McAuley and Greely.
This time, Falmouth took care of business, sweeping the relays.
Hayley Couper, Allison Rolfe, Emily Pacetti and Adrianne Madden came in first in the medley relay in a time of 2 minutes, 0.73 seconds. Couper, Pacetti, Sarah Uminski and Kristin Jackson won the 200 free relay (1:45.45). Jackson, Courtney Greenwood, Uminski and Madden were tops in the 400 free relay (3:47.03).
Jackson was named Swimmer of the Meet after also winning the 200 individual medley (2:09.54) and the 100 butterfly (58.73 seconds).
Madden was tops in the 50 free (24.99) and came in third in the 100 free (55.67).
Evelyn Perry was first in diving with a score of 323.45, providing some huge points in the absence of Nicola Mancini, who was out with injury.
That was just the beginning.
Uminski came in fourth in the 200 free (2:07.35) and placed sixth in the 100 free (57.58). Couper was fourth in the 100 backstroke (1:06.39). Kathryn Goffin was sixth in diving (235.65). Greenwood placed sixth in the 500 free (6:01.52) and 12th in the IM (2:32.74). Couper placed seventh in the 200 free (2:12.21). Pacetti was ninth in the fly (1:08.43). Rolfe came in 13th in the 100 breaststroke (1:19.22).
“It was a great meet,” said Falmouth coach John Keyes. “I knew I had to win all three relays and I put my faith in those girls, especially Allison Rolfe, who did not swim with those other girls in the medley relay this year. She had the time she needed to in the 50 breast. The other three I knew would come through.
“Adrianne swam the 50 of her life in that relay, coming from behind to win in an amazing race to watch. That set the tone for the meet and then we did it again in the 200 free relay. With those two in the win column, I knew we could win the 400 free relay.
“Kristin swam great in both her events and the two relays. Sarah, Hayley, Courtney and Emily all did great. Allison was the biggest surprise, also Eve Perry and Kathryn in diving. This was such a team effort. Everyone contributed and supported each other.”
Greely was led by Sara Schad, who was runner-up in both the 100 free (55.64) and the 200 free (2:02.83).
Lizziy Perry finished third in the back (1:05.96) and sixth in the IM (2:29.00). Taylor Roach came in fifth in the 100 free (57.11) and sixth in the 50 free (26.75). Megan Stroud was sixth in the 200 free (2:11.38) and eighth in the 100 free (1:00.04). Kristen Berube was sixth in the back (1:07.43) and 10th in the fly (1:09.06). Jackie Andrews placed seventh in the 500 free (6:06.15) and eighth in the 200 free (2:12.36). Maggie Norton finished ninth in the IM (2:30.66). Franny Martelle came in 10th in the breaststroke (1:18.14). Katie Whittum came in 11th in the 200 free (2:14.89) and also placed 11th in the back (1:10.92). Maggie Norton was 11th in the 500 free (6:03.44). Stephanie Guidi came in 12th in the back (1:11.09). Emily Norton placed 14th in the IM (2:38.50) and 15th in the breaststroke (1:19.95).
The Rangers were second in the 200 free relay (1:47.48), third in the 400 free relay (3:55.54) and fifth in the medley relay (2:03.69).
“We were the bridesmaid again,” said Greely coach Rob Hale. “Going into the meet, we knew we’d be playing catchup. On paper, we were 51 points back. We were able to cut that in half by the girls swimming their hearts out. Hats off to Falmouth. They accepted our challenge and responded like champions.”
Don’t be surprised if the theme is similar a year from now.
“I lose Kristin, Emily and Allison, but everyone else is back,” Keyes said. “It looks like it will be Falmouth and Greely again.”
“We look forward to continuing this rivalry, second only to Red Sox-Yankees, next year,” Hale countered.
Yarmouth’s effort was paced by Abbey Ridge, who was runner-up in the breaststroke (1:11.35) and ninth in the 50 free (27.04).
Cathy Agro placed fourth in the fly (1:03.65) and eighth in the 50 free (27.36). Melissa Agro was eighth in the IM (2:31.84) and 11th in the breaststroke (1:18.46). Caitlyn Planer came in eighth in the fly (1:08.38) and 12th in the 200 free (2:16.06). Adrian Copeland was ninth in the backstroke (1:09.96).
The Clippers were fourth in the medley relay (2:02.69) and sixth in the 400 free relay (4:08.83).
NYA’s top finisher was Sarah Kaminow, who was second to Perry in diving (287.75). Rachel Clegg placed third in the 200 free (2:07.32) and was also third in the 500 free (5:46.36). Alison Znamierowski came in 11th in the 50 free (27.73).Christine Reighley placed 13th in the 50 free (27.92).
The Panthers were sixth in the 200 free relay (1:53.79) and ninth in the 400 free relay (4:17.31).
Freeport’s points came from Kaylon Brown (seventh in the 100 free; 59.87, and 12th in the 100 backstroke; 1:18.59) and Allison Curtis (eighth in the 500 free; 6:06.37, and 13th in the 200 free; 2:17.29).
Familiar territory
At the boys’ meet, Greely once again finished second to MDI, which won its sixth championship in a row.
The Rangers were solid in the relays, coming in second in the medley (1:47.64), third in the 400 free (3:29.69) and fourth in the 200 free (1:38.40).
Individually, John Madeira was second in the IM (2:04.73) and runner-up in the backstroke (57.93). Patrick Bowden placed third in the IM (2:05.06) and fourth in the breaststroke (1:04.69). Dan Spencer came in sixth in the 100 free (51.77) and ninth in the 200 free (2:00.05). Kyle Wilson finished seventh in the 200 free (1:56.78) and eighth in the backstroke (1:01.63). Ian Mecray was eighth in the breaststroke (1:07.85) and ninth in the 50 free (23.41). Ethen Geheb placed 10th in the 100 free (54.23) and 11th in the 50 free (24.00). German Mercado was 10th in the fly (1:02.01) and had the 12th-best time in the IM (2:19.13). Sam Reed finished 13th in the backstroke (1:05.42). Peter Pacent finished 14th in the 500 free (6:01.25). Dan O’Brion placed 14th in the breaststroke (1:14.49).
“The boys had a terrific state meet,” Hale said. “It can be hard to stay focused going into the meet knowing you are not in a battle for first and no one is challenging you for second. Going into the state meet, our program talks about you can only control what happens in your lane and both teams did exactly that, both morning and night. The grin on my face was so big and constant it hurt.”
NYA was led by a dazzling performance from Ian Nichols, who won the 50 free (22.36) and placed second in the breaststroke (1:01.52).
Nicolas Kaminow was ninth in the IM (2:15.33) and 10th in the backstroke (1:01.87). Trey Milam came in 10th in the 200 free (2:02.46). Evan Siepert placed 15th in the 50 free (24.99).
The Panthers were fifth in the 400 free relay (3:41.93), sixth in the medley relay (1:54.46) and 16th in the 200 free relay (1:52.67).
For Yarmouth, Brendan Canfield placed eighth in the 500 free (5:50.33). Jordan Lavoie finished ninth in the breaststroke (1:09.01). Adam Copeland was 13th in the fly (1:05.12).
The Clippers were ninth in the 400 free relay (3:53.70), 11th in the medley relay (2:01.35) and 14th in the 200 free relay (1:51.51).
Falmouth’s points came from Cameron Greenwood (eighth in the IM, 2:17.44; and 10th in the breaststroke, 1:09.09) and its 200 free (ninth, 1:48.24), medley (10th, 2:00.33) and 400 free (15th, 4:29.20) relay teams.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net