This season, the East Haven-Cross-Hillhouse-Sacred Heart Academy (EH-C-HH-SHA) girls’ swimming and diving co-op team is not only making major strides by producing in the lanes and through the air off the board, but the individuals on the squad are doing it while simultaneously bolstering their own skill sets and strengthening friendships beyond school boundaries.

EH-C-HH-SHA finished an even 4-4 for its dual meet regular season record, also distinguishing the squad with the best regular-season mark for any fall 2023 team at EHHS. While plenty pleased with that quartet of triumphs, first-year Head Coach Ellyn DiVerniero noted that that was not the main mission from the perspective of the coaching staff: as they simply wanted each athlete to put in their maximum effort for every stroke and wave made in the pool, with resounding rippling effects.

“From the start of the season to the present day, the top priority for our team is for everyone to do their best, no matter what their skills are,” said DiVerniero. “As their coach, my only expectation was that our athletes compete to the best of their abilities, and always try to beat their times from previous competitions. Their overall scoring wasn't my first concern; what's important is their personal growth.”

In terms of captains, the town of East Haven boasts seniors Alexis Lamprea and Ale Cruz. Both competitors have not only hit high water marks in terms of times in the pool, but they’ve additionally impacted the squad through their stellar leadership skills.

“Alexis Lamprea had an amazing season filled with new personal bests, including first place in the 100 free against Branford, and did not finish below fourth place in all of her other events,” said DiVerniero. “Ale joined the team last year with little to no experience as a swimmer. This year, she has been able to win our team points in the 50 free, and has become a strong link in our relays. She brings the team together and plays an integral role in creating a sense of community on the team.”

The sophomore class is not too far behind with several spry standouts, including Diana Melynk (of East Haven) in the 200 IM and freestyle events, in addition to dazzling in diving, plus Sacred Heart Academy student and Branford resident Anya Zanor. Madeline Bourdeau, also hailing from East Haven, has become a focal point of the relay corps for the program.

“Diana Melynk was a key asset in the pool and on the diving board this year. She swept first place in the 200 IM against West Haven and never finished below third in the 100 free. She has also flourished as a diver, and towards the end of the season, Diana placed third against Branford,” said DiVerniero. “Anya has carried our teams both at meets and in practice. Her positive attitude and strong work ethic led her to place first in 13 out of 16 events. In the remaining three events, she placed second. Madeline had a great comeback season this year. Maddie is another great swimmer with an upbeat attitude that inspires. Her best swim of the season was placing first in the 500 free against Mercy. She then put her goggles back on to swim the last leg of the 200 free relay. Her efforts in the relay closed the gap between East Haven and Mercy, and scored the team four additional points.”

At the SCC Championship on Nov. 1 at Southern Connecticut State University, the Yellowjackets finished in 12th place with 1,194 points. Amity won the team title with a whopping 4,490 tallies.

On the day, the 200-yard medley relay of seniors Lamprea, Victoria DeMagistris, junior Chloe Retuya, and Melnyk was 14th in a time of 2:12.19. Bourdeau finished 18th (2:15.08) in the 200 free; Zanor placed 16th in the 200 IM (2:25.93); freshman Emily Putenis was ninth for the 50 free (27.05); Zanor was 13th for the 100 butterfly in 1:06.97; junior Bella Brown swam to 16th in the 100 free (59.00) and senior Kim Kate was right behind in 20th (1:00.41).

Additionally, the 200 free relay grouping of DeMagistris, seniors Hannah Adolphe, Ale Cruz, and Melnyk was 16th (2:04.68); Brown was 14th in the 100 backstroke (1:07.25); Putenis came in 13th in the 100 breaststroke (1:17.00), while Kate was 17th (1:17.96) and Retuya finished 25th (1:22.83); and the 40 free relay was 10th (4:06.97) with Zanor, Bourbeau, Kate, and Putenis.

Diverniero added that she had her apprehensions in the preseason of how the co-op element would pan out, but any anxieties turned into astonishments with how well the team coalesced.

“Our team is a melting pot of students from different schools, with different backgrounds in swimming,” said DiVerniero. “I was worried about the team dynamic and whether the students would work effectively together. We surprised ourselves with the community we created. With the season ending soon, it has become clear that the coaches and the team have created a lasting impact on each other and the future of East Haven’s swimming program.”

DiVerniero is an East Haven Class of 2018 alum and is assisted this fall by diving coach Suzanne Barber from Sacred Heart Academy with her decade-plus experience in coaching divers. DiVerniero’s grandfather, Lou Anastasio, ran the East Haven Blues Swim Program and the girls’ and boys’ high school programs. Additionally for DiVerniero’s swimming pedigree, her late father, Michael DiVerniero, was an All-American swimmer who founded Amity Regional Aquatics Club and has coached many athletes in terms of Olympic trials.

The 2023 roster for East Haven is comprised of seniors in Adolphe, Ale Cruz, Ivanna Cruz, DeMagistris, Kate, Lamprea, Syna Patel; juniors of Brown, Hannah Goodwin, Retuya; sophomores with Bourdeau, Cameron King, Kelsey King, Melnyk, Luna Mendoza, Anya Zanor; plus freshmen Saria Andrews, Sophia Ciarleglio, Joosie Dooley, Emily Holder, Putenis, and Alec Taver.

2023 East Haven-Cross-Hillhouse-Sacred Heart Academy 2023 Regular Season Results

Sept. 12: Guilford 100, East Haven-Cross-Hillhouse-Sacred Heart Academy 59

Sept. 19: Foran 96, East Haven-Cross-Hillhouse-Sacred Heart Academy 85

Sept. 26: East Haven-Cross-Hillhouse-Sacred Heart Academy86, West Haven 80

Oct. 6: East Haven-Cross-Hillhouse-Sacred Heart Academy 98, Mercy 86

Oct. 10: Sheehan 93, East Haven-Cross-Hillhouse-Sacred Heart Academy 87

Oct. 17: East Haven-Cross-Hillhouse-Sacred Heart Academy 82, Shelton 71

Oct. 24: East Haven-Cross-Hillhouse-Sacred Heart Academy 99, Branford 83

Oct. 27: Hamden 94, East Haven-Cross-Hillhouse-Sacred Heart Academy 92