Bryn Mawr Swims to Best Season Yet

By Storrie K-I ‘25

Bryn Mawr Swimming had a historic 2021-22 season. The team was undefeated in-season and took the runner-up title at the IAAM championship. 

The team started off the season with a 107-63 win over Mount de Sales, and then traveled to Notre Dame Prep on December 10 to take on the Blazers. This meet was a big one and hard-fought, and Bryn Mawr ultimately won. Bryn Mawr had never beaten NDP, and was behind after the first relay and the break. But after racking up the much-needed points in the second half of the meet, Bryn Mawr took the win, 89-81. Senior captain Gigi Alaish said that the cheers as the Bryn Mawr 400 free relay team finished  first and “the moment when they announced the score” was a highlight of her season. 

After exams and winter break, Bryn Mawr resumed practices and started preparing for championships. BMS faced off against McDonogh, who has won the IAAM team title the past 5 years, on January 10. Though McDonogh was missing some swimmers, Bryn Mawr took the win by a comfortable margin (99.5-60.5). 

On January 18, the team recognized senior swimmers and managers before heading over to Gilman pool to compete against Archbishop Spalding in the senior meet. The meet was closer than Bryn Mawr hoped, and the team tried different lineups with some swimmers unable to race, including junior freestyler Caitlin Hurley. Head swimming coach Dr. Hetrick patiently helped the team figure out last-minute lineup changes. Alaish said that he’s “always willing to adapt to [swimmers'] crazy ideas.” The score was close but the Mawrtians left with an 88-82 victory.

Bryn Mawr was undefeated going into the IAAM Championship on February 6. Though the school won the B-Conference in 2011 and 2012, it has never taken the team title since moving up to the A-Conference. The team was excited to race their best for the win, and created a hype video that unfortunately did not make it to convocation. 

The day of the meet was crowded with lots of energy and posters on deck. There was good turnout in the stands despite spectator limits due to COVID. The meet started off well for Bryn Mawr, whose swimmers took first in the 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle, 200 IM, and 50 free. 

The team was emotional about how much they had improved and was ready to finish the meet strong. Senior captain Cailyn Thomas said that the environment was “really energizing” and our swims showed “how much each person grew individually and how we had grown as a team.” Ultimately, however, McDonogh’s depth helped them pull ahead in the second half of the meet. The 200 freestyle relay was the turning point of the meet. McDonogh out-touched the BMS relay by 0.79 seconds and nabbed an extra 6 points, then the Eagles picked up a win in the 100 breaststroke.

Bryn Mawr went on to win 8 out of 11 events, and took three second place and two third place finishes. Though McDonogh only had two wins, they racked up four second places and five third places. The team title announcement was bittersweet, but Bryn Mawr still celebrated their first time capturing the runner-up title in the A Conference. Freshman Sahana Bondroff said that champs were her favorite part of the season. She swam personal bests in the 100 back and 100 free. “In the moment, I was disappointed that we didn’t win at champs because I felt everyone had worked so hard,” she said, “but…the meet was a great motivation to work harder for my team in the future.”

Bryn Mawr Swimming's undefeated season showed potential, and as senior Gigi Alaish said, “was a testament to [the team's] hard work.” Swim team freshman Blaire Wehman said “Everyone was super pumped up and supportive during everyone’s swims”and “even though we didn’t win, we came in a super close second and I believe next year we will win the A Conference.” To come out on top next year, the Mawrtians will need to increase their scoring depth and continue to perform their best at Championships. Alaish has “very high hopes” for Bryn Mawr Swimming next year as the team focuses on making it to the top of the IAAM in 2023.