The Watertown Boys Swim and Dive Team ended on a high note this season placing 5th in NVLS and in the top ten for states. 3 star swimmers that stuck out this season shared their experiences during the months of swimming. Jason Pham, a senior on the Watertown Boys Swim & Dive Team, shared an overview of how the entire season went. He shared what the team could have improved on and what he thought they did well. Alban Kadiu, a junior who is a rookie diver this year, shared how he fell in love with diving and plans to do it throughout his senior year. Lastly Julia Campbell, a sophomore, shares how she beat a 26 year old record and her future plans for swimming. Going into states 12 members of the swim team were able to attend. The 12 being, senior Jason Pham, senior Ally Demond, senior Giovanni Capuano, junior Alban Kadiu, sophmore Julia Campbell, sophomore Anthony Mascolo, sophomore Cole Demond, sophomore Hunter Pancazk, freshman Mia Cavallo, freshman Brennan Baker, freshman Joey Nascimento and freshman Noah Metcalfe. 

Jason Pham is an outgoing person in and out of swimming. He was passionate not only about his sport but his team. During states Pham shares there was a “controversial disqualifcation  on our relay that was very close to the school record.” He also shares as a team there were small improvments that could have been made. Even though states wasn’t perfect, Pham said he couldn’t have had a better season.  “This season has been filled with tons of fun and making new friends. I’m proud to say that this year was the most fun year I’ve had.” The biggest shock for him was that his medley relay got gold and first place at NVLS. The relay was swam by Jason Pham, Cole Demond, Anthony Mascolo and Alban Kadiu, which he shares, went into that relay hoping for bronze and walked out with gold.” Overall Pham said he couldn’t be more proud of the team and how they all performed. 

Alban Kadiu, a beginner diver, shares his first experience trying something new. It was a huge shock to his swim coach, Coach Murphy, that he would try diving because he had never expressed that he wanted to focus on diving. Alban qualified for NVL’S, not expecting to. Once NVL’S came he poured all he had into his dives. By doing this he was awarded first place, winning diving NVL’S! Alban was ecstatic and explained, “I felt like I was in a whole new world because as a rookie I would have never thought of me winning.” Alban then went on to states placing 5th. He was very content with his placing saying, “I got 5th and was happy with it because that’s where I was seated and as my first year diving I felt pretty good.” Lastly, he was asked if he will stick to diving, the answer, yes. “I will be sticking to diving because I’ve come so far with it.” 

Julia Campbell broke the 26 year old 100 yard breaststroke record for Watertown by 49 milpiseconds! The original record stood at 1:10:52 and the current one is 1:10:03. Julia shares that she went into the season knowing how hard she wanted to work. She wanted to beat the record, not even realizing that she was only over 1 second away from breaking the record last year. She shares how hard she worked this season, “ I put so much training into my technique and worked the most important muscles for that specific race.” Although Julia in the beginning of the season said she felt little improvement, she eventually saw her personal record getting better and better. Julia shares one thing she swims by, “I think being excited instead of nervous will set a better mindset. It helped me beat that record.” She is passionate about her sport and wants to continue to work hard for the next two years, “this sport means everything to me. Swimming in college is something I am for sure considering.” Julia leaves us with a strong message that any athlete could reflect on, “You can’t just rely on your talent, you have to want it and work hard for it, which is what I did.”