The Hand girls’ swimming and diving squad stood at the doorstep of achieving the pinnacle of its sport at the high school level a year ago. This fall, the girls are more determined and united than ever to jump right in and add to their trophy case by winning a state title.

After finishing 5-4 for the regular season last fall, 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.

Thus far for the 2024 dual meet portion of the campaign, the Tigers have collected a 4-5 record. Head Coach Scott Butler declared that the girls, of course, want to trade in their collective silver medal in Class S for gold. But more importantly, along the way, they know the only way to make this happen is for the collective to function in stereo, with each individual piece believing in themselves.

“We have had two goals this season: to win a state title and to work together as one. Our strong senior class has strived to make one equally as important as the other. Our team motto is T.E.A.M. [Together Everyone Achieves More]. We are hoping that this motto takes us to where we want to go,” said Butler, now in his third year as head coach. “Switching your mindset from, ‘I think I can,’ to ‘I’m going to make it happen,’ is a game changer, and I am glad to have played a role in setting these student-athletes up for success, both in and out of the water.”

The captains traversing the waters for Hand this year are seniors Samy Chemacki and Lillian Miller. Butler explained that the girls have taken this added obligation with the utmost seriousness, and they are at the center of the entire roster, buying into the motif of unity.

“From the moment they were named as captains, both girls have made this role their priority! Their passion to lead this team has been evident since day one,” said Butler. “Their communication skills, both with each other and with their teammates, is exactly what a team needs to thrive. They lead by example in the classroom, on the pool deck, and in the water. And their teammates know that they will be there for them. Our team has become a more cohesive unit, primarily due to the leadership of the team by Samy and Lillian. They deserve all the credit!”

Last season, Chemacki was All-SCC Team in the 200 IM (individual medley) and 500 meter freestyle and then was All-State in the 200 IM and 400 freestyle relay, and she was a Class S champion in the 100 breaststroke-setting a new school record. Miller was All-State for the 500 freestyle, along with that same 400 relay.

Hand welcomes back a ton more depth on the state championship stage beyond those captains. Junior Ella Speerli was a 2023 All-State diver, plus senior Ariana Potter finished in the Top 10 in Class S with regard to the 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke.

Senior Emily Butler was 15th for the 100 butterfly in Class S last November and 24th in the backstroke, and then senior Georgia Cohen was a junior diver who was 12th-best in the state. Junior Sofia Rastelli came in ninth for the 100 butterfly in Class S and then gutted out a 15th-place showing for the 500 freestyle. Sophomore Anna Jacob swam to eighth in the 200 freestyle and then fourth for the 100 freestyle as a freshman.

One thing helping the Tigers become more conditioned for the postseason competition is the privilege they have in competing in one of the more deep leagues in the state in terms of the number of high-caliber clubs.

“So far this dual-meet season, we have had big wins over Sheehan [fourth in Class S last year], Lauralton Hall, North Haven, and Jonathan Law, “said Butler. “We have our work cut out for us. We also faced Cheshire and Amity - both teams are arguably Top 10 overall teams in the state. The Southern Connecticut Conference is loaded with many high-ranking state teams, and this season is like no other.”

Beyond the SCC Championship set for Wednesday, Oct. 30 at Southern Connecticut State University, Hand is locked in on getting itself geared up for states. The Tigers want to be in the mix for the title talk, they know the exact teams that are their targets, and most importantly, they know they have the right talent and temperament to make it happen when the stakes are at their peak.

“The team and I are training heavily for the first week in November. We have state trials on Saturday, Nov. 9, and finals on Monday, Nov. 11, and we are looking to challenge Weston, Woodland Regional, and Sheehan once again for the Class S crown,” said Butler. “Based on the training we have been doing, along with the competition we get in the SCC, we are really up to the task, and I can’t wait for states.”

The Tigers 2024 roster is comprised of seniors Butler, Chemacki, Cohen, Seorin Kim, Miller, Alex Muenker, Ariana Potter; juniors Riley Haupricht, Rastelli, Speerli; sophomores Alyssa Gentil, Olivia Gordon, Colleen Hoban, Meghan Hoban, Jacob, Liliana Muenker, Mariela Potter, Clara Tardie; plus freshmen Brenna Boucino, Emma Clark, Sophia Schiavone, and Madison Zaneski.

2024 Hand Girls' Swimming and Diving Team Regular Season Results and Schedule

Sept. 6: East Lyme 99, Hand 87

Sept. 9: Hand 94, Sheehan 90

Sept. 16: Hand 99, Law 85

Sept. 23: Hand 86, Lauralton Hall 69

Sept. 27: Fitch-Stonington-New London-Wheeler 88, Hand 80

Oct. 4: Guilford 102, Hand 79

Oct. 7: Hand 86, North Haven 71

Oct. 15: Cheshire 95, Hand 82

Oct. 18: Amity 102, Hand 79

Monday, Oct. 21: at Lyman Hall at Sheehan at 5 p.m.