Ruden Sports News

Lily Archibald and Bridget Kelly were in complete agreement on the key to Ridgefield’s dominant performance at the FCIAC swim championships today at Greenwich High School.

It was Hulk Hogan.

And Randy “Macho Man” Savage.

“They were absolutely incredible,” Kelly said. “I think it’s the reason we won.”

“I definitely think it’s the reason we won,” Archibald said. “That’s what did it for us.”

Dominance? Ridgefield won 10 of the 11 swimming events. Charlotte VanDerzee was the only one to stand between the Tigers and a complete sweep. The 14-year-old freshman from Darien won the 50 freestyle.

“She’s a little motorboat,” said Kelly, who then edged VanDerzee for the 100 freestyle title.

Ridgefield was an aircraft carrier as it amassed 464.5 points. Greenwich was second with 419.

Seniors Kelly and Archbald and junior Ava Ward each won two individual events. Archibald set a personal best in breaking the FCIAC record and gaining automatic All-American status in the 100-yard butterfly. Riley McGerald won the 100 breaststroke.

The Tigers swept all three relays, easily breaking the FCIAC 400 freestyle record, gaining All-American status and coming close to breaking the state record they set in 2022.

As they head into the Class L and State Open meets, the Tigers are scary dominant.

When it was over today, coach Paul Marchese, dressed as Macho Man, and assistant coach Ronald Vaughan, dressed as Hulk, dove into the pool to join the celebration.

Madness Meets Mania was a landmark 1987 WWE event. Who knew it would be recreated in chlorine 37 years later?

“Ronnie and I always tell the girls we’ll take pressure off of you, take the eyes off of you,” Marchese said. “You just do the job. Ronnie and I have no problem keeping up the energy up for them.”

Although Marchese wore a technicolor outfit to the State Open last year at Yale, the swimmers had no idea the coaches would dress like that today.

“They said they had something planned, but we had no idea what it was,” Kelly said. “During warmup, they were still in normal sweatshirts. They came out right before the medley relay (first event) and they’re like, ‘Looking good, looking good.’”

Archibald said the coaches had managed to keep the secret on the bus ride to the meet. 

“It wasn’t until we were at the blocks for the medley relay that we saw them,” Archibald said. “It gave us a lift.”

The foursome of Mairead Luhman, McGerald, Archibald and Kelly pulled away from Greenwich to win in 1:45.41.    

“As I told them at the beginning, energy is contagious and that first race set the tone,” Marchese said. “It’s not surprising. The girls have worked for it. If they can do it over and over in practice, we know they can do it here.”

It turns out that there is a method to the madness and mania. Ridgefield isn’t only terrific in the pool, they are loud and supportive on the pool deck.

“Coming into today, we were really focused on making sure we had a great atmosphere,” Ward said. “What we always do is win the deck. It’s really helpful during all our events. That 200 medley gave us the drive. I came in with the feeling that good energy will bring good results.” 

Ward immediately dove into the pool after the medley relay to go 1-2 with teammate Keira Giles in the 200 freestyle. Ward swam 1:37.45.

Kelly (2:05.41) and McGerald followed with a 1-2 and forced Greenwich star Sena Bozkurt into third place in the 200 IM.

“I’d always been a freestyler and my senior year I wanted to switch it up,” said Kelly, who’ll swim at Georgetown. “Let’s see what happens.”

VanDerzee popped in to take the 50 free in 24.00 before Archibald, a two-time state champion in the 100 fly, took first in 53.68. Bozkurt was second in 54.96. It was seen as the premier race of the day and didn’t disappoint.

“It was my best time and I wasn’t expecting it,” said Archibald, who will swim at Rice. “I’ve been putting a lot of hard work in the pool. I’m excited to see what I can put down (in the Class L and State Open) with the team behind me.”

Kelly followed with her victory in the 100 free in 51.38 ahead of VanDerzee (52.13).

“My goal was first and first,” VanDerzee said, “but I’m definitely not mad about getting second in the 100 free. It was my best time. I’m happy about that.”

And Ridgefield?

“I’m really impressed how they’re connected as a whole,” VanDerzee said. “They’re so strong together.”  

Ward completed her double with a first in the 500 free in 5:03.53. Ridgefield was unstoppable by this point. Wins in the 200 free relay, 100 backstroke (Archibald in 55.55), 100 breaststroke (McGerald in 1:05.41) and finally the 400 freestyle relay followed. Ward, Giles, Kelly and Archibald turned in a sizzling 3:26.76, nearly seven seconds ahead of Greenwich.

Ridgefield set the 400 freestyle relay state record of 3:26.30 in 2022 and won the 2023 State Open in 3:27.04. Greenwich does not have wedges on its starting blocks, which makes the 3:26.76 all the more impressive.

“Give us some wedges and that thing is going down,” Marchese said.

“You’d be surprised what a difference they make,” Archibald said.

And here’s something equally intimidating. Ridgefield had a light day Friday, but essentially trained through the FCIACs.

“I can’t wait until the girls are fully rested (for the state meets),” Marchese said.

And the girls can’t wait for the next outfits.