The boys varsity swimming and diving team cruised to a 93-58 victory over Avon Old Farms on Wednesday, December 7, in the Pelicans’ first meet of the season.

Of the 12 events, a Loomis Chaffee swimmer or relay team took first in all but two, to help kick off new head coach Grant Gritzmacher’s career as a Pelican coach.

The 200-meter medley relay team of juniors Derrick Zhang and Jake Yu and seniors Benson Wang and Kaeden Freston won their event to open the meet, followed by a 1-2 finish in the 200-meter freestyle from juniors Yilin Yang and Preston McNulty Socha.

Senior Matthew Eng picked up right where he left off last year with a win in the 200-meter individual medley while sophomore Harava Rahardjo placed second. Sophomore Matej Kubinsky and Zhang took the top two spots in the 50-meter freestyle.

Another highlight of the meet came from Eng, McNulty Socha, and sophomore Erik Lamphere, as they placed 1-2-3 respectively in the 400-meter free, and, with just a few minutes’ rest, those three swimmers teamed up with Freston to win the 200-meter freestyle relay.

“It was definitely an exciting afternoon at Hedges Pool with lots of promising performances. I couldn’t ask for a better group of kids to kick the season off with, and I’m looking forward to watching them grow,” said Coach Gritzmacher.

Full results of the meet can be found on the New England Prep School Swimming Association website.

Up next, the team travels to perennial power Phillips Exeter Academy for a matchup against the Big Red on Saturday, December 10, at 2:30 p.m.