ALEX KENT has been a terrific competitor for the Lynnfield-Wakefield co-op swim team this season, specializing in the freestyle. Kent has helped two relay teams qualify for states, swimming the freestyle for the 200 yard medley relay and the 400 yard freestyle relay. (Kaitlin Patt Photo)
Published in the January 21, 2019 edition.
By KAITLIN PATT
IPSWICH – The Wakefield-Lynnfield Boys’ co-op swim team had a great meet against the Ipswich boys on Jan. 2 and a fantastic meet against the Hamilton-Wenham Generals on Jan. 5 to improve their record to 4-0 in league play.
“The boys have many personal best times since the start of the season. They are a hardworking group of swimmers and put their best effort into each new meet,” said assistant coach Megan Sullivan.
The boys started the night off against the Tigers with the 200 Medley Relay team of all-Wakefield swimmers Chris Anastasiades, Antonio Anastasiades, Johnny Stumpf and Alex Kent. The four came in first with a time of 1:49.13. Along with these first place finishers was the B Relay Team of Ben Sykes, David Blake, Matt Pecjo, and Shane McQueen placing second with a time of 2:19.57.
After the relay was the 200 Yard Freestyle. Chris Anastasiades came in first with a time of 2:01.84. Coming in second was Johnny Stumpf with a time of 2:06.77, and coming in third with a time of 2:29.91 was Ben Sykes.
Next was the 200 Yard Individual Medley, with Alex Kent coming in second place right behind Brendon Hooing from Ipswich who got a time of 2:17.75. Kent got a time of 2:28.81.
Forth was the 50 Yard Freestyle. In this race, Shant Melkonian came in third with a time of 30.16, Matt Pecjo came in second with a time of 26.19, and Chris Anastasiades came in first with a time of 23.71.
After the diving break was the 100 Yard Butterfly. In this event, Nick Alphen came in second place with a time of 1:05.71 and Johnny Stumpf with a remarkable time of 58.9, placing him first in the event. Stumpf also made the state cut with this time.
Then was the 100 Yard Freestyle. Swimming in this was Jack Michalski who came in third with a time of 1:09.00, Alex Kent who came in second with a time of 58.43 and Antonio Anastasiades came in first with a time of 51.43.
Next was the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay, which was swam by Matt Pecjo, Nick Alphen, Ben Sykes, and Johnny Stumpf. The relay came in first with a time of 1:46.94.
Next was the 100 Yard Breaststroke which was swam by Shane McQueen who came in third with a time of 1:37.75. David Blake came in second with a time of 1:21.22 and Antonio Anastasiades came in first with a time of 1:01.97. Finally, in the 400 Freestyle Relay, the B Relay came in second with a time of 4:58.16. This was swam by David Blake, Jake Michalski, Andrew Rosenberg and Shant Melkonian. Coming in first with a time of 4:23.87 was Chris Anastasiades, Antonio Anastasiades, Alex Kent and Nick Alphen.
Back home against Hamilton-Wenham at the Torigian Family YMCA in Peabody, the boys started the meet with the 200 Yard Medley Relay with Chris Anastasiades, Antonio Anastasiades, Johnny Stumpf and Alex Kent with a time of 1:46.59, coming in first. Also in this event was the B Relay with Ben Sykes, David Blake, Nick Alphen and Andrew Rosenberg, coming in third with a time of 2:09.28.
In the 200 Yard Freestyle was Johnny Stumpf with a 2:02.31, getting him first place. Coming in fourth was Nick Alphen with a time of 2:16.28 and coming in fifth was Ben Sykes with a time of 2:29.32.
In the 50 Yard Freestyle, coming in first with a time of 22.62 was Chris Anastasiades, coming in fourth was Jack Michalski with a time of 30.91, and coming in fifth was Andrew Rosenberg with a time of 32.68.
After the dive break was the 100 Yard Butterfly with Johnny Stumpf coming in first with a time of 1:01.19 and Alex Kent coming in second with a time of 1:05.00.
Then was the 100 Yard Freestyle which was swam by Jack Michalski, who came in fifth with a time of 1:08.94, Matt Pecjo coming in third with a time of 1:00.09 and Nick Alphen coming in second with a time 58.91.
In the 500 Yard Freestyle was Chris Anastasiades with a time of 5:35.94, coming in first and coming in fourth was David Blake with a time of 6:53.40.
Coming in first in the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay was Ben Sykes, Nick Alphen, Alex Kent, and Matt Pecjo with a time of 1:45.41.
In the 100 Yard Backstroke was Matt Pecjo, coming in third with a time of 1:20.59, and coming in second with a time of 1:14.50 was Ben Sykes.
The 100 Yard Breaststroke was Shane McQueen coming in fourth with a time of 1:52.81, David Blake coming in third with a time of 1:20.88, and coming in first was Antonio Anastasiades with a time of 1:10.09.
Finally was the 400 Yard Freestyle Relay. The A Relay of Antonio Anastasiades, Chris Anastasiades, Johnny Stumpf and Matt Pecjo came in first with a time of 3:44.69. Also swimming this event was the B Relay with Jack Michalski, Andrew Rosenberg, Shane McQueen and David Blake with a time of 5:06.25, coming in fourth place.
The Pioneer-Warriors went on to beat Masco on Jan. 13 to improve to 5-0 and followed that up with another win over Triton on Wednesday to complete their dual meet season with a perfect 6-0 record. A full story will appear at a later date.
“The team’s main focus right now is working hard to be ready for CALs and hopefully bring home a conference championship this year,” said head coach Andrew Digiacomo.
Lynnfield-Wakefield has also accomplished many of their goals regarding state qualifying.
“As of now all three relay teams have qualified for states which is exciting,” said Digiacomo. “We already have three boys who have qualified in individual events for sectionals and two boys who have qualified for states individually as well.”
“This will be the largest group of swimmers we take to sectionals/states in team history.”
Lynnfield-Wakefield will take on Austin Prep in a non-league meet on Jan. 26 back at the Torigian Family YMCA. The team will then prepare for the CAL Meet on Sunday, Feb. 3 at Salem State.
