"I couldn't be prouder of this entire team, how hard they worked, and how much they supported each other this season," Purple Valley head coach Steve Kuster said. "We are fortunate to have some very talented swimmers who represented us proudly at championships this past month. I, and the rest of the Purple Valley board, could not be more pleased with the success of our first season, both in and out of the pool."

 

Purple Valley Aquatics was started in August by Coach Steve Kuster and his wife Kim, as well as board members Jennifer Bush, Janette Kessler Dudley, Carrie Ghidotti and Jay Thoman. By the end of the season, there were 45 registered swimmers, far more than the 20 the board hoped for. The Williamstown-based team attracted swimmers from Adams, Bennington (Vt.), Hinsdale (N.Y.), Lenox, Pittsfield and North Adams. Kuster was joined by coaches Karrie Honecker and the Williams College assistant coach Nick Stone.

 

The team sent six swimmers to the  12 and under New England Championships on Feb. 28 through March 3 at Upper Valley Aquatic Center in White River Junction (Vt.): Isaac Boyd (11 years old), Ellie Field (12), Gigi French (12), Cole Kuster (11), Jonah McNair (10), and Carson Wickman (11). Between them, they competed in 27 events and took 15 top-10 places.

 

The two swimmers sent to the 13-19 age group championships, hosted on March 7 through 10 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, were Jesse Tobin (13 years old) and Logan Wickman (14). Between them, they competed in 13 events and took five top-10 finishes.

 

For more information about Purple Valley Aquatics, visit their website, www.purplevalleyaquatics.org.