Congratulations are in order for New Bedford sophomore swimmer Serenity Coleman, who took 1st place in the 50 yard freestyle event at the MIAA Division 1 State Championships, held Saturday, February 15 at Boston University. She becomes the first Whaler swimmer to win a state title since 2016, when Kyleigh Barao completed back-to-back state championships in the 100 butterfly.

In a thrillingly tight race, with the top seven finishers coming within one second of each other, Coleman bested Concord-Carlisle’s sophomore Elisabeth Reiling by one-hundredth of a second to take the title.

On Saturday (Feb. 8) at MIT in Boston, Durfee’s Rachael Silva and New Bedford’s Serenity Coleman emerged as South Sectional Champions. Silva took first place in the diving event (435.20), while Coleman grabbed the top spot in the 50 (24.63) and 100 (54.12) freestyle events.

Below is Silva’s title clinching last dive, a back 1-1/2 somersault with a 1/2 twist in the free position (5231D).

The New Bedford Swim & Dive team cruised to first place in the both the boys and girls divisions at the Big 3 Conference Championships held over two days at New Bedford High School.

Girls Team Score
1. New Bedford – 534
2. Durfee – 427
3. Brockton – 213

Boys Team Score
1. New Bedford – 544
2. Durfee – 343
3. Brockton – 116

Complete Results

The diving portion of the Big 3 Conference Swim & Dive Championships belonged to Durfee. The Hilltoppers swept the top three spots in both the girls and boys action. Complete results

Diving’s Top 3 finishers:

Girls
Rachael Silva – Durfee – 271.20
Madison Ferreira – Durfee – 216.70
Sarah Raposa – Durfee – 211.45

Boys
Seth Vandenburgh – Durfee – 217.60
Micah Ross – Durfee – 208.10
Logan Vandenburgh – Durfee – 200.40