Eagles soar past Clippers
Barrington coach fondly recalls late Cumberland mentor Bruce Calvert
BARRINGTON — It may have been an unusual start time for any dual meet involving Cumberland High – Saturday afternoon at 4:30 – but head coach Rod McGarry knew long before what to expect from Division I foe Barrington.
First, and to be blunt, he knew his girls' squad would get shelled by the deeper Eagles, who will look to defend its state team crown in four weeks, and did, 6928.
Second, he also understood his boys would lose, though could put up more of a fight with the likes of talented standouts Jay Rossi, Ian Zito and senior co-captain Eric Henderson.
Despite several fine performances, the Clippers sustained a 59-36 defeat.
Most importantly, however, McGarry knew Barrington mentor Sandy Gorham would celebrate the life of longtime Cumberland aquatic director and varsity swim head coach Bruce Calvert, who died last weekend at 72.
Before the first event, Gorham didn't need a mike to quiet the throngs lining the Bayside Family YMCA natatorium, then explained his long, respectful and friendly relationship with Calvert.
“I met Bruce in 1973, and he was always a fierce competitor, but a great guy,” he stated. “He certainly loved and respected all of his Cumberland swimmers, but he also was a gentleman who loved swimming in general, specifically high school swimming.
“I remember him helping us when one of my breaststrokers was having a problem years ago; he spent a few minutes with him before the (now-defunct) Brown Interscholastics, and my kid was fine afterward,” he continued. “The drills he taught that kid, we still do the same ones to this day. He had such a profound effect on high school swimming, and I – for one – am saddened by his passing.
“It wasn't just about his swimmers, but anyone who swam on this level. He wanted to help them swim fast. He was a great man.”
Junior Wanqing Li paced the still-unbeaten Eagles (6-0), snaring “double-winner” status in both the 200-yard freestyle (2:06.89) and 100-yard butterfly (1:03.37), while freshman Julia Zulker claimed the 50 freestyle (25.93) and 100 freestyle (57.85).
Two other Eagles, including sophomores Kaley Swintak and Cali Diehl, reigned in the 500 freestyle (5:48.81) and 100 backstroke (1:04.99), respectively. BHS also swept the first two relays, though in the initial 200 medley, the “B” contingent managed runner-up honors by a mere .08.
Senior tri-captain Kayleigh Canavan recorded the only two individual-ever triumphs for Cumberland, coasting in the 200 individual medley (2:17.43) before facing a test from Barrington's Grace Mellamy in the 100 breaststroke. Canavan won in 1:10.95, while Bellamy closed with a 1:12.39.
Canavan also joined Abby Dion, Cameron Cronin and Jaycie Columbo to reign in the 400 freestyle relay (4:23.37).
As for the boys, junior Rossi avenged a loss to Aidan Lane in the 200 freestyle after edging Ethan O'Connor in the 100 freestyle (50.53).
“In the 200, I missed the first wall; I barely touched it with my toes because I misjudged it,” he laughed after cruising to a not-so-great 1:59.27, over eight seconds behind Lane (1:51.13). “I was out for revenge in the 100, and I'm satisfied with the time.
“I don't know if I'll be able to, but my goal is to break the 100 free school record at the state meet,” he added. “It's like 46-high, and 48-high is my PR. It's unlikely, but I'm still going to chase it. If I don't get it this year, I'll go for it again as a senior.”
Zito, a sophomore, had to settle for a pair of seconds in the 200 individual medley (2:17.47) and 500 freestyle (5:21.08). He dropped the former race to O'Connor (2:06.77) and the latter to Ben Vesey (5:10.32).
In that same 500, McGarry stated being thrilled for junior Connor Hayden, who failed to score but uncorked a best-ever clocking of 5:48.27.
“I started the season at 6:15, and my previous best before this was 5:50 at Hendricken,” Hayden grinned. “I went 5:54 (Friday) against South Kingstown, so I don't know where this came from, but I'll take it.
“I'd say the biggest reason is Ian, who has pushed me since we started doing distance training last season,” he continued. “He's like a role model; I'm always striving to catch him. He and Coach McGarry have been amazing influences on me.”
Henderson manufactured two runner-ups as well in the 50 freestyle (25.10) and 100 butterfly (59.49). He dropped the first to Ben Noonan (24.53) and the second to Harrison Homan (superb time of 52.87).
The Barrington boys improved to 5-1, while the CHS males fell to 3-3.
“I thought the guys swam great,” McGarry said. “They were tired from (Friday's meet), and we knew coming in Barrington was going to be armed and dangerous, and incredibly well-coached with Sandy. We just decided to do the same thing we did against Hendricken – basically, just produce the best possible swims we could against some of the best in our division, and not let up at any point.
“Perfect examples were Eric in the 100 fly; he came back the final 50 to take second,” he added. “Then there was Connor in the 500 and Jay in the 100 free after – ahem – missing the first turn. I think for both teams to have to swim back-to-back like they did, and still show that intensity during a very emotional couple of days with Bruce's passing, it speaks to their character.
“We may not win a lot of dual meets on either side on the scoreboard, but when it comes to character and commitment of the kids on this team – I think we're undefeated in both categories.”