Greenwich High School’s varsity swimming/diving team celebrated its Senior Day the way it usually does – in successful style.

The Cardinals put the finishing touch on another highly successful season, earning a decisive 106-74 win over visiting Darien on Senior Day at GHS on Oct. 23rd – an especially special day for the seniors on the squad that have meant so much to the storied program.

Winning the majority of the events, while producing impressive times and performances, Greenwich showed that it is indeed, ready for the rapidly approaching postseason with their Senior Day victory against the Blue Wave.

Charette Ellison, one of Greenwich’s senior captains, won two individual events and was part of the team’s winning 200-yard freestyle relay squad in the Cardinals’ Senior Day win.

Charette reflected on the four seasons she’s spent as a member of the Cardinals’ outstanding varsity swimming/diving program.

“It feels pretty crazy, it feels like just yesterday we were just freshmen,” Ellison Charette said. “I remember looking at the seniors on senior day thinking, ‘wow’ they’re so old and now we’re here.”

Ellison Charette won the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:15.01. Cardinals teammate Sara Jee, a junior, placed a very close second in the 200 IM, positing a time of 2:15.37. Izzie Nassa, also a senior captain, was third in the 200 IM for GHS, clocking in at 2:19.88.

The 500-yard freestyle race also saw Ellison Charette finish first. She touched the wall in a winning time of 5:18.63. Olivia DeVries was the runner-up for Greenwich in the 500 freestyle (5:24.14), followed by Abby Goertel of Darien (5:26.85).

The defending State Open, CIAC Class LL and FCIAC champion Cardinals finished the regular season with a record of 6-1, their lone loss coming against Ridgefield on Oct. 14. Up next for Greenwich and its FCIAC rivals is the FCIAC Championships. The FCIAC swimming trials are scheduled to take place Oct. 28th and the FCIAC finals are slated to be held on Oct. 31st at Greenwich High School.

“I’m super excited, it was tough after the Ridgefield meet to have a loss, but we definitely bounced back in practice,” Ellison Charette said of competing in the upcoming FCIAC Championships. “We’ve been working super hard ever since.”

Greenwich began its meet against Darien by winning the 200-yard medley relay race. Sophomore Alden Charette, Jee, senior captain Julia Kozma and senior captain Kensie Worden combined for a winning time of 1:51.54. Darien finished second (1:59.02). Worden has also swam for the Cards since her freshman year.

“This team has meant so much to me,” said Worden as she reflected on her swimming career for the Cardinals. “It’s been a huge part of my upbringing in high school. It’s helped me find my place here at GHS. It’s mean so much to me, some of my closest friends have come from this program. To see all those people in the pool, these people are the reason I’m here today and I get to do what I do.”

Worden was the 50-yard freestyle winner for Greenwich against Darien, clocking in at 24.55 seconds. Close behind her in second place was GHS teammate Anna Whitridge, a junior (25.06 seconds). Caitlin Martin of the Blue Wave placed third (25.43).

“I just can’t believe that it’s already over,” Worden said prior to the team’s post meet Senior Day ceremony. “There’s no other place I’d rather be, I love this place so much – more than the place, I love the people so much.”

DeVries earned a first-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle, touching the wall in 2:01.06. Isle Fedoronko of Darien was the runner-up in the 200 freestyle (2:01.70). Norah Eldredge, a junior, took third in the 200 freestyle for the Cards (2:02.50).

The diving event against Darien took place the day before the swimming portion of the meet and Alden Charette won the 1-meter event once again. Alden Charette who has enjoyed a record-breaking season on the 1-meter board for the Cardinals, earned a score of 303.70 over six rounds of diving at the Greenwich YMCA.

Jane Sykes had Greenwich’s next best score, finishing fourth in the 1-meter diving competition (250.85). Alden Charette, one of the premier high school divers in the nation, should lead the Cardinals in the diving competition during the postseason.

In the 100 butterfly, Fedoronko of Darien touched the wall first in 58.69 seconds. Kozma was second for GHS in 1:01.24. Whitridge gave Greenwich a win in the 100 freestyle (54.48 seconds), with Worden placing right behind her in second (54.68) and freshman Vivian Jacoby taking third (57.04).

Eldredge, Whitridge, Jee and Ellison Charette were victorious in the 200 freestyle relay, combining for a time of 1:43.01.

Alden Charette, who has shown her versatility all season, took first in the 100 backstroke, posting a time of 1:00.97 for the Cards. Martin was second for the Blue Wave (1:02.57) and Kozman finished third (1:03.62). Greenwich swam exhibition in the 100 breaststroke and 400 freestyle relay, so Darien took those team points.

Captain Izzy Nassa also spoke about Senior Day and her time with the GHS swim program.

“It was definitely emotional,” Nassa noted. “These girls, especially my class, we’ve gotten really close and we’ve been racing together since we were freshmen. It was definitely a full circle moment. It’s been good, I’ve been having a lot of good times with my teammates, working really hard and pushing each other. It’s been great.”

So, now it’s on to the postseason meets for Greenwich, coached by Megan Kelly. The Cardinals of course, have high expectations after winning the Triple Crown one season ago – the FCIAC, Class LL and State Open team titles.

“I’m so proud of everyone, especially the freshmen,” Ellison Charette said. “It’s definitely hard coming to this team and it’s such a big team, it’s very well known. But I love how everybody has been adjusting and I’m super excited for FCIACs.”