High school swimming doesn’t get the headlines or adulation that football, soccer or basketball does. But student-athletes on swim teams are just as driven to practice hard, compete and win.
The four Franklin County Technical School swimmers who were part of this year’s Turners Falls High School teams had outstanding seasons. Liam Bliss and Matthew Guilbault swam on the boys team, while Tristan Bliss and Kairi Chubb competed as part of the girls team.
The girls team finished the season with a 9-1 record, winning the league title. The boys team earned a perfect 10-0 record, also winning their league title.
Liam Bliss went onto compete in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament at MIT in February competing against swimmers from all over the state. He swam in the 50-yard freestyle where he finished 10th and in the 100-yard breaststroke, finishing 18th.
“Liam’s our best swimmer,” said Abby Heathwaite, Turners Falls High School boys and girls swimming coach. “He’s the only swimmer from our team to make states in a very long time and he did it two years in a row.”
Coach Heathwaite said, as a team captain, Liam is a true leader.
“All the kids love him,” she said. “He stepped up and helped the new kids learn. All of my three captains were like assistant coaches.”
Tristan, Liam’s sister, is a versatile swimmer who can compete in any event and be successful. She especially excels in the 100-yard butterfly and 500-yard freestyle.
“You can trust Tristan to do anything and be there for her teammates,” Coach Heathwaite said. “She’s bubbly and brings a lot of personality to the team.”
This past season was Matthew’s first on the swim team, knowing only how to do the freestyle stroke when he started. He progressed to learning other strokes and excelled at the backstroke. His coach described him as “a quick learner.”
“I’m proud of him,” she said. “He came in knowing nothing at all to competing in big events. He never complained about being put in harder events. He’s a real trouper and definitely a valued swimmer.”
Kairi joined the girls swim team last year to learn to swim and became “a superstar,” according to Coach Heathwaite.
“She had no experience at all when she joined the team,” she said. “She became passionate about the butterfly, which is the most difficult stroke to learn.”
Kairi has decided not to return as a swimmer next season but may stay on as team manager. Coach Heathwaite would be happy to work with her in that role.
“That’s the sweetest thing ever,” she said. “I could use her help and I would really enjoy her company.”
Kairi also created a nine-foot sign in her welding shop that reads “Turners Falls Swimming” that will be hung near the pool or in a hallway at THS.
“If that’s not teamwork and perseverance, I don’t know what is,” Coach Heathwaite said.
With a total of 34 swimmers, both teams had dominant seasons this year. Each swimmer had their own strength they brought to the team. Nine swimmers went onto the western Massachusetts tournament, in addition to Liam competing at the state championship.
Coach Heathwaite is looking forward to more success from the boys and girls teams next season.
“I’m really proud of them,” she said. “They have unbelievable drive. I don’t give them easy practices. I’m sad that we’ll lose Liam and Tristan to graduation, but next year I think the girls will have a similarly excellent season and the boys will be dominant again.”