Gendron a force for Northmen
Northmen junior showed classmates her ability in pool
North Smithfield swimmer was a one-woman team
“I swam (in) high school because I wanted to prove to my classmates and other people at school that I can swim fast, that swimming is more than they think it is.” – North Smithfield’s Sara Gendron
NORTH SMITHFIELD – Now these should be the words Sara Gendron so wants to hear, or – in this case – read: We recognize you and your accomplishments as a high school swimmer, and are both proud and grateful to say we watched you compete.
At both the Bay View Invitational and R.I. Interscholastic swimming championships this winter, the diminutive yet mighty speedy North Smithfield High junior had to perform as an “independent,” as her school doesn’t offer a varsity program.
Unlike 99 percent of other girls who represent teams, she didn’t have the opportunity to swim in league dual meets, and she admits she missed the camaraderie that’s attached to such competitions.
“It did bother me a little at the Bay View meet, seeing all those girls around me cheering for their teammates, their school, and I was all alone,” Gendron stated recently. “I felt I was just swimming for myself.
“I swam (in) high school because I wanted to prove to my classmates and other people at school that I can swim fast, that swimming is more than they think it is,” she added. “My school is so soccer-driven; everyone always talks about playing soccer or tennis, and they don’t understand all the work I put in with my club team (the Bryant University-based Bulldogs Aquatics, which is affiliated with USA Swimming, Inc.).
“They don’t see me compete (at those meets), so maybe they don’t realize I train six days a week.”
That work and dedication more than showed at the state championships at Brown University on Feb. 25, when Gendron placed third overall in the 200-yard individual medley (best-ever 2:10.85), then took second in the 100-yard butterfly (58.23).
In the latter event, she lost only to Narragansett senior Michaela Degnan, who was in the process of racking up a state career record of eight individual victories.
Amonth before, at the Bay View Invitational at the same pool, Gendron showed her versatility with thirds in the 200 freestyle (1:58.70) and 100 butterfly (58.30).
For those reasons, and many more, Gendron heads the Call/Times Girls Swimming Most Valuable Player.
To exhibit her work ethic, not to mention capacity to endure extreme pain, she has completed such treacherous workouts as 100 x 100-yard freestyles on various intervals (the fastest on 1:15 and 1:20); and 27 x 200s, alternating butterfly with the IM on a 2:40 interval.
“I definitely like the people I swim with, and our (head) coach, Jerry Cummiskey,” she noted. “I like practicing with the guys because they’re so fast, and they push me. We get through all the really hard sets together.
“What drives me? Probably the people swimming next to me,” she continued. “I have a fiery competitive nature; I just hate to lose. I think it’s been embedded in me from a young age because my dad (Ron) is the men’s varsity tennis coach at Bryant, and he’s coached me for as long as I can remember.
“He’s shown me the ways I should approach a race mentally. He works so hard and accomplished so much, it makes me want to try to do the same.”
Gendron admitted she was thrilled her 200 IM clocking at states, but not so the 100 butterfly.
“I wasn’t real happy with that; I know I can go faster in the fly,” she said. “I’ve been stuck on 58 for long, it drives me crazy. I’m hoping I’ll go under 58 next week.”
She referred to the fact she attended the NASA Junior Nationals in Clearwater, Fla, and will fly to the Speedo Sectional Championships in Ithaca, N.Y. soon. There she will compete in the 200 IM, 100 and 500 freestyles and – naturally – her 100 fly specialty.
Not surprisingly, Gendron also earns exceptional grades (4.03 GPA) in school, and currently ranks ninth in her senior class of 99.
“I definitely want to finish my junior year with the high grades I started with,” she offered. “I’m dialing down on my college decision, and my future major options. Right now, I’m looking at Springfield (College) and Georgetown (University), and I love Bryant, but there are definitely more options for me.
“I really don’t have a dream school, but I do know I want to go to a college (women’s team) that’s really fast. I’m thinking D-I all the way.
“Like I said, I don’t think people understand the level of competition I’m at,” she added. “If anyone tests or judges my work ethic – be it in the water or in school – that really bothers me. When I did well at states, although not as well as I wanted – I feel satisfied because now it’s on the record. People know I placed second in the fly and third in the IM.”
Her achievements aren’t lost on Cumberland High mentor Rod McGarry, who himself swam on high levels both at Bishop Feehan and Providence College, not to mention assorted club squads.
“Sara is just unbelievable,” he remarked. “Talk about a swimmer who has a great balance of power and technique, and the fact she just loves to race. The thing about her is she’s such a smart swimmer. If you could waive residency requirements, or if the boundaries changed a little bit, we’d gladly love to have her here in Cumberland.
“You watch that girl on the pool deck, she’s all by herself because she has no team to be a part of, but when she’s done with a race, she’ll shake hands with the girls she just buried. She’s a class act. She’s never satisfied. With that particular attitude, you know if she had the chance to (swim the 100 fly) again at states, she’d know exactly what she change in the race and win it.”