It was a dream season for Hanover High’s swimming and diving team last winter: dual boys and girls championships at the NHIAA Division II state meet, surpassing Oyster River by wide margins.
The scary part is Hanover has the depth and the talent to do it again.
Erik Hansen, Maggie Wenger and the Marauders are locked and loaded for another championship run. A renewed interest in the school has brought more athletes to the program — 14 athletes this year, up from seven a season ago. The Hanover girls graduated only two swimmers and brought it eight freshmen; its boys graduated six — five of whom scored at states last year — leaving the boys team with a little more work to do.
Lebanon’s boys, meanwhile, are coming off of a 5th place finish at states last year. Andrew Han returns to lead a small group of three strong boys — including Aidan Urnezis and Zethan Moss — that could place a team at states. Junior Marissa Hebert leads the Raiders’ girls squad that has depth.
For Stevens, the loss of multi-year star Elyse Scott leaves the Cardinals in rebuilding mode. Clara Avery scored at states last year and could help fill that void.
HANOVER
Coaches: Fritz Bedford (2) and Carl Renshaw (4).
League: NHIAA Division II.
Last Year: Hanover boys and girls won D-II crowns at the NHIAA state championship meet. Erik Hansen won the 200 free, 500 free and helped the Marauders’ 200 and 400 free relay teams make top three finishes. Amelia Wallis and Kai Renshaw won 1 meter diving titles. The Hanover girls’ 200 and 400 free relay teams each won their events, as well.
Returnees: Seniors — Hazel Garrity-Hanchett, Kai Renshaw, Chris Onyango, Ben Hoffer, Charlotte Bedford, Alice Frederick, Daria Gundermann, Eliza Rodi, Iroha Shirai, Sydney Stearns, Becca Wilson, Erik Hansen, Aidan Marshall, Oliver Parrado, Luca Speidel, Ben Stroud, Ray Tso. Juniors — Clay Kynor, Amelia Wallis, Isabel Brennan, Ella Edmonds, Alice Garner, Maggie Logan, Elizabeth Manheimer, Jess Seibel, Olivia Simon, Grace Wenger, Maggie Wenger, Chase Rieseberg, Marius LeBerre. Sophomores — Luna Falkenberg, Jonah Benjamin, Sophia May, Nika Taylor Renshaw, Emma Sabien, Brian Tso, Carston Speidel, Emma Dunbar, Elise Debo, Jocelyn Hazen, Rain Liu, Reilly Uiterwyk.
Newcomers: Freshmen — Charlotte Pidgeon, William Ciardelli, Hannah Berger, Rebecca Berger, Pavcnik Edmonds, Grace McDougall, Anne Peterson, Chantelle Rafie, Matthew Adner, Benton Cesanek, Will Golec.
Analysis: It was a nearly perfect finish for the Marauders, who’s girls team edged second-place Oyster River by 45 points and boys team surged ahead of the Bobcats by 18 points in a sweep at last year’s NHIAA Division II swimming championship meet at the University of New Hampshire. Erik Hansen returns for his senior season one after a pair of wins — the 200-yard freestyle and 500 free — at states last winter. He also anchored the Marauders in a pair of top three relay finishes. Hanover’s girls, meanwhile, had eight top-three finishers and three wins at states — a large portion of that group returning. Watch for Maggie and Grace Wegner to make a big impact for the Marauders.
LEBANON
Coach: K.C. Shepherd (7).
League: NHIAA Division II.
Last Year: Boys finished fifth, girls placed 13th at states. Andrew Han placed second in the 100-yard backstroke and third in the 200 free. Marissa Hebert was 13th in the 100 fly.
Returnees: Skye Gulledge, Andrew Han, Maria Kennelly. Juniors — Marissa Hebert, Sarah Katz, Zethan Moss, Stacie Strombom. Sophomores — Emily Galeva, Aidan Urnezis.
Newcomers: Sophomores — Emily Galeva, Gillian Nichols. Freshmen — Cardigan Loupis (from Mascoma), Madilyn Herring.
Analysis: Lebanon’s boys return a strong trio in Andrew Han, Zethan Moss and Aidan Urnezis; Han was second in the 100-yard backstroke and third in the 200 free at the NHIAA state championship meet last winter, and helped anchor Lebanon’s relay teams. On the girls side, junior Marissa Hebert leads a team of 10 one year after finishing 13th in the 100 fly. Freshman swimmer Cardigan Loupis also joins the squad from Mascoma.
STEVENS
Coach: Abbey Rouillard (1).
Division: NHIAA Division II.
Last Year: Girls finished 17th at states, boys did not place. Elyse Scott was sixth in the girls 100 breaststroke and 12th in the 100 fly.
Returnees: Juniors — Clara Avery, Fallon Lavertue. Sophomores — Hannah Lembree, Quinn McCaffery, Lauren O’Grady, Brady Small.
Newcomers: Junior — Fallon Lavertue. Sophomore — Prescott Herzog. Freshmen — Bryce Jarvis, Liam Clark.
Analysis: Stevens’ four-year standout Elyse Scott has since graduated, leaving the Cardinals with a young, undersized and inexperienced team under first year head coach Abbey Rouillard. Clara Avery was a captain last winter and could take on some of the leadership responsibilities. Avery, Hannah Lembree and Lauren O’Grady are three returners from last year’s 17th place finish in the 200 medley relay and a 16th place finish in the 200 free relay at states last year.