Walker’s Swim Team Named NEPSAC Finalists

Walker’s swim team was named Finalists at the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Division III Championship in early March. Walker’s had 15 swimmers participate in the 12-team championship hosted by Walker’s at Cornerstone Aquatics in West Hartford, CT. Walker’s earned a total of 318 points, just 8 points shy of the total scored in 2020 when the team was also named Finalists. The team’s second place finish is tied only with 2020 for the best team finish since first competing at the meet in 2013.

Walker’s Amelia Peterson ’24 was named a NEPSAC All-Star for her first place finishes in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke. Amelia’s two races during the day were school records. She finished in butterfly with a best of 58.96 in the morning preliminary swim and 59.94 in the 100 backstroke in Finals. Kylie Donaldson ’23 was also a NEPSAC All-Star for her third place finishes in her individual events.

Two of Walker’s relay teams also medaled. These NEPSAC medalists were the relay members in the 200 medley relay and the 200 freestyle relay: Kylie Donaldson ’23, Lucia Markoe ’25, Amelia Peterson ’24, and Natalie Stewart ’23 and the same combination of Lucia, Natalie, Kylie and Amelia in the second of the two sprint relays. Both relays placed second, adding 34 points to Walker’s total for each relay.

Head Swim Coach Kati Eggert says “It was a goal the team had since the start of the season, to earn PR after PR. They worked for it, despite the challenges that came up – still a couple canceled dual meets and a few injuries. They put the work in and had fun along the way. We had great swims and a strong finish to our season.” Our Manager Kayla Sudol ‘23 also represented Walker’s music program by singing the National Anthem to kick off the Finals.

Additional highlights include individual medals and relays:

Kylie Donaldson ’23 took the bronze in both the 200 IM and 100 backstroke; scoring a combined total of 32 points in her two individual events. 

Alexia Grech ’23 placed 6th in the 200 freestyle with Liyan Du ’23 and Allison Wall ’22 touching at 12th and 13th respectively. 

In the 200 IM, Ava DeSio ’25 and Molly Thacker ’24 earned personal best times and placed 9th and 10th for Walker’s. 

Lucia Morales ’25 and Natalie Stewart ’23 placed 7th and 11th in the 50 freestyle, both racing faster at night to best her preliminary time. 

Cecilia Li ’24 and teammate Catalina Dotson ’27 finished 9th and 12th respectively in the 100-yard butterfly. 

Natalie Stewart ’23 earned a lifetime best time in the 100 freestyle, touching at 100.02 to take 8th in Finals and Alexia Grech ’23 took 14th. 

Ava DeSio ’25, Ella Sabelawski ’23, and Catalina Dotson ’27 earned 12, 6 and 4 points for Walker’s with their Finals swims of the 500 freestyle at 7th, 11th, and 13th place. 

Lena Miller ’28 placed 13th in the 100 backstroke in just her first time swimming Championships.

The 100 breaststroke, one of Walker’s strongest events: Lucia Morales came in 4th followed by teammates Cecilia Li and Molly Thacker touching in at 7th and 8th, all in the Top 8. For Li and Thacker it was their first time in the Top 8. 

The 400 freestyle relay combination of Alexia Grech, Cecilia Li, Liyan Du, and Ava DeSio was just untouched for a medal, but finished strong with a 4th place finish and earned the team 30 points. 

Tapiwa Cronin ’22 and Ellie Lardner ’23 both also had strong swims in their relays.