The Branford girls’ swimming and diving team’s motif this year has seemed to be that it defies expectations and never sees a moment that is too big for the athletes. The culmination of that was the Hornets’ collective performance at states: finishing in the top 10 despite bringing fewer than 10 athletes to the meet.

At the Class S State Championships on Nov. 13 at Cornerstone, the Hornets placed in the top 10 with a ninth-place showing by accumulating 242 points. Head Coach Sally Noel noted that the younger swimmers were not phased by the big stage. They were guided by a veteran upper class, preparing them mentally and physically for states while having fun to take the edge off.

“The postseason of swimming can feel long for the less experienced underclassmen, but they all rose to the occasion,” said Noel. “Throughout the season, we emphasized having goals and supporting each other as a team, even as everyone swims individually. The more experienced swimmers did a great job getting the girls excited for the big meets, and we definitely have more time at practice with swimming fewer yards at the end of the year for pool and diving board fun, which blew off steam and took off the pressure.”

At the meet, freshman Audrey Henkel and sophomore Audrina Pham made the top 8 in finals. Henkel finished fourth overall in the 50-yard freestyle in 25.29 seconds, and then she came back and won the 100 freestyle at a personal best time of 54.54–making the All-State Team.

Pham made the elite eight in the 100 butterfly for the second year in a row, catching eighth overall with a time of 1:04.80. She also placed 12th in the 50 freestyle with a time of 26.79. The two were also part of the 200 medley relay, along with junior Summer Sabatino and freshman Kaila Jones that finished seventh with a time of 2:04.38. Pham later came back to medal with a sixth-place showing in the 200 freestyle relay with a personal-best time of 1:50.08. Joining her in that event were Sabatino, Jones, and Henkel.

Senior captain Kylie Acquarulo-Savastano competed in the 200 freestyle, matching her best time achieved 10 days prior at the SCC Championships with a mark of 2:17.76 to place 23rd. Sabatino got a personal best in finals in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:21.69 to finish 22nd. Junior Abigail Talalas and senior captain Erin Newlan made states this year in both their individual events, with Talalas qualifying for the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke and Newlan in the 200 and 500 freestyle events.

Senior Emerson Shuff placed runner-up in diving with 338.25 points–going on to place 23rd with a score of 317.90 at the State Open meet. She joined Henkel on the All-State Team.

“They exceeded expectations in the postseason this year. Bringing a total of nine girls to the meet with six finishing in the top 8 at states this year was very exciting for us as a team, being led by our two captains, Kylie Acquarulo-Savastano and Erin Newlan, with them both making states this year in their individual events,” said Noel. “They began their high school swim career as freshmen getting to states in Branford relays, so they could really rise to the occasion, mentoring the younger girls and getting them psyched for the relays. Our 400 freestyle relay [15th, 4:30.36] was a great example in having the two captains, along with sophomore Ellie Brown and junior Bidhee Thapa, competing in both trials and finals at states and yielding best times.”

As Noel now reflects on a tremendous campaign of progress, she recalled how when she stepped into the helm, the girls had to re-establish their chemistry that was interrupted by COVID. Yet the Hornets stuck to their goals, stuck together alongside each other, and have rejuvenated enthusiasm into the sport and program.

“Team culture means a lot in high school sports, and the swim team has a long tradition of strong culture that really got interrupted during lockdown in 2020, and we've been in building mode since,” said Noel. “This year, we've had our strongest team in five years, which only adds in team pride and promotion of our sport once again.”

Noel completed her third year as head coach. She joined Branford midway through the 2021 season as an assistant and later assumed the head role. Ashley Jones, a Branford High School (BHS) math teacher, was her assistant coach this fall.

The 2024 Hornets’ roster is comprised of seniors Shuff, Acquarulo-Savastano, Newlan; juniors Sabatino, Talalas, Thapa; sophomores Brown, Pham, Gabriela Silva; plus freshmen Helen Abbott, Tasia Emmons, Henkel, Jones, Danielle Mayne, Claire Newlan, Sarah Villafuerte, and Sophia Villafuerte.

2024 Branford Girls’ Swimming and Diving Regular Season Results

Sept. 12: Lyman Hall 94, Branford 60

Sept. 17: Hamden 99, Branford 78

Sept. 24: Foran 94, Branford 78

Oct. 1: West Haven 97, Branford 82

Oct. 8: Branford 84, Mercy 67

Oct. 16: Sheehan 89, Branford 78

Oct. 18: Branford 92, Shelton 79

Oct. 23: Sacred Heart Academy-East Haven-Cross-Hillhouse 92, Branford 91