Mystic Valley Makes History with Runner-Up Finish at MIAA State Championships

By Emily Brennan

The Mystic Valley girls’ swim team delivered a historic performance at the MIAA Division 2 State Championships, earning a program-best second-place finish with a total of 194 points. This marks the highest place and point total ever achieved by any Mystic Valley team at a state championship event.

The meet began with a victory in the 200 Medley Relay, as Sydney Cao, Brittney Nayiga, Isabelle Pennachio, and Lana Albuquerque dominated the competition to claim Mystic Valley’s first-ever state championship relay title. Their time of 1:53.52 secured the gold and set the tone for what would be a record-breaking day.

With momentum on their side, the Eagles continued to shine in the 200 Individual Medley, where two swimmers secured top eight finishes. Isabella Cirame led the way, clocking in at 2:16.52 to secure a 5th-place finish for the team. Lucia Antonucci followed with a lifetime best of 2:18.81, earning 8th place, while Pennachio rounded out the trio with a strong 10th-place finish, also achieving a personal best of 2:21.74.

Nayiga continued the success in the 50 Freestyle securing a 12th place and scoring valuable points. Albuquerque followed with a season-best 26.10, finishing 15^th also scoring, while 7^th grader Benitah Mwebaza, the only 7^th grader in the State who qualified for an individual event, put in a strong swim, clocking 26.67 to claim 24th place.

The 100 Butterfly saw Pennachio finish in 11^th place at 1:03.84 again scoring valuable points, while Khloe Co finished 27th with a time of 1:08.43.

In the 100 Freestyle, Cirame came within 0.03 seconds of breaking the school record, earning 4th place with a season and lifetime best of 55.15.  Mwebaza impressed with a personal best of 57.61, claiming 19th place, while Cao followed in 22nd with a time of 58.12.

As the meet progressed, the Eagles’ 200 Freestyle Relay team of Antonucci, Cirame, Albuquerque, and Nayiga powered to a third-place finish with a time of 1:41.73, further solidifying Mystic Valley’s dominance in the standings.

Cao posted a personal best of 1:03.58 in the 100 Backstroke, claiming 9th place. In the 100 Breaststroke, Antonucci impressed with a lifetime best 1:08.89, finishing 5th and once again breaking her own school record. Nayiga took 7th with a time of 1:10.62, just shy of her personal best but still contributing vital points to the team.

To cap off the day, the Eagles’ 400 Freestyle Relay team of Cirame, Mwebaza, Cao, and Antonucci posted a strong 3:48.12 to claim 4th place, bringing the meet to a thrilling conclusion for Mystic Valley.

Reflecting on the team’s success, Coach Andrew DiGiacomo expressed immense pride: “This group of girls has been so special. From the start of the season, they set goals, worked hard, and made them happen. They deserve everything they’ve accomplished, and I could not be prouder of how we swam and how we placed.”

No team Girls Swim team in Mystic Valley’s sending Districts has ever finished so high at the State meet or had a relay team win gold.  With this groundbreaking performance, Mystic Valley has cemented itself among the top programs in the state, setting a new standard of excellence