Sussex Academy, Cape girls place well at DIAA Swim Championships
Editor’s note: The boys’ competition is covered in a separate story.
The Sussex Academy girls’ swim team collected two gold medals during the DIAA Swimming and Diving Championships, held Feb. 24 at the University of Delaware’s Rawstrom Natatorium.
Seahawks freshman Anna Mumford took the top podium spot in the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:02.79. She also garnered bronze in the 200 freestyle. Teammate Gracie Maughan followed up her 2023 gold in the 100 breaststroke with a second gold for 2024, and also took bronze in the 200 individual medley.
"I was thrilled to be at states as a freshman,” said Mumford. “I was excited to represent Sussex Academy and have had such a positive experience. My goal was to be top five in the 200 free and podium in the 500 free, and exceeding those goals was absolutely incredible. I'm so lucky to have the support of my teammates, coaches, friends and family. It was an amazing year for everyone. I was excited to be able to score points along with my teammates and land sixth in the state. I am extremely proud of the Sussex Academy team and the hard work we have all put in to achieve our individual and team goals."
“I thought that my senior states was my most memorable states,” said Maughan. “One of my favorites. I couldn’t have asked for a better team, and watching the underclassmen come in and tear up the competition makes me very proud. It’s also incredible to watch a states team of eight girls place sixth in the state next to teams of 20-plus girls. It’s very bittersweet to have to say goodbye to a team that I have been a part of for the past five years, but I’m so thankful for all the opportunities and relationships I have gained.”
“This year’s tournament was a great way to end a fantastic season,” said Sussex Academy coach Tom Martiner. “Not just for us at Sussex Academy, but also for the entire conference. Over the course of the season, there are great rivalries throughout the conference. It pivots at the state meet when the entire conference is rooting and cheering for each other. On a team-specific note, last year we had the first individual state championship, with Gracie Maughan. This year, she repeated, and we added Anna Mumford as a state champion. Great stuff.”
The Cape girls placed 13th in the championships.
“You know it really meant a lot to them when they had tears at the end,” said Cape coach Bill Geppert. “When they finally could relax after the exhausting whirlwind of meets during the season, conferences and states, it hit them that it was all over. For the seniors, it was a very sad, but satisfying moment. That is what makes me so proud of them and keeps me enjoying coaching.”
Rachel Bockrath of Brandywine set records in the in both the 200-yard and 100-yard freestyle events, with times of 1:45.98 and 49:01, respectively. Bockrath's career achievements include eight state titles. She will be swimming for Ohio State in the fall.
DIAA girls’ top 10
1. Ursuline Academy - 357.50 points
2. Charter School of Wilmington - 262 points
3. Tower Hill School - 205 points
4. Saint Mark's - 149 points
5. Brandywine - 144 points
6. Sussex Academy - 130 points
7. Middletown - 110 points
8. Padua Academy - 104 points
8. Archmere Academy - 104 points
10. Wilmington Friends - 95 points
