Swimmers go out for tech

LYNN — Entering Friday morning’s meeting with Northeast Metro, Tech head coach John Hogan thought he had Alberto Gerrado as his meeting captain. A few hours later, Gerrado was taken off the field in pain, while Hogan, assistant coach Richard Bucco and diving coach Don McKenney scrambled to rebuild their lineup with several kids.

Short-handed, Hogan turned to his assistant Bucko for advice on who to sign up for. The Tigers beat Northeast Metro 94-78 with swimmers contributing to the roster.

“Those kids stepped up and scored a few points for us to win comfortably,” Hogan said.

The Tigers (3-0-1) are currently undefeated with all of their previous contests reaching the final relay. Hogan was satisfied on Friday, but never satisfied.

“We need more swimmers to move up,” Hogan said. “I told them today will be a tough meeting. Whenever you are undefeated, everyone tries to be the first team to beat you.

And that’s what the Tigers did. In the first event, the 200-yard medley relay, the Tigers placed first and third. Zakaria Bidudane, Chris Rodriguez, Vincent Marino and Mike Monblew finished the race in 2:23.18 – a full second behind Northeast Metro.

Swimmers Jazlene Ledesma, Kylie Brown, Isabella Celona and Joy Klinker scored points and finished third in the same event.

Once the Tigers took the lead, they never looked back. In the next event, the 200-yard freestyle, the Tigers took home first, second and third. Colin Donovan was first in 2:44.18, Addisyn Brown was second in 2:49.18, and Rashaud Newhall was third in 2:51.65.

[Addisyn] Brown was one of many swimmers to kick on Friday night. Brown usually competes in the diving event, but the Tigers did not compete this season.

Hogan said: “Adicin is up today. She is only a freshman and just started swimming last year.

Brown placed second in the 500-yard freestyle, beating her previous best time by more than 15 seconds.

Ledesma is another swimmer who has added to the competition this year. She participated in the diving team and after learning a few dives earlier in the day, she scored for the Tigers.

“She did a great job coming in second in diving,” Hogan said.

Bidudane, Donovan and Marino earned four first-place finishes on the day. Hogan said he was happy with the races and saw “a lot of improvement” from the team.