By Charlotte Rascoll – Staff Reporter

As only a sophomore, Sarah McCann has had a major impact on the Jonathan Law girls swim and dive team this season.

McCann is primarily a sprinter for the team. Her usual events include 50 yard freestyle, 100 yard freestyle, 200 yard freestyle relay, and the 400 yard freestyle relay. Her hard work was rewarded this season when McCann had some really good swims in the second half of the season.

“My biggest accomplishments this season were going under one minute in my 100 yard freestyle and placing fifth overall in my 50 yard freestyle at SCC Finals,” McCann said.

McCann found her passion for swimming at a young age when she was struggling to find the right sport for her, and has been competitively swimming for the past six years. 

“When I’m racing I think more things come challenging to me than easy,” McCann said. “Especially during the race, you feel like you have nothing left and it’s challenging to push through the last 10 yards that feel like 10 miles.”

Girls swim coaches Mr. Rosner and Mr. Lui feel that McCann brings a lot to the team, and that she is open to challenge.

“From a swimming standpoint, she provides the ability to do any event we need her to,” Rosner said. “She has had a clear desire to improve, and she’s not afraid to work hard to do it.”

This year McCann was seeded as one of the Top 16 swimmers in the state for her events. She went through SCC trials and straight to the finals.

“Sarah’s season is not over yet, but I’d say it’s been a great success,” Lui said. “She finished 5th in the 50 free and 12th in the 100 free at SCC championships as a sophomore.”

McCann’s will be competing in state trials and state finals these upcoming weeks. She still has a lot to work for even with the normal season being over.

McCann’s teammates respect her hard work and recognize the accomplishments she has made, and know that she will shine these next few weeks.

“Sarah has had an incredible season,” senior Gianna Gagliardi said. “She has hit many milestones in her 100 yard freestyle and I know she will continue to strive in our upcoming state championship meets taking place in East Lyme and New Haven. “

McCann is not only respected for her skills, but also her attitude by those around her on the pool deck.

“I enjoy that Sarah has a lot of motivation,” junior Sana Joshi said. “She is always trying her best as a swimmer.”