2026 highschool swim preview: Billerica, Chelmsford, Lowell, Tewksbury return expertise

Last yr was a memorable season within the native swimming pools between Chelmsford ending second on the Division 2 state meet and three people combining for six state titles.

Four of these titles belonged to Academy of Notre Dame’s MacKenzie Gibbons, The Sun’s three-time Swimmer of the Year. However, she’ll have to attend a number of months to compete as this system has shifted gears and can now compete in the course of the winter season.

That leaves 4 native groups: Billerica, Chelmsford, Lowell and Tewksbury/Methuen. Billerica returns Peter Hong, who captured the Division 2 boys state championshipin the 100 butterfly (55.00). Keira Harvey and Kaelyn Kerr will probably be appeared upon to steer the women crew.

Chelmsford returns a pair of Sun All-Stars in Nora Williamson and Julia Perez. Williamson, a three-time Sun choice, was the Division 2 women state champion within the 50 freestyle (24.80). Perez is coming off a robust season the place she was third on the state meet within the 100 breaststroke.

Lowell will probably be led by returning Sun All-Star Maddie Akashian, who final yr as an eighth-grader completed eighth within the state within the 100 breaststroke.

Tewksbury/Methuen will look to defend its MVC Div. 2 title behind co-captains Ethan Corthell and Madisyn Greenwood.

Billerica

League: MVC

2025: 5-4, MVC co-ed champions

Captains: Peter Hong, sr., breast/fly; Ishaan Dadhirao, sr., free/again; Kiera Harvey, sr., fly/breast; Samantha White, sr., again.

Other returning letterwinners: Kaelynn Kerr, jr., again/free; Elizabeth Agpar, jr., free/again; Ryann Kobrenski, so., diving/breast; Hailey Romanik, so., free/breast; Emily Manganiello, so., breast; Aarush Srinivasan, so., free; Sasha Kirik, fr., fly/IM; Arvin Khemraj, fr., free.

Promising newcomers: Asher Swint, sr., diving/breast; Elizabeth Gulla, so., free; Simoen Ashminov, fr., free; Resse Witt, eighth., breast; Isabella Hong, eighth, breast; Declan Murphy, jr., again; Ayaan Mahajan, sr., free; Felipe Costa, sr., free; Pedro Costa, fr., free; Lydia Black, eighth., again/diving; Lila Krochune, so., free/breast; Kellyn Buckley, eighth., free/again; Colin Ward, sr., free.

Coach Brooke O’Connor (third season): “The team boasts a strong core that allows depth in overall team placings. While we graduated three key seniors last year, our strength in both the girls and boys top relay teams are back to defend our 2025 MVC league title.”

Chelmsford

League: MVC

2025: 10-2 (7-2 in MVC), 2nd at D2 North Sectionals and D2 states

Captains: Maya Barry, sr., free; Anna Florence, sr., dist/free; Julia Perez, sr., breast/IM: Nora Williamson, sr., dash/free

Other returning Letterwinners: Deanna Lavalee, sr., diving; Maddie Gregory, jr., free; Lily Grout, jr., free; Olivia Karacek, jr., again; Giana McLatchy, jr., diving; Lora Strobel, jr., free; Abby Claffee, so, fly/breast; Nora Criscione, so., free/again; Caroline Hicks, so., free/again; Sarah Ibrahim, so., free; Vivienne Kam, so., free/again; Alex Kondakchyan, so., free/again; Lyla LeDuc, so., dist/free; Anjali Pillai, so., breast/free; Delaney Varum, so., breast/free; Kristina Vasquez, so., free; Eleanor Wilkinson, so., again.

Promising newcomers: Michaela Deschenses, fr., again; Ava Desjardins, fr., free; Charlotte Grenier, fr., free; Sumadha Pal, fr., free/breast; Olivia Rondeau, fr., IM; Adrija Rooj, fr., free; Anne Strobel, fr., free/fly; Izzy Thompson, fr., free; Emma Wildt, fr., diving; Amrit Yous, fr., IM/breast.

Coach Harriet Kinnett (thirty second season, 302-59-5): “The swimmers and divers have been working hard at practice. Our talented upperclassmen are ready to step up and fill the roles of our graduated seniors. We should be competitive in the MVC and the state.”

Lowell

League: MVC

2025: 1-7

Captains: Daffeny Porseng, sr., free; Lily Kin, sr., free; Ami Ginsberg, sr., dist/free/IM; David Morais, sr., free/fly.

Other returning letterwinners: Julianne Fox, so., again/IM:  Alissa Kim, so., free/breast; Jennifer Nguyen, so., free/again; Maddie Akashian, jr., breast/IM; Lucy Berni, jr., diving/again; Nathan Kim, jr., diving/again; Ethan Koeuth, jr., diving/free; Jevistar Loeum, jr., free/again; Sovan Ly, jr., free/breast; Victor Nguyen, jr., free/breast; Xavian Abreu, jr., free.

Promising newcomers: Natali Berni, fr., free; Tracy Tavares, fr., free; Cameron Rath, fr., free; Jackson Durkin, fr., free; Kaitlyn Khuong, fr., free; Dannika Orn, so., free; Pitou Sem, jr., free; Maryeliza Lachapel, sr., free; Patrick Ly, sr., free; Hugh Goodrich, sr., free.

Coach Jennifer McLaughlin (18th season): “We have a strong group of returning swimmers and senior leadership, along with a large group of newcomers. Our focus will be developing our newer swimmers, building depth across all four strokes and continuing to improve throughout the season.”

Tewksbury/Methuen

League: MVC

2025: 6-3, MVC D2 champions

Captains: Ethan Corthell, sr., again/free; Madisyn Greenwood, sr., free.

Other returning letterwinners: Mason Borushik, jr., IM: Sophia Cabral, jr., free; Casey DeLano, jr., free; Avitel Gaidukova, jr., free; Joseph Todd, jr., IM; Kyle Chiu, so., IM; Dylan Dang, so., IM; Cammie DeLano, so., free; Gabe Pinheiro, so., IM; Jesse Torres, so., IM:  Eva Kazanis, fr., free.

Promising newcomers: Celeste Webb, jr., free; Caylee Ann Gwan, fr., free; Amayah Lyons-Roumeliotis, fr., free; Logan Bergeson, eighth, mid; Oliver Cabral, eighth, IM; Weston Sawicki, eighth, IM.

Coach Jason Smith (twenty fourth yr, 153-102-1): “We only graduated four seniors, but they were versatile and impactful. So, we will need some of our young newcomers to really step up. Also, some of our returnees are going to need to fill larger roles and expand their repertoire. Diving will once again be a strength. Captain Ethan Corthell looks to cap off a stellar career with a tremendous senior season, and sophomore Kyle Chiu is certainly a name you should know.”