Whether in a regular-season meet, conference championship, or on the state’s biggest stage, the Hand girls’ swimming and diving team continued to amaze not only the Tigers’ competition, but also itself and its coach by making major waves in the water, and pushing upward in a competitive SCC and Class S state pool.

After finishing 5-4 for the regular season, the Tigers placed in the top 4 at the SCC Championship on Nov. 1 at Southern Connecticut State University by coming in fourth out of 16 squads. Hand then surpassed that placement at the Class S State Championship on Nov. 15 by finishing in second with 546 points. Weston claimed the top spot with 741 tallies as a team.

Head Coach Scott Butler explained that no matter the day of the week or opponent in the pool, the Tigers outshined their prior performances and consistently hit new personal goals.

“At each meet, this team has raised the bar higher than it was raised at the previous competition,” said Butler. “Competition after competition, this team has been hitting goals like 90% season best times. Just when you think that they have outdone themselves, the next meet comes along and they do it again, only better.”

Hand was led this year by senior captains in Haley Wines, who specialized in the 50, 100, 200, and 500 freestyle events, in addition to spending some time in the 200 IM, Molly Hoban (taking part in the 200 IM, 500 freestyle, and 100 breaststroke), plus Lauren Dodge of North Branford, who performed in the 100 butterfly, 100 breaststroke, and 100 freestyle.

“Haley was born to be a captain and team leader. She has an innate ability to take over any situation and own it. The role of captain has taken Haley's like for a sport and turned it into a love for a sport. She has grown exponentially in many ways since being named captain, and there is no doubt when she is around who our captain is,” said Butler. “Molly is the most respected athlete on the team. She has trained harder than any of her teammates in and out of season since I met her. Her exuberating positivity is infectious and always keeps team spirit at a high, which in turn keeps everyone motivated. I have coached Lauren since she was 11 years old. She trained with me at Branford her freshman and sophomore years. When I accepted the position at Hand, she agreed to come along for the ride. She immediately reacclimated herself within the Hand swimming community and quickly became one of them. Lauren trains only during the season, but you would never know it, as at every practice, she leads the team through every bit of every workout.”

The depth of the Tigers’ team is quite uncanny. Beyond the captains, Hand boasted seniors Lucy Schwarz (state finalist in the 200 and 500 freestyle), Norah Stotz (state finalist for the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke), and Hadley Reiss (who placed third in diving for the Class S State Championship to earn All-State honors and reach the State Open) with a score of 352.75.

Junior standouts included Emily Butler (qualifying for states in the 100 butterfly and backstroke), Sammy Chemacki, who won the SCC title for the 500 freestyle, qualified for states in the 200 IM, and also broke the school record for the 100 breaststroke at the Class S State Championship on Nov. 11 at 1:07.32, Lillian Miller (a top 8 seed in the 200 and 500 freestyle for states, while participating in relays), Ariana Potter (making states for the 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke and also being a relay swimmer), and Georgia Cohen (12th in diving for Class S at states).

Sophomore Sofia Rastelli earned a spot in states for the 100 butterfly and 500 freestyle, and her classmate Ella Speerli was the state runner-up in diving (377.65) to notch an All-State Team selection and bid to the State Open. Lastly, freshman Anna Jacob was a top 8 seed in the 100 and 200 freestyle events, while she was also a relay athlete this fall.

At the Class S State Championship on Nov. 15 at Southern CT State University for the swimming portion, in relays, the 200 yard medley relay was third in 1:56.26 with Jacob, Chemacki, Miller, and Potter, and the 400 freestyle grouping of Rastelli, Wines, Miller, and Chemacki was second in 3:47.95.The 200 freestyle relay squad finished ninth (1:47.42) with the efforts of Wines, Rastelli, Stotz, and Potter.

Individually, Chemacki took home the 100 breaststroke crown in a time of one minute and 7.78 seconds, while following her in that event were Potter (10th, 1:14.74) and Hoban (12th, 1:16.40). Miller finished fourth for the 200 freestyle (1:59.98) and Jacob was eighth (2:06.94). Lucy Schwarz was 20th in that event (2:11.37).

Chemacki claimed third for the 200 IM (2:13.38) and Hoban had 13th (2:29.94). Potter was 10th in the 50 freestyle (26.62 seconds) and Wines was 13th (26.96). Rastelli was ninth for the 100 butterfly (1:03.40) and Butler came in 15th (1:11.51). Jacob swam to fourth for the 100 freestyle (56.32) and Stotz followed in 13th (58.91).

Miller was the runner-up for the 500 freestyle (time of 5:20.63), Wines placed 10th (5:46.20), and Rastelli was 15th (5:51.81). Schwarz came in 18th (5:56.07). Stotz finished 10th for the 100 backstroke (1:07.80) and Butler was 24th (1:12.10).

The top 3 finishers in each event qualified for the All-State Team.

Since staying safe from the heat of the late, dog days of summer, the Tigers had their sights set on one goal. While they did not attain that exact target, they showed their stuff with a strong sense of synergy, in a conference consistently stacked with competition and some of the most stellar swimmers in the state.

“Our goal has been clear since Aug. 28, to win a state title. We set our goals high and have worked very hard throughout the season to put ourselves in the best position possible to win a title,” said Butler. “Swimming in the SCC is tough, as Amity and Cheshire, along with Guilford this season, were top tier teams in the state. I love that the SCC is so well represented at the state [championship] level. It provides us with unparalleled competition throughout the season to prepare for the postseason. Our fourth-place finish at SCCs showed the team just how good we are. Positivity is infectious, and so is fast swimming. These teammates have become lifelong friends, and it has been a pleasure to coach them.”

The 2023 Hand roster is comprised of seniors Rachel Gentil, Hoban, Reiss, Schwarz, Abigail Simpson, Stotz, Dodge, Wines; juniors Butler, Chemacki, Cohen, Seorin Kim, Aniella Lesnik, Miller, Alexander Muenker, Potter; sophomore Rastelli, Speerli; plus freshmen of Alyssa Gentil, Olivia Gordon, Colleen Hoban, Meghan Hoban, Jacob, Liliana Muenker, and Mariela Potter.

Butler was unassisted in his second season as Hand’s head coach. Prior to arriving in Madison, he coached 15 seasons for Branford, and he additionally serves as the head coach for the Hand boys’ swimming and diving squad in the winter.

2023 Hand Girls’ Swimming and Diving Team Regular Season Results

Sept. 11: Hand 97, Sheehan 89

Sept. 18: Hand 93, Law 87

Sept. 26: Hand 94, Lauralton Hall 78

Oct. 2: Amity 104, Hand 80

Oct. 5: Guilford 96.5, Hand 86.5

Oct. 9: Hand 89, North Haven 73

Oct. 12: Fitch 96, Hand 69

Oct. 16: Cheshire 93, Hand 85

Oct. 23: Hand 100, Lyman Hall 84