Another awarding season for the Marblehead High swim program

The Marblehead High swim and dive team once again dominated the Northeastern Conference, sweeping both the regular season and the NEC Meet, and the awards season was no different.

The Marblehead High girls 200-yard freestyle relay team of Monica Pechhold, Winnie Waddington, Shaelyn Callahan and Macy Ladouceur, from left, poses for a photo after competing in the North sectionals last month. COURTESY PHOTO

The conference coaches selected the All-Conference and All-Star teams, and the Magicians All-Conference selections are: Hazell Wright, Grace Ladouceur, Macy Ladouceur and Winnie Waddington in the 200-yard medley relay; Hazell Wright in the 200-yard freestyle; Grace Ladouceur in the 200-yard individual medley; Winnie Waddington in the 100-yard butterfly; Abigail Moore, Monica Pechhold, Lorelai Mosher and Shaelyn Callahan in the 200-yard freestyle relay; Shaelyn Callahan in the 100-yard breaststroke; Ian Chemel, Cale Nelson, Brady Leveroni and Orion Lewis in the 200-yard medley relay; Brady Leveroni in the 200-yard freestyle; Orion Lewis in the 50-yard freestyle; Omar Elnabarawy in the 100-yard butterfly; Ian Chemel, Henry Reid, Lucas Rosen and Omar Elnabarawy in the 200-yard freestyle relay; Ian Chemel in the 100-yard backstroke; and Cale Nelson in the 100-yard breaststroke.

The Marblehead High boys 400-yard freestyle relay team of Omar Elnabarawy, Ian Chemel, Cale Nelson and Brady Leveroni, from left, lines up for a photo at the All-State Meet last month. COURTESY PHOTO

Junior diver Claire Burke, freshman Maya Belfbecker (100-yard butterfly) and sophomore Paxton Swanson (100-yard freestyle relay) made the all-star team. All three consistently scored points for the team throughout the season, which warranted them to be singled out for their achievements.

Sue Guertin, the architect of this dynasty, was honored by her peers with the NEC Coach of the Year award.

The Marblehead High boys medley relay team of Lucas Rosen, Cale Nelson, Brady Leveroni and Ian Chemel, from left, are together for a photo after competing in the All-State Meet last month. COURTESY PHOTO

Guertin appreciates the recognition, but unsurprisingly deflects the praise.

“My winning Coach of the Year is humbling, and I do not take it lightly. I know it’s hard for the other conference coaches to award this honor to the winning team, because they too really worked very hard with the swimmers in their schools,” she said. “But nonetheless, I hope my legacy is that of teaching children at a young age to be safe in the water, while also loving it. Growing up in Marblehead, you have to learn to swim, and for many this skill lasts a lifetime. Early on, I can see children whose technique and skill surpass others, along with their desire to be fast. Competitive swimming is hard, and it requires tremendous discipline and commitment, which also leads to the highest achieving students and adults.”