Sports You Gotta Follow

Medford High swim team grabs first Greater Boston League championship in 40 years

The Mustangs were bolstered by seniors Oliver Crane-Wiley, Brad DiPlacido, Yunus Kaloune, and Matthew Stricker, juniors Aileen Fiestas, Alessia Gaglio, Henry Gregor, and Victor Lauric, and sophomores Thanmaya Aman, Cherish Barayuga, Ava Godfrey, and Andrew Tran.

by Christopher Hurley / Sports Correspondent

Updated February 09, 2026

After 40 years settling for second, the Mustangs garnered GBL success in a title wave season.

The Medford High swim team made a major splash going undefeated in league play, clinching the Greater Boston League championship. It marked the Mustangs' first GBL banner in the pool since 1986.

“It feels good,” said Medford High swim coach Mary Judge, whose team finished with an overall record of 5-1. “It’s been a long time coming. The kids have worked unbelievably hard. We were very close last year. The kids were on a mission, and they completed it. It was very exciting. The kids were so happy. I’m happy for them, too. They wanted to represent the school and were very active in what they did.”

Leading the way for the Mustangs this season were senior captains James Cluggish, Cole Brereton-Green, Jaspreet Kaur, Polixeni (Xeni) Ververis, and Sarah Youssef.

A sprinter and breaststroke specialist, Cluggish excelled in the 50 and 100 freestyle. Brereton-Green mastered the 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley. Kaur turned the tide in the 50 free and backstroke, while Ververis focused on long distance dedications hitting the 500 and 200 freestyle, with equal aplomb. Youssef maintained the team’s winning ways in the 200 IM and 100 backstroke, adding to Medford’s momentum.

“They provided great leadership,” said Judge. “We had some really good speed. The seniors all improved incredibly. The captains showed great examples of what to do and how to be a good teammate. It was fun to watch.”

They fronted an amazing ensemble that dove head-first into each meet. The Mustangs were bolstered by seniors Oliver Crane-Wiley, Brad DiPlacido, Yunus Kaloune, and Matthew Stricker. Juniors Aileen Fiestas, Alessia Gaglio, Henry Gregor, and Victor Lauric, stabilized the squad.

Sophomores Thanmaya Aman, Cherish Barayuga, Ava Godfrey, and Andrew Tran added to Medford’s vast depth. The Mustangs also got plenty of youthful exuberance courtesy of a bevy of freshmen in Lillian Barbabino, Maiella Duncan, Leonardo Hernandez, Kira Huynh, Sophia Tsou, and Linden Wise.

They also benefitted from the addition of a pair of electric eighth graders, Ella Brereton-Green and Bella Slonimsky. Judge credited the tireless work of her staff, from assistant coach Christine Feeley to helper/coaches Kevin Bailey and Abby Brady, with getting them in the right mindset.

Coming off a solid 6-1-1 second place showing the previous year, Medford appeared determined from the sound of the starter’s gun. They took it to another level in the season-opener beating archrivals Malden 92-78, Dec. 16. Grounding the Golden Tornadoes proved to be the catalyst which propelled them.

“Malden has been our shadow for years,” said Judge. “Last year we beat them and then lost to them. About 20 years ago we beat Malden once, but we weren’t strong enough to be the GBL champions at that point. Last year there were signs that we could do it if there were a turn of events. They worked very hard to make that happen.”

Medford made significant waves routing Revere in its home opener 86-59, Jan. 6. They matched its season-best numbers in a 93-70 road win over Somerville, Jan. 8, before eliminating East Boston back at home 91-65, Jan. 13.

The team’s winning streak was snapped following a slim 10-point decision to non-league foe Boston Latin Academy 89-79, Jan. 15. But the setback didn’t dampen their spirits.

“It was challenging,’ said Judge. “But it pushed the kids.”

Medford bounced back, stonewalling Lynn Classical 87-73, Jan. 20. The win proved to be their regular season finale, after its meet with O’Bryant was cancelled due to January’s nor’easter.

The GBL championship was very satisfying for Judge, who first took the head coaching reigns with the Mustangs 35 years ago.

“I have a great group of kids,” said Judge. “They were all for each other and very supportive of everybody. We weren’t the fastest, but we had a good overall balanced team. We had some firsts, some mediums, but they all pushed themselves to the limit. They’ve all got their personal best times this year. You can’t ask for any more than that.”

“Meets aren’t always won from first places,” Judge added. “They’re great, but 2-3-4 really make up the points in a team. That’s what they did. If they didn’t get first, they continued to push. And even If they placed fifth, that’s all points. They understood that. It was amazing to see what they accomplished and how.”

Medford Mustang Hall of Famer Brian McIver, a key member of the 1986 squad, was thrilled to hear about his old team’s accomplishments.

“I’m super excited for them,” said McIver, 57, now based in San Diego. “That’s just an awesome thing to see them build that program back up. I’m really happy for Mary, and all the kids that are swimming for the program. Nice to see them get back up there.”

McIver got his feet wet for Medford High from 1982 to 1986. He still holds 10 school records, including four GBL milestones. But it wasn’t until his senior year of 1986 that the team managed to put it all together.

“In 1982-83 the boys and girls teams were separate and Malden was winning all of those years,” said McIver. “It wasn’t until about 1984-85 as a co-ed team when we became strong. We had a good core of boys, but not a lot. It was the girl swimmers that put us over the top, like RoRo Deleo, Trish Sweeney, and Ann Reynolds. They really made a big difference.”

Although his name is still prominently featured on the MHS leader board four decades later, McIver feels it’s only a matter of time before these young guns take aim at them.

“I hope that will change,” said McIver. “I had some records at UMass Amherst, the last of those finally fell last year. I hope that these kids can get there, too. It’s certainly not unreachable for the kids that are swimming now.”

When looking back at her current senior class, Judge can’t help but get choked up.

“I’m going to miss them so much,” said Judge, noting most were four-year letter-winners. “They’re very talented kids not only in swimming but in school. There’s a series of things they have to go through if they want to be captain. They write an essay. Then there’s the vote. You have to be at all the practices and be an example to the school and the team. The season is also short, so if they have a job they have to work their schedule around it. A lot of them are lifeguards, which works well because they’ll work at the pool they were just practicing in.”

Although she’s losing nine upperclassmen, the longtime coach remains upbeat.

“I think the future looks bright,” said Judge. “Any sport is difficult these days for these kids with so many activities. But I feel if we open it up to the eighth-graders, and hopefully the seventh-graders at some point, that they’ll get exposure and will add it into their regimen. Both the team and students really benefit from that exposure.”

“Swimming is a very constant sport,” she added. “People love swimming but don’t understand that it’s a long-term sport. We will continue to move on. That’s what we do.”