Strong bonds key as HoVal swim teams take CVC titles

BY RICH FISHER

They are listed as the Hopewell Valley Central High School boys swim team, and the HVCHS girls swim team.

But as far as the coaches and athletes are concerned, they are just one big Bulldog team.

Boys coach Dennis Atkinson and girls mentor Lauren Ashman are quick to note that when one provides a comment on the team, they are speaking for both. Senior captain Ava D’Alessandro says the bond between the boys and girls has been a lifetime in the making, and was integral to their success this season.

“Most of us have been swimming with each other for years,” D’Alessandro said. “We all have the shared drive to be successful and a love for swimming. This bond helped us lead the team in unison. We all were on the same page. We wanted success.

“The bond helped us tremendously in competition. We were able to create an environment that was positive, supportive, and fun. We made sure to have a team group chat and send out motivational texts before meets. This helped get other underclassmen to chime in and eventually our supportiveness for one another just flourished.

“Meets became increasingly loud throughout the season and more swimmers were supporting each other behind the block. We found success quickly and it motivated all of us to work hard and be there for each other. I hope this environment that we established stays for seasons to come.”

The end result of that chemistry produced the best com- bined season in 18 years for the Bulldogs. The boys went 8-6 and 5-0 in the Colonial Valley Conference Valley Division. The girls were 8-4 and 4-0 in the Valley (Ewing did not have a girls team). It marked the first time since 2005 that both teams won CVC championships in the same season, although Atkinson says that winning titles were just byproducts of performing well.

“This group of athletes was really focused on improving in the water while showing sup- port for one another during both practices and meets,” he said. “The division title wasn’t discussed much throughout the season until the goal was in reach.”

Adamson was quick to add: “Swimming is a unique sport. Each practice has a specific focus as well as each meet has a specific focus. We try not to look too far ahead, but keep our goals in the back of our minds. We set high expectations for our athletes whether we win the Valley Division or not. Each season brings different challenges and goals that are discussed early on in the season as well as throughout the year.”

Leading the way this year were that tight group of seniors, which has had to endure some hardships over their four years, including changing practice

See SWIMMING, Page 13

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