By Ava Franks
Last Thursday, Irvington swimmers competed with AHEDI — a combined team of four schools, Ardsley, Hastings, Edgemont, Dobbs Ferry, and Irvington — in the Sectional finals at Felix Festa Middle School.
They finished second overall at the meet with 244 points, losing to Horace Greeley who had 344 points. Prior to sectionals, the team competed in the Divisional round in late January, also finishing second to Horace Greeley. During dual meet season, AHEDI finished with a score of 6-2, losing only to Horace Greeley and John Jay.
“We were capable of beating John Jay, but we didn’t create our best lineup,” said Adrien Pierce, junior, one of the two Irvington swimmers who qualified for states. “From the rest of the season on [after racing John Jay], our lineup was changed so that we would never have a weak last relay again.”
Their change in lineup definitely paid off, as they beat John Jay at sectionals by 113 points. Overall, AHEDI had some great races at sectionals. They finished second overall in the 200 medley relay, second overall in the 400 freestyle relay, and 13th overall in the 200 freestyle relay. Connor Vincent (sophomore), a state qualifier from Irvington, finished seventh overall in the 500 freestyle, and eighth overall in the 200 freestyle. Adrien Pierce placed first overall in the 100 backstroke, and seventh overall in the 100 freestyle.
“Sectionals is a great meet for all the guys who compete in it. Although we compete against each other, the bond of the guys is a great one, and it is super fun to race against friends,” Pierce said.
