The Crimson Tide enters new waters this season as 10-year Concord swimming head coach William Quinn passed the reins to his old friend and lawyer-turned-English-teacher Bill Pribis.
Pribis and Quinn both became lawyers after graduating from St. Lawrence University, where they competed for the men’s swimming program.
Later in life, they grew close through shared legal circles as Quinn coached Pribis’ children during their years swimming for Concord.
As Quinn’s family members aged out of the program, Pribis inquired about the job, which led to the passing of the torch.
Pribis, like Quinn, understands that swimming is a lifelong sport that returns what the individual puts into it.
“What I’m really more interested in is getting kids who otherwise wouldn’t be in the water, into the water and teaching them,” said Pribis, who traded his law career to be an English teacher four years ago.
Pribis believes he can help them maximize each swimmer’s potential.
“Really, by establishing a sense of camaraderie and teamsmanship, if you will, supporting each other and really feeling that there’s a swimming community there for them,” Pribis said.
The team will have its swimmers compete in six remaining meets this season as many try to find the event that suits them best.
Returning starters on the girls’ side, junior Molly Mosgrober and sophomore Jillian Barry, will lead the young team in freestyle and medleys. Mosgrober competes in freestyle and backstroke mainly, while Barry excels in breaststroke.
On the boys’ end, seniors Shaun Wicks, Ben Belanger and junior Oliver Conley will all compete in freestyle. Belanger and Conley will also look to lead the team in breaststroke and backstroke, respectively.
Promising newcomers include first-year Sophia Sturgis, senior Addison Twyon, senior Aiden Ried and freshman Anshul Karri.
Belmont-Pembroke-Hopkinton-Inter-Lakes
Division: II
Coach: Matt Wineriter
Returning starters: Belmont: Madeline Wineriter, sr., 100 breaststroke, 200 free. Pembroke: Riley Pope, so., 200 individual medley, 500 free; Megan Gerardi, so., 50 and 100 free.
Top newcomers: Inter-Lakes: Jolie Ruggles, fr., 100 backstroke, 100 butterfly. Pembroke: Delana Girouard, fr.,100 breaststroke, 100 free. Hopkinton: August Swinehart, fr., 200 individual medley, 100 breaststroke, freestyle events.
Outlook: “I expect the majority of our swimmers to make states this year and a high probability of top six finishes by each of our qualifiers. Our incoming freshman class is exceptionally strong and we are excited about the new season,” Wineriter said.
Bishop Brady-Gilford
Division: II
Coach: Lyndsey Hawkins (Bishop Brady, 2nd year)
Returning starters: Megan Varley, sr., 100 backstroke, 50 and 100 butterfly.
Top newcomers: Kiki Herrington, sr.; Logan Filteau, sr.
Outlook: “Swimming is a lifelong sport,” said Coach Hawkins. “You don’t need previous experience just the willingness to try. I tell the girls all the time that swimming is 99% mental. Your body can do hard things; you just have to believe you can.”
Hawkins looks forward to a season filled with growth, personal bests, and memorable moments both in and out of the pool. Varley came close to qualifying for states in 100m backstroke and will look to make it in this year while leading the young team.
Bow
Division: II
Coach: Julie Guerrette (6th year)
Returning starters: Ava Popielarz, so., 200 individual medley, 100 free; Emily Hou, sr., 50 free, 100 breaststroke; Sabine Karanouh sr., 100 free, 100 backstroke; Molly Key sr., 100 free, 100 breaststroke.
Top newcomers: Ben Delude, fr., 50 free, 100 butterfly.
Outlook: “As a coach, I am very excited to have returning a well-rounded team, one that has a great combination of strong leaders and competitors. One of our newest team members, Ben Delude, is someone to watch, as he is going to be a very formidable freshman this year, and in years to come in the D2 men’s division,” Guerrette said.
