Berkeley Buccaneers Continue to Dominate in the Pool
True to their names, the Buccaneers continue to steal the glory, smashing records and setting the pace for the state competition.
It’s not hard to see why other teams are afraid of Berkeley Swimming and Diving. With the boys’ team securing an undefeated record and the girls’ team winning District Championships, the Buccaneers are a true fighting force.
EIGHTH WIN: The senior boys retrieved their Regions trophy, the eighth consecutive first-place win for Berkeley. Pictured from left is Nathan Stovern ’17, Ron Prati ’17 and Robert Cecil ’17.
The Bucs can now add to their list of accomplishments the title of regional champs. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams secured wins on Nov. 4 at the Regional Championships and look to continue their success at the State Championships this Friday.
ALWAYS SWIMMING: The Bucs couldn’t stay out of the pool, pushing Coach Kevin Rosepapa and Assistant Coach Connor Signorin in the pool with them.
The meet was off to a rocky start for the girls’ team, with the 200-yard medley relay swim slightly slower than Districts (a time which they will have the chance to lower at States). The Bucs pulled through by winning three out of the last four events. By the last event, the Bucs were in first place — by 1.5 points. To win Regionals, the Bucs had to beat Bishop Verot, and in their quest for the gold the girls’ 400-yard free relay broke a 16-year-old record and secured the win for the girls’ team.
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: The girls swim team celebrates their win with Assistant Coach Connor Signorin (left) and Head Coach Kevin Rosepapa. The girls’ team members pictured above are Alexa Fannon ’18, Isabela Arcila ’20, Sydney Corey ’17, Megan Maguire ’19, Sabrina Vergara ’19, Arielle Bader ’17, Kerry Horan ’17, Bella Gonzales-Portillo ’20, Emma Edmund ’18, Lindsey Marian ’18 and Maureen Tanner ’19 (from left).
On the boys’ team, the Bucs secured their eighth Regionals win in a row by 116 points. Robert Cecil ‘17 was able to win both the 100- and 50-yard free. Christopher Dieffenthaller ‘19 won the 100-yard breastroke, the last individual event of the meet. Perhaps the most surprising event of the day took place after the meet, when the bus carrying the Bucs caught a flat tire, leaving the swim team stranded on the side of the road for over an hour.
WHEELS ON THE BUS: One of the wheels on the bus back from regionals caught a flat, leaving the Bucs stranded on the side of the road. Luckily, the swimmers had cards to entertain them while they waited. Pictured above is Robert Cecil ’17, Arielle Bader ’17, Nathan Stovern ’17, Scott Showalter ’21, Sabrina Vergara ’19, Daryl Pickerell ’17 and Ryaan Hatoum ’19 (from left).
As States approaches, Head Coach Kevin Rosepapa said he hopes the girls’ team will medal in the relays and finish in the top ten. Rosepapa also said he hopes that the boys’ team will get second overall at States.
Wish the Berkeley Swim and Dive team good luck as they go to Sailfish Water Park for the State Championship meet on Nov. 11.
Emma is a senior on The Fanfare. When not writing for The Fanfare, she’s a member of History Bowl, Model United Nations and the swim team, and she...
