Varsity swim makes waves with a 7‐3 record

Continued from Page 1 dedication throughout the season. Many of the swimmers made it to the finals and medaled in the top 8, including freshman Natalie Kedzior for the 200 free and 500 free, junior Magan Liang and freshman Maeve Keane for the 50 free, Magan Liang for the 100 fly, senior Kelly Bruen for the 100 free and 100 back, freshman Julia Grandstaff for the 100 back, and Maeve Keane and senior Maria Romano for the 100 breast.

Hill's relay teams gave it their all, with the 200 Medley Relay team coming in 3rd, the 200 Freestyle Relay team coming in 4th, and the 400 Freestyle Relay team coming in 4th. These teams were composed of some of the team's most talented swimmers, including Kelly Bruen, Maeve Keane, Julia Grandstaff, Magan Liang, Maria Romano, Erin Hagen, Megan Buckley and Anika Thakkar.

Individual Hill swimmers received recognition as well. Sophomore Chloe Dugan won the All League Award and Hill Coach Amanda Arcieri won the Vinny Harkins Coach of the Year Award. “The season went well this year, and Hill was recognized not only as a formidable team, but as one that demonstrates excellence of character,” said Arcieri.

“When I took on the role of head coach for Hill’s swim team, I asked myself

‘what will my legacy be?’ ‘what will I contribute to this team?’ and ‘what do I want our identity as a team to be?’ AnnMarie and Jill were my coaches and I had big shoes to fill,” she continued. “But I also felt like there were some things that needed to change, and in order for that to happen, I had to exemplify the traits I wanted my swimmers to demonstrate.”

“You can’t expect your athletes to behave the way you want them to if you don’t set the tone with your own behavior first,” remarked Arcieri. “Seeing my swimmers take the initiative to shake hands with even our fiercest competitors, hearing other teams' coaches and parents compliment them on how poised and kind they are, and watching how they make new and prospective swimmers feel welcome--these are the most rewarding moments for me as a coach.” Although Dr. Arcieri is a psychology teacher at Hill, her swimmers will always know her as “Coach Amanda.”

The season was capped off by several outstanding achievements by Kelly Bruen, who set a new league record in the 100 backstroke.

“Going into this year’s A Champs meet, I knew the 100 yard backstroke record was in reach,” said Kelly. “This race was my focus going into the meet. Breaking the record was a breath of relief for me, because I realized all of my hard work and hours in the pool paid off.”

Bruen won the 2023 Outstanding Swimmer Award and shares the 2023 Career Swimmer Award with Katherine Anticev from NDA, a true testament to her skill and dedication as a swimmer. “Being able to help my team and represent Hill with the two awards and with the record was an amazing feeling,” Kelly added.

Bruen will be swimming Division 1 for Loyola University Maryland in the fall, as she continues her outstanding athletic and academic career.