Hornets varsity swim team getting ready for finals

At the mid-point of the season, three students have qualifed for the state finals. Photos by Frances Taylor.

At the half-way mark of the season, East Hartford High School boys' varsity swim team members are working to qualify for the state finals, which begin next month.

“We're doing well so far; we've had people with a lot of good times,” said coach Jillian Piedscalzo. “We've already had three people qualify for the states, and we expect more to qualify in the meets that are coming up.”

The varsity swim team is back in the pool at East Hartford High this week, after its daily practice was shifted to the pool at East Hartford Middle School following the drowning death of EHHS student Marcum Asiamah during a gym class in January. The pool was closed temporarily by school officials during an investigation of the incident. “We were able to get into the pool at the middle school, and we've been going strong ever since,” Piedscalzo said.

Shariff Lewis, a diver who is in his second year on the team, qualified for the state finals during his last meet. He performed several dives, including back somersault, a forward double, and reverse inward dive. “It was a big rush, very exciting,” Lewis said. “I felt really proud of myself.”

Sheldon Walters, a diver who is in his third year on the team, qualified for the states for the second time. “I was pretty sure I would make it, I did some pretty hard dives,” Walters said. “I'm hoping to place in the top 10 this year.” Walters performed a forward double, and one and half dive to qualify for the finals. “The team is doing well – we practice everyday, even Saturdays,” Walters said. “That means no pancakes for breakfast.”