Team Spotlight: Cheshire High School Rams

By Lindsay Hock

CHESHIRE, Connecticut, November 26. SIX consecutive NCAA national titles for the Indiana Hoosiers…21 Division III titles for the Kenyon men and 17 for the Kenyon women. These record-breaking winning streaks redefined winning in swimming and have set a new standard for success and achievement.

Recently, Cheshire High School from Cheshire, Conn., captured its 235th consecutive dual meet victory on Oct. 16 for the girls team. While NISCA, the national organization in charge of recognizing high school records does not recognize dual meet streak records, Cheshire's run is pretty impressive.

CHS' streak, which began in 1986, garnered much local and national hoopla.

Head coach Ed Aston believes his swimmers' commitment to their high school team has been the main ingredient in the Rams' success.

"Cheshire High School has a great tradition of swimming," Aston said. "This town loves swimming and the kids really make swimming for their school their main priority."

Aston, who started both the Cheshire High School teams and the USA Swimming and YMCA-affiliated Cheshire SeaDawgs in 1970, says the town's passion for swimming has only helped in reaching the 235 (and counting) wins.

While the main contributors to the Cheshire High School team are also club swimmers, Aston stresses that everyone is welcome to join his team.

"We don't turn anyone away," Aston said. "There have certainly been many swimmers who are considered walk-ons, but at some point, everyone gets a chance to contribute."

Whether his swimmers are serious club swimmers or only participate during the high school season, everyone is required to attend all practices.

"We don't operate as a team unless everyone makes this team their priority," Aston said. "If you don't practice with us, then you don't compete."

These practices are run out of a 50 meter facility built four years ago located directly across from the high school.

"The pool was built by the town and they have allowed us to use it in a great capacity," said Aston.

As a member of the Southern Connecticut Conference, Cheshire is able to swim some of the best teams in the state of Connecticut. But Aston doesn't stop there in looking for good competition for his swimmers.

"We will swim against anyone who wants to swim against us," Aston said.

In the past, this search for other great teams has taken Cheshire to New York and Massachusetts.

"We always try to swim teams who will challenge us," said Aston. "It is important to us to have a good schedule."

The Rams' success has thrust the sport of swimming into the spotlight not only in the area, but nationally as well.

"Every TV camera in the state was there [at the meet where we won No. 235]. ESPN and Sports Illustrated covered it. 800 people were in attendance," said Aston. "The atmosphere was simply electric."

While the Cheshire team received great exposure because of its winning streak, Aston and his team believe the sport of swimming was the real benefactor of all the press.

"To see what we have done for swimming in general has been incredible," said Aston. "There is a real excitement about the future of swimming here in Chesire. Our girls were able to give swimming a real boost."

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