Above: The EG Girls swimmers who qualified for States, from left: Mia Pinkies, Ava Bradshaw, Grace Nardozzi, Audrey Kling, Megan Huntley, Madison Siedliski and Jessika Finger. Photos by Kathy Smith

Swimmers were able to swim against their competitors in person this past season, a welcome change from the COVID-forced virtual meets of last year. 

“It was great to be back to regular meets this year,” said Coach Gina Hand. “To be back at dual meets and a real divisional meet and states … there was really good energy at all of those meets. Our dual meets were on Fridays – we had such a good turnout.”

At States, which took place March 5, the Girls Swim team placed fifth overall, a welcome surprise, according to Coach Gina Hand. 

“The girls took fifth, which was not anything we expected,” said Hand, “ahead of Classical and Lincoln, both of which beat us in the regular season.” She added that all seven swimmers who qualified for states scored points for the team. Junior Megan Huntley placed first in the 100 freestyle and fourth in the 200 free. “She had a great time in the 200 but other girls were right with her.”

The swimmers at States were seniors (and captains) Audrey Kling and Mia Pinkes; juniors Huntley, Jessika Finger, anbd Madison Siedliski; and sophomores Grace Nardozzi and Ava Bradshaw. 

In the Division 2 finals two weeks ago, EG Girls took second (behind Classical). The team had been in the D1 final just last year (losing by a hair to Barrington) but in the reordering between seasons, EG was dropped to D2, and because the team lost a raft of strong seniors last year, Hand said, “It turned out, D2 was where the girls should have been.”

She said the two senior captains Kling and Pinkes provided “incredible leadership.” Both are club swimmers, which means they swim year round. Swimming for school and club can be a tough balancing act but Kling committee to not miss a school team practice and stuck to it. Pinkes was back swimming after not swimming last year and only a little the year before.

One reason for the new division was because the EG Boys team – school teams need to swim in the same division regardless of differences in ability. The EG Boys had struggled in D1, failing to win any meets in recent years (EGHS loses a lot of year round boys swimmers to private schools). This season the Boys team won two of its meets, a welcome change. 

“A great group of kids. Kudos,” said Hand. 

Hand had coaching help from her son, David Evans, as assistant coach, as well as former EGHS swimmer Ilya Smith who volunteered on the deck and Katie Evans (Hand’s daughter) also volunteered. 

Some other highlights from States:

Megan Huntley placed 1st in 100 free (breaking her own school record) and 4th place in the 200 free.

Jessika Finger placed 8th in 100 backstroke (breaking her school record)and  13th in the 200 IM

Grace Nardozzi placed 8th in 50 free.

Ava Bradshaw placed 7th in 500 free, 14th in 200 IM

EG placed 13th in 200 Free relay (Audrey Kling, Mia Pinkes, Madison Siedliski and Ava Bradshaw), and 5th in the 400 free relay (Jessika Finger, Ava Bradshaw, Grace Nardozzi and Megan Huntley).

Congratulations, swimmers! Some photos below.

Editor’s note: We would love to carry more swim coverage next year. If you have a child who will be swimming next year, please consider providing a story or two. Nothing fancy and help is available! If interested, send an email to [email protected].

EGHS Girls & Boys Swim team 2021-22.

Coach Gina Hand, center, and other coaches and swimmers cheer on a teammate.