SportSeen: 'Senior' Moment: NCHS Boys Best Darien in Pool

Still trailing halfway through a dual meet against rival , the boys swim team took a few minutes following the regular break for diving to continue a popular annual tradition.

With more than 80 relatives and friends looking down from the balcony, the Rams non-seniors gathered on the bulkhead to honor their soon-to-graduate upperclassmen. Before continuing with their final home meet, each senior was formally announced, received a rose and walked past his teammates.

While they walked, Head Coach Jason Paige through a microphone relayed to the crowd words and information supplied by each the team's nine seniors, including where each is headed next year and what the seniors consider their own top achievements and most memorable moments.

That list follows, and it may have been inspirational, as the Rams would rebound soon after to send the Blue Wave home with the blues, in a comeback 100-86 victory. Attached is a collection of photos and videos that include short interviews with the Rams' co-captains, Gabe Lane and Patrick Sweeney, and each teams' coaches, as well as two races.

Gabe Lane

• What's Next: Whittier College
• Achievements: Captain both junior and senior year; sixth at States in the 200 individual medley last year; "Lives for the team."
• Most memorable moments: "Getting kicked out of FCIAC finals sophomore year for cheering too much."

Patrick Sweeney

• What's Next: Gettysburg  College
• Achievements: All-state; All-FCIAC; Captain
• Most memorable moments: "Being a part of the New Canaan High School team."

Jack Church

• What's Next: Marist College
• Achievements: Joining the swim team as a senior; "Going to practice when I was sick."
• Most memorable moments: "First swim practice and trying to keep up."

Conor Goodwin

• What's Next: Furman University
• Achievements: FCIAC Finals/States as a freshman; "Fun through all of it."
• Most memorable moments: "Playing sharks and minnows instead of practicing on Friday sometimes."

Chris Laird

• What's Next: Undecided
• Achievements: State and FCIAC finalist
• Most memorable moments: "Winning the swim team knockout game." "Making state finals in second year of swimming."

Henry Lloyd

• What's Next: Undecided
• Achievements: Making state finals the past three years; being part of a team that won states (in '08)
• Most memorable moments: "Making my states cut as a freshman and what a surprise it was."

Jason Potter

• What's Next: Gettysburg College
• Achievements: State open qualifier; FCIAC finalist; "Attain lifelong friendships"; "Class of 2011 Best Body"
• Most memorable moments: "Getting my first Y Nationals cut."

Karl Reinhardt

• What's Next: Bowdoin College
• Achievements: All-FCIAC 2010; State finalist 9th-11th grades; "Swimming in the 400 free relay that came in sixth at Opens."
• Most memorable moments: "When the bus erupted chanting 'Karl' after states." "The rapping that occurs after every swim meet on the bus."

Ben Stryker

• What's Next: Undecided
• Achievements: Keeping goggles on more often than not; completing the 1,000 during first practice ever.
• Most memorable moments: "S'mores bars and chocolate chip cake."

(Editor's Note: This article has been updated to correct the freestyle relay results.)