The Penguins, the girls’ swimming team, had a bittersweet end to a memorable season after losing to Townsend Harris High School, 64-38, in the championship meet at New York University on Tuesday, November 20.
The Turtles took the lead from the beginning and never looked back after finishing first and second in the 200-yard medley relay. Stuyvesant then trailed by 20 points following the 100-yard freestyle, 39-19. That margin remained until Townsend Harris extended its lead to 54-28 after finishing first and second in the 100-yard backstroke.
Stuyvesant swimmers placed third and fourth in six of the 12 events. The Penguins finished in the top half in only two events, including the 400-yard freestyle relay, the final event of the meet. Junior Marta Sowinski, who won the 50-yard freestyle earlier that evening, led the ‘A’ relay team to first place in a time of 4:01.76.
After losing to Bronx High School of Science last season in the semifinals, Stuyvesant’s second place finish in the city is the “best season ever,” senior and co-captain Brittany Bishop said.
“We’re so proud of you guys, you gave 150 percent,” juniors and co-captains Abby Erickson and Kei Okochi told their teammates after the meet.
The Penguins season began tumultuously since they had to deal with several coaching changes. “This season was a huge rollercoaster for us. We’ve been through a lot together,” junior Dawn Chen said.
