It’s not like this has all been on the backs of one dominant class.
Most of the athletes on this year’s Triton girls swimming roster were still in middle school when this run started. Names like Grace Chapman and Mae Krisler helped to set the foundation four years ago now, and are former swimmers — among others — that still resonate within the walls of the Vikings’ locker room.
But it all just speaks to the strength of the program.
No matter the names, no matter the faces, the Vikings just continue to win.
Last week, the Triton girls claimed their fourth straight undefeated CAL Kinney title, clinching the four-peat with a victory of Lynnfield, 48-42. And really the entire identity of the program was in full display. You had Jenna Whitaker — a two-time Daily News All-Star and sophomore at Pentucket — win both the 200 and 500 freestyle, while a newcomer in Newburyport freshman Ava Robitaille was also a double-event winner in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke.
The “old” and the “new,” both making a difference.
“Obviously having the co-op communities (Triton, Newburyport, Pentucket, Georgetown) helps,” said Triton coach Rebecca Burrell. “But I think in all of our co-op schools we’ve developed a fun culture. We have great talent in our area that we can draw from, and they all do a great job making it a program that people want to be a part of.”
So goal No. 1: Check.
The Kinney title has become a commonplace award for the Vikings, and on this upcoming Sunday, they’ll also be going for their fourth straight CAL Open championship. Also winning events against Lynnfield was Guiliana Cogliani in the 100 butterfly, Allie Anderson in the 50 free and Lyla Travers in the 100 free.
But, of course, Triton has bigger plans.
Most of the swimmers have already posted cut times that qualify them for both the upcoming Sectional and State Meets in their respective events. Then when the Vikings eventually do get to States, they’ll be looking to continue what’s become quite the impressive trend.
Take a look:
In 2021-22, they were 21st out of 42 scoring teams with 31 points.
In 2022-23, they were 17th out of 45 teams with 50.
Then last year, they were 10th out of 44 teams with 97 points.
Is top-5 in the cards this winter?
“The girls I feel really good about, we have both the numbers and the talent,” said Burrell. “I think that there’s a very good chance the girls will be champions (at the CAL Open) as well. Then if everyone swims to their potential, I can see them finishing top-5 at States.”
BOYS: Heartbreak, but plenty of promise
While the Triton girls got to celebrate a CAL Kinney title last week, the boys were incredibly close to being able to do the same.
As in, like, a few hundreths of a second close.
The Lynnfield boys were able to squeak out the 49-45 victory over the Vikings, getting a pair of event wins by a combined .03 seconds to pull it off. Josh Adler was a double-winner in both the 200 and 100 free for the Vikings, and fellow captain Sam Whitaker won both the 50 free and the 100 breaststroke.
“That meet took a lot out of me,” laughed Burrell. “We had some truly heroic swims that kept the meet so close, including Lucas (Itrato’s) 500, Clay (Erickson’s) 14-second personal-best in the same event, Luke (Linehan’s) 54.4 split in the 400 free relay and Hugo (Hennessey’s) 55.9 to come from behind and score the B relay.”
Itrato, a freshman, also won his first ever event by touching first in the 500 free.
He’s a new face making a big impact for Triton this year, but it all starts with Whitaker and Adler, the two returning Daily News All-Stars. Whittaker is committed to swim at Southern Connecticut State, while Adler will continue his career at Division III powerhouse Babson.
“The boys gave it their best shot, it’s the closest they’ve ever come to winning the league.” said Burrell. “And we just told them to step up to the challenge they’ll have at the CAL Open. They can definitely do it if they swim their best.”