Swim team succeeds in state competitions

Lewiston High School’s swim team placed better than it ever has at state with more qualifiers and the highest placing since the swim team started. State competitions were held in Boise Nov. 4-5.
The Bengals placed 6th as a team and had many qualifiers for finals. Luke Mastroberardino placed second in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle races, PRing in both events. Grace Qualman got 4th in 50-meter freestyle and 5th in 100-meter butterfly.
Mastroberardino and Qualman are both team captains this year as seniors. Both have been on the LHS team since freshman year. Overall, Mastroberardino has 10 years of experience while Qualman has been swimming for almost seven years.
The swim team rode to state in a limousine this year, as the school was unable to find bus drivers to drive the team to Boise. A send off was held Nov. 3, where the LHS marching band and students cheered on the swimmers as they got in their limo to head to state.
“Riding in the limo was very fun. It was loud but comfortable,” said Qualman.
“The best part was definitely meeting the other swimmers down there and racing against them. We made some good friendships and raced some great times,” Mastroberardino said.
The season is over for swim but many teammates are planning on coming back next year to swim.
“I think Maggie Carr and some incoming freshmen have the potential to make it to state and really succeed next year,” Qualman said.