WINTER PREVIEW: Durfee boys and girls swim team dives into a new season

FALL RIVER — Inside the newly renovated Karen Jarabek swimming pool at B.M.C. Durfee High School, the Durfee swim and dive team kicked off a new season and celebrated a feat of its very own this winter.

Before the first meet of the year against Apponequet, the school hoisted a banner to the gym wall in celebration of now-junior Rachael Silva winning the program's first-ever Division 1 state championship in the 1-meter diving event last season. It was the school's first state title of its kind since 2008 (Emma Santoro).

Now, Silva and the Hilltoppers hope to be competitive again this winter.

"We are excited to see where our season takes us this year," Durfee head coach Christopher Poliseno said.

Durfee Hilltoppers

Head coach: Christopher Poliseno, eight season

Last year's record: Boys, 4-5; Girls, 6-4

League: Southeast Conference

Returning athletes: GIRLS: Rachael Silva, diver; Madison Ferreira, diver; Avery Antunes, butterfly/IM; Paitynn Botelho, N/A; Abigail Saunders, 50/100; BOYS: Jack Fitzgerald, 50 free/100 back; Omar Mahmoud, 100 fly/IM; Michael Harrington, 500 free

Newcomers: GIRLS: Hailey Alves; BOYS: Seth Vandenburgh, Reed White

Outlook: The Lady Hilltoppers are coming off a successful season. One of the main returners this year is the defending Division 1 state diving champion Silva, who begins her fourth season for Durfee. Junior Madison Ferreira is coming off great campaign, qualifying in both sectional and state championships. Sophomore Avery Antunes brings experience and skill to the team especially in the butterfly and IM events. Junior Paitynn Botelho is a third-year swimmer who made a big development boost last season. She will look to continue that progress this winter. Senior Hailey Alves is making her first appearance for the varisty squad. She has swimming experience outside of high school and adds depth to the lineup. "We are carrying some depth in our events," Poliseno said, "and with another year of experience under the belts of many of our girls, we look to continue that success."

The boys swim and dive team has struggled in the past due to low numbers. "The skill has always been there," Poliseno said. "We are excited this season, adding on to our roster with some meaningful athletes that can make a difference right away." Poliseno said they've added to the dive side with three new divers — the first in almost five years — to help build the program. Leading the charge for boys is senior Jack Fitzgerald, who will compete in the 50 free and 100 backstroke. Sophomore Omar Mahmoud, now in her third season, is an experienced swimmer that will swim in the 100 butterfly and 200 IM events. Sophomore Michael Harrington is another experienced swimmer that will take on the distance events. Sophomore Seth Vandenburg leads a new group of divers for the boys team and he's catching on quick. Freshman Reed White has experience coming from the YMCA swim program and the ability to jump in and make an impact right away. Poliseno sees great competition against league opponent New Bedford and Bridgewater-Raynham.

Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette sports editor Steven Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@heraldnews.com. You can follow him on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @Chezsports.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River area high school boys, girls swimming season preview