“Unstoppable Waves: Shoreline Co-Op’s Perfect 7-0 Swim Season Ends with a State Championship Triumph!”

Submitted by Alison Karam, Head Coach, Shoreline Co-Op Girls Swimming and Diving

(January 3, 2025) — The Shoreline Co-Op High School Girls Swimming and Diving squad concluded their final two dual competitions of the 2024 season with an immaculate 7-0 record and capped it with a 10^th place result in the State Championships.

On October 22, 2024, swimmers from Shoreline Co-Op representing Haddam-Killingworth, Valley Regional, Lyme-Old Lyme, and Old Saybrook secured a victory at home against Ledyard with a score of 102-68, finishing their regular season on October 25, 2024, with a 99-72 triumph over Plainville.

Before these matches, the team achieved victories against Ledyard (93-76), Windsor Locks (86-84), Suffield (96-65), Waterford (95-81), and Rocky Hill (102-72).

Head Coach Alison Karam reflected that the coaching staff navigated unfamiliar territory this season, overcoming the hurdles of merging four high schools into a unified co-op.

“What contributed to our success was maintaining a positive attitude from the outset,” Karam stated. “The girls integrated remarkably well and uplifted one another as a swim family. As coaches, we never anticipated an undefeated season accompanied by a top 10 finish in the State Championships. Yet, that is precisely where we landed!”

The squad celebrated Senior Night on October 22, 2024, honoring senior members and leadership group participants Veronica “VV” Pypa, alongside captains Olivia “Liv” Macaluso, Olivia Campo, and Sofia Campo.

Twelve athletes from Shoreline Co-Op participated in individual and relay events at the Class S State Swimming & Diving Championships in November: H-K seniors Macaluso, O. Campo and S. Campo; juniors Maggie Miller (H-K), Bethany Erkkila (V) and Rose Dimmock (L-OL); sophomores Elsa Shatraw (H-K), Gianna Dabkowski (H-K), Olive Forristall (H-K); freshmen Lauren Thebeau (H-K), Claire Johnson (V) and Phoebe Spallone (V).

Shoreline Co-Op qualified for Finals in every event of the State Championship, including diving, and accumulated a total score of 237 points, achieving a 10^th place outcome overall. Macaluso emerged as the top finisher for the team, ranking 9^th in both the 200-yard I.M. (Individual Medley) and the 100-yard butterfly. Miller ranked 13^th in the 500-yard freestyle and 18^th in the 200-yard freestyle. Forristall placed 14^th in the 100-yard breaststroke and 22^nd in the 200 I.M. Sofia Campo was 24^th in the 100-yard breaststroke, while Dabkowski also achieved a 24^th place in the 50-yard freestyle. All three relay teams from Shoreline Co-Op recorded season-best times, finishing: 9^th (200-yard Medley Relay: Spallone, S. Campo, Macaluso, Dabkowski); 11^th (200-yard Freestyle Relay: Johnson, Thebeau, Dimmock, Miller); and 11^th (400-yard Freestyle Relay: Johnson, Miller, Spallone, Macaluso).

Additional swimmers representing Shoreline Co-Op this season included senior team leader: Veronica “VV” Pypa (H-K), juniors: Emma Wakelee (OS) and Sasha Dziebel (OS), sophomores: Sophia Langer (H-K) and Zi Abbott (H-K), freshmen: Aria Cummings (H-K), Kinsley Grenier (L-OL) and Maddie Cummins (L-OL).

Photos attributed to Robin Thebeau

• Shoreline Co-Op achieved 10^th place overall in the 2024 CIAC State Swimming and Diving Championships. Pictured at State swimming trials on Nov. 9: (l-r front row) Elsa Shatraw, Claire Johnson, Olivia Campo, Rose Dimmock, Lauren Thebeau; (back row): Sofia Campo, Olive Forristall, Phoebe Spallone, Liv Macaluso, Gianna Dabkowski, and Maggie Miller. Shoreline’s Bethany Erkkila participated in the State Diving Championships on Nov. 7.
• H-K senior Liv Macaluso competes to secure a 9^th place in the 100-yard butterfly at CIAC’s 2024 State Swimming Championship Finals.
• H-K sophomore Olive Forristall finishes strong, securing a 14^th place in the 100-yard breaststroke at CIAC’s 2024 State Swimming Championship Finals.