The teams huddled together waiting for the totals to be added up, suspense building as the results were announced. Would the winner be defending Division 1 girls’ state swimming champion Andover or last year’s state runner-up Chelmsford?
And the winner was . . . neither.
Andover tied Chelmsford, 93-all, in a meet of two undefeated teams in the Merrimack Valley Conference. With the tie, the Golden Warriors (10-1-1 overall) and Lions (13-0-1) earned a share of the MVC crown with 8-0-1 marks.
Andover finished second and third in the 400 freestyle relay to secure the tie in the meet’s final race.
Andover senior Maeve Awiszus won the 500 freestyle (5:13.26) and 100 backstroke (1:01.86).
Senior Caitlin Sheridan placed first in the 200 individual medley and 100 freestyle for the Lions, and was a member of the winning 200 freestyle relay team.
The only loss for the Golden Warriors this year came against Acton-Boxboro on Oct. 8, a 95-91 defeat. That loss snapped a 55-meet win streak dating to 2008, when Chelmsford won its first ever MIAA Division 1 State fall championship. Andover has won 13 of the last 14 state titles. Chelmsford beat Acton-Boxboro on Oct. 15.
The rivals will meet again on Nov. 9 at the North Sectionals at 4:15 p.m. at MIT.
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