Jessica Freund made Sachem history over the weekend when she became the first swimmer from Sachem East to win a girls title at the Suffolk County Championship meet.
Freund won the 100-yard butterfly with a time of :58.90. She also placed third out of 22 in the 200 yard individual medley (IM) with a time of 2:11.43, automatically qualifying her for the state meet, which will take place in Ithaca, N.Y. on November 20-21.
“Jessica came into the season with a new drive and passion I haven’t seen from her before,” said Sachem East coach Kathleen Dugan. “Her goal after an outstanding performance at leagues was to win the 100 fly and qualify in the 200 IM, both of which she accomplished.This being Freund’s third year on the team, she stepped up her leadership qualities and worked hard to achieve both our team goals and her personal goals.”
Alice Tsai, Kianna Papele, Freund and Ariel Tsai represented the team in the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays. The medley re-broke their own school record with a time of 1:53.06 and the 200 freestyle relay placed fourth out of 18 with a time of 1:43.24.
There were also great performances by sophomore Erin Mullery, senior Klea Kalenja, senior Aileen Baker, freshman Natalie Tohill, freshman Alyssa Mei and freshman Danielle Azralon.
“We sent 10 swimmers this year to the meet and I am extremely proud of all these girls and how hard they worked this season,” said Dugan. “After coming off the first ever League Title last week we wanted to finish the season with a bang and we sure did.”
“It was a great season for the program and I am extremely proud of this group of young women who came together and worked as a team all season,” added Dugan. “I will truly miss all our graduating seniors but am so thankful to them for helping build the team culture that has existed these past four or five years. It has been a journey and this team would not be where it is without ever single present team member and past team member that contributed to building a strong and classy program, one that I am honored to coach.”
Dugan wished congratulations to graduating seniors Kianna Papele (captain), Nicole Weinhofer (captain), Grace Hamilton (captain), Ariel Tsai, Aileen Baker, Shannon Simmons, Klea Kalenja, Jackie Albanese and Esther Jensen.
