Fremd foursome really wants a relay repeat

The Fremd girls swimming team had a pretty special day last November at the York sectional.

Not only did the Vikings qualify for the state meet in two individual events, but their 200 medley relay team also set a school record with a time of 1:51.41 in advancing to the championships.

Seniors Kelli DiCanio and Allison McCarthy return this season along with sophomore Megan Kennedy to give the Vikings a good foundation.

The fourth member, Nika Lauraitis, graduated, but her spot will be filled by her sister Erika, a junior.

This foursome is hoping to make some more happy memories.

"That is probably something we all will remember," said McCarthy of the Vikings' performance that day. "Especially since it's on the record board."

Nika Lauraitis led off with the backstroke, followed by DiCanio in the breaststroke. McCarthy followed with the butterfly and Kennedy sealed the record with the freestyle.

The Vikings finished 28th at the state meet but are hoping the experience pays dividends with a higher finish this November.

DiCanio agreed. The senior also qualified in the 100 back and just missed qualifying for Saturday's finals by two-100ths of a second.

"I was looking just to go about times, didn't matter about place," said DiCanio of her state experience.

But after placing 13th in 1:06.75 behind Evanston's Kristin Walsh and Latin's Melissa Andruzzie, who came in at 1:06.73, that changed.

"But after I looked up at the board and saw I was so close it made it a new goal for me," added the senior. "I want to make the top eight this year. It's an amazing experience - you know who your competition is; you've seen them all year."

The Viking comeback this year became a bit more determined after tasting a bit of success last year.

"It has really changed my outlook on swimming," said McCarthy of the state experience. "I never thought I'd get to state. It was a different experience."

Kennedy just missed qualifying for state individually, finishing second at the sectionals in both the 50 free and 100 free, but the then-freshman did get her first state experience with the relay.

"It was very cool," said Kennedy, "It kind of made me realize how much more room there is for improvement even after you make it to state. There are such a wide variety of swimmers."

Erika Lauraitis did not qualify for state, but she was on the Fremd water polo team that made a surprising run to the state's Elite Eight before losing to Stevenson 16-7 in the quarterfinals.

"Nobody thought we'd make it," said Lauraitis, who scored 3 goals and had 1 assist in the loss to Stevenson. "It was huge because we wanted it so bad. Swimming is more individual, but in the relays you definitely have to pull together."

The relays unite the four talented swimmers and create a common bond for them.

"I am 10 times more motivated," said McCarthy of the relays. "I know my team is counting on me and it's not just an individual race."

"It takes the pressure off of you swimming by yourself," added DiCanio of the unity. "You're with three other girls that have a positive influence and it makes it more exciting."

The Vikings are now in the grind of midseason, but the girls admit this is the time not to be backing off.

"Halfway through the season you're not at full potential," added McCarthy, "but after we taper you just drop like a ton of time."

"Girls get frustrated because you don't feel like you're going fast," said DiCanio. "But it's probably a good thing that you don't feel fast."

The potential is there for Fremd to make another November run.

"These girls put in the hard work and the time," said Fremd coach Andy Larson. " I definitely want them on my side."