Girls' Swimming team wins coveted Trustees Cup

At Wilbraham & Monson Academy, only one team can win the annual Trustee Cup.

Various teams can be successful, many teams can be academically strong, and multiple teams can be involved in activities outside of school.

However, when it comes to being the most well-rounded, only one WMA team can be honored with what is becoming the most sought after athletic award on campus.

The Girls' Swimming team and Coach Dan Moran (photo, top right) received this season's Trustees Cup, and rightfully so. Not only did Coach Moran's group win its league championship, but the Titans also performed at an elite level in the classroom.

The Trustees Cup is awarded annually to the WMA varsity team which best achieves the ideals of interscholastic athletics.

“They're harding working and wonderful to work with on a day in and day out basis,” Coach Moran said. “They complain about nothing; they all know their role; they're all excellent listeners. What I see in the pool is reflected in the classroom. It's wonderful to work with them. I'm very lucky.”

There's no luck to the Girls' Swimming team – just skill and a level of effort in and out of the pool. The team carried a 3.53 GPA, totaled 50 AP classes, took 64 honors courses and had five Global Scholars. The team also had two prefects, three in student government and four in Gold Key.

In the pool, following a 9-2-1 season, WMA won the New England Division III championship.

“This means a lot because you're being recognized for working really hard and that you did a lot,” said Meg Harrington '15 (photo, bottom right), a swimmer on highest honors.

“The girls had it in their sights,” Coach Moran said. “I think every team here thinks they've got a shot. But the girls team put together something special over the course of the season. We felt like we had a good shot.”

Mia Konstantakos '13 said swimming can be monotonous and tedious, but the great attitude of the Titans keeps the sport fun and the swimmers focused.

“I think we're a great team,” said Mia, an honors student. “We always work together and we're always encouraging, too. No matter if you're the fastest on the team or not the fastest on the team, we're always encouraging each other at practice and during meets.

“It's rare at meets to see us sitting down on the bench between races. We're always cheering for each other and encouraging each other to do our best, and that's very important in swimming. It's discouraging when you don't get your best time, and it's a sport where you go back and forth, back and forth in a pool, but we're a great team. We work together and inspire each other.”