No luck needed: Shamrocks roll
There’s a first time for everything, and yesterday at Harvard University’s Blodgett Pool, it was Bishop Feehan’s turn, winning the Division 2 state girls’ swimming title.
The Shamrocks dominated the meet, taking the lead after the second event - the 200-yard freestyle - and never looking back. They finished with 264 points, easily in front of Bishop Stang (175) and Notre Dame Academy of Hingham (154).
“I was more hoping we could repeat [sectional] times where I thought the girls could [place] in each of their respective events,’’ said Bishop Feehan coach Kyle Van Den Berghe. “From top to bottom they did it.’’
The Shamrocks were led by junior Erin Foley and senior captain Kendra Cheng. Foley took first in the 200-yard freestyle and second in the 500-yard freestyle. Cheng won the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard breaststroke.
“I think we were all really excited,’’ Cheng said about the team’s mindset before the meet. “I heard [Coach Van Den Berghe] say before, we were all nervous; more quiet than usual. But in the end we were all excited and getting each other psyched up.’’
In a repeat of the South sectionals, the Shamrocks took charge in the relays, winning the 200- and 400-yard freestyle. The 200-yard championship team consisted of Foley, senior Samantha Jankowski, Cheng, and sophomore Caitlin Callanan. The 400 team included Foley, Callanan, Cheng, and sophomore Caroline Steiner.
All three senior captains - Cheng, Rebecca Bessette, and Sarah Bell - were quick to agree with Van Den Berghe that it was a team effort.
“Having kids like Erin and Kendra does help, but if you don’t have the follow-up from everyone else, they’re not going to [give] you anything,’’ Van Den Berghe said. “It’s not two people; it’s a collective group. We have 13 girls here and they all did well. . . . You can’t rely on two kids.’’
Bell said the Shamrocks never let up despite the comfortable lead, because things can change at any moment.
“Everyone went into every race knowing we had to do our best,’’ Bell said. “We didn’t blow anything off.’’
Cheng agreed, adding that she didn’t think her team ever had the mindset that it had a solid win.
Cheng said she felt her closest race was the 100-yard breaststroke, a race she was seeded second in and won by .77 seconds.
“I really wanted it,’’ she said. “I think both [of her wins] were pretty close actually. [In the breaststroke] I couldn’t see her at all. I was just hoping I would have enough at the end to out-touch her.’’
Other impressive winners included Reading junior Erica Belcher in the 200-yard individual medley (2:05.16) and 100-yard backstroke (57.54), Fontbonne Academy’s Clarissa Palmer in the 50-yard freestyle (24.63), Notre Dame of Hingham’s Caitlin Cronin in the 100-yard freestyle (53.41), Westwood’s Irina Chiulli in diving, and Winchester’s Anna Senko, who captured the 500-yard freestyle in 5:03.08.![]()



