Coach Sandy Gorham started the season saying,  “It’s easy to get on top, but it’s harder to stay there."

But this year's Barrington High School boys' and girls' swim teams showed they were up to the challenge, as they repeated their strong performances from a year ago — the boys finishing second at the state meet at Brown University on Saturday, and the girls defending their state title.

The girls’ team approached the state meet after completing its regular season schedule undefeated. The local girls knew that they needed contributions from all the swimmers, as they were not expecting to have an individual state champion. The reality of everyone’s contribution became more critical after the Eagles medley relay was disqualified in the first event, costing them significant points.

Coach Gorham’s years of experience helped guide the captains Grace Bellamy, Libby Ryan and Isabel Rotondo to help the young team keep its composure and stay in the fight until the last event.

Over the course of the next 10 events, Barrington earned enough points to win a consecutive state title and stay on top. Podium finishes include senior Alecia Vesey in the 200 and 500 yard freestyle, Bellamy in the 200 individual medley and 100 yard breaststroke, junior Danielle Gibalerio in the 100 yard breaststroke, sophomore Kaley Swintak in the 500 yard freestyle, sophomore Cali Diehl in the 100 yard back stroke, and freshman Julia Zulker in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle.

The 200 yard freestyle relay finished third, comprised of Bellamy, Vesey, freshman Ainsley Rose, and Gibalerio. The state title was secured in the last event when the 400 yard freestyle relay finished fourth. The team was made up of junior Wanqing Li, Swintak, Vesey and Zulker. Also contributing to the victory was Libby Ryan, Isabel Rotondo, Emily Baker, Ingrid Kenyon, Melanie Baker, Olivia Tine and Amanda Vesey.