After an impressive undefeated season in league meets (5-0) last year, an almost equally strong out-of-league record (3-1), and a Middlesex League championship, Belmont boys swim and dive coach Lulu Eamons believes the 2024-25 year could be equally successful.
Why?
Because the Marauders have a ton of up-front depth to lead the way.
“I know we have some weak spots. Probably a place to work on would be coaching up our depth,” said Eamons, who’s entering her fifth year at the helm. “I think we have a lot of top-end speed. I think something for me to work on this season is our back-end speed; bring that up a little bit more.”
Belmont lost just two key members of last season’s team: captain Rory Smyth (100-meter backstroke and 100-meter butterfly) and Nico Adrian (freestyle).
“It was a small senior class,” Eamons said. “Rory’s going to be a really big shoe to fill there.”
Those trying to fill that big shoe include senior captain Thomas Borkowski, who will compete in the 100-meter butterfly, 50-meter freestyle and 100-meter freestyle.
.
“He’s wonderful,” Eamons said. “We can put him anywhere and he succeeds.”
Benjamin Leger (50-meter freestyle,100-meter freestyle and relays), Sina Rostamnezhad (butterfly and distance freestyle) and Alexander Wu (100-meter freestyle, intermediate medley) round off the captain list.
“Alexander is someone I can put anywhere and he’ll do well,” Eamons said.
Among the other key returners include senior George Quigley, who will help put up points in diving.
“I can put him anywhere,” Eamons said. “He’s diving for the first time this year. He can do any stroke. I can plug him in where he’s needed. He’s my go-to (guy).”
Also returning and looking to have big seasons are:
- Junior Rohan Bhagwati (backstroke and distance freestyle);
- Sophomore Ethan Gong (breaststroke)
- Junior Brendan Han (distance freestyle);
- Sophomore Quinn Mitchell (breaststroke, sprint freestyle);
- Sophomore Aodhan Mitchell (butterfly, intermediate medley, freestyle);
- Junior Oliver Poulin-Kerstien (mid to distance freestyle, butterfly);
- Junior Dhruva Suri (sprint freestyle);
- Sophomore Benjamin Wu (not related to Alexander Wu) (mid and distance freestyle, backstroke);
- Sophomore Gregory Zeldovich (distance freestyle and breaststroke).
“We have a large squad this year, which is awesome,” Eamons said.
That squad also includes many newcomers she believes will have a positive impact this year. They include senior Lucas Cadet, a football star who’s swimming for the first time this season.
“He has a very strong swimming background,” Eamons said. “I’m excited to see him compete in the breaststroke and sprint freestyle.”
Sophomore David Chen is another first-time swimmer for the Marauders and will compete in the breaststroke and freestyle.
One thing that has Eamons excited is her diving roster, something she’s never had before. Those diving this season include freshman Miles Hendriks, who will also compete as a sprint freestyler; freshman Hunter Olowinski, who will also be a mid-distance freestyler; and Hugo Taylor, who will swim in various events.
“I believe our team is stronger than last year. I expect us to get lots of points in diving,” she said. “Lexington is the only other team with divers. I think it’s only going to help us in the long run.”
