Cambridge High School Swim & Dive Dominates Milton in Dual Meet

The Cambridge Bears delivered a commanding performance in their November 14th matchup against Milton, winning with a combined score of 1,566 to 1,073. The team showed depth across all events, with numerous swimmers earning state qualifying times and setting new personal bests.The meet also provided the opportunity to honor and recognize the team's 13 seniors! The program wouldn't be as successful as it is without the leadership and dedication of the Class of 2026. 

Relays set the tone early. The boys' 200 Medley Relay team of Jax Jackson, Tayne Naude, Oscar Ryzhkov, and Bryson Mynatt won the event with a posted time of 1:43.86 (State Qualifier), while the girls' A relay of Audrey Lampa, Alana Drevet, Leila Kader, and Abby Salvia finished in 2:04.00, a strong early-season mark with their second place finish. The Bears also dominated freestyle relays: the boys' 200 Free Relay (Jackson, Naude, Ryzhkov, Mynatt) clocked 1:31.91 (State Qualifier), and the girls' A squad (Caroline Garijo, Charlotte Weeter, Alana Drevet, Molly Melchiors) hit 1:49.20 (State Qualifier). Both relay teams won their respective events. The girls capped the meet with a 400 Free Relay win in 3:56.62 (State Qualifier) and the boys did the same with a time of 3:50.58 (state qualifier). 

Individual highlights were plentiful.

• Jax Jackson led the boys with 1:53.34 in the 200 Free (New Best) and 5:05.04 in the 500 Free (New Best).
• Tayne Naude sprinted to 22.47 in the 50 Free (State Qualifier) and 50.89 in the 100 Free (State Qualifier).
• Oscar Ryzhkov crushed the distance event with 4:58.46 in the 500 Free (State Qualifier) and added 1:08.27 in the 100 Breaststroke.
• Brighton Damm posted 1:59.92 in the 200 Free (3rd place) and 1:00.92 in the 100 Fly (2nd place). 
• Avi Saxena and Campen Dawes (new best time) battled in the 200 IM, finishing in 2:37.26 and 2:37.48, respectively. Saxena and Dawes also clocked new best times in the 100-free. 
• Brian Guy impressed with 23.80 in the 50 Free (New Best and just off the state cut) and 1:13.46 in the 100 Breaststroke.
• Other strong personal best swims came from Tom Berezitsky (25.83 50 Free), Aneesh Ayyagari (26.59 50 Free), Pranav Kolathaya (2:21.40 200 Free), Shane Merrill (6:29.36 500 Free), James Kates (new best in 100-fly) and Alex Onate (1:07.73 100 Free).

On the girls' side:

• Charlotte Weeter was a standout, winning the 200 IM in 2:16.28 (State Qualifier) and the 500 Free in 5:21.65 (State Qualifier).
• Caroline Garijo and Leila Kader broke the minute barrier in the 100 Free, posting 59.51 and 59.70. Garijo also clocked a state qualifying time in the 50-free. 
• Audrey Lampa added a 1:04.22 in the 100 Free and anchored relays with speed.
• Alana Drevet dominated breaststroke with 1:13.49 (State Qualifier) and swam a strong 500 Free in 5:57.05.
• Abby Salvia hit 2:16.48 in the 200 Free and 6:02.73 in the 500 Free.
• Molly Melchiors posted 2:29.94 in the 200 IM and 1:09.60 in the 100 Fly (New Best).
• Additional contributions came from Sydney Edison (1:30.92 100 Breast), Emily Edison (2:25.28 200 Free), Meg Carrizal (2:44.52 200 IM), Maya Berezitsky (1:17.70 100 Back and new best in the 100-fly), Alexis Walkenhorst (1:17.92 100 Back and new best in the 100-fly), Mihika Ayyagari (new best in the 200-free), Christine McVicker (new best in the 100-free) and Ella Fajen (2:57.57 200 Free). 

Divers added big points, with Taylor Eastman scoring 184.35 and Emily Temple earning 170.15, securing a sweep for Cambridge. Mylon Srihganesha won the boys' event. 

With multiple state qualifiers, numerous personal bests, and dominant relay performances, the Bears are poised for an exciting championship season.