Perfect Record Blemished, But Gryphons Keep Smiling

Even after suffering a 101-69 defeat to undefeated Convent of the Sacred Heart January 25 at SUNY Purchase, the Holy Child swim team’s sunny disposition remained.

There’s a good reason for that, as the Gryphons are proud of what they accomplished in the pool this season. Holy Child finished the year 5-1 and qualified for several postseason meets.

“The team unity and spirit here is incredible,” said head coach Kerby Lewis. “The girls are always on the side of the pool cheering their teammates as loudly as possible. We had an inkling we would be this successful because of the roster size, but we wouldn’t be here without the hard work and daily improvement.”

Maddy Simone

Freshman Maddy Simone has been a top swimmer for Holy Child all year, and proved her mettle against CSH with a win in the 500-meter freestyle. She was the favorite in the 200-meter freestyle as well, but was disqualified for a false start. Lewis believes Simone has much room for improvement, and could be a dominant swimmer by her senior year.

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“Each One Teach One” has the Gryphons Out in Front

In the words of Holy Child head swim coach Kerby Lewis, Sami Jaile was “a bit nervous” prior to the 50-meter freestyle January 25 against Convent of the Sacred Heart. Convent’s elite program had placed first in each event to that point and was on their way to victory, so Lewis defused the intimidation bomb with a pep talk.

It worked. Jaile swam the race of her life, touching out her closest opponent, and shaved a two whole seconds off her previous best time in the sport’s breakneck sprint.

“She never gave up the entire race, finished hard and was rewarded with a victory,” said Lewis. “That has been my proudest moment this season. To have such a great result was amazing after seeing her a little anxious while discussing strategy.”

The Gryphons have many reasons to smile

Interestingly, the coach’s “proudest moment” came by way of her team’s lone win in a trouncing. More interestingly, it was Holy Child’s only loss of the season. The Gryphons are currently 6-1, and the team’s nascent success has caught their first-year coach by surprise.