Weston High School Swimming and Diving caps off season of excellence

By Jim McLaughlin

Special to the Weston Observer

Back Row: Aditya Mehta, John Dickie, Andrew Pettinato, Aiden Lawlor, Zoltan Ilkei Dibinga, Hayes Hanser, Massimo Selvig, Nico Carillo, Rex Li, Tad Odell, Sam Whitworth
Middle row: Madeline Young, Kate Krueger, Margaret Liu, Sophie Riesenburger, Anjali Misra, Mahika Gandla, Caroline Janis, Thanai Papageougiou, Kearney Dickie
Front row: Jim McLaughlin (coach), Philina Zhou, Ariel Wang, Savanna Ferrucci, Zichen Zhang, Violet Moon, Sophie Ginovker

The Weston High School swimming and diving teams concluded their winter season at the MIAA Division 2 State Championships, solidifying their status as a powerhouse in Massachusetts high school sports. The program delivered a stunning performance, headlined by a “three-peat” state championship for the girls and a dominant, undefeated run for the boys.

Girls Secure historic third straight state title

The Weston girls entered the state meet with a legacy to maintain, and they did not disappoint. After a strong second-place finish at Sectionals, the Wildcats reclaimed the top spot on the podium at the State Championship, completing a historic three-year run as state champions.

The Class of 2026 was instrumental in this victory. Senior Kate Krueger was a standout performer, securing a massive second-place finish in the 500 Yard Freestyle with a time of 5:06.41. Krueger also anchored the team’s efforts in the 200 Yard IM, placing second overall, which put her over the 1000 point mark for her career. Philina Zhou capped off a dominant ninth grade season with a strong state meet performance- second place finish in backstroke and 4th place finish in fly.

In the diving well, senior Savanna Ferrucci led the Wildcat charge, earning a fourth place finish with a score of 391.40. She was closely supported by teammates Caroline Janis (sixth) and Violet Moon (12th), whose combined points were crucial for the team’s overall ranking. Senior Ariel Wang also contributed early in the meet, leading off the fourth-place 200 Yard Medley Relay team alongside fellow senior Margaret Liu, who later secured sixth place in the 100-Yard Freestyle.

Next week the girls’ state team will celebrate their championship with a visit to the State House as guests of Rep. Alice Peisch.

Battle-tested boys program wins DCLs

The Weston boys’ season was defined by their ability to rise to each challenge this season. The team marched through their Dual County League (DCL) schedule undefeated, eventually winning the DCL meet—a feat historically rarer for the program than winning a state title. At the State Championship, the boys fought a narrow battle to finish as State Runners-Up.

The Class of 2026 provided the power for the boys’ success. Jerry Liu delivered an exceptional performance in the 200 Yard Freestyle, taking 2nd place with a time of 1:45.99. The pinnacle of the meet was the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay, where the team of Zoltan Ilkei-Dibinga (28), Andrew Pettinato (26), Jerry Liu (26), and Nico Carillo (26) surged to a first place finish with a time of 1:29.35.

The senior leadership was further displayed by Nico Carillo, who placed eighth in the 50-Yard Freestyle, and Andrew Pettinato, who tied for 13th in the 50-Yard Freestyle and took eighth in the 1-meter Diving. Junior Sam Whitworth also broke into the top 10 in the 200 Yard Freestyle, finishing ninth to provide essential team points. Aiden Lawlor made the podium two times with his 100 free swim of 49.66 and 100 breaststroke time of 1:00.59.

Legacy for Class of 2026

As the season draws to a close, the impact of the Class of 2026 cannot be overstated. From undefeated dual meets to a rare DCL sweep and a historic three-peat for the girls, these seniors have left an indelible mark on Weston High School athletics. Their consistency, leadership, and competitive drive ensured that the Wildcats remained the team to beat in Division 2.

Both teams celebrating the girls’ state championship: