The Barrington High School girls swim team achieved a remarkable milestone by winning their twelfth consecutive state championship on March 7, 2024. Competing against various teams across the state, Barrington amassed an impressive total of 344 points, solidifying their dominance in the sport.
Central to this victory was swimmer Reese Graveline, who excelled in multiple events. She claimed victory in the 100-yard butterfly, finishing with a time of 57.81 seconds, while also contributing to the team’s success in relay events. Graveline expressed her pride in being part of such a special team, saying, “Every single year we go out and try to win the championship. Bringing new freshmen into the program every year, bringing them into the tradition, is so special.”
Barrington’s success extended beyond individual performances. The team won both the 200-yard freestyle relay and the 400-yard freestyle relay. The relay team comprising Raina Salahuddin, Graveline, Molly DiGiacomo, and Grace Lunardelli clocked an impressive 1:39.11 in the 200-yard freestyle relay, outpacing East Providence, which finished in second place at 1:42.87. For the 400-yard freestyle relay, the same quartet again triumphed with a time of 3:40.73, exceeding their nearest competitors by over three seconds.
The Eagles showcased their strength in the pool with nearly sweeping the relay events. In the 200-yard medley relay, Barrington finished just shy of a win, taking second place with a time of 1:53.13, falling only half a second behind East Providence.
Sophomore standout Grace Lunardelli also made headlines by winning two individual events. In the 50-yard freestyle, she narrowly edged out teammate DiGiacomo, finishing just one-tenth of a second shy of the meet record. Lunardelli followed this performance with a victory in the 100-yard freestyle event, further contributing to Barrington’s overall points tally.
The team’s depth was evident as several swimmers scored valuable points across various events. Molly Hanratty added to the total with an eighth-place finish in the 50-yard freestyle and a sixth-place finish in the 100-yard backstroke. Additionally, Katlyn Xian and Adyson Lesk made significant contributions, finishing in the top ten in multiple events.
Coach Sandy Gorham expressed immense pride in his team, noting, “We do it as a small public school, not a private school. I think that’s what makes it extra special for us.” He highlighted this year’s achievement as particularly significant, being one of only three occasions when both boys and girls teams from the same school secured state titles in the same year.
Gorham acknowledged the talent within the girls’ team, stating, “This is a star-studded team… The girls have five first team all-staters,” contrasting with the boys’ team, which he described as a cohesive unit lacking individual accolades.
With their twelfth title secured, the Barrington High School girls swim team continues to set a high standard in high school swimming, inspiring future generations of athletes. Their commitment to excellence and teamwork shines brightly in the competitive landscape of high school sports.
