The boys varsity swim and dive team battled the Needham Rockets and lost 98-85 on their senior night and Shoulder Check meet, on Friday, Jan. 23 at the Evelyn Kirrane Aquatics Center.

Before starting the competition, the Warriors took a moment to recognize the Shoulder Check Initiative. Shoulder Check is an initiative focused on mental health for athletes and has been integrated into Brookline athletics this year.

The Warriors started the meet off strong in the diving section and soon after won the 200 medley relay. Riding that momentum, senior Philip Wang won the 200 freestyle, and junior Rui-han Ji finished first in the 200 individual medley.

The boys swim and dive team was relocated to the Simmons University pool due to the renovations at the beginning of the season. According to senior and captain Marc Hummel, the team hit a lot of obstacles during this time.

“We had to cut some of our practice time. It was really rough. Honestly, our morale was at a low point, but we persevered,” Hummel said. “People were still able to grow and get faster. I’m pretty proud of a lot of people, especially the freshmen and sophomores. I’ve seen a lot of growth from them.”

Senior and captain Nicholas Soukas said that despite the slow start to the season, he has seen how the team has bonded and grown.

“I feel like we’ve been increasing the amount of cheering. The team support is only getting better, and I feel like we’re gonna have a really strong finish to the season,” Soukas said.

Although the Warriors kicked the meet off well, they fell behind in the second half. During the 200 freestyle relay, the Warriors dropped back at the start and were unable to catch the Rockets by the end. The Warriors continued to fall behind the Rockets throughout the later events, ending with a 3rd and 4th finish in the 400 freestyle relay.

Despite losing the meet, several Warriors pulled off strong individual performances. This included a dominant win in the 100 backstroke by junior Logan Krolnik and a win in the 100 breastroke by Hummel.

Despite the loss, head coach Robin Ross saw areas where the team had developed throughout the season.

“Their times have gotten faster, and some of the underclassmen have stepped up and tried to be more of role models, which is great,” Ross said.

Hummel said this meet was one of his favorites as a senior, partially due to the atmosphere the Warriors created.

“I feel like there was good sportsmanship today. People were really supportive about races, giving fistbumps. It was a fun meet even though we lost,” Hummel said.

Although the Warriors ultimately lost, Soukas said he is excited for the Bay State meet coming up and proud of the work that went into the season.

“I know I’m gonna miss it next year,” Soukas said. “But I know I gave this my all, and that I made the most of my last year.”