Girls' swim team honors seniors

The 2012 MHS girls' swim team honored its six seniors on Friday, Oct. 26. Photos courtesy of Kiersten Smith of Manchester High School. - Contributed Photo

The six seniors on the Manchester High School girls' swim team were honored during Senior Night, the last home meet of the season, on Friday, Oct. 26. The girls were recognized by head coach Mel Siebold and given two long-stemmed roses, one for themselves and one to present to their mothers.

Captains Julia Sirois and Natalie Yeats were among the six seniors who were honored. According to Siebold, Yeats - while not among the top swimmers - has always been ready to assist new girls. “She always tries to help the younger swimmers, and she always helps them get used to what a high school varsity team is about,” said Siebold. “She's just a good kid.” He can rely on her, he said, for the 50-, 100- and 200-yard freestyle events.

“Julia Sirois is the same way - she always helps the younger swimmers,” said Siebold. She is among the top swimmers, and has a gift for keeping the team in line when they get distracted or start to fool around. “She has that knack. She's a natural leader,” he said. Sirois is one of the fastest 50-yard freestylers. She also swims the 100-yard freestyle on a regular basis.

“They're different personalities and they make a good combination for captains,” said Siebold.

Senior Miranda Yenor is the team's only diver. “She went from scoring 119 points in her diving last year, to 152 this year,” Siebold said. “That's a tremendous increase, especially for a kid who started as a junior last year.”

“Kyla McHugh is good in the freestyle sprints, and helped an awful lot in relays,” Siebold said. She usually does freestyle in the medley relay, as well as swimming in the 200-yard relay and the final 400-yard relay. She also has swum the 500-yard freestyle on occasion.
Senior Dana Donagher is a former diver who decided to swim after receiving a knee injury. “She was a diver who scored higher than Miranda, but with a bad knee she couldn't take the springing of the board,” said Siebold.

Becca Pilney is a breaststroke swimmer and freestyle sprinter, who also helps in relays. “She's a hard worker and never gave up,” said Siebold.

On Friday, Nov. 2, the team competed in the CCC North. The top five girls in each event were eligible to swim, and according to Siebold, 18 of the 26 girls swam at the meet.

On Saturday, Nov. 10, they will go to the LL Qualifying Meet at East Hartford High School. “Rosemary Medenski, a junior, is the only person who has qualified in individual events,” said Siebold. She has qualified in five different events, and will swim at least in the 100 freestyle.

After the LL Qualifying Meet, the LL Championship will be held Wednesday, Nov. 14, at Wesleyan University. “You have to be in the top 24 of all the kids who swam in your event to move to the LL Championship,” said Siebold. “And I think Rosie will do that.” To move to the State Open on Saturday, Nov. 17, athletes have to be among the top 24 swimmers from all divisions in the state. “She's going to be on the borderline for that,” he said.