The Barrington High School girls swim team has secured its twelfth consecutive state title, dominating the competition at the state championships held on March 7, 2024. With an impressive total of 344 points, Barrington outperformed rival teams, once again showcasing its strength in the sport.
Key contributors to this remarkable victory included Reese Graveline, who excelled in multiple events. Graveline not only won the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 57.81 seconds but also played a vital role in the Eagles’ relay teams, finishing sixth in the 500-yard freestyle and contributing to the triumph of both the 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle relays.
Relay Success and Individual Highlights
In the 200-yard freestyle relay, the team of Raina Salahuddin, Graveline, Molly DiGiacomo, and Grace Lunardelli clinched first place with a time of 1:39.11, significantly ahead of East Providence, which finished at 1:42.87. The same quartet also triumphed in the 400-yard freestyle relay, clocking in at 3:40.73, demonstrating their prowess in the pool.
Barrington also showcased depth in its relay events, narrowly missing victory in the 200-yard medley relay. The team of Molly Hanratty, Khaterina Tomasso, DiGiacomo, and Kate McAdams secured second place with a time of 1:53.13, just half a second behind the winning team from East Providence.
Sophomore standout Grace Lunardelli had an exceptional meet, winning both the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle events. Her time in the 50-yard freestyle was just shy of the meet record, set by Sydni Diehl, missing it by one-tenth of a second. Alongside her, DiGiacomo also made a strong showing in the 50-yard freestyle, finishing close behind.
Team Spirit and Coach’s Pride
Graveline expressed the team’s commitment to excellence, stating, “Every single year we go out and try to win the championship. Bringing new freshmen into the program and sharing our tradition is so special.” She emphasized the competitive atmosphere, noting that the team must continually strive to dominate as rivals seek to dethrone them.
Barrington’s coach, Sandy Gorham, reflected on the significance of this achievement, especially for a small public school. “This is only the third time any high school has won both the boys and girls titles in the same year,” he noted, highlighting the rarity of their success. “This is a star-studded team,” Gorham added, contrasting the talent in the girls’ team with that of the boys, who he described as a cohesive unit rather than a collection of standout athletes.
With this latest victory, Barrington High School continues to solidify its legacy in state swimming, proving that dedication and teamwork can lead to extraordinary accomplishments. As they look to the future, the Eagles remain focused on maintaining their winning tradition, inspiring both current and future generations of swimmers.
