The Barrington High School girls swim team achieved a remarkable milestone on March 7, 2024, by securing their twelfth consecutive state championship. Competing against schools across the state, Barrington dominated the event with a total of 344 points, reaffirming their status as a powerhouse in high school swimming.
Key swimmer Reese Graveline played an instrumental role in this victory. She won an individual event, finished sixth in another, and was a crucial member of two winning relay teams. Graveline expressed her pride in the team’s tradition, stating, “Bringing new freshmen into the program every year, bringing them into the tradition, is so special.”
Barrington’s success was marked by their victories in both the 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle relays. The team, comprised of Salahuddin, Graveline, Molly DiGiacomo, and Grace Lunardelli, achieved a time of 1:39.11 in the 200-yard relay, significantly outpacing East Providence, who finished at 1:42.87. In the 400-yard relay, they clocked in at 3:40.73, over three seconds ahead of the nearest competitor.
The Eagles nearly swept the relay events, finishing second in the 200-yard medley relay with a time of 1:53.13. This performance was just shy of first place, which went to East Providence.
Sophomore standout Grace Lunardelli added to Barrington’s accolades by winning two individual events. In the 50-yard freestyle, she narrowly missed the meet record, finishing just ahead of her teammate DiGiacomo, and also took first place in the 100-yard freestyle event. Graveline showcased her talent by winning the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 57.81.
The meet saw strong performances from other team members as well. In the 500-yard freestyle, Graveline placed sixth, while freshman Charlotte Erickson followed closely behind in fifth. Molly Hanratty contributed to the team’s points by finishing sixth in the 100-yard backstroke.
Head Coach Sandy Gorham expressed pride in the team’s achievement, highlighting the unique nature of their success as a public school. He noted that this was only the third time in history that a high school has won both the boys and girls state titles in the same year, emphasizing the significance of this accomplishment for Barrington.
“This is a star-studded team,” Gorham remarked, contrasting the depth of talent on the girls’ team with the boys’ team, which he described as a hardworking, cohesive unit without individual standout swimmers.
As the Barrington High School girls swim team continues to build on their legacy, their unwavering commitment to excellence and teamwork remains evident. The future of the program looks bright as they strive for continued success in the years to come.
