Latin Academy rules the pool again
Dragons capture another Boston City League title
As time has passed, the trophy case at Latin Academy has become somewhat … cluttered?
Maybe that’s too strong of a word. Stockpiled might fit the bill a bit better.
One of the crucial reasons? Well, let’s just say Richard Mojica’s swim teams have played a key role in that over the years, and on Thursday, his group made history once again.
Melinda Field, Diego Alzamora, Ella Hamilton and Christopher Stephenson blazed to a first-place time of 2:01.40 in the 200yard medley relay to open the evening. The Dragons were never challenged from that point onward, racking up 146 points as Latin Academy clinched its latest Boston City League co-ed swimming championship at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School.
For some reason or another, it just seems like history has a tendency of repeating itself year in, year out at this meet, and it didn’t take long for fans to get that same feeling.
Jack Mogan (2:12.34) and Mabel Gallagher (2:22.71) proceeded to finish first and second, respectively, in the ensuing 200 freestyle. Then, Alzamora captured first-place honors in the 200 IM (2:23.63), and the Dragons were off and running, already with a comfortable 25-point lead in the standings.
“It feels amazing,” said an emotional Alzamora. “We’ve worked all season for this. I love these people like my family. I’m really proud of us today, and what we’ve done here.”
Mogan’s banner night continued in the 50 freestyle, as he was named the boys champion after placing first (25.66 seconds) in a field of 35 contestants. Latin Academy sophomore Alexis Millman won the girls title, finishing sixth overall in 29.39.
It was a clean sweep when it came to individual honors for Latin Academy. Alzamora also went on to win the 500 freestyle (5:48.18) while anchoring
the Dragons to a victory in the 400 freestyle relay (4:02.39). For his efforts, the senior was selected as the BCL Boys Swimmer of the Meet.
Meanwhile, Field was chosen as the Girls Swimmer
of the Meet for Latin Academy. In addition to her performance in the 200 medley relay, the sophomore finished second in the 100 backstroke (1:10.84) and third in the 200 IM (2:43.51). By the time the
meet concluded, Latin Academy had outpaced its competition in the field by 68 points.
“I honestly wasn’t expecting it,” Field said. “I’m really grateful that I was able to get this honor. I think everybody worked really hard this season. I feel like I worked my hardest this season, and I’m very proud of myself right now.”
Marquis Francois also made headlines among individual athletes, winning the 100 butterfly (1:02.87) and the 100 backstroke (1:03.40) for O’Bryant.
Had it not been for a strange instance a few years back in which Latin Academy lost a BCL swimming championship off a disqualification, this would have marked 29 consecutive titles for the program.
Following the ceremonies after the meet, Mojica could only chuckle as the Dragons slowly walked over to him, and began serenading. A fitting end to a historic day, as the coach was celebrating his 54th birthday.
“One of the things for these guys is that they’re a good group,” Mojica said. “They’re a good team. In a lot of years, we have had a lot of good swimmers. This year, we have a good team. I thought that was built by them, getting to practice on their own, stuff like that. That builds a lot of character, a lot of grit.”