Introduction by Anabelle Farnham ’18
Good afternoon, my name is Anabelle Farnham, class of 2018, and I am proud to present the undefeated 1983 Girls Varsity Swimming and Diving team for induction into the Hall of Fame.
Led by head coach Tom Crain and assistant Mary Hocken, the 1983 Williston girls swimming and diving team enjoyed a truly remarkable season. As the first undefeated girls swim team in our school’s history, the team finished with a perfect 11-0 record. Only three girls swim teams have accomplished this feat – 1983, 1989, and most recently, this year’s 2018 team! There were many terrific dual meet wins during the 1983 season, highlighted by an exciting victory over rival Suffield and a thrilling season-ending win over a perennially tough Choate team. The team’s success was highlighted by breaking a remarkable 8 school records!
Team captain Wendy Libby set a new school diving record that lasted until 2002. She remains on our school’s Honor Roll as one of the top divers in school history. Fellow diver Mary Ellen Bull was an outstanding diver as well, joining Wendy on the school’s all-time Diving Honor Roll. Also setting school records that winter were two of the team’s relays – the 200 Medley and the 400 Freestyle. The record set by the 200 Medley Relay team of Vicky Nitardy, Michelle Kennedy, Karen Whitaker, and Melissa Peters still stands on our school’s Honor Roll as one of the top relay swims ever in that event. Setting individual records that winter were Laura Morsman in the 100 Free, Michelle Kennedy in the 100 Backstroke, and Vicky Nitardy in the 100 Fly, 200 IM and 500 Free. The team finished 3rd at the highly competitive CISSAC [pronounced Siss-ack] swim championships in Connecticut. Swimming against the top swimmers in the prep ranks, the 400 Freestyle relay team came in 2nd, Vicky Nitardy finished in 2nd in the 100 fly and Wendy Libby came in 2nd in Diving. It was a truly remarkable and memorable season for this special team!
Will Coaches Crain and Hocken, and all team members present please join us on stage to receive your awards.
TEAM MEMBERS:
Victoria Nitardy Bosel ’84
Mary Ellen Bull ’83
Whitney Kellett Cahill ’84
Melissa Peters Cook ’84
Melissa Dore ’86
Janet Mamulski Glosick ’83
Karen Whitaker Kovacs ’83
Cynthia Malinowski ’86
Kathryn McNeill Matlack ’86
Meredith McLanahan ’83
Alene Singewald Sprano ’85
Victoria Steele-Perkins ’86
Wendy Libby Thompson ’83
Laura Morsman Thorsen ’87
Michelle Kennedy Whitney ’85
Alice Wimer ’83
Catherine Yates ’83
Thomas Crain, Head Coach
Mary Hocken, Assistant Coach
