Sussex Academy swimming hopes big turnout leads to big wins

As the Sussex Academy girls’ swimming program continues to add years to its dual-meet win streak – it’s up to five full seasons – the roster numbers for both the boys’ and girls’ teams steadily climb.

“We've got about 46 swimmers, both boys and girls,” said assistant coach Stephanie Hartsoe. “It's going to be exciting to see how they do.”

Hartsoe and Nico Caceres have been working with head coach Tom Martiner as the Seahawks have been making their mark in the pool. Hoping to continue their progression as a program, Sussex Academy added Guy Gosselin to the coaching staff for the 2025-26 season.

“The roster continues to grow with a strong mix of returning swimmers and new young athletes,” Hartsoe said. “Older, experienced swimmers are stepping up as leaders, helping guide and support younger teammates. With expanded coaching and rising team spirit, the program is set for a successful year ahead.”

On the girls’ side, there are some swim caps to fill, but the production line remains strong.

“Last year, we lost some really important seniors, but we only lost two, and our team is only growing,” said senior Victoria Evans. “There are a lot of new girls who have joined that are going to be beneficial for us. We almost went undefeated last year, and we have good chances of going undefeated this year.”

As for the boys, they are excited to see what can happen with more lanes filled up.

“Don't get me wrong, we have good people as well, but it all comes down to numbers, and the more people you get, the more points you can score and the easier it is to win,” said senior Angel Figueroa.

Vibes seem to be going a long way in both locker rooms.

“I love the team,” Evans said. “We have such a good team culture that it'll show in our races.”

“Every time we swim, we swim together, not by ourselves,” said senior Sebastian Scruggs. “It's not an individual sport; it's a team sport. And I feel like we are all going stronger together.”