Tyngsborough/Groton-Dunstable Make Waves

"In the 2010 swim season, if you walked onto the pool deck at Greater Lowell Voke at 5 p.m., you would see 11 athletes," said Tyngsborough/Groton-Dunstable assistant varsity swim coach Jenn McGlauflin. "We had five girls and six boys and although they had tremendous heart and determination, there simply wasn't enough depth to compete in the tough DCL conference.

"Four of these swimmers, varsity coach Dan Shanahan and I sought to do something to make swimming and diving at Tyngsboro High a sport that caught the attention of the student body. Shanahan, a Division one swimmer at University of Maine, presented the idea to the Athletic Directors at both THS and GDRHS," continued McGlauflin. 

Four years later, the Tyngsboro/Groton Dunstable team is making waves in the Mid- Wach Conference. Each year, TGD has gotten better AS A TEAM. The swimmers and divers work together better than anyone could have imagined.

Senior captains Cam Thirkell, James Emond and Katie Griffiths of Tyngsboro, who have been in the program since its inception and senior captains Caleigh Dion, Sarah Rasmussen and Sarah Francisco of Groton-Dunstable, who came on board three years ago, have seen how much the team has grown.

"Each year we have more students from both schools getting involved. Our current swimmers and divers continue to participate in off season programs. The hard work and determined year-round effort has motivated every member of TGD to want to improve.

Cam Thirkell was able to break the Tyngsboro High School record in the 100 Fly, and Caleigh Dion and Sarah Francisco have the best times in the conference in their respective events.

Key returners:  Seniors Caleigh Dion, Sarah Rasmussen, Sarah Francisco, James Emond, Cam Thirkell, John Alberts, Anthony Bue, Michael Sheets; juniors Renee Bonnett and Jenn Kordash, Andrew Veenstra;  sophomores Abby Devlin, Sara Drew, Jillian Onishi,Michaela Smith; and freshman Conrad Berry.

Promising newcomers: Freshmen Lauren Duhamel, Caroline Woodbury, Aron Rose,  Andrew Cahoon; sophomores Johanna Fischi, Gavin Gamache, Travis Bugbee. 

Post Season Qualifiers

Sectionals: Cam Thirkell- 200 IM, 100 Fly, Caleigh Dion- 200 Free, 200 IM, 50 Free, 100 Fly, 100 Free, 100 Back

Sarah Francisco- 200 Free, 200 IM, 100 Fly, 100 Free, 500 Free, 100 Breast, Johanna Fischi- 50 Free, 100 Free, Renee Bonnett- 50 Free, 100 Breast, Sarah Rasmussen- 50 Free 

States: Cam Thirkell- 200 IM, 100 Fly

Caleigh Dion- 200 Free, 200 IM, 50 Free, 100 Fly, 100 Free, 100 Back

Sarah Francisco- 200 Free, 200 IM, 100 Free, 500 Free.  Johanna Fischi- 50 Free 

Renee Bonnett- 50 Free, 100 Breast

Sarah Rasmussen- 50 Free